KENTWOOD, Mich. - It has been a year since an EF1 tornado struck parts of Kentwood and Wyoming.
Today, Poinsettia Avenue still has very few trees. On July 6, 2014, Poinsettia was filled with tall, 100-year-old oak trees. Those trees were twisted during the storm and branches, limbs and debris covered resident's yards and the road. Volunteers came from all over to help clean up the area. The road is clear and most homes have been repaired or rebuilt, but the street will never look the same again.
On Monday evening, neighbors held a cook-out to honor their cleanup efforts over the past year. Residents said that they were just thankful that no one was hurt.
"You come around the corner and you look up the street and it's surreal cause it used to be this thick forest that we lived in and now it's not," explains resident Mitch Ware, "It's just sunshine and blue sky and we're not used to that."
Several businesses have recently re-opened in Wyoming, including the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Zeeland Lumber and Supply, and the Well-Mannered Dog. Ideal Park is also again open to the public.
