6 Months After EF-3 Tornado, Claremore Homeowners Still Struggling To Rebuild

Claremore tornado victims are still struggling six months after an EF-3 tornado ripped through the town and took homes and businesses in its path.

One woman said she thought she would be close to moving into her home by now, but that’s not the case.

Roma Ramthun's home is still gutted six months after the tornado swept through town. Many are still recovering and want people to know what’s going on. Roma’s Claremore home is down to the studs after the tornado and water destroyed it and many belongings.

Previous Story: Claremore Woman's Home Ruined By EF-3 Tornado Just Months After Losing Her Husband

The skeleton structure has brought some concerns to the surface.

“There was a nightmare of wire in this house," she said. "It's a miracle it didn't burn down.”

May’s tornado forced her and her son to take cover in a bathtub while the tornado left holes in the roof and damage all over. Since then, she’s got a new roof and some siding and lives in a trailer. There have been many issues and delays with insurance and contractors.

“What a surprise that there's still people don't realize, this is not a couple weeks, it's a long drawn out process.”

Just a couple of months before the tornado, Roma lost her husband of 20 years, David.

“I walked in here and I felt nothing, except my greatest thing is, David's not here to do the choices with me and go through the nightmare," she said.

She said there are bright spots. On Saturday, she’ll be getting a free heating and air conditioning unit from Lennox.

“I was nominated, they selected me; I'm over the moon and eternally grateful," Roma said.

And she said she gets through it, all because of friends and neighbors who won't give up.

"It's the people, it's the Oklahoma standard. They talk about it, and it's alive and well, believe me."

Roma is now on the search for a new company to continue the renovation.

Other homes in the neighborhood are close to being finished or still in the renovation process, but a lot of progress has been made across town.