Bismarck Tribune

By LAURENDOBy LAURENDONOVAN

A benefit account to help residents of Coleharbor recover from an estimated $2 million in damage caused by last week's wind disaster has been set up at First Security Bank in Underwood.

Wednesday, state Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman said that insurance carriers who handle most of the community's coverage have gotten more than 60 claims so far, with more to come as people finish up their damage assessments.

The community has between 88 and 100 residents, depending on how many are living in a small recreational vehicle park near Highway 83.

Poolman said he's telling companies to expedite the process and that some have already cut checks to people who suffered losses caused by the storm.

The freak wind event of more than 100 mph at about 7:30 p.m. July 12 tore up metal buildings, grain bins, campers, boats, storage sheds, garages and damaged nearly all 50 homes and three businesses in the community. The wind moved buildings off foundations, sent objects flying into houses, and tipped over a railroad car outside town. No one was killed, but several people were injured.

Some people have had to find temporary housing out of town. Nearly everyone else is living in boarded and patched up houses and sorting through property to see what can be salvaged.

More then 250 industrial-sized loads of debris from trees and buildings already have been hauled out. At least four homes were damaged beyond repair, and others may be condemned in weeks to come.

Poolman said the claims come from farms, ranches, homes, mobile homes and automobiles - personal and commercial property. He said the $2 million does not include crop damage and won't be a final tally until all the claims are in.

Some in the community have no insurance, or will still come up short after insurance is paid.

Donations to help them can be sent to the Underwood bank, care of the Coleharbor Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 40, Underwood, N.D. 58576.

Bonnie Turner, director of Lutheran Disaster Response, said a local ministerial organization will help disburse any donations sent to the bank based on the needs of the individuals. She said donations to the local fund could come from civic and community organizations, businesses or individuals.

Turner said her agency, which is based in Fargo, will tap into its support agencies like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as many church denominations to find money to give to people from Coleharbor, the neediest first.

"It will be a long, hard haul back," said Turner, who met with Coleharbor residents Wednesday. "Disaster is disaster and pain is pain. We don't minimize just because it's a small community."

Turner said, as with other disasters, people in Coleharbor will depend on the generosity of strangers to recover. She said those who do help will be fellow North Dakotans, who know "we walk the walk together in North Dakota."

The disaster in Coleharbor will not trigger assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for temporary trailer housing and other relief.