Congressman Tim Walberg promises federal help for tornado victims

Fifth District Congressman Tim Walberg toured tornado-damaged areas of Branch and St. Joseph counties Friday morning, promising to provide whatever help the state needs to get families back on their feet.

"We'll be checking very carefully with the state and the locals. We'll stay in contact with help in any way we can," Walberg said after looking over the severe damage in Sherwood Township.

Walberg said he and others in Congress approved disaster aid for all the storms hitting the nation this spring.

The conservative Republican said, "We will be there in the future too. This is why we need to prepare and not waste our money but keep it where it's needed."

National Weather Service in North Webster, Indiana, survey teams determined that the strong EF-2 twisters touched down near Klinger Lake Road, just southeast of Centreville, at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday.

By the time the twisters dissipated at 6:11 p.m. just west of Riley Dam, they had left destruction along 19.58 miles, with 950 yards at their widest in Sherwood Township of Branch County.

The highest winds were 130 mph.

In St. Joseph County, the NWS report stated, "Extensive damage occurred to trees and center pivot irrigation systems along the track with the most significant damage occurring from north of Colon to north of Sherwood."

Most damage was from River Lake Inn east along Ralston Road to Arney Road.

The weather service said, "Video footage and layout of some tree damage confirms this was a multi vortex tornado during its peak intensity."

Lynn Burns told Congressman Walberg she and a friend drove into the storm to her home off Arney Road. As they arrived, she saw the two funnels merge.

Both survived in her car, but her home was destroyed.

Her friend's son, wife, and child were inside the house. "They couldn't find his wife and the 2-year-old for a minute. They were under the pool solar cover."

No one was hurt, but all their vehicles were damaged.

Burns and her husband are staying at a nearby house that a friend has used as an office.

Burns was told it might take a year to rebuild.

Neighbor Jacob Smith and his 3-year-old and 5-year-old were inside his home when the storm hit.

The power was out, but his phone vibrated with the warning. The three made it to the basement.

The oldest son was back in school Friday, and the youngest played in the yard, where volunteers cleared out large trees that had toppled all around the home.

"My 5-year-old, it had more of an impact on him. He saw all his toys were gone, and his swing set was gone,” Smith said.

Huge holes were in the roof, which volunteers covered with tarps. His wife said there were still leaks.

"We're making it through," Smith said, waiting for power, the insurance adjustor and contractors to bid on repairs.

Lines of Consumers Energy trucks filled the roads, working around the clock. Homes without significant damage had power back on in all but the hardest-hit Arney and Ralston road areas.

Many of those will need electricians to repair power drops at the house before Consumers can connect the lines.

Others need permits and building inspections will be needed to determine if the homes are safe.

Branch County Emergency Manager Tim Miner reported:

• Nine homes were destroyed

• Four homes sustained major damage

• Twenty-four homes received minor damage

• Nineteen homes experienced superficial damage

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Miner and St. Joseph County Emergency Management did not have the number of barns or out-building damaged along the path of the tornadoes.

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Congress Walberg tours path of Tuesday's tornado to view damage