The 200 mph winds ripped apart two dozen homes and tossed SUVs along a 1.8-mile path Thursday morning, but these three families took the worst. They accounted for the eight people who were killed, their bodies left in ditches, a pond or amid the shattered remains of their houses.

Tynesha and O'Keon Graham Wilson were survived by their 8-year-old adopted son Christopher and several of their beloved dogs.

Tim and Mary Ann Mai died along with Tim's son, Michael Brown, who left behind a young daughter just about to start school.

And three members of the extended Martinez family, which settled here more than a decade ago after years of migrant labor, died as two of their new homes were obliterated.

Two of the dead were children.

Friday, the survivors returned, to search the debris for valuables and for photos and other items that would help them remember. They held hands in prayer and consoled one another when the tears came. And they recalled fondly their neighbors and friends who would not be coming back.