LOGAN COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) - March 14, 2024: a day that Indian Lake residents will never forget. On that evening, a large EF-3 tornado ripped through the Lakeview, Russells Point, and Orchard Island communities causing widespread devastation and the loss of three lives. Fast forward one year, residents, first responders, and Indian Lake school officials and students came together Friday morning inside Indian Lake High School to have a community breakfast. This breakfast is to mark they are stronger than the storm, share their stories, and to tell first responders "thank you" for their heroic service following the tornado.

"We know there's no way we could ever show them our gratitude for all that they did in the hours following the storm and the 12 months since the storm, but this morning is just about honoring them and thanking them for the work they do," says Dr. Rob Underwood, Superintendent, Indian Lake Local Schools.

For Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds, that Thursday night was something he described as overwhelming.

"Our main concern, at that point in time, was to take care of those or find those that were injured," says Sheriff Randall Dodds, Logan County Sheriff's Office. "Of course, it was dark out so being able to survey the area to find out the extent of the damage was difficult, but just trying to get organized, put teams together and to go out and do the proper searches... it really was overwhelming."

As first responders rushed to rescue people underneath debris, Dr. Underwood transformed Indian Lake High School into a shelter. Little did he know that communities, near and far, were ready to help.

"Supplies started coming in, and we set up one little table to start and by the end of that next evening, we had enough supplies in this gym literally to reach the ceiling and so. It's just a testament to this community and everybody from around the region and really all across America," Dr. Underwood shares.

Ever since then, the Indian Lake region is rebuilding and coming back stronger.

"The tornado may have tore through the Indian Lake area, and it may have affected the businesses, buildings and lives, but it didn't tear into the spirit to survive, the grit of the people involved. Yes, there was lots and lots of devastation, but we're slowly seeing progress made and homes being rebuilt, businesses coming back to life," Sheriff Dodds explains.

For Indian Lake High School sophomore and tornado survivor, Carter Barnett, he says the help of all involved has put his community in a good spot.

"We're very fortunate to be where we are here today. We could be so worse off, but we are in a good spot," says Carter Barnett, Indian Lake High School sophomore and tornado survivor.