Deadly Tornado Kills CRC Couple in Iowa

Two members of Parkersburg Christian Reformed Church in northeast Iowa were killed on Sunday when a mile-wide tornado—the deadliest twister to touch down in the area in 40 years—tore through their town of 1,900 residents.
 
Richard and Ethel Mulder, both 80, were believed to be on their way to their basement when the tornado hit, killing them and destroying their house, according to news accounts.

Eight families in the congregation lost their homes and belongings. Local reports have stated that most of those who died in Parkersburg were in their basements when their homes collapsed.

"Pastors of the Wellesburg and New Hope Fellowship CRCs report that a good part of Parkersburg was flattened," says Bill Adams, Disaster Response Director for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee.

"Fifty people in the community were injured, seven people were killed, 220 homes were destroyed and 14 businesses are gone." One of the homes destroyed was that of retired Parkersburg CRC pastor, Rev. Frank Pott.

About half of all structures in Parkersburg were destroyed. Parkersburg CRC was not damaged at all.
 
"It looks like a war zone. Total devastation," said Marcia Alspach, a member of the Christian Reformed Home Missions board of directors. She and her husband, Marlin, live in Parkersburg. "The help we are receiving is tremendous."

Marcia and Marlin Alspach took cover after being warned of the approaching tornado and suffered no injuries at all. Their house on the southwest corner of Parkersburg was spared. Most of the rest of the homes on their street were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Adams has approved the departure of Rapid Response Team leaders Glenn Geurink and Larry Veldheer to Parkersburg at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Another team of seven CRWRC volunteers have traveled into the area from their homes in Holland, Iowa. While the area is sealed off, relief workers are able to access the damage area.
 
Fire rescue chaplain Gary Nibblink of Holland, Iowa, who is also a CRC member, has been on the scene in Parkersburg since Sunday, Adams says.

"Right now, we're offering people strong comfort and compassion; we're there to support them as they sift through what's left of their homes and belongings to salvage what's left of their lives.”
 
Adams has left for Parkersburg to conduct further assessment of the tornado damage, and to determine what additional help will be needed. This year's spring storms have brought a number of large, deadly tornadoes that have affected the mountain states to the east coast, including a storm two weeks ago in Macon, GA, where CRWRC-DRS has activated clean-up teams.

An early season storm in February 2008 killed more than 60 people in five states.  About 100 people have died in U.S. twisters so far this year.

Financial donations for Parkersburg, Iowa, tornado survivors and those affected by severe weather this season, can be marked "Spring Storms 2008." Donations can be given online at www.crwrc.org or by phoning 1-800-55-CRWRC or 616-241-1691, ext. 4170. Checks can be mailed to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids, MI  49560 or in Canada to CRWRC, 3475 Mainway, P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD 1, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8. Or phone 1-800-730-3490.
 
For more information about CRWRC, visit www.crwrc.org or call 1-800-55-CRWRC.