MOORE, Okla. — One year after a devastating EF-5 tornado leveled this town and destroyed the Tinker FCU branch here, employees who survived that day — riding out the storm in the CU's vault — are back at work.
Staff say they are glad to be serving members at the CU's new office that was constructed after the twister wiped out the branch on May 20, 2013, leaving only the safe deposit box vault standing.
"We are all so happy to be back home and in the community," said AVP and Branch Manager Jan Davis. "We are absolutely thrilled to reopen, and it is so apparent on the faces of all of the employees here."
The branch reopened Jan. 27, 2014, but the pristine new building does not hide to staff what happened 12 months ago. That day Davis led more than 20 people — 13 employees, eight members and one passerby — to safety inside the vault with only minutes to spare before the tornado hit.
"It was frightening and that does not describe what we went through," Davis told Credit Union Journal last year. "The storm was pulling, trying to get our [vault] door open. We had tied a belt from someone's pants around the door latch, but the belt broke. I don't know what held that door shut. Maybe the grace of God."
Davis said she was not surprised at what the group saw when they finally forced the door open. "We walked out and I saw what I expected to see — total devastation. Even though I knew what to expect it is a sight that will stay with me the rest of my life."
Constructed of five-inch-thick concrete panels with steel rods that penetrate through the foundation to securely affix the vault to its location in the building, the vault was the only remaining, intact structure of the branch.
To recognize the strength of the vault and remember the events from one year ago, the $3.2 billion Tinker FCU, based in Oklahoma City, erected a monument outside the new building.
Constructed from a recovered section of the vault, the monument displays the original building dedication plaque and an etched inscription that pays tribute to the lives saved and the spirit of Oklahomans in times of need.
"I am so grateful for the people at the Moore branch and the friendships we have made from that day," said TFCU member Dena Clark, who took shelter in the vault. "Yes, it happened and it's part of my family's story now. My husband and I just celebrated our first year of marriage and buying our first house — none of that would have happened without TFCU and how the people there saved my life."
Immediately following the storm, TFCU employees worked to communicate to members about the destruction of the branch, the safety of everyone inside and that all of their information was secure. TFCU leadership met to begin the plan of recovery.
"We began a conversation with our community almost immediately through social media, and the outpouring of support was inspiring," said TFCU SVP of Marketing Matt Stratton. "There was never any doubt that we would rebuild and be a part of Moore's recovery, and we are so thankful for all of the support and encouragement we received from everyone who helped out along the way, beginning only moments after the tornado passed right through to opening day of the new branch."
