Family Reflects On Bridge Creek Tornado Before Its One Year Anniversary

On May 6, it will have been one year since an EF-3 tornado tore through Bridge Creek. The twister affected more than 2,200 homes. 

Bridge Creek Mayor Stephen Foster said it left 300 of those homes “uninhabitable.” 

Bonnie and Henry Keller, and 12 other family members rode out the storm in the family storm shelter. 

“We had lived in our home for 45 years, we raised our family, here and then it was gone,” said Bonnie Keller. 

The Keller’s daughter Elanna Peaslee, and her husband William lost their home during the May 6 storm as well. Not only that, they’re home was also destroyed by the May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek tornado as well. But Elanna said the hardest thing last year, was that it happened to her parents too.

“She helped us out so much in ’99 with everything that happened,” Elanna Peaslee said of her mother. “It tore you up to see it happen to her. It was hard, very hard.”

The good news is all of the Keller extended family members now have new roofs over their heads. 

Brandy Keller is Bonnie and Henry’s granddaughter.  Her home was also demolished by the twister last May 6. 

“What do you remember about it?” asked News 9’s Steve Shaw.  “Everything,” said Brandy.