MOSCOW, Ohio – Tim Suter couldn't get to town.
- EF-3 tornado hit in March 2012
- Massive flooding swallowed the town in 1997
- The population was 250 before the tornado
The roads were blocked with debris. His truck became disabled when the tires went flat somewhere up the road on U.S. 52.
He walked.
“It was shear shock, I can't explain it any other way,” Suter told Spectrum News 1 from the Moscow council chambers. He's the mayor.
It was March 2, 2012 – a tornado had just leveled his village.
Literally.
Approximately 80 percent of the structures in the village of (then) 250 people were damaged or destroyed. The EF-3 was responsible for one death in Moscow. 64-year-old Carol Forste was trapped in debris inside of her home.
The tornado was the second natural disaster to hit Moscow in 25 years. In 1997, catastrophic flooding from the Ohio River damaged a lot of homes. Just about everybody returned and rebuilt.
But the tornado was different.
“It's almost like a war zone. You just can't comprehend it. We talk about. Until you walk in on it and see your whole life turned upside down, everyone's life turned upside down, you can't fathom the emotions and things you go through.”
Suter estimates around 60 people didn't come back after the tornado, because of insurance or financial reasons. Others just didn't want to deal with another disaster.
“Two natural disasters have taken a toll on the population.”
After the tornado, the village purchased lots from residents who opted not to come back. They're vacant and none have been bought by an prospective homeowners. Suter says the village is working to better market the available property.
After the flood, FEMA purchased many vacant lots and they'll never be sold.
But despite empty lots and a few neglected homes from the tornado, the city boasts a park and playground. It's annual Fourth of July celebration, held on the 3rd, draws thousands of visitors each summer. Their are regular ice cream socials, and soup dinners.
Moscow doesn't have any traffic lights, or a grocery store. There isn't even a bar – the last one was destroyed in the tornado.
There is a gas station convenience store on the edge of town.
“It's home. A lot of people come here and they stay here because it's home. A few of us have grown up here and stayed here but a majority of the people have came and stayed because they like it here. And that's the reason they rebuild and take care of things. It's what we do.”
As with most small towns, everybody knows everybody.
“You can go next door and do things,” Suter explained. “It's not one of those neighborhoods where you don't talk to you neighbor. You know everyone and they know you. If you need something they're usually there to help you.”