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NORTHWOOD, N.D.-The tornado that left this community in ruins packed winds of at least 150 mph and was nearly a mile wide.Greg Gust, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said he would rank the tornado that struck Northwood on Sunday night as an F3 or an F4, which means winds of 150 mph to 170 mph. He estimated the twister as wide as 0.8 mile."That's big," Gust said after surveying the scene today.The width was the same as the deadly 1957 Fargo tornado, but was less intense. It was forceful enough to leave one dead, 57-year-old Larry Weisz, and 18 others injured. Weisz was a resident of the Valley View mobile home park on the north edge of town. His mobile home was flipped by the high winds, pinning him between the home and a large tree.None of the injured sustained life-threatening injuries, according to sources.Art Bilden, former long-time mayor of Northwood, said it appeared that nearly all 360 homes in Northwood suffered damage."The city is not safe now," Grand Forks County Sheriff Dan Hill said.Gov. John Hoeven issued an emergency declaration for Northwood on today and ordered the National Guard to help with debris removal. He visited the community in the afternoon.Kent Gronlie, a 1970 Northwood High graduate who brought a loader-tractor to help move fallen trees and other debris, approached Hoeven."We really appreciate all the help we're going to get because this community is really going to need it," Gronlie said.Gronlie talked to Hoeven outside the recently remodeled Northwood School.The school sustained heavy damage that included a destroyed gym. An insurance adjuster estimated the school damage at more than $1 million. Classes were canceled all week.Gronlie, who lives seven miles northeast of Northwood, said he found debris in his yard.
As in the days of Noah...
