The west side of Meadowbrook Apartments in Wadena was completely ripped away during the tornado June 17, exposing some interior rooms and a closet with clothes still on hangers. Utility poles had fallen into the building, with power lines hanging in limbo. Pictured above, apartment resident Derek Boyd and Jason Kenny of Bluffton surveyed the damage a few hours after the storm ended. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Commissioner Bill Stearns, chair of the Wadena County Board of Commissioners, convened an emergency meeting of the county board at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, June 18. All commissioners were present along with County Auditor/ Treasurer Char West.

The board quickly approved a resolution declaring a state of emergency in Wadena County for the tornado event of June 17, 2010.

Next, the board discussed the need to set up a location where storm debris could be hauled. The old airport was suggested by Solid Waste Director Mike Hanan. Hanan also suggested that the city and the two counties (Wadena and Otter Tail) affected by the tornado should share a debris site, rather than setting up three separate sites. The board agreed in principle with this idea and decided to confer with Mayor Wayne Wolden and the Wadena City Council about it.

A huge clump of sheet metal, believed to be part of the Community Center roof, ended up on the W-DC High School building. It also rolled over cars in the school parking lot. Another similar pile of metal came to rest roughly two blocks to the east against a residence. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) At the debris management site, trucks from the city and the two counties can deliver tree waste to one pile, metal to another pile, concrete and brick to a third pile and mixed debris to a fourth pile. The piles can be sorted later and recyclables assessed and organized.

Hanan reported that about 35 homes in Otter Tail County were damaged beyond repair.

The board discussed but could not agree on how the site would be protected and staffed. They decided to discuss these matters with the Wadena City Council at a joint meeting. The emergency county board meeting was recessed at 11:15 a.m. to await the arrival of Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Gov. Pawlenty arrived by helicopter at 11:45 a.m. and met with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) personnel in the Wadena County Courthouse. At 12:50 p.m., the governor held a press conference at the Wadena City Council chambers. He gave a brief statement in which he described the June 17 tornados and their aftermath as “a nearly unprecedented number of tornado touchdowns - close to 40.” Pawlenty also said the storms were noteworthy for their “broad geographical impact.”

He declared, “We will do all we can to support these families” who have lost

loved ones and their homes

and businesses, including, “close cooperation with

state and federal level” offi- cials and departments.

Pawlenty described the damage to the Wadena- Deer Creek High School, the county fairgrounds, the Leaf River AG fertilizer plant and more than 200 homes. He said the National Guard had mobilized 100 members throughout the state, many of them on their way to Wadena.

The governor reminded everyone that damage assessments must be completed and certain dollar amount thresholds must be met before state or federal aid will begin flowing, and urged that these assessments would be complete

as soon as possible.

He closed by saying, “Minnesotans always work

together in these instances, they come together in crises and show their commitment, optimism and can-do attitude.”

After the governor left, the Wadena City Council and Wadena County Board convened an emergency joint meeting at 1:20 p.m. Commissioner Stearns read the county’s declaration of a state of emergency. Mayor Wolden presented a resolution declaring a state of emergency in the City of Wadena, which was quickly passed unanimously by the council.

Stearns read the proposal the county had developed for debris management. After discussion by council members and county board members, the two bodies agreed in principle to operate a joint debris site at the old airport, with the county providing oversight of the coordination of debris management and serving as fiscal agent for the payment of invoices for debris management. Otter Tail County, Wadena County, City of Wadena and MnDOT will be allowed to deposit debris at the site.

Most likely, the county will have to pay the bills before receiving any funding from the state or federal government, Hanan said, based on his experience with the 2005 Otter Tail County wind storm.

The two bodies appointed a joint committee consisting of Stearns, Commissioner Lane Waldahl, Wolden and councilman Don Niles. The committee will prepare proposals relating to the debris site and bring them to the council and county board for approval.

Mayor Wolden appointed Judy Jacobs as Public Information Officer for the city. Anyone with questions is asked to contact her at 218-232-6753.

Volunteers who wish to help with cleanup, assisting families or any other way are asked to assemble at the former Pamida store parking lot, next to Wal- Mart, located on U.S. Hwy 71 north.