Deadly Tornado Rips Through Northwood on KFYR-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader

Deadly Tornado Rips Through Northwood |

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8/27/2007

A tornado ripped through the small town of Northwood, North Dakota last night killing one man and injuring at least 18 people. We`re told the injuries are minor.

Authorities say 57-year-old Larry Weisz of Northwood was killed. He lived in a trailer park on the north side of town.

Emergency responders are still on the scene cleaning up the damage. Officials estimate the tornado was a quarter mile wide when it went through town.

Officials set up a command post at a gas station on Highway 15. That`s where emergency personel are treating people who were hurt. Our news crew was not allowed into town. Officials blocked it off, only allowing emergency crews into Northwood.

Crews shut off power because of downed power lines. Because power was cut, officials with the Grand Forks Air Force Base are on the scene providing portable lights and generators for crews.

Several buildings just outside of town, nearly a mile from Northwood, were destroyed.

Emergency operations spokesman Kevin Dean says residents are asked to either stay in their homes or leave town. Dean says some buildings are still unstable, and authorities want to make sure people stay safe.

The local hospital and nursing home are running on backup power. Windows were blown out at the Deaconess nursing home. Nursing director Carla Sletten says no residents were hurt. The residents were moved into the hallway, away from the windows, before the twister hit.

Classes at the Northwood school have been canceled today. Superintendent Kevin Coles says the school has suffered heavy damage to its gym roof, windows and common areas.

Northwood has about 950 people. It`s close to 30 miles southwest of Grand Forks.

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