Over the years I had covered the aftermath of a number of tornadoes in Iowa. It started with covering the anniversary of tornadoes which struck Algona and Manson Iowa in 1979. Since that time I have seen tornado damage near Inwood, IA, a fatal twister at Elkader, one struck the town of Lawler IA. Also near the towns of Scranton, and New Providence. In more recent years the anniversary of the Bradgate Tornado, Fruitland, Iowa City, Creston, and Sully. The same monster tornado hit Parkersburg, New Hartford, and continued to Hazelton. This season already near Winterset, near Pocahontas, and the town of Mapleton.
Saturday April 9th, my wife and I skipped going out to eat so I could keep an ear on the scanners. Heard about the heavy damage at Mapleton I decided to head northwest from Ames to shoot a little lightning video. Was ready to drive back to Boone to send some video to the station. Brett McIntyre told me on the phone that it would be possible to catch up to the storm, I couldn't believe late in the evening a storm would still have punch. He told me it was moving slow with the temp over 70 degrees. So I kept driving to Rockwell City, when I learned that tornado sirens were going off in Pocahontas. Heading north on Highway 4 about 5 miles south of Pocahontas a flash of lightning showed the clear outline of a funnel on the ground and beyond that a big black blob. After the third lightning flash I stopped in disbelief to get some video. The small tornado was gone. Was unsure what the big black blob actually was. I thought it could be a rain shaft. Later, I would learn this was a big tornado which leveled farms west of Pocahontas. I followed that big blob as it lifted off the ground and crossed Highway 4 north of Pocahontas.
Brett and Jeriann were talking to me while they were on the air to describe what I was seeing. Brett called it a wedge cloud, and that is what it looked like. Then he said to me "we should tell you Roger, we think there is another tornado coming behind you. " So I turned my car around and got back into Pocahontas where the tornado sirens blared outside the Pocahontas Hospital.
Stopping at the Caseys trying to make my next plan the manager hollered at me to hurry if I wanted shelter from the tornado, she was going to lock the door. I was directed back by the restrooms for shelter. Here there were 10 or 12 people. Had my camera so I was able to get some interviews. Once the sirens finally stopped a Pocahontas police officer told me there were going to look for people to the southwest. I followed an emergency command center out to a farm which had been totally leveled. Decided I would be in the way of search and rescue so I left.Heard the story of a man at that farm was trapped in his leveled house. He called his son in Arizona from inside his ruined home - to tell him he was "ok'"
At the Kum and Go I got some much needed coffee and made some calls to confer with Executive Producer Paul Leppert. He was telling me that Mapleton was badly damaged and he wanted to know if it was as bad as Parkersburg. So I drive down there through yet one last severe storm with hail to Mapleton, The town was closed, so I went to Sioux City to regroup.
Did not get actually into Mapleton until around 10 am. Lots and lots of damage. Talked to a woman who said she had plenty of warning, but didn't think it would affect her. Glass was all blown from her building. Was struck by all the crews lined up to get into town to help. Reminded me of the huge lines streaming to Parkersburg the day after.
Sent an email to our church worship team leader, to let him know I would not make it to our
rehearsal or to lead worship on Sunday. My overnight was spent in northwest Iowa. So it was a weekend I will not forget.
