The Tornad and St. Francis
The tornado that struck St. Francis about 5:15 PM on Sunday, November 10, 2002 may have originated somewhere southwest of Tiffin. It destroyed homes and property in the Honey Creek Addition, leaped across U. S. Route 224, passed over or near Crestview and Lelar Streets where it damaged some properties and deposited some debris, possibly from the Honey Creek Addition. It then came down on Siesta Drive where it did considerable damage and then it veered over the woods west of the villas and dropped sharply down on top of the villas. It continued its ruinous path through St. Francis land just missing the southeast wing of the Convent. The tornado then passed over Melmore Street and came down again on the eastern end of Spayth Street near Coe Street where it destroyed several homes and twisted off several trees. It then apparently headed toward Republic. Its general direction was from the south-southwest to the east-northeast.
There are many, many stories concerning that tornado and the destruction that it left behind including one death, several injuries and a county that has been declared a national disaster area. I limit my account to the tornado as it passed through St. Francis.
In the villa of the Farmers, Wilma was cracking nuts and watching the tornado warnings on television come closer to Seneca County. Cliff was working in his study. About 5 p.m. Wilma went outside to look at the threatening sky. About 5:15 Wilma first heard the city sirens, whereupon she ran to the bathroom where all of the villa residents had been instructed to go. Cliff made it to the doorway leading from his study to the living room. They immediately heard the sounds of the tornado as it tore away the shingles of the roof, the cupola, and all of the glass of their enclosed patio and one of the posts supporting its roof. The tornado passed on in about 20 seconds.
Rain poured in, particularly around the light fixtures. They still had electricity. Wilma used every utensil in the house to catch the water. Cliff went to check on their neighbors. Later that evening, they turned off the electricity and stayed overnight with Henry and Carol Frey.
The story is that Ruth and Art Porter were eating their evening meal when the tornado struck their home, literally exploding it. They had time to get under the table and were not hurt. The next day their plates were still on the table but the food had been “sucked” off of them. They are now staying with their son David in Tiffin.
The tornado completely destroyed the villa of Mary Consolo, who was away, and that of Paul Fisher who was in Florida. Another vacant villa that was being remodeled was completely demolished. Now the concrete floors of these four villas are all that is left.
Several others besides the Farmers have extensive damage. The brick siding of Mrs. William Homeister was stripped off. Hetty Kramer lost her patio enclosure. The villas of Henry Gibson and Astrid Kolehmainen received some roof damage. Sandra Maestro’s villa next to the Farmers was severely damaged. The Sisters of St. Francis plan to completely restore the damaged villas and rebuild those that were destroyed.
Wilma Farmer said that less than five minutes passed before the police and fire crews were on the scene. Streets to the area were closed and the first order was to account for all of the residents. The crews then brought in a load of long 2-by-4’s which were nailed to ceilings to keep the plaster board and wet insulation from falling into the rooms. This undoubtedly saved a lot of mess, ruined furniture and rugs. These boards are nailed to the ceiling in almost every room in Farmer’s house. In time the wet insulation will be removed, the plaster board replaced and new insulation added.
After the tornado left the villas, it continued across St. Francis campus and tore off the roof of the museum and the gutters. It also caused damage to a corner of the portico roof of the convent and knocked out five windows. Around 15 windows and many screens were damaged. The down spouting in the cloister room was destroyed, resulting in water damage.
At 5:17 the lights went off in the convent, telephone wires were down and electricity was not restored until around midnight Monday evening.
The campus lost so many of its private and contemplative religious areas. Some can be restored. The statue of St. Clare was knocked down but has now been righted. The Sacred Heart statue was destroyed and all the trees behind it. The statue pieces will be buried in front of where it stood. Fifty-three mature trees, many over 75 years old were lost.
Seven or eight cars were damaged, two of them beyond repair. The three-car garage near the villas was destroyed. The roof fell on the equipment inside, but the machinery can be repaired.
The gazebo was completely destroyed. The Stations Boardwalk was damaged but can be repaired. Station signs were down and one is missing.
In the cemetery 6 or 8 tombstones were broken or tipped over. The flower and herb garden was destroyed and will be redone.
City Emergency Services were prompt, efficient and so appreciated. Employees of the Sisters, friends of the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center and several Heidelberg students have spent long hours in clean up. Sowers Tree Service removed all the downed trees. Alvada Construction and Clouse Construction are working with the villa area, most of which is covered by insurance.
Tens of thousands of dollars will be needed to restore the campus. It is not certain that insurance will cover trees. The Sisters of St. Francis were dealt a heavy blow by the tornado of November 10, 2002. It would be good if the Tiffin and Seneca County community could help the Sisters restore their property.
If citizens wish to show their appreciation for the many blessings that the Sisters of St. Francis have shared with the community for a hundred and fifty years, then they might consider providing for a replacement tree. Two hundred dollars will buy a nice tree, pay for its planting and buy a commemorative plaque. The Sisters support the Earth Literacy Center with tens of thousands of dollars in subsidy each year. With the coming money crunch for the Sisters, citizens might wish to become a friend of the Center and contribute their time and money. Contact Franciscan Earth Literacy Center, care of Sister Rita Wienken, 194 St. Francis Avenue. For more information call 419 448-7485.
– Percy and Mary