The storm was one of the strongest ever recorded in Massachusetts, with wind speeds estimated at 136 to 165 mph.
As 2011 winds down, The Republican and MassLive.com recap some of the Top 10 news stories each day this week leading up to Jan. 1 when the complete list will appear with photos in The Sunday Republican.
No. 1: In two hours on June 1, three tornadoes rolled across Western Massachusetts, pummeling hundreds of homes and businesses along their paths
Touching down in Westfield at 4:15 p.m., the first storm carved a half-mile-wide track for 39 miles to Charlton and wreaked the majority of the damage; two smaller twisters touched down later in Wilbraham and Brimfield.
Two days later, the National Weather Service confirmed what many suspected: The storm was one of the strongest ever recorded in Massachusetts, with wind speeds estimated at 136 to 165 mph.
Now, nearly seven months later, the region continues its slow and steady recovery.
Of 577 structures that were damaged by the tornado in Springfield, 513 have been repaired, cleared or are in progress. A master plan is being prepared in conjunction with Concordia LLC, of New Orleans, the lead consultant for the Rebuild Springfield effort. Officials estimate it could take several years to fully rebuild.
State officials this month announced the release of $14 million in state relief funds to Springfield and several surrounding communities to assist with rebuilding efforts. Springfield is due to receive $8.7 million; Monson $1.8 million, and Wilbraham $1.7 million. An additional $3.9 million in grant funds was provided this month from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which will help reimburse eight communities for emergency road repairs, new sidewalks and debris removal.
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials say the federal reimbursement process takes time, but they have said Springfield will get the largest share of the $58 million in storm relief funds distributed by FEMA. Springfield expects the final cost to exceed $100 million, including replacing three elementary schools and the South End Community Center.