WEATHER

Storm causes flooding in tornado-ravaged Wadena

A storm with heavy downpours of rain has caused flooding in parts of Wadena, which is still recovering from an EF4 tornado on June 17, is dealing with flooding this morning.

By Steve Schulz , June 25, 2010

Wednesday update: Demolition begins, M State starting up

Here are Wednesday’s developments as compiled by the Wadena Pioneer Journal: • Today marks the beginning of the demolition phase in town. Most city tree removal is finished, and now some structures will begin coming down and debris hauled, said Police Chief Bruce Uselman.

By Steve Schulz , June 23, 2010

GRANITE FALLS — Mayor Dave Smiglewski of Granite Falls made phone calls to Wadena over the weekend offering any help that he or his community could provide as Wadena recovers from the damage inflicted Thursday by a tornado rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

By Tom Cherveny , June 22, 2010

FEMA, Homeland Security in Wadena today

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security are visiting Wadena today, talking to residents about their losses.

By Steve Schulz , June 22, 2010

Fatigue setting in for Wadena residents

Glenn St. Marie’s first thought when he woke up Monday was: “I don’t want to get up and face this crap.”

By By Amy Dalrymple , June 22, 2010

Wadena-Deer Creek District weighing options for fall

Absolute facts were scarce at District 2155’s June school board meeting but chairperson Ann Pate reaffirmed that doors would be open for Wadena-Deer Creek students on Sept. 7 when classes are set to begin for the 2010-11 school year.

By Brian Hansel , June 22, 2010

Tuesday update: Damage total is 230, WOW weekend coming, Colfax/29 open

Here are the tornado relief effort updates for Tuesday morning, June 22: • An updated damage assessment: Wadena suffered 26 destroyed buildings, 60 with major damage, 91 with minor damage and 91 “affected,” for a total of 268. The previous total was 230.

By Steve Schulz , June 22, 2010

Document losses, expenses as first step in financial recovery after tornado

Tornado and storm victims can begin to address the financial issues that accompany disaster soon after securing safe shelter. Documentation is a key to recovery.

June 21, 2010

Putting the pieces back together after a tornado

A natural disaster can strike anywhere at any time, leaving in its wake damage and destruction that affects the financial well-being of survivors. You may be in disbelief, yet anxious to start to put the pieces back together. You may not be able to return to your property until it is declared safe, but you can take steps toward financial recovery.

June 21, 2010

More newspapers coming; special subscriptions

More Wadena Pioneer Journal June 19 issue date newspapers will be available for sale this (Monday) evening.

By Steve Schulz , June 21, 2010

Hole in roof didn’t stop church service

Despite a hole in the roof and restrictions on traffic around St. John Lutheran Church in southwest Wadena, the congregation held its regular service Sunday.

By By Heidi Shaffer , June 21, 2010

Sunday night update: It was an F4, WDCHS 'crumbling,' M State will rebuild

Here are the latest tornado recovery effort updates: • Emergency Management Director Scott McKellep reported he heard from NOAA Sunday afternoon that the tornado (yes, we can officially say that) was an F4 with peak winds in excess of 170 miles per hour. The tornado cut a path 1.1 miles wide and 10 miles long from southwest of Wadena to northeast of town. (The F scale goes from 0-5, with 5 being worst. NOAA says on its website that an F4 is considered “devastating.”)

By Steve Schulz , June 20, 2010

Sunday update: SW quadrant reopens, no more passes

Here are the latest developments in the tornado recovery effort: • The southwest quadrant is now open to residents. NO MORE PASSES ARE NEEDED. However, the area is restricted to residents and those who are helping in the debris removal process. If you don’t fit into one of those two categories, you are asked to still stay away to avoid traffic congestion and respect the victims.

By Steve Schulz , June 20, 2010

Red Cross wraps up damage assessment, to open shelter in Wadena

The Red Cross said Wadena County had 27 homes destroyed, and many more received minor to heavy damage.

June 20, 2010

Cleanup effort shows progress

Thirty-four heavy trucks and countless chain saws made a dent Saturday in the tornado cleanup in Wadena.

By By Amy Dalrymple , June 19, 2010