Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Residents tell tales of extensive damage

Buildings destroyed; no injuries reported

By Margie Wuebker
Photo by Margie Wuebker/The Daily Standard

Tom Rable and his children, Matt, left, Marcus and Mariah survey damage to their home in the 900 block of East Livingston Street following a devastating storm that roared into Celina shortly before midnight Tuesday.

CELINA - Celina resident Tom Rable surveyed the storm damage to his home this morning and said, "Thank God, we're all safe and sound."
A heavy tree smashed onto the enclosed back porch and spacious kitchen of the split-level home shortly before midnight. The residence at 912 E. Livingston St. has been home to Rable and his wife Rosann since October 1996.
The Rables are among many who believe a tornado spawned the damaging winds, although the National Weather Service has not yet made that official ruling as of press time today.
Rable was watching television shortly before midnight when hail pelted against the home. He headed toward the stairs intending to awaken his wife and their four children ages 6 to 13.
"I got to the first step and the window exploded, sending glass everywhere," he said. "The noise was incredible like a powerful vehicle getting ready to drive through the house."
Eleven-year-old Mariah Rable was home this morning looking at the damage.
"The noise woke me up," she said. "But I never expected to find all of this."
The kitchen is in shambles with the exception of a few things such as religious statues standing undisturbed in a bow window.
Neighbor Mert Nottingham, 1000 E. Livingston St., surveyed the lawn strewn with branches, twigs and shingles. Twisted and downed trees from a wooded area out back provide insight on the the sheer power of the storm.
"I was in bed when the hail came followed by a boom," he said. "The noise sounded like a freight train rumbling through the neighborhood."
He and his wife planned to invite the Rables for breakfast with hot coffee.
"We'll be right over," 4-year-old Marcus Rable replied. "The storm made me real hungry, and my mom doesn't have a kitchen anymore."
Ron and Carol Kohn this morning surveyed their debris-strewn yard, which looked like a battlefield, at 7400 Staeger Road, just east of Celina.
"We were upstairs and Carol commented about a tornado warning in effect," Ron Kohn said. "I told her Stelevision reports indicated it was up in Van Wert, and then it struck 30 seconds later."
The Kohns heard the roar of a freight train and pounding rain followed by a boom.
"I assumed the storm had taken down a tree," he said with a tired sigh. "If only it had just been a tree."
Ron Kohn's 40-by-50-foot shop literally exploded from the powerful force of the wind. His Lake Erie boat now sails in a sea of debris while a pontoon lies in ruin. The wind picked up the couple's 34-foot Winnebago motorhome and dropped it into a field like an unwanted toy.
Their vehicles - a van and a car - are still visible amid the garage wreckage. The two-story house lost siding, shingles and window glass.
And yet they are grateful the five adults and one child at home at the time escaped without injury.
A branch protruded into the window narrowly missing furniture that once belonged to Carol's mother, the late Irene Garmann. She shook her head in disbelief and pointed to a cabinet containing her mom's porcelain, glass and crocheted angels.
"All the destruction and those angels remained standing," she said in a voice laced with emotion. "Somebody was watching from above."
Others who felt the impact of the storm shared similar comments.
"Things can be replaced and buildings can be rebuilt," Tom Rable said. "Fortunately, there were no deaths or serious injuries and that's a blessing."
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

An overturned Explorer rests outside the storm-damaged home of Ron and Carol Kohn, 7400 Staeger Road, Celina. The storm also destroyed the couple's 40-by-50-foot shop building.

Additional online story on this date
Possible tornado causes damage in Mercer, Auglaize counties
CELINA - One local business was destroyed, a barn was flattened, roofs were ripped off homes and trees were snapped during an apparent tornado Tuesday night. No injuries were reported. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
WAPAKONETA - The man charged with violently beating and killing Steven Casad of St. Marys last fall formerly was his good friend and drinking buddy, jurors were told Tuesday in the second day of the ongoing murder trial.
MINSTER - The arrival of spring has brought numerous construction projects throughout the community, according to reports presented to Minster Village Council on Tuesday night.
MARIA STEIN - There could be a building in the future for FFA students at Marion Local High School, according to reports presented when the Marion Community Development Organization (MCDO) held its April meeting.
ROCKFORD - School officials discussed updating the wireless capacity for the school computers.
Technology coordinator Talan Bates told board member
An area man faces seven years in prison after his recent appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
Timothy A. Workman, 50, of Van Wert, offered no comment prior to his April 8 sentencing on an attempted rape charge.
ROCKFORD - Rockford village council members on Tuesday learned construction will begin as soon as the weather breaks on the new splash pad at Shanes Park.
MINSTER - Mile Creek Animal Hospital opened this month at 4265 state Route 66, Minster, with the latest technology and a staff of three to care for small animals.