Northridge family still recovering from Memorial Day Tornadoes, says family is ‘stronger’
WHIO Staff
·1 min read
The Walker’s family home in Northridge, full of years of memories, was ripped away in just a few seconds on May 27, 2019.
In the three years since News Center 7 has followed the family of four’s journey.
“It’s been a crazy three years, you know, when the tornado happened, it really displaced us, obviously, and it’s taken a long time to get back to some resemblance of normalcy,” Timothy Walker told News Center 7′s Molly Koweek.
This means Wentz has been unable to go back to work.
Part of the family’s healing involves therapy for Beth and the kids.
“We’ve always been strong, and I looked at him one day and I’m like I need help ... I knew I wasn’t doing well,” Wentz said.
Through the hard times, the family has learned something about their family.
“Knowing how strong you actually are, knowing that regardless of how bad things can be, you put your mind to it and keep pushing forward one step at a time, that you can get past almost anything, and I think our family’s stronger, Wentz said.
Bengals pro bowl wide receiver AJ Green stopped by Corinthian Baptist Church/Red Cross Emergency shelter to donate and lend a helping hand for those impacted by the tornado. Photos courtesy of Maria Brooks.
Cleanup begins at Mike's Car Wash in Beavercreek. (WHIO File)
Daj za Demmings (pink shirt) is the president of Dayton Young Black Professionals.
The Clark County 4-H Club The Clark County 4-H Peeps Squeals Mooz donated to kids impacted by the Dayton tornadoes.
The Beavercreek Florist, 2173 N. Fairfield Road, has reopened after the Memorial Day tornado damaged the building and knocked power out in the area. CONTRIBUTED
Volunteers Saturday accepted donations of food and goods, and then distributed those donations to those in need, at Harrison Twp. Fire Station 94, 2400 Turner Road. That relief effort will continue Sunday from noon until 6 pm. (WHIO File)
Harrison Township residents show their support following Memorial Day tornadoes. STAFF PHOTO / MIKE CAMPBELL
Meghan Porter and daughter Gemma,6, of Beavercreek stand in front of a damaged apartment complex. Porter said her childhood home in Beavercreek was destroyed. (WHIO File)
Church members, neighbors, friends and family of the Northridge Wesleyan Church sing during a Sunday service in the parking lot of the tornado damaged church in Harrison Twp. A damaged home on Neff Road is seen in the background. (WHIO File)
Northridge Schools in conjunction with the First Heavy Metal Church of Christ is currently running a Food/Supplies Pantry for residents affected by the Memorial Day Tornado. Shopping times are Tuesday through Saturday 12 noon to 6:00 PM. Volunteers are readily available to make deliveries based on need. The Pantry has a wealth of food, water, and supplies to offer in addition to other items to help rebuild/repair homes. Northridge Families who have been affected and are in need of disaster relief are encouraged to call 937-242-2559 and either speak with a representative or leave a detailed message. Please describe your needs based on the following categories: Debris removal - trees, collapsed sheds, etc. Financial assistance for those unable to meet insurance deductibles. Car damage/Transportation issues. Construction assistance for home repairs. Immediate needs, food, clothes, diapers, water, toiletries, etc. We are also asking any interested Contractors to contact our hotline and express whatever kind of support you can provide to help rebuild our community. (WHIO File)
Volunteer tornado relief event in Old North Dayton. Volunteers gave out free food, water, and amenities at the corner of Old Troy Pike & Oberer Dr. for victims of the Memorial Day tornadoes. STAFF PHOTO / DREW TANNER
Residents Jenny Alcala, left, and Norman Roland with a truck load of debris from the Salem Bend Condominiums in Trotwood where a tornado struck on Memorial Day. (WHIO File)
Miami football player Bennett Clark and teammates help with tornado cleanup in Beavercreek. (WHIO File)
Griffen and Hailey Sander load the belongings of their family friend Christine Creager (WHIO File)
Church members, neighbors, friends and family of the Northridge Wesleyan Church sing during a Sunday service in the parking lot of the tornado damaged church in Harrison Twp. Damaged homes on Neff Road are seen in the background. (WHIO File)
The team at Tanks Bar & Grill in Dayton make sandwiches for tornado victims. CONTRIBUTED
WHIO File
Tornado battered houses and trees along Rolfe Avenue in Harrison Twp. near Wagner Ford Road. WHIO File
Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse gather for prayer before going to tornado damaged neighborhoods in the Dayton area to assist homeowners. WHIO File
Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse worked in this Harrison Twp. neighborhood and others that were affected by tornado damage. The workers covered this house on Maumee Avenue. WHIO File
Contractors have begun working to stabilize roofs and structures throughout tornado damage areas like this house on Denlinger Road in Trotwood. WHIO File
The Dayton Foodbank and Cox Media Group Ohio partnered with the North Dixie Drive In to aid in tornado relief efforts and gave away bottled water and food to those in need on Wednesday at the drive-in on North Dixie Drive. Bags of fresh oranges were part of the distribution. WHIO File
James Coburn, of Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle, loads supplies on a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated drinking water for the Dayton tornado victims Friday. Coburn said the flag on the back of his shirt reminds him that we're all Americans and we should help each other. WHIO File
One of many damage homes in Beavercreek. WHIO File
Trotwood residents Ryan an Danielle Johnson rode out the tornado in the basement on Monday night and discovered half of their roof missing on Wolf Creek Run. WHIO File
Camaren Sloan, from the Chamber of Greater Springfield, loads cases of donated drinking water into the trunk of her car Wednesday for transport to the tornado victims in the Dayton area. The Chamber posted on their Facebook page that they were taking donations and have gotten dozens of cases donated. (WHIO File)
Karen Coburn loads bottles of Gatorade onto a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated water Friday at Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle. Coburn Concrete collected over 17 thousand bottles of drinking water and delivered them Friday evening. (WHIO File)
Houses in the Old North Dayton neighborhood along Troy Street where a tornado ripped through industrial buildings across the street and then the neighborhood on Monday night. (WHIO File)
WHIO File
Houses in the Old North Dayton neighborhood along Troy Street where a tornado ripped through industrial buildings across the street and then the neighborhood on Monday night. WHIO File
Cleanup underway at ALDI in Beavercreek. WHIO File
Volunteers from Christian Aid Ministries in Berlin, Ohio traveled to Trotwood and began cleaning up debris at houses along Denlinger Road on Thursday. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Houses, businesses and vehicles in Harrison Township were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is a view of the path of destruction behind Trinity Lighthouse Church on Frederick Pike. The church was not harmed. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Houses, businesses and vehicles in Harrison Township were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is on Neff Road near N. Dixie Drive. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
A board pierced the side of Steve Griffin's residence at Overlook Mutual Homes in Riverside. Right after the tornado, the house
The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Jason Young looks over the damage at Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road Tuesday, May 28 in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO file
Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
(left to right) Tosha s 12-year-old daughter Asia Ricks, Brooklyn Byrd (Asia s classmate at Mother Brunner Catholic School in pink top), Nnek Archimalo (Asia s classmate) Yamenneh Archimalo (Nnek s mother) and Tosha in front of Johnson home in Trotwood. WHIO File
Donna Harrison gets a hug from her son, Tremaine Leonard, who just got home from Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, after tornadoes destroyed part of the neighborhood last Monday. Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Donna Harrison gets a hug from her son, Tremaine Leonard, who just got home from Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, after tornadoes destroyed part of the neighborhood last Monday. Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Trotwood resident George Garnes the roofless bedroom of his home on Denlinger Road after the tornado on Memorial Day. Garnes said he was on a cruise with his wife when the tornado hit and they had to fly home early because his sister's home, next to his, had the entire roof come off as seen in the background here. WHIO File
Tosha Johnson gets hug of support from Yamenneh Archimalo. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. WHIO File
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. WHIO File
Paris Minniefield, was in a bathroom at a home he rents on Weddington Drive in Trotwood when the roof was ripped off during the tornadoes. WHIO File
Ohio Governor Mike Dewine visited Trotwood Tuesday, May 28 to survey damage by tornadoes late Monday night. Dewine was brought in by Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter then met with Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald and toured the area. WHIO File
Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Mount Olive Court. WHIO File
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Volunteer groups, residents and even some trustees form Montgomery County Jail worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Trotwood Tuesday, May 28 to survey damage by tornadoes late Monday night. DeWine was brought in by Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter then met with Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald and toured the area. WHIO File
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. WHIO File
Houses, businesses and vehicles in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is a view of the old Hara Arena from Basore Road. WHIO File
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. (WHIO File)
Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File)
Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado (WHIO File)
Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups, residents and even some trustees form Montgomery County Jail worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado (WHIO File)
Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File)
Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. (WHIO File)
Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Left to right: Michelle Farris, Ashley Browning, Ashley Stephens and Ashley Corporal, with volunteer group SoLoved set up a table on Olive Tree Drive in Trotwood to helps serve food and water to those in need in the area Tuesday, May 28 after overnight tornadoes ripped through the region. (WHIO File)
Tim Smith, right, mans the chainsaw to get branches out of a resident's yard in Trotwood Saturday, June 1. Smith was among hundreds who gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. WHIO File
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