Latest news with #DustinNorman
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Looks like nothing happened': Amish make storm repairs so fast meteorologists couldn't assess damage
In the wake of damaging tornadoes that tore through parts of Michigan and Indiana last week, a story of resilience has quietly unfolded. After deadly tornadoes tornadoes ripped through rural parts of Michigan and Indiana last week, recovery began almost immediately-especially in Amish communities where rebuilding quietly took shape before the dust had settled. In Amish communities struck by twisters with winds up to 100 mph, repairs began not hours later, but immediately. Before National Weather Service teams arrived to assess damage, new shingles were already in place, barns reframed and storm debris cleared. By the time meteorologists reached the scene, it was hard to tell a tornado had come through at all. "They just fix it," NWS Meteorologist Dustin Norman said, according to The Associated Press. "When we get there, it looks like nothing happened. I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done." The severe weather outbreak brought large hail, damaging winds and dozens of tornadoes across the region. While many communities were left picking up the pieces, the Amish turned to the same principles they've followed for generations. Without the use of insurance claims or outside contractors, the Amish approach recovery through tradition, community ties and practical experience. When severe weather strikes, they come together and rebuild-quickly and efficiently. For them, resilience isn't a reaction; it's a way of life. While the swift recovery highlights the Amish community's strength and self-reliance, it can complicate efforts to accurately measure the full impact of a tornado. "The rating of tornadoes based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale hinges on NWS employees verifying tree and structure damage," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell. "If there's no damage verified, a rating can't be assigned for that spot in the tornado track."
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Amish communities in Michigan and Indiana quickly repair tornado damage
No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine the speed, breadth and impact of a tornado. But sometimes the hammers have already been swinging. That's what Dustin Norman of the weather service found in Branch County, Michigan, a few days after a tornado Wednesday with peak winds of 100 mph. The Amish had put new shingles on a home, reframed a barn and made other major repairs in their community. He said the situation was similar in an Amish area hit by a tornado that day in Adams County, Indiana, 90 miles south. "Once something gets damaged, they just fix it," Norman said Tuesday. "We can't always get out there for two or three days. When we do, it looks like nothing happened. ... I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done." The Amish generally are private and insular and maintain a degree of separation from common society. Approximately 61% of the North American Amish population lives in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, according to Elizabethtown College. As of April 8, the NWS confirmed 12 tornadoes touched down across Michigan on March 30, with an additional two more hitting Branch County on April 2. Michigan typically sees 15 to 16 tornadoes a year on average.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Amish communities quickly repair tornado damage in Michigan and Indiana
BETHEL, Mich. (AP) — No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine the speed, breadth and impact of a tornado. But sometimes the hammers have already been swinging. That's what Dustin Norman of the weather service found in Branch County, Michigan, a few days after a tornado Wednesday with peak winds of 100 mph (160 kph). The Amish had put new shingles on a home, reframed a barn and made other major repairs in their community. He said the situation was similar in an Amish area hit by a tornado that day in Adams County, Indiana, 90 miles (145 kilometers) south. 'Once something gets damaged, they just fix it,' Norman said Tuesday. 'We can't always get out there for two or three days. When we do, it looks like nothing happened. ... I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done." The Amish generally are private and insular and maintain a degree of separation from common society. Approximately 61% of the North American Amish population lives in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, according to Elizabethtown College.
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
Amish communities quickly repair tornado damage in Michigan and Indiana
BETHEL, Mich. (AP) — No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine the speed, breadth and impact of a tornado. But sometimes the hammers have already been swinging. That's what Dustin Norman of the weather service found in Branch County, Michigan, a few days after a tornado Wednesday with peak winds of 100 mph (160 kph). The Amish had put new shingles on a home, reframed a barn and made other major repairs in their community. He said the situation was similar in an Amish area hit by a tornado that day in Adams County, Indiana, 90 miles (145 kilometers) south. 'Once something gets damaged, they just fix it,' Norman said Tuesday. 'We can't always get out there for two or three days. When we do, it looks like nothing happened. ... I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done.'
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Amish communities quickly repair tornado damage in Michigan and Indiana
No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine the speed, breadth and impact of a tornado. But sometimes the hammers have already been swinging. That's what Dustin Norman of the weather service found in Branch County, Michigan, a few days after a tornado Wednesday with peak winds of 100 mph (160 kph). The Amish had put new shingles on a home, reframed a barn and made other major repairs in their community. He said the situation was similar in an Amish area hit by a tornado that day in Adams County, Indiana, 90 miles (145 kilometers) south. 'Once something gets damaged, they just fix it,' Norman said Tuesday. 'We can't always get out there for two or three days. When we do, it looks like nothing happened. ... I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done." The Amish generally are private and insular and maintain a degree of separation from common society. Approximately 61% of the North American Amish population lives in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, according to Elizabethtown College.
