Storm brings communities together
Sara Stadem | Editor and Marylou Nagel | Writer
Mr. Rogers once said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Humboldt has been filled with helpers from all over after the storm in the early morning hours of Friday, September 17, left a path of destruction through the community.
Local Humboldt resident Kelly O’Gorman said, “I woke up at midnight to the sounds of howling wind. The wind made a bizarre noise somewhere between a howl and a roar.” She continued, “I ran to my west patio door and looked out on my deck and my metal patio furniture was spinning around on the deck. My kids came running downstairs scared. We have a small cellar but didn’t go down there, we just stood in the center of the house waiting for the storm to pass.”
Neighbors got right to work clearing debris and checking on each other early Friday morning. Residents from surrounding areas showed their support and concern by making frequent stops throughout the town to help Humboldt residents clean up properties.
Mike Beaner, Gene Betz and Dave Gilderhus started in clearing trees and debris immediately throughout the community following the storm. They were soon joined by Keith Beaner, Daryl Sieverding, Anthony Even, Tim Even, Pat Kaffar, Tracy Edberg, Mitch Merkwan, Dave Froke, Breanna Froke, Amber Bailey, Ritchy, Dawn and Rebecca Griepp and Montrose residents Jake Tysdal and Jeremy Gordon, and Colton residents Nicole and Marcus Oberg.
O’Gorman explained she lost the shingles on the west side of her home, all the way down to the plywood. In addition to that, there were many trees that were snapped off and fortunately did not land on her home.
When asked what are her next plans for her damage, O’Gorman said, “I have been busy picking up branches and shingles all morning (Friday). The city guys have come and hauled away most of the giant tree branches and stumps, so now I am just trying to pile up the smaller branches by the road for pick up later.” She continued, “I see there were volunteers riding around with the city trucks helping to get branches off of roads and yards. My parents have brought me a tarp and wood strips so that I can cover the roof until the insurance adjuster comes next week.”
While others were clearing trees and debris, crews from Sioux Valley Energy, Midcontinent and Golden West worked through the night and day to restore power and services to the residents of Humboldt.
Both Hartford and Humboldt communities saw additional help after the storm damage when the West Central Middle and High School students spent time cleaning up. They took to the streets and yards in Hartford on Friday, September 17, to help with clean up and on Saturday, September 18, after their Friday night win, the WCHS football team got up early to clean up the areas around West Central Humboldt Elementary and in Pressler Park.
Beaner and crew will continue to work cleaning up the town and have made areas available for residents to haul branches and debris to convenient sites in town. “The dumping site off of Ford will be open and we do have dumpsters in town so people can put garbage in there like shingles and stuff,” said Beaner.
Humboldt residents are grateful that no one was injured in the storm. Though the storm destroyed trees, roofs, buildings and vehicles, the strong spirit and perseverance of Humboldt remains.
O’Gorman concluded, “It is so wonderful to live in a small town like Humboldt, in a crisis you can really see how much everyone cares about each other. People just jump in and start helping their neighbors. It’s amazing to see.”