For me, tornadoes have a certain romanticism. I’m not sure if this stems from watching "The Wizard of Oz" 
too many times or from my childhood, when the South Dakota storm sirens would blare and my mother would sweep me from my bed and head for the basement.
Just last weekend McCook County, which is about 45 miles from where I live, was hit by an early autumn twister. There was nothing romantic about it: South Dakota Emergency Management officials estimate that the tornado destroyed two homes, 10 grain bins, 20 farm buildings, five head of cattle, and plenty of farm equipment.
No one was seriously hurt.
Interestingly enough, eastern South Dakota’s historical tornado activity apparently is greater than the overall U.S.
average. Eight years ago, the same area was struck by the most destructive tornado in the state’s history . It killed six people, injured 150, and caused $18 million in damages.
Given that history, I’m not surprised by the community’s response to this latest storm. McCook County residents seem to experience tornadoes more often than the average American, so they have the clean-up down to a science. Plus, South Dakotans—in general—are good neighbors.
Three days after the tornado, more than 100 volunteers arrived at the most devastated areas. They sorted through piles of debris—twisted metal, splintered wood. They corralled livestock, cleared fields, and built burn piles. They offered as much emotional support as they did physical labor. And Sioux Empire Red Cross volunteers provided coffee, hot cocoa, and beef stew—stay-warm sustenance for a cold, hard day’s work.
McCook County isn’t back to normal, but it’s on its way.
Good neighbors, indeed.
Editor's note: Staci Schiller is lead blogger for The Student LoanDown, our blog for students and parents about college financing and managing debt.
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