In Focus

It has been 15 years since the EF4 tornado ripped through Wadena, and it’s hard to believe that much time has passed. The devastation it left behind—felled trees, leveled homes, and destroyed buildings, including the high school—was immense. However, if you visit today, you would not notice any damage, aside from the absence of large trees in the area.

Everyone remembers what they were doing that day and in the days that followed. I recall walking around the devastation, taking pictures, and staying up until 2 a.m. distributing water and snacks, only to have to be at work by 7 a.m.

In the days that followed the tornado, I volunteered extensively. I was working for a large retailer at the time, and employees from other stores came in to cover for us so we could head out into the community to help. I didn’t see my department for a solid two weeks. We would put out pallets of tarps or chainsaws on the floor at the store, and they would disappear within minutes. We drove to other stores for more supplies because we couldn’t wait for the trucks; people needed items immediately. Entire semis filled with donations, from food to water, would arrive to aid in the recovery.

My first real exposure to news media occurred during this time. I attended daily city meetings to learn about the plans for the day, and coordinating interviews between the news media and the retailer. I gained insight into the cleanup process and the challenges involved—things one doesn’t typically think about, like the mass amount of rotting food with no place to go and how retailers stepped up to manage it. We discussed plans for cleanup days, identifying priority areas while advising against accessing certain areas for a while.

Those who couldn’t do heavy labor, like removing fallen trees, found other ways to contribute. My friends and I packed wagons with ice, water, and snacks and walked around the affected areas for hours.

Despite the devastation, it was a magical time to witness how people came together, regardless of their political or religious views. Everyone was simply helping one another. It’s unfortunate that such unity often only occurs in times of disaster.

On the day before the 15th anniversary, the tornado warnings rolled through the area again. Thankfully, the storms that dropped locally did not cause significant damage.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the recent tornadoes that tore through North Dakota and Bemidji. Friends tell me the destruction in Bemidji is worse than what we experienced in Wadena, with 50,000 homes being without power and reported wind gusts of 106 mph. The weather service compared it to a Category 3 hurricane. I wish them the best in their recovery.

This has been a volatile weather season. Stay aware.