Tim Walz Reflects on Disasters

08/30/2006

by Tim Walz

Life in southern Minnesota was interrupted last Thursday evening.  Instead of sitting down to a peaceful dinner with the family, many residents of southern Minnesota were hurrying to their basements to protect themselves from the dangerous tornados leering overhead.  We were safe here in Mankato, but our neighbors in Nicollet and Cleveland were not so lucky.  Many homes were destroyed and lives were turned upside down. 

However, as soon as disaster hit help was on the way.  We have been touched by how quickly these communities reached out to their friends who didn’t fair so well in the storm.  The Walz campaign staff decided to hit the road on Saturday to join the efforts in Cleveland, and we were amazed by how quickly they set up a volunteer organization.  We arrived at the fire hall in Cleveland and within 5 minutes we had gloves and water and were on our way to one of homes.  As we were driving through the back-roads of Cleveland it was clear how destructive this storm was; trees and phone poles were down everywhere and random pieces of metal were floating in ponds and stuck in trees.  Once we pulled up to the house, and it took my breath away that only a shadow of a home remained.

We spent our time combing through the cornfields looking for remains of the buildings that had blown away.  As we talked to the family afterward, I was once again amazed at the strength and courage of this community.  They took it all in stride and were looking ahead to building a new life. 

Now is a time for all of us to reflect on what we have and we have to look forward to.  We can learn from our neighbors experience.  We can learn from their great spirit and zest for life.  We can pray for their health and new homes.  We can help.  If you have some time to donate, please contact Cleveland City Hall at 507-931-6380.  Or, you can donate money to their efforts.  Please send a check to:

Tornado Relief Fund
Cleveland City Hall
PO Box 309
Cleveland, MN 56017

Or to assist Nicollet:

American Red Cross
105 Homestead Rd
Mankato, MN 56001