Despite A History Of Twisters, Moore, Okla., Keeps Growing
One year ago Tuesday, a violent tornado obliterated the city of Moore, Okla., killing 24 residents and leaving nearly 400 injured among the razed homes and businesses. It was the third violent tornado to strike the city in the past 15 years. But rather than move away, residents have stayed put in Moore — and more and more are actually moving here.
Greg Blalock, who has lived in Moore for more than 20 years, experienced the devastation of last year's tornado firsthand. Blalock was out of town when it hit, and his wife was safely sheltered. But the tornado destroyed their house. When he returned that night, the couple joined hundreds of neighbors and left the area, along with their dog and a few salvaged possessions in a suitcase.
As soon as he could get his lot cleared, Blalock rebuilt. "If you move somewhere else — if you're anywhere around in here, which I would have to be because of my business — you're apt to get hit by a tornado. That's all there is to it."
And he's right. According to the National Weather Service, the city has averaged a tornado every 2 1/2 years since 1991.
So why would anyone new move here? Well, it's hard to argue with economics. Moore is close to Oklahoma City, a growing job market. The town has highly rated schools, and the median price for a house is $125,000. Over the past decade-and-a-half, the population has grown 30 percent.
When the storm hit last year, Deidre Ebrey, Moore's director of economic development, was at a conference trying to recruit businesses to come to the town.
"I'm sitting at a table with brokers representing Starbucks and Chipotle," Ebrey says. "Then I'm watching the monitors in the food court and I'm like, 'I have to go.' "
Ebrey's home was not destroyed, but she wondered if the businesses would still come. After the tornado, one of the first calls she made was to Amy Nolen, the building project director for a pharmacy service company called Computer-Rx. The company had been planning to build its headquarters in Moore, and Ebrey was afraid the company had changed its mind after the storm.
But Nolen eased her fears. "We never really thought of not moving over there," Nolen says. "Our first thought was, 'What can we do to keep our employees safe?' And so we've decided the warehouse will be a FEMA-rated safe room."
Construction of the new Computer-Rx headquarters is now underway. Other retailers, including the health club chain LA Fitness and mobile carrier Sprint, have also moved forward with pre-existing plans to open up shop in Moore. Fields that were empty before the storm are now filling up with new eateries, like Starbucks.
"At no time was it part of our discussion that we wouldn't continue to support [the community] as it continues to rebuild," says Traci York, a regional vice president at Starbucks.
And Moore isn't just rebuilding; it's also drawing new residents. According to the city, at least 375 new homes have been built since the tornado, in addition to the 1,100 that are being rebuilt.
Celina Chambers settled in town just five months after the tornado. She says friends elsewhere have repeatedly asked her why she would move to Moore.
"My answer to them was, 'Why wouldn't I move?' I mean, I saw some things down here after the tornado that I'd never witnessed before," Chambers says. "Never once did I see somebody [say], "Oh, why me?' or, 'Why us?' or waiting for somebody else to come do something."
It's not just the spirit of the community that appeals to Chambers. She also travels a lot for her job, and Moore has easy access to both the interstate and the Oklahoma City airport. Plus, it's closer to family, she says. If disaster strikes again, Chambers is certain that this community would help her recover; they've done it before, and they'll do it again.
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Transcript
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne. Good morning. It was one year ago today that a massive tornado obliterated the city of Moore, Oklahoma. Twenty-four residents were killed, and hundreds more injured, as homes, schools, and businesses were turned to rubble. It was the third violent tornado to strike that city in the last 15 years, something that could've caused people to pack up and move away for good.
But not only have residents stayed, more and more people are moving in. Rachel Hubbard of member station KOSU reports.
RACHEL HUBBARD, BYLINE: Greg Blalock has lived in Moore for 20 years and he wasn't shocked when he heard this on the television, last May 20.
(SOUNDBITE OF NEWSCAST)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And you see it's a violent tornado. This is a tornado emergency. We've got power flashes. And it's going through - my god, get below ground if at all possible.
HUBBARD: The Tornado destroyed Blalock's house. His wife was safely in the shelter. Blalock was out of town. He came back to get her, and that night, they joined hundreds of other people and left the neighborhood, along with their dog and a few salvaged possessions in a suitcase. Blalock rebuilt as soon as he could.
GREG BLALOCK: I rebuilt. If you move somewhere else, if you're anywhere around in here, which I would have to be because of my business, you know, you're apt to get hit by a tornado, that's all there is to it.
HUBBARD: And he's right. According to the National Weather Service, since 1991, the city has averaged a tornado every two-and-a-half years. So, why would anyone new move here? Well, it's hard to argue with economics. Moore is close to Oklahoma City, a growing job market. It has highly-rated schools, and the median price for a house is $125,000. Over the last decade and a half, the population has grown 30 percent.
Deidre Ebrey is the city's economic development director. When the storm hit last year, she was at a conference trying to recruit businesses to Moore.
DEIDRE EBREY: I'm sitting at a table with brokers representing Starbucks and Chipotle and different types of retailers, and then I'm watching the monitors in the food court and I'm like I have to go.
HUBBARD: Ebrey's home wasn't destroyed, but she wondered if the businesses would still come after this latest round of destruction. One of the first calls she made after the tornado was to Amy Nolen. Nolen is the building project director for a pharmacy service company called Computer Rx. It had been planning to build its headquarters in Moore. Ebrey was afraid the company had changed its mind. Here's Amy Nolen.
AMY NOLEN: We never really thought of not moving over there. Our first thought was how can we keep our employees safe? And so we've decided the warehouse will be a FEMA rated safe room.
(SOUNDBITE OF CONSTRUCTION)
HUBBARD: Construction of the new Computer RX headquarters is now underway. Other retailers, including health club chain LA Fitness and mobile carrier Sprint have also moved forward with pre-existing plans to open up here. Fields that were empty before the storm are now filling up with new restaurants like Starbucks. Traci York is the regional vice president for Starbucks.
TRACI YORK: At no time was it part of our discussion that we wouldn't continue to support in a very positive way, along with the community as it continues to rebuild.
HUBBARD: And Moore isn't just rebuilding, it's drawing new residents. According to the City, at least 375 new homes have been built since the tornado, in addition to the 1,100 being rebuilt. Celina Chambers settled in Moore just five months after the tornado. She says friends outside Moore asked her repeatedly why would she move here.
CELINA CHAMBERS: My answer to them was why wouldn't I move? I mean I saw some things after the tornado that I've witnessed before. And this community, never once did I see somebody, you know, oh why me or why us or waiting for somebody else to come do something.
HUBBARD: It's not just the spirit of the community. Chambers also moved here because of the convenience. Her job requires a lot of travel and Moore has easy access to the interstate, and the Oklahoma City airport. It's also closer to family. And she says she's certain that if disaster strikes again, this community will help her recover because they've done it over and over again. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Hubbard in Moore, Oklahoma. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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