Pisgah recovery progress underway, 2 years later

PISGAH, AL (WAFF) - Two years later, significant progress is finally underway in Pisgah.

The debris piles are gone and rebuilding underway.

Eight people died in Jackson County during the storms.

Now the town is rebuilding. Their park is a centerpiece of the town, and they're preparing for a remembrance service this weekend.

The Pisgah Town Park is now built bigger and better than it was before the tornado. A pavilion allows for group gatherings, a stage for performances. There is a playground for the little children and ball fields for the bigger ones.

Mayor Leamon Smith said it is a big hit with the community.

The Rock Church in Scottsboro played a key role in helping cleanup and rebuild the town after the tornado, including the town park, but the mayor said they're continuing to do work even today.

The first tornado victim in Alabama died in Pisgah. The family is coping as best as they can.

It is certainly weighing on their minds, as well as another close family member's death just in the last few weeks.

The home where Kathy Gray Haney died is now cleared. She lived next to her parents.

Her father, Cecil Gray, enjoys working in his garden and staying busy, and for Cecil's granddaughter, staying busy is how he keeps the bad memories away.

Whitney Lawhorn said it still feels like yesterday when she lost her aunt Kathy in the storm.

Lawhorn said it will be on all of her family's mind, especially Cecil's, not only for Kathy's memory but that of his wife who also died just a few weeks ago.

Since the storm, Cecil now has a storm shelter at his home.

The Pisgah First Baptist Church will hold the remembrance service at the park Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

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