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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 e are here to service all your needs. including ;urane collision clams, ;t repair and restoration. 79807 Orchard Line Goderlch. On, N 7 A 3X8 RES: 519.524.7115 CELL : 519.525.9272 AIL: dan drautobodyshop.con 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 •