Just after 3 p.m. on July 14, 2004, Garth Warner was blown out the back wall of his house clutching 3-year-old Madison.
Warner’s wife, Michelle, huddled with their 1-year-old on the floor, which was all that was left of their house.
"It sounded a little like a freight train, a sound I will never forget," he said. "I was getting pelted. I was screaming for her, but I couldn't hear my own screams. I thought I was going to die, I truly did. But we're here. I'm talking to you. The house can be rebuilt."
The Warner family had lived through an F-3 tornado that touched down at 3:05 p.m. in South Londonderry Township, Lebanon County.
On the ground for 10 to 15 minutes, the tornado cut a path of destruction 7.5 miles long through Country Squire Estates and other nearby areas.
Winds whipped between 175 mph and 200 mph.
In its wake - 37 homes were destroyed, 30 homes were severely damaged, 80 homes were moderately damaged and 24 people were hurt.
Up to 500 acres of crops were lost and agricultural damage topped $3 million. Nine farm buildings were damaged or destroyed and six farm animals were killed.
Thousands of people were left without electricity and were temporarily homeless.
Volunteers rallied. They prepared meals, helped to clear debris and begin repairs. Donations poured in - soda, water, diapers, first-aid kits, batteries, toys, clothing, food and cash.
Residents were glad to be alive.
A few days after the tornado, the Rev. Dwight C. Hein talked to his congregation at Salem United Church of Christ about hope and optimism.
“I’m not naive to think that everyone is in that place right now,” Hein said. “When the people were being evacuated, I could see in their eyes that hope was not in ample supply. But soon I saw tears of desperation changed to tears of thankfulness.”
Nine days after the tornado, Kurt Yordy said he believed the response of volunteers to help him and other victims should be remembered for generations. He and other victims have set up a fund to collect donations for use toward recognizing the volunteers' work.
"I get more choked up about these volunteers than what happened to me. People took off their work, their jobs to come and work for me," Yordy said. "I don't want them to be forgotten, what they did."
Carole Ackerman of Campbelltown wrote this letter to the editor July 23, 2004:
"Our clocks still read 3:05 p.m. -- the time a tornado tore apart our beautiful homes in Country Squire Estates in Campbelltown. For 15 minutes I listened to our windows blowing out, siding being ripped off and house alarms blaring.
I prayed for it to end and that everyone would emerge unharmed. I was not prepared for what I found when the storm passed and everyone came running outside -- a sight that no one will ever forget. It has been more than a week now and the backhoes are scraping up the lost trees and what is left of demolished homes. Monstrous Dumpsters hold the remains of so many beautiful possessions.
But we are still here, safe and accounted for. God was watching over us, despite the storm’s devastation.
Our spirits are high because of the hundreds of volunteers and emergency personnel who have flocked here to help. The fire companies, ambulance staff, rescue squads, Red Cross, Salvation Army and the local and state police have been outstanding. They are well-trained for disasters and their work here was evident of that. Everyone should be proud of it.
The landscape looks different now. But we’re still neighbors helping neighbors. The hugs are more plentiful and the smiles are broader, the handshakes last longer now. We’ll be even closer now. Thanks to all who have helped in any way. Their prayers and thoughts are much appreciated.”
Damage from a tornado is seen in Campbelltown, South Londonderry Twp., Lebanon County, on July 14, 2004. (The Patriot-News)PN
READ MORE
- Penn State’s “Weather World” turns 35: “A bunch of meteorologists do a TV show.”
- “Eruption decapitates St. Helens”: The 40th anniversary of the day Mount St. Helens blew her top.
Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
"sound" - Google News
July 14, 2020 at 05:00PM
https://ift.tt/2OnXLGq
‘A sound I will never forget’: the Campbelltown tornado in 2004 - pennlive.com
"sound" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2MmdHZm
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
No comments:
Post a Comment