Wessington Springs residents count blessings as they pick up pieces
Against the backdrop of shattered windows and what remained of her garage, Cathy Holzwarth sat crouched on her knees, tending to daises.
Around her, neighbors scavenged yards for traces of belongings as rescue crews assessed what was left of nearby homes in Wessington Springs.
"Things can be replaced," Holzwarth said. "It's all just stuff."
That spirit of optimism and perseverance was on display across Wessington Springs on Thursday, as residents began picking up from a tornado that obliterated sections of town.
Photo gallery: Wessington Springs tornado damage
Earlier story: 20-minute warning likely saved lives
Video: Tour of damage in Wessington Springs
No one was killed or seriously injured when the EF-2 tornado whipped through the Jerauld County community Wednesday evening, but about two dozen homes were left uninhabitable.
Two blocks north of Holzwarth's daisies, Ward Barber took in the damage done to his home. The tornado wiped away two walls, leaving debris and wreckage scattered across his property.
But Barber puts the loss in perspective.
"When my wife and I got married over 50 years ago, we had nothing," Barber said. "And so even now we still have more than we did."
At every step and turn in Wessington Springs, scraps of siding, insulation and people's livelihoods litter lawns and streets.
The tornado flung Maggie Doering's home about 100 yards, slamming it into a newly renovated home down the block.
On Thursday, her children and their families spent the day salvaging whatever they could from the piles of debris.
"Mom said she always wanted to have less stuff," Maggie's son Rod Doering said.
The family managed to find Maggie Doering's purse with her wallet inside fully intact, as well as undamaged dinnerware buried at the bottom of the rubble.
"It's just funny the way things work out sometimes," her daughter-in-law Beverly Doering said.
Mayor Melissa Mebius said at least 25 homes are uninhabitable. Three businesses were also destroyed and seven others suffered extensive damage.
"There are a lot more houses that nobody is going to be able to live in for quite a while," Mebius said.
The worst hit businesses were Springs Automotive, the American Legion and the Hideout Bar & Grill.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard arrived in Wessington Springs late Wednesday night and said 172 National Guard soldiers will be stationed in town until relief efforts are completed.
Residents and immediate family were allowed into the city to begin searching for belongings Thursday morning. By noon, the streets of Wessington Springs were full of community members, rescue workers and emergency management crews.
Power has been restored to the west side of the city, and crews were still working to restore power to other areas.
"We are extremely blessed we had no serious injuries and we are extremely grateful for all the help we are receiving from the state, fire department, law enforcement (and other agencies)," Jerauld County State's Attorney Dedrich Koch said.
The city will continue clean-up efforts, clearing debris, removing trees, cars and large parts of homes from the site to the city landfill.
Glenn Naser, 69, was in his home when the tornado struck. Part of his roof was torn off and a large shed behind his house caved in. In the backyard, two trees fell onto the garage.
"You could hear it come roaring through, so I looked out the front and could just see debris flying and spinning all over," he said. "After that, me and my wife ran to the basement and stayed on the bed in the corner until it was gone for good."
The National Weather Service said the tornado traveled approximately two miles over 35 minutes and wound down near Main Street and Dunham Avenue. Peak winds were 127 mph.
Just a few blocks away, Holzworth and her husband, Tim Holzworth, were watching the weather and talking her their daughter over the phone about the incoming storm.
"I said, 'It looks like it's coming right at us', and my daughter told me we had better get to the basement," she said. "My husband looked outside and we heard the sound, of course like a freight train, and we looked at each other and ran into the basement."
Barber said he saw the tornado tear through town as it approached his home.
"I watched it come right over the hill and then watched it come right after me," he said. "Then I yelled down to my wife Connie to make sure she's in the basement and said, 'I'll be down in ten seconds."'
From the basement, Barber heard his north wall tear away. "Things started popping and banging and I could hear all the windows go," he said.
It took no more than a minute for the tornado to pass, giving residents the all clear to come out of their homes and see what was left behind.
Rescue workers quickly confirmed everyone was accounted for. Many believe that wouldn't have been the case if it weren't for the swift response by emergency responders.
Fire Chief Jim Varva said his crew gave the town a 20-minute warning, getting every resident inside shelter or safe space.
"There were people on the ball fields and people on the golf course, and because the emergency response was as early as it was, everyone was able to get to shelter in time," he said.
On Thursday, engineers went from home to home, spraying orange Xs on buildings to indicate structural instability or extensive damage. The marks mean it's likely the home will need to be demolished.
Barber stayed optimistic.
"I want to build something on top of this, I already put a strong basement in myself," he said.
Then adding: "I don't know what we will do."
A relief fund has been set up at American Bank & Trust locations in the Wessington Springs area, including Huron, Pierre, Wolsey, Miller, Mellette and DeSmet. Funds will be given to the Red Cross for disaster relief.
For Holzworth, her daisies represent a little thing she can do to pick up and move forward from an experience she hopes to never go through again.
"We tried to sleep last night, but there was no use. You just toss and turn," Holzworth said. "And then you wake up thinking 'Oh man, thought it was a dream' but it's real."