Wadena resident April Maercklein on riding out a tornado

Minnesota National Guard troops and volunteers have been spending the day in Wadena, the town hardest hit by yesterday's storms.

It's a city of about 4,300 people, 47 miles west of Brainerd. They're cleaning up there now, after a tornado ripped through the city last yesterday afternoon.

Officials there say the storm damaged more than 200 homes, toppled power lines, and uprooted many of the town's trees.

Wadena's high school, community center, and fairgrounds also sustained serious damage.

Among those who experienced the tornado is April Maercklein, who was at home when it hit. We reached her by phone Friday.

Gallery

Fullscreen SlidePrevious Slide

1 of 1

Next Slide