Lesson learned from previous tornado helped Joplin man survive this one

1. The Springfield News-Leader tells the story of Thomas Cook, who survived, but lost his wife in the 2008 tornado in Racine. The lessons he learned from that tornado helped Cook and his daughter survive this one:

Cook and his daughter survived the May 10, 2008, twister that hit the small southwest Missouri town of Racine.


The grieving father and daughter quickly found a new home in Joplin.

But just over a week ago, the unthinkable happened again.

An EF5 tornado reduced Cook's home on South Adell Street to splinters. This time, though, the outcome was far different.

Cook, 53, and Ryanne, 21, emerged unscathed from the steel safe room he bought for $4,000 when he purchased the house.

(Springfield News-Leader photo)