Five years ago Sunday, people in the Ozarks were dealing with one of the worst tornado breakouts they'd seen in decades.

18 people died from the May fourth 2003 tornadoes and towns like Battlefield, Stockton, and Pierce City were all in such disarray, people wondered if they'd really build back.

The damage in Pierce City was so bad that President Bush personally surveyed the damage.
But what he saw five years ago looks much different today.
However, those who witnessed the destruction happen remember it like it was yesterday.

"Like it was hit with an atom bomb,” says Fern Weston, owner of Fern’s Tavern in Pierce City. “it looked worse here than it did in Bahgdad.”

"It was a total disaster, total disaster, everything was gone,” says Rob Yonker, a member of Pierce City Fire and Rescue.

Since that day, a lot has been done to bring the town back. Like at Fern’s Tavern where cleanup now is much different than five years ago.

"Just a hometown bar,” says Weston. “All I do is sell beer.”

And peanuts, which is beside the point but what's important is that Weston rebuilt her bar.

"Pretty much in the same place,” says Weston.

Right where it was before a tornado ripped apart the town of Pierce City.

"It was a rough time for everybody,” Weston says. “We lost a good town."

Not everyone has rebuilt. Some buildings were untouched by the tornado, while right next door others were completely wiped out. Yet, some residents say the town is better today than five years ago.

"Pierce city is going to be the same, in fact I think it's going to be better,” says Yonker.

Just ask Weston, her bar was one of the first places to reopen.
She did so News Years Eve, 8 months after the tornado.

"All of our friends and family in town came in help finish everything and got it open,” she says. “We had karaoke and had a good time."

Now that good time that should continue, for years to come.

"I'm glad I did rebuild, I rebuilt for the people in this town,” Weston says.

Officials say the May fourth tornadoes racked up nearly a half-billion dollars worth of damage.