Hugo Tornado

May 25, 2008

On the afternoon of Sunday, May 25, an F3 tornado struck the community of Hugo located north of St. Paul. The storm claimed the life of one child and destroyed more than 150 buildings.

Tornado-ravaged Hugo continues to dig out
Hugo continues to dig out from tornado devastation, with the help of hundreds of volunteers.June 1, 2008
Hugo woman dies while cleaning up tornado debris
Authorities say a Hugo woman whose house was damaged in Sunday's tornado has died of an apparent heart attack.May 30, 2008
Gov. says special session for tornado relief unlikely
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Hugo appears to be in good position to pay for cleanup costs itself and will probably seek reimbursement from the state next session. He said the city appears to be ineligible for federal assistance through FEMA or the Small Business Administration.May 30, 2008
Tornado victim's parents see signs of recovery
The 4-year-old girl seriously hurt when a tornado hit Hugo on Sunday remains in critical condition, but her family sees more reason for hope.May 29, 2008
Tornado likely to leave psychological scars
Counselors say some tornado victims are already dealing with their emotions, but they predict for many others it will be months before they show signs of psychological stress.May 28, 2008
Emergency officials explain use of sirens before Hugo tornado
Warning sirens did go off in Hugo before Sunday's tornado, but at a community meeting last night, some residents expressed concern that the sirens went off just before the tornado hit. When the sirens went silent, residents said they thought they were in the clear, which was certainly not the case. Deb Paige, Washington County's emergency manager, explains how the sirens were used on Sunday.May 28, 2008
Residents, officials begin assessing damage, determining next steps
Today, Hugo residents tried to understand the extent of the damage of a tornado that swept through their community leaving a 2-year-old boy dead and 17 people hospitalized. Late this afternoon Gov. Tim Pawlenty declared the area a disaster zone.May 26, 2008
Officials tour damage; Gov. says special session possible
As residents were beginning to survey the damage to their homes, officials were touring the wreckage from Sunday's tornado in Hugo. Gov. Pawlenty held open the possibility of a special session, if it was needed to secure emergency funds.May 26, 2008
One family begins the process of cleaning up
Hugo residents who lost their homes to Sunday's tornado are beginning to ponder what's next. They spent much of yesterday sifting through the contents of their lives.May 28, 2008
Returning to normal
Many residents of Hugo whose homes are still standing and have electricity after Sunday's tornado have moved back home.May 27, 2008
Understanding the economics of tornadoes
Experts say they are not necessarily surprised that the damage from the Hugo tornado was so extensive in a relatively new neighborhood like Creekwood Preserve. They say homes built today are more vulnerable to bad weather now than they were generations ago.May 27, 2008
Most Hugo residents return to homes as highway reopens
Officials estimate that damage to personal property totals about $25 million as city officials put restrictions on contractors who will help with repair work.May 27, 2008
Travel restrictions lifted in Hugo, students return to school
Most of the travel restrictions in Hugo have been lifted, two days after a confirmed tornado killed a toddler and destroyed 50 homes. Highway 61 has reopened in Hugo, and city officials have allowed most residents in the area where the twister hit to return to their homes. Meanwhile, students are returning to school today. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Weber reported from Hugo City Hall.May 27, 2008
Red Cross moves Hugo service center to fire hall
Red Cross volunteers will be providing food, shelter, and medical help for residents affected by Sunday's tornado.May 27, 2008
"Red carded" house: Hugo resident Julie Togersen describes damage
Torgersen's house has been "red carded," which means it has serious structural damage and she and her family will not be allowed to go back into it.May 27, 2008
The cleanup and recovery begins in Hugo
Cleanup and recovery begin in earnest today in the city of Hugo, two days after a tornado ripped through town killing a toddler and destroying dozens of homes. Much of yesterday was spent assessing the damage and making the area where the tornado touched down was safe enough for residents to return. Officials gave residents an update on the damage last night and said many of the access restrictions will be lifted today.May 27, 2008
A killer tornado leaves a family grieving and hoping
Two-year-old Nathanial Prindle was the only person killed in the Hugo tornado. All that remains of the Prindle's home is some concrete and a pile of debris with two highchairs on top of it.May 27, 2008
Prindle family hit heavy by Sunday's tornado
Officials Monday afternoon identified 2-year-old Nathaniel Prindle as the one fatality in Sunday's tornado. In addition, they said his his 4-year-old sister was transported to a St. Paul hospital. Seventeen other people were hospitalized and 32 people were treated at a local school.May 26, 2008
Residents begin to survey storm damage
Hugo residents who were evacuated after yesterday's apparent tornado are getting their first chance this afternoon to look at their homes or what is left of their homes.May 26, 2008
One child killed, eight injured as major storm hits Hugo
A 2-year-old child was killed and at least eight others were injured after a swift storm blew through the St. Paul suburb of Hugo Sunday evening.May 25, 2008