‘So many people are so devastated'
'So many people are so devastated'

From Staff Reports Comments 1
Published: May 13, 2008

As Picher residents searched Monday for their lost belongings in the rubble left by Saturday's tornado, they faced a unique barrier to recovery: They can't go back.

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Searching for Memories

May 12A Picher resident looks through debris for her wedding photos.

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Chat piles loom Monday behind the ruins of Saturday's tornado in Picher. Federal officials took tests Monday to see whether the twister kicked up dangerous amounts of toxic dust. By John Clanton, THE OKLAHOMAN

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The future:

With a federal buyout in progress, many storm victims don't know what the future holds, but they know it won't be in Picher. They say rebuilding would be foolish. "So many people are so devastated,” said the mayor, a victim himself.

Picking up the pieces:

Some Picher residents returned to their homes Monday, searching through the rubble for pictures and answers.

The victims:

Names provided by the state medical examiner's office.

•Samuel Don Berry, 20, Picher.

•Tracie Dawn Berry, 19, Picher.

•Darrell Edward Patterson II, 28, Wagoner.

•Chizuri Cox, 80, Picher.

•Mistie Dawn Kelley, 30, Picher.

•Linda Christine Mathis, 48, Picher.

•The name of a seventh confirmed fatality was not released.