This special section provides a retrospective look at June 1 tornadoes and how we are working together with all of you to rebuild this place we call home. Watch video
Life can change in an instant.
It's a concept all of us know well.
So, too, is the fact that in New England, the weather can change in a minute.
On June 1, life changed in a flash here in Western Massachusetts; and it was the weather which was responsible.
That afternoon, three tornadoes tore a destructive and deadly path across the region, the writers, photographers and editors of The Republican went about their work of chronicling the events as they unfolded. Stories, photographs and videos were posted online at MassLive.com in the minutes and hours after the storms and as the reality of the devastation unfolded. The most major of the twisters carved a 39-mile swath through the region, from Westfield to Charlton and resulted in the deaths of three people; the two others touched down in Wilbraham and Brimfield, leaving property damage but no injuries.
In the days and weeks which followed, our staff has continued the work of telling the stories of community - the recovery, the rebuilding - which emerge daily; it has been a moving, inspiring experience for us all. We will continue to tell the story as it evolves in the months ahead.
As a team, we are proud to carry on The Republican's long tradition of being the primary source of news in our region.
Four employees of The Republican lost their homes as a result of the tornadoes, and we have banded together as a "family" to support them, just as scores of other workplaces, schools, churches and individuals are working to help all of the victims recover their lives. We are part of this COMMUNITY effort.
This special section provides a retrospective look at June 1 tornadoes and how we are working together with all of you to rebuild this place we call home.
Cynthia G. Simison
Managing Editor
The Republican
csimison@repub.com
- Torn Asunder: Tornadoes carve path of destruction through Western Massachusetts
- Outpouring of support from agencies, volunteers follows Western Massachusetts tornadoes
- Rebuilding: Small stories, big hearts follow Western Massachusetts tornadoes
- Springfield: City of Homes continues to stabilize, begins recovery
- West Springfield: Tornado took the lives of two city residents and devastated much of Merrick neighborhood
- Monson: Residents ready to rebuild
- Westfield: City 'lucky' to see less damage than elsewhere in county
- Wilbraham: Residents recall and recover from tornadoes of June 1
- Brimfield: Residents pulled together after tornado ripped through the eastern Hampden County town
- Former Springfield resident attempts to grasp enormity of tornado damage while lending a helping hand
- The perfect storm: weather conditions were particularly ripe for tornadoes on June 1, according to weather experts
- Minnechaug football players help tornado cleanup at Wilbraham church; FEMA disaster centers open
- Where tornado-ravaged Western Massachusetts businesses can get help
- West Springfield businessman sets up scholarship fund for daughters of Angelica Guerrero, who gave life to save daughter from tornado
- Mapping the path of tornadoes through Western Mass.
- John Garvey's tornado photo storms around the world
- South Hadley lemonade stand raises over $1,000
- Video: The Path of the Storm