On June 17th, an EF4 tornado tore a path through the southern countryside leading into the town of Wadena Minnesota, then back into the countryside north of town. The storm cut a path through farms and rural homes, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and civic buildings.

Picture a swirling wind so strong that heavy blocks of granite headstone are missing in the town’s graveyard, a train car was picked up by the wind and tossed aside, entire homes have gone missing, an indoor hockey arena is crumpled up and thrown about like kitchen foil, or a large school bus is tossed across a highway like a cardboard box rolling in the wind. Much of what did not come down during the storm is being torn down now due to severe structural damage. People died from the tornadoes that set down in Minnesota on June 17th, including a man that passed away from heart failure while caught out in a car during the storm near Wadena. The deaths are tragic, the devastating images offer disbelief, and the stories of fear and survival offer both chills and relief.

Like all disasters, people do what they can as quickly as they can help. Fire department and law enforcement went to work searching for victims, and just as important, gas company employees went to work to stop the many gas leaks and utility crews searched for downed power lines.

For the Wadena County Humane Society, the first task was to make sure the shelter was safe, and the employees and animals were safe. The shelter was on the very periphery of the disaster, one next door neighbor away from more severe damage. We feel fortunate that the shelter was spared from the most devastating damage and the animals are safe. However, the shelter was heavily damaged. The exterior took a significant blow, quite literally a blow down of chain link fence embedded in concrete, shattered siding from the impact of debris and the most ominous of marks, the die cut image where a 2 x 4 stud penetrated the roof. This particular hole is a small poignant reminder of the force of the tornado winds.

The shelter veterinarian and shelter manager inspected the damage immediately after the storm, and more important, examined and verified the animals safety and well being. We also do not forget the shelter employee that was present within the shelter during the tornado. We are grateful our employee was safe, the shelter was intact and the animals were not harmed. We are just as grateful the facility was available to immediately accept animals.

In the days to follow the tornado, the shelter was without power. Shelter staff worked within the building by flashlight when necessary. The most important thing, the water, was available from the faucets to care for the animals. The roof was patched to prevent leaks until it is replaced. The siding will be repaired in time, and the shelter sign by the road will be taken down for repair or replacement. But none of this will happen without the resources to pay for repairs.

Insurance will not be enough, coverage was limited due to depreciated cash value, and the outdoor fencing and fixtures are not covered. This is a significant hardship to the shelter. The current estimate for repairs not covered is nearing 20 percent of our annual budget.

Within a couple hours after the tornado, the first dog was rescued by a local resident. A mother and son picked their dog up the next morning, safe and happy to go with family. Another animal accepted at the shelter was reunited with it's owner within 15 minutes of it's being brought to the shelter. There were many other animals rescued, many still showing up in the weeks after the tornado. Some were kept safe by their rescuers. These animals were later reunited with family with connections between rescuer and owner. There are some animals still at the shelter, their families overwhelmed by the total loss of home, transportation, and in some cases employment as both home and employer business were destroyed. Dogs are fairly quick to be found, while family cats may hide for days or longer before fear is overcome by hunger.

Donations of food were immediately offered and other area shelters offered extra space to house rescued animals if necessary. An anonymous donor sent notice of a special donation for emergency operating expenses during this disaster. This will be most generous and helpful and is bound to operating expenses, not capital repairs. With so many people left with so much devastation within our community, local help is not enough or not available. Many of our local supporters and benefactors have also been devastated by this tornado. This is not just our shelter needing help, our community was fractured by the severe disaster.

The Wadena County Humane Society needs the help and support our community is not be able to offer at this time. Our local humane society shelter needs help to rebuild so we may continue to support our community during this time of need.

As of this morning, July 14th, residents responded again to the tornado siren, 72 mile per hour storm winds took down more trees in our community, streets are again closed while debris is cleaned up, and one resident called to report a family pet has been recovered in a live trap and will be brought in to be examined for rescue.

Please consider our plea for help. Please help us rebuild so we may continue to serve our community. You can donate on GiveMN on our fundraiser page at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Wadena-County-Humane-Society.Thank you from the Wadena County Humane Society.