HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-08-31, Page 23rtal-Star • Wednesday, August 31.: )1 1
mily clings to tree as vortex roars overhead
an Brenk the vortex, just metres above
cy their heads, flung trailers off
their moorings and ripped
(.1 r tiled c a in pe r s trees from their roots.
a tree in a ravine as Then their sanctuary tree
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was also yanked from the ground, with
Londoner Lorenzo Macchiavello and
his son-in-law Shawn LaRocque
pinned beneath it.
"I've been through three earth
quakes in Chile and now I've been in a
tornado," a bruised and still -shaken
Macchiavello said Tuesday. Not even
the quake measuring 9.5 on the Rich-
ter scale could match Sunday's terror,
he said.
"Ibis was different - this scene was
horror"
The family had been staying at a pri-
vate camping area overlooking the
Maitland River. Most other campers
had already left late Sunday afternoon
when Lorenzo, Jr., spied a funnel cloud
bearing down on them.
He shouted at everyone to find
shelter.
"We had time only to jump in the
ravine and grab my grandson, the sen- said, like a train bearing down on
for Macchiavello said, his voice crack- them.
ing as he recalled the moment. "We Then they saw the funnel, from its
were all hugging the tree very strong" under -side. They saw the debris flying
through the air, felt the rush of wind
that pulled young Ryan's legs away
from the tree and made them grab
each other even more tightly.
"You could see all the trees going,
going, going -- until ours went, too,"
Macchiavello said.
The tree fell on his right leg and on
Larocque's torso.
Family members frantically pried
open a storage shed to get a chainsaw
His daughter Andrea, her husband and cut the men loose..
Shawn and their two children, Selena Macchiavello said he's had enough
and Ryan, grabbed each other and the close calls to last a lifetime and he's
tree with Lorenzo Sr. and Lorenzo Jr. grateful his whole family survived.
They. heard the tornado from there, "You need to thank the Lord to be
about three metres down the ravine, alive. The material part is not
before they saw it: It was, Macchiavello important.
You could see all the
trees going, going, going
— until ours went, too,"
Lnreitzo Macchiavello
Mayor strengthened by community support
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 20
Volunteers are being registered, how-
ever much of the cleanup in both the
downtown and residential areas is in the
e
hands of private companies.
For the mayor himself, he said he is
tired, but strengthened by the support of
the community, locally, regionally and
internationally.
"When you look at how neighbours
banded together to clean up," he said.
"The way they are helping each other
out... it's inspirational."
Out of great disaster comes great_
change, Shewfelt said. There is a new
opportunity for ;a new vision for
Goderich, one that is built from the
ground up. The jewel of the community,
Shewfelt said, will be restored to the
crown.
We know this has been a very difficult time for
the residents of Goderich and area.
The devastation this tornado caused is beyond
anyone's imagination.
We also know that the determination, perserver-
ancc
and community spirit of the residents, and
all the volunteers, is beyond compare.
The mangement and staff at Langford Lumber
want you to know that we are at your service.
If there is ANYTHING you need, please contact
us however you are able. From the smallest item
to the largest, we are happy to deliver whatever
we can, as quickly as we can. We're local., and
we care. We truly are a 'Home Owner' helping
homeowners!
230 Bayfield Rd., Clinton
519-482-3995 Fax 519-482-5462 langfordsales @ tcc.on.ca
Langford
L:UMBER
a Builders' Supplies Limited
building centre
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