Buffalo Lake

starts cleanup

after tornado

Volunteers aid

community efforts

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

BUFFALO LAKE -- Newlywed Amy Fliflet was enjoying a television show in her home's living room a block west of Main Street Tuesday night when advance weather warning sirens sounded.

"We knew a storm was coming after hearing the sirens long before it hit," Fliflet said. "We got into the fruit cellar as it hit. It rained hard, got very windy and large hail fell before the tornado came, like a roaring train. It was gone in about 30 seconds."

The storm leveled most everything around Fliflet's older, stucco home. The garage was in pieces. One of her husband Bob's fishing boats was tilted on its side but may have remained intact. Debris was piled on top of an old motorcycle.

Fliflet found pieces of other homes in her yard. The only obvious damage to her home was a hole in the roof and some missing trim. Their black lab dog survived the tornado somewhere outside the house.

"He was shaking a lot last night but he's OK today," Fliflet said.

Friends, relatives and neighbors of the Fliflets busily sorted out the debris. Despite the enormity of the job, most were in light-hearted spirits.

"People here are very close-knit and friendly," Fliflet said. "It seems everybody is pitching in to help."

A block east, Straw Hat Grill owners Phyllis and Ellsworth Huls were in the restaurant with about a dozen customers when the tornado hit. Because there was no basement, the Hulses and customers huddled into the rest rooms and rode out the storm.

"We looked out the back door and saw the funnel," Phyllis Huls said. "The power went out, and we heard lots of noises. At first, I was thankful I was still here after the tornado passed."

Estimated to be three-quarters of a mile wide, the tornado missed the ethanol plant on the west edge of town, but its powerful winds hammered the Farmers Co-op Elevator several blocks west of downtown. It lifted roofs off and blew windows out of many downtown buildings including the post office, knocked down power poles, damaged much of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and scattered debris over much of the city of 770 people.

A hand-written sign outside the post office instructed residents to pick up their mail in Hector, the next town west. Other hand-made signs told of community meetings at the school, daily at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty arrived by helicopter Wednesday morning, surveyed the damage and talked with residents and volunteer workers. Pawlenty said he would do everything he could to secure state and federal funding assistance to help rebuild the community.

"The great thing about people here is they're resilient," Pawlenty said. "It's neighbors helping neighbors. People here have been gracious and thanked us for coming. The town will bounce back and be rebuilt. There is a tremendous outpouring of help here."

Pawlenty talked to Winthrop firefighter Brad Kruggel who helped remove fallen trees and debris in Buffalo Lake from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Winthrop firefighters returned to Buffalo Lake at 6 a.m. Wednesday to continue cleanup efforts.

The storm spared Jodi Mellies, who farms with her husband 2 miles south of town. However, she watched it pass nearby.

"It was a very slow-moving storm," Mellies said to Pawlenty. "I took video of it. It was huge, unbelievable."

Her friend, Lori Rettmann, said she and her husband lost much of their dairy farm in the storm.

State relief officials asked for the names of the uninsured. Disaster relief comes only after specific levels of uninsured damage are reached.

Renville County commissioners held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to apply for disaster relief. Insurance agents took photos and interviewed property owners.

The Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food and comfort beginning at midnight Tuesday. The Salvation Army served 370 meals Tuesday and will continue indefinitely. Financial donations are needed but material donations are not at this time.

"There's still no electricity and people are just beginning to understand the depth of the damage," said Kim Sheets, Salvation Army disaster services coordinator. "People need to eat -- they can't provide meals for themselves. We need funds so we can continue to help. We're feeding residents, emergency workers and 30 Minnesota National Guard members."

Volunteers are asked to consider joining the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team in their area. To join a team, call Chrissie Morrison at 1-800-457-7104.

Financial contributions can be made by calling 1-800-SALARMY or by visiting www.thesalarmy.com. Checks marked "Disaster Services" may be directed to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113 or by calling a Salvation Army office.