Family Hit By Second Tornado In 9 Years

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A Lynnville family is forced to pick up the pieces after their home is hit by a tornado for second time in nine years.

Tornadoes touched down Sunday in both Poweshiek and Jasper counties. High winds blew apart business and farm buildings.

They also damaged several homes, including one that's now been hit by a tornado twice in the last decade. Mark Hay saw his neighbor's farm get hit by a twister.

"I got down in the storm cellar and hear the lumber go 'brrrr,' and within about 15 seconds, it was all over with," he said.

The garage was destroyed, the roof blew off and the insulation was draped in trees.

"Here's where the tornado came right through here, hit the garage, went right across the field, missed my aunt Mildred over there, which I was very thankful," he said.

His family was safe, but his belongings are gone.

"Anything I had in the garage is gone. It's completely gone. It's strung out for about a mile clear across my whole field," he said.

Hay said the damage will probably take nine to 12 months to clean up. He knows because that's how long it took him last time.

"Last time, it came from Des Moines. Grimes got hit. It came right across here and just, same spot again. It must be tornado alley all I can figure out," he said.

Some people live their whole lives without having to experience severe weather such as tornadoes.

"I guess since it happened to us once. I'm always wondering," said Kendra Hay.

"I'm blessed. It's twice now and we both walked away from it, no scratches, not a lick, just a lot of sad memories of all your pictures are gone," Hay said.

The debris stretches for more than 15 miles. At least five farms got hit and so did a business.

Hay said the farmer he bought his property from lived there for 40 years and never had a tornado come through here. "I get here and I got whacked," he said.

Several people came out to help storm victims by either boarding up windows, building a temporary roof or hauling away debris.

The Hays said they think they'll be able to live in the basement while their home gets fixed and they're just hoping twice is enough.