South Dakota Town Marks Tornado Anniversary

WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. (AP) — Residents of Wessington Springs have celebrated their triumph over a tornado that struck the community a year ago.

KOKK radio reports that a Thursday night celebration included a variety of entertainment, along with a moment of silence and a balloon release. Mayor Melissa Mebius says the event was aimed at having the community come together for enjoyment, rather than for cleanup.

The June 18, 2014, tornado damaged or destroyed dozens of homes and displaced nearly 80 people. The National Weather Service rated the twister an EF-2 with peak winds of 127 mph.

A similar tornado struck the town of Delmont about a month ago. Mayor Mae Gunnare says she hopes Delmont looks as good as Wessington Springs in a year.