My Day in Moscow

Moscow, OH - Moscow, Ohio is normally described as, “the peaceful spot on the river. ” Not this day. One week after an EF-3 tornado stomped through the village, back hoes are grabbing, front loaders are digging, and people are sifting across the leftovers of 160 mph winds.

To emphasize the need for help, I was out there displaying the destroyed, demolished, or damaged homes and structures across this 196 year old village. Every structure,  that I saw, was hit in some capacity. I think, it helped elevate the need for support and our fundraising phone bank seemed to benefit.

As I walked the streets surveying the sprawl of wood, brick and trees before the broadcasts, I was supremely struck by the positive spirits displayed by so many residents. Sure, some folks are still in shock. But, most people that I talked with exuded a confidence to come back!

A comeback that will be historic as a sad record is now broken. 12 tornadoes and 9 deaths make last Friday’s tornado outbreak the worst ever for our area. Unfortunately, this tops the 10 tornadoes and five killed in the Tri-State during the Xenia outbreak in 1974.

In Moscow, village council member Carol Forste wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor died during the storm. I send my prayers to her family and friends. As I saw workers clearing debris from the Ms. Forste’s home, my day in Moscow did make me think of one rather odd thing.

It triggered last Friday night’s broadcast as I was looking at Ultimate Doppler 9 during the height of the storms. I remember thinking; I had never seen anything like it before. And now after my day in this village, we all need a reminder that the colorful display means so much more to our neighbors in Moscow.