Local family loses farmstead in tornado

Sunday night's surreal weather produced something like half a dozen tornados in southeastern North Dakota. One, which was classified as an F4 (and possibly could have been an F5, the most destructive classification on a scale of 0-5) touched down on a farmstead less than ten miles from here.

The Noot family of rural Marion, who are underinsured, lost everything. Lucinda tells me their home was leveled, grain bins were torn apart, dozens of cattle were killed or had to be put down, and no one can even find the bricks of the elevator that stood on the Noots' property.

As the Valley City Times-Record mentions, a fund for the Noots has been set up at Wells Fargo bank. If you're able to contribute to help them out, Lucinda says that finances are a big worry right now.

Also, of course, your prayers for the family are greatly needed.