Homes and businesses destroyed by Monday's storms will have to wait for government help. Officials won't survey any individual damage until tomorrow. Wednesday crews are focusing on roads, bridges and public infrastructure.

No word yet on when those federal dollars reach our communities. Officials are crunching numbers for just roads, bridges, and public buildings. Tomorrow that number will likely jump after they add up individual damages.

Three families share tales of surviving the tornado together at the Village Middle Estates in Marshfield. One neighbor describes how a little boy grabbed his neck so tightly he almost chocked. The boy’s mother recalls wondering if everyone had made it down stairs. They’re able to laugh about their close call.

Jim Fritschie whose home was destroyed says, “I just made it right here barely in the basement before it hit.” Clean up will be slow for the new subdivision but time literally stood still when the storm hit. One couples’ clock fell off the wall and the batteries popped out. Now the neighbors say the memento displays the exact time the storm hit, 6:40 p.m.

Insurance adjusters and restoration workers are doing all the heavy lifting for these families but little is for Fritschie is salvageable. Less fortunate folks or those without insurance will have to wait until Thursday afternoon for government help. For now state and federal agencies are focusing on the roads. SEMA Emergency Mgt. Specialist Bill Urban says, “They don't feel safe bringing buses down here." Urban stands in the badly eroded Peck Hollow Road in Rogersville. Almost 600-650 feet of road is barely passable.
Urban says, "The creek turned the road into a creek bed."

Panther Creek Bridge near Rogersville all but washed away. All in all more than $200,000 worth of damage to public infrastructure was found in just a few hours.

As Fritschie looks at his destroyed home he says, "I knew it wasn't going to be good." Fritschie and his neighbors say property is replaceable and life will slowly move on.

Anyone can help with clean up efforts in Webster County on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Organizers ask anyone who wants to volunteer to call before you go so they can tell you where to go and what to bring. Donations are accepted at the Webster County Food Pantry.