COFFEYVILLE, Kansas, July 3rd, 2008 -- When record floods hit Kansas last summer, Coffeyville got a double dose of damage. A huge oil spill took out 25 percent of the town, but it also helped that town recover.

The scene was bleak in Coffeyville one year ago this week. Record floods saturated the city, but oil became the biggest problem. A pumping malfunction at the resources refinery sent 71,000 gallons of oil into the Verdigris River, which then spread through town.

"Looking at this devastation this town probably never going to be the same," said Coffeyville flood victim, Richard Tolliver.

A year later the signs of the oil spill are still visible around town. Only half of the affected businesses have reopened, and more than 300 homes were torn down. Because of the oil contamination, much of the material had to be specially removed and buried in a landfill several miles out of town.

"There is a tremendous amount of work that still needs to be done," said Coffeyville City Clerk Cindy Price. "Every day we are in flood recovery, but we have made so much progress."

The oil actually helped Coffeyville get this far. The refinery bought out the damaged homes, allowing clean-up to move much faster. Now, city leaders are focused on the future.

"We have two choices," said Coffeyville City Manager Jeff Morris. "We can look at what we've lost or we can look at the opportunities that are there for us."

Sisters Jan Grigsby and Jean King decided not to leave their east side neighborhood, despite the damage to their homes.

"They brought their big machines in and cleaned up all the oil," Grigsby said. "They had the EPA testing the ground and the air constantly."

Both feel the area is safe and hope others will return here in time.

It would take a lot to break this town, after what it’s been through in the past year. Residents here know positive things are possible, no matter what Kansas weather throws their way.