Demolition Begins At Moore Medical Center; Center Will Be Rebuilt

After employees took a few moments to remember their time at Moore Medical Center and honor the heroic efforts of colleagues on May 20, demolition crews took a bulldozer to the tornado-damaged health care complex.

The EF5 tornado slammed directly into the medical center while more than 400 employees, patients and people seeking shelter were inside the building. No one was killed. In fact, there were no serious injuries.

6/24/2013 Related Story: Remembrance Ceremony For Moore Medical Center Set For Tuesday

Tuesday morning, Norman Regional Health System president and CEO David Whitaker thanked those employees for their dedication. He also read a commendation to Moore Medical Center workers from Gov. Mary Fallin, and thanked Rick Smith from the National Weather Service for his life-saving information during the storm.

The building sustained such severe damage on May 20 it could not be salvaged. The Norman Regional Health System decided to demolish the building. Demolition is expected to take about three weeks.

It was announced at the end of Tuesday's remembrance ceremony that the building will be replaced. An advisory committee will soon begin meeting to determine what the new Moore Medical Center will look like.

Until the center is rebuilt, a temporary site will be set up.