Tornado Aftermath

Reports from the National Weather Service says a Tornado that struck Belcourt was rated an EF-3...  More »

Reports from the National Weather Service says a Tornado that struck Belcourt was rated an EF-3, with wind gusts up to 165 miles per hour. Just after 3 O'clock yesterday afternoon two tornados touched down in Rollette County in the areas of Belcourt and Rolla damaging dozens of homes and injuring two men. Today Governor John Hoeven met with local and state officals to assess the aftermath while both communities began picking up the pieces. Clayton Calrk was in Rollette County today and he has the latest. (Clayton Clark, KX News) Yesterday afternoon turned ugly quickly for many Rollette County residents. (Bite) (Clayton Clark, KX News) Early reports show approximately 14 houses were badly damaged in the Rolla area along with 19 homes in Belcourt. To help with the cleanup and the coping Governor John Hoeven sent several state resources to the area to provide food and shelter for those with heavily damaged homes. (Gov. John Hoeven, (R) North Dakota) (Clayton Clark, KX News) At least Two people were injured by the twisters. One Belcourt man was in his basement when the foundation wall of his house collapsed on him. He was air-lifted to Trinity Hospital in Minot and is in stable condition after surgery this morning. The other injury was a Rolla firefighter who was driving out to a farm to warn a family of the impending weather when a tornado dropped down on his vehicle. Many in the area say they're fortunate that there weren't more injuries. (Bite) Many people around the area were able to caputre mother nature's furry on Film as tornado's tore through the town. And those that witnessed the devastation first hand are still having trouble putting into words the whole experience. Bite For some kids who were able to be home by themselves during the day they had to experienced the twister alone but several say they knew exactly what to do. (Kids) Right now all of the properties in Rolls are being assessed by insurance adjusters. In Belcourt only one resident with damaged property had insurance while all of the rest are left wondering what to do next. In Rollette County, Clayton Clark, KX News. An Emergency Operations Center has been established at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rolla where Red Cross staff is on hand. If you need any help or would like to volunteer officials ask that you sign in at the church.  « Less