CHANGES—These photos contrast the Smith Farm the day after the tornado and today.

One year later, only scars remain from northern Alleghany tornados

About a year ago, Alleghany residents' lives were turned upside down when two tornados struck the area. A year later, recovery of the incident continues.

The two tornados tore through the north end of the county late on May 8, 2009 through just after midnight in the early morning hours of May 9, 2009.

Jena Smith Reeves spoke on behalf of her brother, Clayton Smith, who operates the family farm on Early Road in Ennice. She noted her brother was busy planting corn and could not be reached for comment.

Looking back on the tornados, Reeves remarked, "We're very fortunate that no one was injured. We're very blessed that there was minimal damage to our family home, which my Momma (Shirley) and Daddy (Billy) were inside asleep when the tornados hit. In the house, it blew out a window at one end and glass blew throughout the house from that window. At the other end of the house, the picture window blew in. Shingles blew off the roof. Their home structure stayed in tack despite the winds, but the roof of the seven-car garage ended up scattered around the hayfield in various places. We're so blessed and thankful to live in a small community where everyone comes together. On behalf of my family, I would like to express gratitude to all the individuals who came and helped us during our time of need. It's been a financial burden trying to replace all the structures that were lost. My parents had some timber that was located in front and behind the farm that was meant for retirement purposes but the tornado blew it away; it was money lost."

These days, the family continues to rebuild, particularly working on her grandparents' (Early—for whom the road was named—and Ollie Smith) homeplace.