Tornado of a Year Ago Brings Good Memories Along With the Bad

It's a typical day, but oddly similar to June 21, 2010.  Humid, warm, and a threat of severe weather looming.

Craig Fisher of Muskego Beer and Liquor laughs when he's asked to recall the events that collapsed the roof on the east side of their building.

"Yeah, that was amazing," he says.  "We weren't here, but my brother came out to check on things later and found a mess."

Pictures of the damage might make any business owner sit down and weep, but the decision on whether to open or not the next day was foremost on their minds.

"We wondered if we should open, and it was one of our best days," Fisher said.  The 41-year old family-owned business was indeed a hub of activity, with many residents buying ice to keep food cold in non-working refrigerators.

Captain John LaTour with the Muskego Police Department described a similar rollercoaster of experiences.

"At first it was just five minutes of terror, and you think about all the things you prepare for with generators and emergency back up systems," Capt. LaTour explained.  "Then afterward, you think about the greater community, and I have to say how proud I was to see the community come together."

Department heads along with citizens leant a hand in clearing roads, checking on various city services, and neighbors helping neighbors.

"I think back on this and feel also how very, very lucky we were that there were no fatalities, and no serious injuries really.  I look at the situation in Joplin and I'm very grateful," Capt. LaTour said.

Fisher agreed, and took a step further in saying that the storm helped them expand their business.

"It ended up motivating us to renovate that area so we could expand our wine selection," Fisher said.  "With the damage as well, the insurance covered the repairs."