May 25th, 2008 Parkersburg, Iowa Tornado Part 1

[TheMightykaz]

Quite a bit of f5 damage! Never realized just how powerful this tornado was.

[pdorn777]

This looks eerily similar to the damage at Xenia in '74. I guess an F5 is an F5...

[norseleague]

What happens to the survivors? This is horrific-looks like a huge old garbage dump like on long Island!

[click420nick]

i use to live in a town called rockwell iowa

[TornadoWatche]

Yes, Iowa lies in an area with lots of violent tornadoes, known as tornado Alley.

[TornadoWatche]

Are you kiding! Yes, Iowa lies in tornado alley, which is the area that gets alot of active and violent tornadoes. But the state that has the highest yearly number of tornadoes in the US is Texas.

[LAcoFIREguy]

Are there Tornados in Colfax, Iowa?

[DjHardaFasta]

its possible! because iowa is in tornado alley and has the highest rate of F5 tornados out of any state!

[DjHardaFasta]

per square mile

[philliesfan1971]

@LAcoFIREguy I have very good friends that lives in Colfax (used to live just east of there in Newton)... and indeed they have had tornados there

[Saylemore]

thats so scary. A Top Model contestant Jaeda Young used to live in Parkersburg.

[tornadokid2000]

im pretty fimilyer with parkersburg and my family

[Blaze0Clock]

schools out haha

[prosepp]

shockingly extreme apocalyptic pictures !!

May God bless the people there !

[SpywareHater]

1 thing about trees is not all of them get knocked down. many trees were completely debarked by the tri-state tornadoes but the trees in the tornado weren't deep rooted.

[mystiqraven]

these are the first pictures i have seen that showed the distruction of a town in me and my family grew up around. my heart cries for all the families and for the lose of a beautiful town

[countrygirllover18]

i was there when that pasted though thank god didnt live there though

[imknattie]

This year was a bad year for torndoes in Iowa.

[pokergirl1995]

one of my friends i go to school with was at a party and went in a car wash it collapsed on him and they thought he was dead a brick fell on him but he is alive. it is so sad and scary i live in clarksville and now we have floods

[badwolfdr9]

amen doin our best to survive huh ?

[coopkdms]

i live close i so that it was so sad

[pat12Tbrady]

Our House was on there with the huge tree on its side.

[beezer139]

did people die im just wondering i think probly but i just wanna no?

[bryan1097]

Sadly, 6 lives were claimed by this tornado.

[JellyBeanWatcher55]

i live in cedar rapids and we were in south dakota for my sisters graduation when this happened and when we were driving back home from s.d. we saw some of the damage of the parkersburg tornado. it was really sad. =(

[Enigma1677]

Did this town have any advanced warning, like sirens..etc?

[falcondude73]

yes the tornado sirens went off 2mins before

[copow12a]

half a mile wide...... it destroyed the whole town but wasnt on GMA? That just showss that no one gives a shit.

[jenntegt]

It just proves that GMA is a piece of shit that's too busy talking about the new summer shoe styles.

[lonelyboy03]

Thought it was a mile wide.

[bryan1097]

It was just over half a mile wide when it went through Parkersburg. After that, the tornado grew to 1.2 miles wide north of Dunkerton, but weakened to an EF2 at that point.

[falcondude73]

only half the town was gone

[ghnitemare]

We play them for football, we all pray they do well. That town is fucking gone... It's like a fence, you'll be walking along and all the houses will be gone then one moment theres half a house and then it just keeps going. It's so terrible. Students from our school go to help out.

[imAhmazing12]

it was flat.i live about 1-2 hours away and a guy that works for my dad, lives there and he told us his house was torn off the foundation.my teachers also went last sunday to help out and took pictures. it was like nothing was ever there, but had like stuff everywhere.its really horrible. and we heard a story where this guy went back to get his fone for later and completly got riped out of his house. And an old couple didnt make it because they where to old, and couldnt hurry into the basement.

[MistofSolaris]

Can I ask how Greensburg is doing if anyone knows?

[shaun6906]

Actually if you watch much tv they were sposed to do a documentary on the rebuilding. Its supposed to be the first "Green" city in the united states. Its good to hear they are rebuilding!

[resistancesoldier]

kinda like Greensburg again.. weve been hit hard(Midwest)already and Tornado season isnt even in full swing yet,kinda scary to think whats next this season.

[simplicify]

All the people I know that have been affected by this are the some of the most amazing, nicest people I've met. It really is a wonderful show of humanity that has come out of this tragedy. I am praying for everyone who has lost something, or someone close to them.

[flyingsauser]

I have family close to there but weren't hit. Bless the familys with their struggles ahead. And a little message for iorixs.... FU@K YOU, dont use others loss to spew your bullshit

[JGandDX]

i live in iowa but we werent hit by this thank god for that

[daboi786]

its crazy what these storms can do its scary when there at night to and can see um coming very well.....god bless everyone effected by this storm

[Malas1]

thats why u live in areas where tornadoes dont hit.

[guanakitaforever]

Lets pray to God for all this families and also for everything that is happening in this world like tornados, wars, races, earthquakes, tsunamies because believe or not almost all of this have been written on the Bible read Apocalp. Open your hearts to Jesus. Let's worship. God Bless everybody

[ferden06]

From P-Town To all my boyz in P-Burg. I hope the best to all, Dheno, Sting, Kyle, Spree, Vin, Cordes, Husmen and all. NC Falcons to AP Falcons you peops are some of the realest I've ever encountered. Hope you all can over come these horible odds. Try keepin it real and keep movin forward.... Kory Ferden *P-Town* I f'n A.

[iorixs]

God has destroyed many corrupted communities before. people should take heed and get rid of the pornography and the satanic music and stop oppressing oneanother, this is only going to get worse unless people start to reform themselves and behave decently

horrible catastrophe

[L2Sixcer]

WTF There was an article in The Globe today with pics and obits of the 7 people that were killed in the tornado, the youngest one was a 48. Pretty sure the 80 year old couple that just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December didn't participate in porn or satanic rituals, just a guess. Been thru Parkersburg several times, sorry to hear about this tragedy.

[farmer123ish]

@iorixs what the fuck dose this have to do with the video

[iorixs]

sure dont see much about this in the news

[thehunted837]

this was terrible, i live in webster city and i heard that this tornado was an EF5- Iowa has not seen one of those in 32 years... weather is amazing- God bless

[batermo]

Only having been to Parkersburg twice to celebrate Holidays with my aunt and uncle, the town was awesome. May the spirit of its people rebuild the community they knew before 5/25. Can anyone tell me if the houses along Newell Avenue, north of HWY. 14/57 still stand? My aunt and uncle lived on Newell. He was superintendent until two years ago. They retired and moved, but their dream home remained behind. Is there anything left out there? Thank you for any information. God Bless Parkersburg.

[buick2500]

I'm on the Thornton Fire Department, and we responded on May 26th. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you in this community.

[refluxie]

OMG i felt pity for the victim. Houses were damaged. People were injured physically and mentally. Wish god bless u.. Way to go and be strong..

[BrideofPinbot]

Just thought I'd tell you, I've seen your video uploaded to a couple of other websites- You did a great job.

[badwolfdr9]

I'm a firefighter from Clarksville,one of the first on scene,seen the worst,did my best.Hope it made a differance,God be with the victims of this horrific event. BW

[luge469]

half my home town is gone!!!! It missed my family's old house by feet, if it were on the other side of 3rd avenue, it would be gone. My thought ond prayers to all in P'burg.

[ECSchultz09]

We had just played them in soccer 2 days before, we beat them pretty bad, and then this happened. I played on that soccer field so many times.

[Buffyqueen]

This video only gives a glimsp of what has happened. And tha'ts a sad fact.

[NJ1988]

lololol 37 million dollars flooting around and the national guard had to take it all damn you army

[Urban55201]

surprisingly I have not seen any storm chaser clips on youtube...I mean somebody has to have video of this? It's an EF-5 for god sakes!

[ProfessorIgor]

As of 5-28-08 this tornado was classified an EF-5 by the NWS storm survey team. This year has been an ass-kicker and we have a lot of summer left. Make sure you have your NOAA radios batteries all charged up and ready. You don't want to get caught with your pants down this year.

[levadt]

Actually this injured appx 70 people as well as killing 6...

I'm not saying this is solid data , but i've heard that this particular storm system developed over 100 tornadoes - as well as the F5 that did this. The record number of tornadoes for one storm system was set last year at 76.

I think we should take this as evidence of the well predicted side effect of global warming... that storm systems in general are getting more intense everywhere.

-Troy, Muscatine IA

[pdorn777]

Amen on the global warming...I think its outrageous that the issue is even still being debated within the scientific community.

[ProfessorIgor]

sheep. They are NOT getting more intense. There have been LESS tornadoes this May than in many precious years. There have been about 400 tornadoes (not all confirmed touchdowns) thus far. We have seen over 500 on several occassions, even before "global warming" was thought of. Even if "global warming" exists, I live in Wisconsin, I am for it, after our RECORD COLD winter this past year (yes RECORD COLD), bring it on !!

[BrideofPinbot]

awesome video!!!! I live in DSM, but I have friends in Denver- I thought the tornado hit there at 1st, my thoughts go out to everyone affected.

[Buffyqueen]

I agree. I live in Waterloo. One of my teachers home was destroyed durring this strom. (by the way do you know Jena Jenkins?)

[copow12a]

and this wasnt on GMA? wat a bunch of losers. No one gives a shit about Iowa. and its sad.

[copow12a]

My grandparents live 5 god damn mils from that town thank jesus they are okay

[Dennyboy8]

Watching this video breaks my heart. I grew up in New Hartford but have lived in California for the last 25 years. I always have come back to those communities & those wonderful people every year. My visit this summer will have special meaning for me. Thoughts & prayers are with the incredibly strong & resilient people of New Hartford and Parkersburg. I'm lucky to have come from that area. I love California, but Iowa and these towns will always be home. God be with all of you! - Ken R.

[copow12a]

it was 41 god damn miles wide

[pump20]

Not all of the houses were annihilated but some were stayed the same or a minor damage

[KiwiSullivan44]

one day you are there driving through, and the next day, it is gone

[ogdocvato]

Damn! F-5s are a bitch.

[JAChonny]

I'm from Pburg looks like theres not much left to go home to I can't believe it. I know the Bulldozers are comin in tonight and soon we build!!!

[edwardMcsliper]

dude my state got fucked up. the tornado was abought 15mil away we found parkersburg licens plate in yard

[bryan45777]

Sorry about your communities' loss.That's a pretty substatntial video you made .I'm starting to go straight to youtube for breaking news(Cleveland)

[Cuties7796]

they had to close the town like NO one could be there now some people arent doing well and i dont live that far and i never go in the basement so now im ALWAYS going when the sirens go off

[judanmcgregor]

I'm from Omaha and have been to P'Burg many times as my wife and her family are from neighboring Aplington. I was just there playing golf on May 10th at the new golf course. Our thoughts and prayers are with the good people of Parkersburg. God Bless!

[joshawk]

Iowans are resillient to things like this. Parkersburg was totally destroyed and the people of the community are nothing but positive. Only here will you find this attitude. Parkersburg will return and be better than it ever was. God bless the people of Parkersburg!

[therabidanimalman]

man, i don't live far from there and we didn't even get an inch of rain, and i hope they can salvage what's left =(

[jeffhardy6194life]

i live 5 miles from there and when i went over there i said

holy shit where am i ?!

[fanofnothingface]

Wow. That is devastation. Terrible.

[hawkeyegirl2003]

Its devastating that most of the town is now in ruins. Everybody I know from Parkersburg has a heart of gold and I know the town will rebuild and overcome.

[hawkeyegirl2003]

My prayers are also for the wonderful people of Parkersburg. We drove through on 57 at 2:30 pm on Sunday on the way to our friends' house in the country 15-20 miles north of Parkersburg and, as always, commented on what a great community it is and playfully picked out "our house someday" the Victorian House. We made plans to stop at Pizza Ranch, but noticed it was closed. We commented that everything looked "so nice" after all the flodding last month that almost covered the roads.

[Kwizzel90210]

The families who suffered through this time in Parkersburg are extremely resiliant. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who had to deal with the wrath of this tornado. They said it had a damage trail between 75-100 miles, and there was even a spot of debris reported in Prairie Du Chien, 91 MILES SOUTH OF PARKERSBURG. That just clearly shows the power of this storm. Thanks for sharing this video.

[weezerlso]

My prayers go out to the families of Parkersburg! May this present opportunity for our communities to come together and help and love each other in this time of need.