Tornado Victims Asked To Leave Community Center
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been almost four weeks since a deadly tornado hit north Minneapolis, leaving hundreds displaced. Many are still without a home.
There are 37 displaced residents staying at the North Commons Community Center, but their welcome is running out. The center will begin its summer enrichment programs for children and teens on Monday.
The American Red Cross and the Minneapolis Park board are now looking for a place to house the displaced people.
Lynnette Nyman, spokeswoman for the Twin Cities Red Cross, said the Park Board has given them until Sunday to find a place.
"At this point we are still trying very hard to find a building where we can continue sheltering the people left here," said Keith Mortlock, an American Red Cross volunteer.
He says the last two days have been hectic trying to find a building. Mortlock says some of the locations have are either been too far from bus stops or lack showers. Other problems include not having electricity.
"These people are working real hard to find housing," said Mortlock, "but it's been difficult for them."
For Sonya Mills and her six children, it's been a living nightmare.
"I sometimes feel like I'm in another world," said Mills. "I walk outside and realize I'm living in a community center."
The tornado partially ripped off the roof of Mills' home. On top of that, a water pipe busted and flooded her house and a gas line ruptured, forcing her to evacuate.
"I began calling friends and family," said Mills. "I'm a family of seven, so it was pretty hard to find somebody to commit to our family."
The night of the tornado, Mills and her six kids stayed the Northeast Minneapolis Armory with a number of others. She's now been at North Commons for two weeks.
Mills took 30 days off work to get situated and found a place to stay, but it won't be ready until July 1.
"Ninety-five percent of the people coming in here are trying to subject the families to the Drake Hotel, People Serving People, places for homeless people," said Mills. "I was almost forced to go there and I said I am not going to subject my kids to that type of environment."
But surprisingly, Mills is not upset over having to leave the center. She feels the kids in the neighborhood need their community center back.
"I feel for the children," said Mills. "The kids here lean on this park for security reasons, for safety, for activities."
Kevin Watson just wants his life back to normal. The tornado completely destroyed his home on Upton Avenue North. He wasn't home when the tornado hit. He said he lost everything.
"It's been an experience, but I'm glad the man above has got my back," said Watson.
On Monday, the center will be used for sports programs such as baseball and soccer. There's also life enrichment programs held at the center for teens, but right now the room they use is filled with cots.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports
