Tornado Hits Home — Minnesota’s first-ever tornado in December wreaked havoc on Wednesday, December 15, at the Arcadia Bank building in the town of Hartland. See page 5 for more photos. Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens
By ELI LUTGENS,
melanie piltingsuld
At 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, a tornado made landfall in Hartland, Minnesota, tearing off the roofs of several downtown buildings and damaging many more.
The Hartland Fire Department was dispatched to the scene early and remained late into the night. Adam Dahlen, a 20-year Heartland resident and 14-year firefighter, was on the scene just after 1am and returned again at 5am Thursday morning. During the storm, he and his family took refuge in a cellar less than 100 yards from Olson Excavating. “It’s scary to think that something like that is happening so close to my house and my family,” he said.
Among the businesses affected, banks were heavily damaged, as were L and D Ag’s welding workshops, the post office and several homes.
On the stormy night and the day after, news crews from stations as far afield as Mankato’s KEYC, Twin Cities’ FOX News, and Good Morning America gathered to document the aftermath. By 11 a.m. Thursday, more than 100 people, including the American Red Cross, the local fire department, and residents of Hartland and surrounding towns, had littered the streets of Hartland.
Tim Volk traveled all the way from Mankato to see the damage. “Thank God no one was hurt. It’s crazy!”
Arcadian Bank (formerly Farmer’s State Bank) opened at its Hartland location in 1912, during Wednesday’s storm. In the evening, the brick facade behind the bank fell onto the roof, creating debris inside the building. Part of the building’s front façade also collapsed onto the sidewalk, accompanied by a new Arcadian sign.
Arcadian Bank president Mark Heinemann said he had met with insurance adjusters, although the extent of the damage had not yet been assessed. said. The bank’s first task is to waterproof the exterior to prevent further damage. Engineers then need to assess whether the building is repairable or whether the structural damage is too great.
On the other hand, those who normally bank in the Heartland have the option of using a Freeborn or Albert Lea branch. “The only thing that has yet to be resolved at this location is a safe deposit box that is completely intact and secure. No damage at all,” Heinemann said. “There is no damage to the contents. But we are working on a plan to move it to the Albert Lee location.” If people urgently need access to the safe deposit box, the Hartland branch will provide a secure storage location. “But if it’s not urgent, we’ll ask them to wait and we’ll work with the security company to get Albert Lee’s Transfer to location.”
The day after the tornado, many others in Hartland were busy cleaning up storm debris from their gardens and streets, where everything from branches to rain gutters littered the original town.
