Mapleton, IA – Tornado Nearly Destroys Half A Town In Iowa [photos]

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    A resident carries a basket with belongings away from a destroyed house  in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)Mapleton, IA – Authorities say the 15 minutes of warning given to residents of a small Iowa town were key to preventing any deaths or serious injuries when a tornado destroyed more than half the community.

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    The storm barreled through Mapleton on Saturday night with winds of more than 130 mph. But the worst injury was a mere broken leg.

    Sheriff Jeff Pratt says he and his deputies, along with trained storm spotters, tracked the twister across the countryside and notified communities in its path to blow their warning sirens earlier than usual. That let people scramble into basements or seek other shelter.

    About 100 homes were destroyed.

    On Monday, volunteers streamed into town to begin cleaning up downed trees and rubble.

    Destruction in Mapleton, Iowa, in this aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011,  The tornado was one of several reported in Iowa. The weather service said it had confirmed a total of four smaller twisters that touched down near Early and Nemaha, damaging several homes.   (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds)
    Jason Mauch, center, carries a basket of belonging from his destroyed house in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado struck the town. Authorities reported no serious injuries. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    A cleanup crew removes debris in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    Diane Gosch, left, hands Judy Castle, center, a shoe, Sunday, April 10, 2011, as they clean up Castle's house in Mapleton, Iowa, that was damaged after a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, center, talks to a volunteer helping clean up tornado damage in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries.  Gov. Branstad issued an emergency proclamation covering Mapleton and surrounding Monana County on Saturday so the state could spend money to respond to the storm. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad talks to reporters after touring Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, where a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries. Gov. Branstad issued an emergency proclamation covering Mapleton and surrounding Monana County on Saturday so the state could spend money to respond to the storm. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    Rubble from damaged homes litters the street in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowa town. Authorities reported no serious injuries.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

    Destruction in Mapleton, Iowa, in this aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011,    The tornado was one of several reported in Iowa.  The weather service said it had confirmed a total of four smaller twisters that touched down near Early and Nemaha, damaging several homes.   (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds  MANDATORY CREDIT

    Destruction in Early, Iowa, is shown in this aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011,  The small town was hit by a tornado on Saturday  which also caused damage in Mapleton, Iowa.   The tornado was one of several reported in Iowa. The weather service said it had confirmed a total of four smaller twisters that touched down near Early and Nemaha, damaging several homes.   (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds)   MANDATORY CREDIT


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    11 Comments
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    MazelKGH
    MazelKGH
    13 years ago

    Let me guess ….. The reason Hashem did this was because ……….
    Am I close?

    Mumbo
    Mumbo
    13 years ago

    #1 I am with you and the boys in Japan?

    flatbushmm
    flatbushmm
    13 years ago

    why are you afraid to say it…Rubsashkin.

    wake up USA, dont mess with G-d’s ppl