By KAREN JONES CODY
Camp Nathanael sustained significant damage in last Thursday’s storm, but, as Camp Director Roy Hodson relates, that is not the end of the story. The immediate concern and assistance from the surrounding community turned the misfortune into a blessing. From 35 to 50 large trees were leveled by winds that appear to have been confined to the camp area. The resulting destruction included the roofs of two cabins crushed by trees, and a porch sheered off another cabin by a tree fall. A 30- foot climbing wall was toppled, along with the three trees that anchored it.
Hodson said officials from the National Weather Service visited the camp to explore the possibility of a tornado, but determined the damage came from straight- line wind. “They saw big sturdy oak trees that had snapped like twigs, and they estimated the winds had been 80 to 100 mph,” Hodson told the Times.
“The real story is what didn’t happen – no major buildings were affected, even though trees missed some by only few feet,” Hodson said.
“There were two ladies in a van on the grounds, and they said they saw a wall of water and wind coming at them. All they could do was sit and wait. They said not a single branch hit their vehicle – but only feet away, a 50-foot tree was uprooted.”
Help arrived as soon as members of the community discovered what had happened at camp. “The response brings tears,” Hodson said. “It was God- directed….
See this week’s newspaper for more.
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