Hey All:

Most of you I am sure have heard about the devastating F5 tornado that hit Parkersburg, Iowa on the afternoon of Sunday May 25th. My department was one of the first to arrive on scene 20 minutes after the storm. We are only 20 miles north of Parkersburg. It took my breath away to see the carnage left behind. Walking wounded trying to pull themselves out of their homes and looking for loved ones. My department found the first 2 deceased people that being an elderly couple that could not get down to their basement. It is the worst thing I have ever been through. Due to my being an Incident Command instructor for Homeland Security, I was asked to be the Operations Chief upon arrival. After doing that for the first 3 days I was re-assigned as the Coordinator for the volunteer workers and heavy equipment. I am almost to the point of being burned out as of tonite but supposedly we are going to transition people tomorrow. I sure hope so. I hope nobody ever tells me again that the NIMS and Incident Command system doesn't work because if it is run correctly it is a life-saver!! I have gotten lots of e-mails from many of you and just thought I would post a blog and attach photos of the devastation, just click on the link below. Thanks for all of your concern and stay in touch. Train hard-train safe!!

Mitch

http://picasaweb.google.com/generaldcmills/ParkersburgTornado/photo#s5204893272879008178