By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – The Tazewell County city of Washington is well on the road to recovery as it marks the two-year anniversary of a devastating tornado, according to the city planner who said 90 percent of the damaged homes are being rebuilt.

Planning and Development director Jon Oliphant told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin only about 20 to 30 lots remain empty following the storm.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Oliphant on WJBC.

“Two years later, it’s gone fairly well,” Oliphant said “Obviously, with the number of rebuilds we have had and the number of people back here, it’s about as close to normal as we could possibly imagine and hopefully that will continue.”

Oliphant noted about 85 percent of those who are rebuilding are the original owners.

He added the business community has also bounced back now that people have moved past the idea that they should avoid the city during the rebuild.

Oliphant said it was on outpouring of support from across the country that helped get the city back onto its feet.

“It really touches to the point of how giving a society we are in situations like this,” Oliphant said.

The city held a remembrance on Tuesday night called ‘A Walk for Washington,’ an event that had to be moved inside- ironically – because of the weather.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].