'It was just scary, we didn't know who had made it and who hadn't'
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POULSBO, Wash. -- One year ago, a massive EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri killing more than 150 people.
The tornado, the most powerful on the Enhanced Fujita ratings scale, reduced neighborhoods in Joplin to splinters.
"It was just scary we didn't know who had made it and who hadn't," said Heather Cheatham.
In the frenzy to find survivors, a news photographer snapped an emotional photo showing Poulsbo native and UW grad Paul Cheatham carrying a child from the rubble.
"She was in shock," Paul Cheatham said. "We didn't know if she had any internal injuries so I was trying to be careful to get her to somebody who could get her checked out."
Heather Cheatham said that family had just moved into the neighborhood two weeks before the tornado and they didn't have a basement.
The photo quickly went around the world, putting a human face on a monster disaster.
"Especially People Magazine -- that was just crazy when people said, ' Hey, your husband's in People Magazine," Heather Cheatham said.
But Paul's heroics didn't end there. For the last year while his wife and family have been back in Poulsbo, he's been working in Joplin to help put his neighborhood back together.
"It's been pretty tough," Heather Cheatham said. "Longest we've been apart, ever."
Paul says it was to shield the kids from the tough recovery.
"I really felt it was best for my kids to take themselves out of the environment," Paul Cheatham said.
Another photo of Paul carrying a little boy is on the cover of book about the storm. We asked him how both of those children he carried from the rubble are doing now.
"They are all thriving and doing well," he said. "(They) moved into a new home. They feel safe. They have a storm shelter as a lot of people do now."
The Cheathams new home is almost done, and their girls can't wait.
"To see my best friends again," said Krista Cheatham said.
Ella Cheatham added she can't wait to see her house, "and what my bedroom looks like."
Heather says their family learned a valuable lesson one year ago today.
"It can all be gone in seconds," she said. "Just hold every second dear. Tell those you love, you love them every day, you never know when it could be your last."
Ceremonies were held Tuesday to honor the 161 people who died when the tornado hit. Monday night, President Obama spoke at the first high school graduation since the storm.
The tornado, the most powerful on the Enhanced Fujita ratings scale, reduced neighborhoods in Joplin to splinters.
"It was just scary we didn't know who had made it and who hadn't," said Heather Cheatham.
In the frenzy to find survivors, a news photographer snapped an emotional photo showing Poulsbo native and UW grad Paul Cheatham carrying a child from the rubble.
"She was in shock," Paul Cheatham said. "We didn't know if she had any internal injuries so I was trying to be careful to get her to somebody who could get her checked out."
Heather Cheatham said that family had just moved into the neighborhood two weeks before the tornado and they didn't have a basement.
The photo quickly went around the world, putting a human face on a monster disaster.
"Especially People Magazine -- that was just crazy when people said, ' Hey, your husband's in People Magazine," Heather Cheatham said.
But Paul's heroics didn't end there. For the last year while his wife and family have been back in Poulsbo, he's been working in Joplin to help put his neighborhood back together.
"It's been pretty tough," Heather Cheatham said. "Longest we've been apart, ever."
Paul says it was to shield the kids from the tough recovery.
"I really felt it was best for my kids to take themselves out of the environment," Paul Cheatham said.
Another photo of Paul carrying a little boy is on the cover of book about the storm. We asked him how both of those children he carried from the rubble are doing now.
"They are all thriving and doing well," he said. "(They) moved into a new home. They feel safe. They have a storm shelter as a lot of people do now."
The Cheathams new home is almost done, and their girls can't wait.
"To see my best friends again," said Krista Cheatham said.
Ella Cheatham added she can't wait to see her house, "and what my bedroom looks like."
Heather says their family learned a valuable lesson one year ago today.
"It can all be gone in seconds," she said. "Just hold every second dear. Tell those you love, you love them every day, you never know when it could be your last."
Ceremonies were held Tuesday to honor the 161 people who died when the tornado hit. Monday night, President Obama spoke at the first high school graduation since the storm.
