What began as a powerful storm sweeping through the Warsaw area over the weekend quickly turned into a widespread disaster, but also a story of immediate community response.
According to the National Weather Service, two tornadoes touched down in the area, with the stronger rated an EF1, packing winds up to 90 miles per hour and carving a path more than two and a half miles long. The storms left behind a landscape of shattered trees, damaged homes and businesses, and widespread power outages affecting more than 2,000 homes.
Across Warsaw, the damage was extensive. At Pitts Manufactured Homes, five display units were destroyed and others damaged, with losses estimated at around $1 million. Local businesses like El Camino Real and H&R Block also sustained heavy damage, while areas like Lay Park saw trees and structures torn apart. At H&R Block, cleanup efforts are underway after the building was damaged, forcing the office to temporarily close while repairs are made.
“I am proud of our community and how people came together. There are still resources available for those who are needing help” Rebecca Minks, H&R Block manager, said. “H&R Block’s office did have some damage and will not be open this week while we finish some clean up and get it secured. My son got caught in the storm, couldn’t make it all the way home, so he locked himself inside the building. He was kept safe, that is all that matters! The rest is just repairs.”
Warsaw R-9 Superintendent Scott Gemes reported damage across district facilities, though no students or staff were injured. Power outages affected the high school campus, and while electricity and network services have since been restored, some classes will be adjusted due to damage to parts of the building. Cleanup crews continue working, and the administration has asked the public to stay off school property while repairs are ongoing.
But in Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park, one of the hardest hit residential areas, the focus quickly shifted from destruction to action.
“They just kind of all scattered to check on everybody” property manager Candy Cronbaugh said. “This is our community and we came together.”
The storm hit the park with force. Trees sliced through trailers, some homes were left partially collapsed, and debris, including twisted metal blown in from a nearby storage facility, was scattered throughout the area. Vehicles sat mangled, with branches piercing through windshields and roofs.
Resident Echo Clark said her home escaped major damage, but others nearby were not as fortunate.
“Ours luckily did not get much. But one neighbor, half a tree went through her trailer and it’s now caved in” she explained.
Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported. Benton County Emergency Management Director Brenda Hilburn described widespread damage stretching from Warsaw to Whitakerville and Lakeview Heights, primarily involving downed trees, power lines, and structural damage.
Almost immediately after the storm passed, neighbors began helping neighbors.
“Chainsaws were going and then people just started coming” Cronbaugh said. “Loading what they can into trucks and taking it to the dump.”
For many residents, particularly elderly or disabled individuals, the cleanup process has been physically challenging. Even so, the community stepped in to fill the gaps, hauling debris, delivering water, and checking on one another.
“A lot of those who live here are either elderly or disabled. So the community itself is trying real hard to get together to do what they can” Cronbaugh said.
That same spirit was seen across Warsaw. Residents like Hadley Arnett reported roads quickly cleared by responders, while families like the Wynns described taking shelter as the storm hit with little warning.
“It sounded like a freight train was coming” Wynn said.
Emergency crews were soon on the ground. The Warsaw Fire Department responded to multiple calls throughout the day after, cutting trees off homes and clearing hazards.
“We go out, show up as a crew, cut them down, clear them off, move on to the next one” Fire Chief Tim Freeman said, noting crews had already worked multiple sites by mid afternoon.
Local first responders did what they could but they weren’t alone. The American Red Cross mobilized volunteers and set up operations in Warsaw, bringing water, food, and supplies while preparing to assess damage and assist residents.
“We usually wait for the invitation from emergency officials, and then we start mobilizing our volunteers” Red Cross volunteer Sherri Odell said.
Back in Hidden Valley, progress came quickly, but not easily.
“It was a total disaster when I came in last night” Randy Hensley, who spent the day clearing debris from his brother’s property, said. “You couldn’t even see the house. We’re not at 100 percent, but we’re probably 75, 80 percent.”
Even with cleanup underway, challenges remain. Power outages linger in some areas, and structural damage, like a collapsed carport resting on a power line in Hidden Valley, continues to slow restoration efforts. For many residents, especially those on fixed incomes, the cost of rebuilding will be a long term concern.
Still, amid the wreckage, one theme stands out.
“I’ve got people that stop by here all the time and ask if we need any help” El Camino Real owner’s son Imanol Ramirez said. “We’ve got a great community here.”
Cronbaugh echoed that sentiment.
“If it wasn’t for that crew, there’s no way. And the community, everybody’s just helping everybody” she said.
Resources are continuing to be made available for those affected. Individuals impacted by the storms are encouraged to call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for assistance or download the Red Cross Emergency App.
The Salvation Army has also been assisting with relief efforts, packing meals at the First United Methodist Church in Warsaw for those impacted. Their local office, located at 1623 Commercial Street, is available for anyone needing assistance.
The city has also announced a temporary change for debris disposal. Due to the amount of damage from Friday’s storms, a new location for tree debris has been opened on Jackson Street between Lay Park and Dam Access Road. The existing compost site at the end of Tamara Lane in the Warsaw Industrial Park will be closed until further notice.
In a storm that tore through homes, businesses, and daily life, it was the response, neighbors stepping in before anyone else could, that proved just as powerful as the storm itself.
