Stronger than the storm: Survivors look back a year after Sullivan tornado

Mar. 29—As Sullivan County resident Dee Fulford reflects on the tornado that destroyed her home one year ago, she wears a shirt that speaks to the spirit and resilience of the small community devastated by the natural disaster.

"Stronger than the storm. Sullivan, IN strong."

"It's been quite the year," Fulford, 59, said in a March 13 interview from her new home on Silver Street, located just outside city limits. "I'm not materialistic. But in 10 to 15 seconds when you lose everything, it's very overwhelming."

She is one of many Sullivan tornado survivors. "I have very strong faith. I would not have made it through without that."

While the tornado brought tragedy and heartache, it also brought out the best in people. "This community and the outside community showed up big time," she said.

The EF-3 tornado that ripped through Sullivan late on a Friday night March 31, 2023, claimed three lives, injured others and damaged or destroyed 200 structures, 150 of which were in city limits.

Those who lost their lives were Susan Horton, 61; her son, Thomas Horton, 38; and Shane Goodman, 47. Goodman's wife, Nicole, sustained serious injuries.

Damages were estimated at $8 million, according to the Sullivan County Long-term Tornado Recovery Coalition.

Earlier that evening, the tornado swept through Robinson, Ill., claiming three lives and injuring 10 people. It destroyed 35 homes, damaged more than 50 other dwellings and swept away the Crawford County Airport before continuing on its 42-mile path into Indiana.

A tornado that began in Owen County claimed two lives at McCormick's Creek State Park and led to damages there as well as areas of northeast Owen and northwest Monroe counties.

On its Facebook page, the Sullivan County recovery coalition wrote:

"On March 31, 2023, the lives of those in Sullivan County changed forever.

"With winds over 155 mph, three lives lost, many injured, and over 200 structures damaged or destroyed, community members knew there would be a long road to recovery.

"The outpouring of support just hours after the storm was a true testament to our small town and proved a beacon of hope during one of our darkest times.

"Nearly a year later, that healing continues. While homes are being restored, the hearts and minds of community members are still being mended. We share our deepest gratitude for the volunteers who have worked diligently to rebuild the community and support our survivors.

"This event will never just be a moment in time but an event that will remain with us forever.

"As the one-year anniversary lands on Easter, may we lean into the comfort of the Easter Season, for this is a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. Please know that you are not alone or forgotten as you navigate through this time of healing."

One year ago

Dee Fulford and her husband, Pat, lost not only their home, located just outside city limits, but most possessions and several vehicles. Her parents had previously lived in the historic home, built in 1850.

On the evening of March 31, 2023, Fulford was aware of the potential for bad weather; her daughter called her at 10 p.m. to warn that weather forecasters were telling Sullivan residents to seek shelter.

Fulford alerted her husband, who was in bed, and together they went to the deck — and as they opened the door, the lights went out. When they heard something that sounded like a train, they ran to the basement.

"After we hit the bottom of the stairs, the house was coming down on us," she said. "It was so close and it took no time." The tornado changed their lives in about 10 to 15 seconds.

"The rumbling was unreal, and the pressure," Fulford said.

Debris was down the steps, and their jeeps were up against the house.

A young neighbor called in a panic and said, "We're going to die. We're trapped in grandma's house. Come get us."

Her husband, who is in law enforcement, managed to get out, but by the time he reached the family they had gotten out as well.

Dee Fulford remained trapped in the basement. "I could smell the gas and hear it hissing." She thought to herself, "I survived the tornado, but I'm going to get blown up in a gas leak."

Soon, a police officer and Fulford's daughter helped her get out.

On the morning of April 2, 2023, the Fulfords, family and friends worked to clear debris and salvage personal items from the rubble that two days earlier had been their home. Despite the devastation, she remained upbeat. "We made it out," she said.

Fulford, the Hamilton Township trustee, said at the time, "I'm used to helping people. I'm not used to this. This is really hard on me."

But she vowed, "We will rebuild here." And they did.

A year later

A year later, the Fulfords live in a new, post-metal frame home located just east of their former residence. They moved in Oct. 13.

The couple had good homeowners insurance, but it did not cover all the costs and they needed to obtain a low interest Small Business Administration loan.

From the rubble, the Fulfords were able to salvage a rocking chair built by Dee's grandfather; a dresser built by her grandfather as a wedding present for her parents; a hope chest Fulford received for her high school graduation; and most of their clothes.

They thought they had lost one of their dogs, Sophie, but found her under the kitchen table the next day, trapped by debris.

On the day Dee Fulford was interviewed, colorful hyacinth bloomed beside her home, the sun shone bright in blue skies and birds sang in the spring-like weather.

The piles of debris, mangled powerlines and uprooted trees were long gone, with several homes rebuilt or restored in her neighborhood.

About a dozen of her neighbors have rebuilt their homes, and a few had damages that didn't require a complete rebuild.

A generous donation

Calvin and Kathie Cox lost their home on State Street in the Sullivan tornado and they had no homeowners insurance.

To make matters worse, Calvin, now 68, tripped and broke his hip while putting items in storage.

A representative of the Yoders home-builders in Daviess County "came along and said they were going to build me a free house," Cox said.

At first, he didn't believe it. "At that time there was a lot of scamming going on. People were trying to grab the land for almost nothing. I thought that's what was going to go on," he said.

The company followed through, and by November, the Coxes again had a home. Yoder built the outer shell of the house, and Cox then had to finish the inside work.

Initially, they stayed in a hotel in Terre Haute, and from June to November they lived in a camper on their property.

The couple received assistance through FEMA and church organizations; a friend hung and finished drywall for them, while someone else provided free guttering. "It was all falling together," Cox said.

The Sullivan County Long Term Tornado Recovery Coalition funded a portion of material cost.

Kathie Cox purchased furnishings at second-hand shops.

"I never dreamed we'd be living in a house this quick, to tell you the truth," he said. He continues finish work on the inside.

Cox is grateful for all those who came forward to help him and his wife in their recovery. "I couldn't ask for more help than I got," he said.

Our Father's Arms rebuilds

This spring, Our Father's Arms, a food pantry and clothes closet, is celebrating its new facility at 711 S. Section St.

The former concrete block building had to be torn down due to damages from the tornado. For 10 months, it was out of operation, although Saint Mary's Catholic Church stepped in to help out during that time.

The pantry conducted its first food distribution in the new facility the first Friday of February and the clothes closet opened about two weeks ago.

"It took longer than we had hoped," but that extra time enabled the nonprofit to secure grants that helped pay for the new building, said Don Ransford, board president of Our Father's Arms.

The nonprofit had insurance, secured some grants, received donations and benefited from some generous contractors, Ransford said.

"We have reopened the building debt free," he said. "We are very grateful."

The new facility is a more efficient post frame metal building. "Our facility is better than ever," he said.

Our Father's Arms is in the southern part of the city particularly hard-hit, although it was on the northern edge of the tornado's path.

The neighborhood is coming back to life, Ransford said.

"You're seeing some new homes spring up. The neighborhood will look totally different," he said. "It's going to be a wonderful section of town."

With the one year anniversary coinciding with Easter Sunday, the Pimento Community Church pastor sees a resurrection story unfolding in Sullivan.

While there have been many challenges and the tragedy of three lives lost, "Out of the destruction, new life has come and a lot of the people have been blessed," Ransford said.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com. Follow Sue on X at @TribStarSue.