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Residents console one another in the town of Washington, Iowa, as they survey damage to their home after a tornado ripped though the area Friday, May 15, 1998. (AP Photo/The Cedar Rapids Gazette, David Lee Hartlage)

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Lessons Learned From Tornadoes

By Justin Foss, Reporter

By Nick Weig

Story Created: May 15, 2008 at 9:25 AM CDT

Story Updated: May 15, 2008 at 10:27 PM CDT

WASHINGTON - Ten years have passed since a tornado injured dozens of people in Washington County.

The tornado touched down near Washington on May 15, 1998. The tornado was rated an F-3 on the Fujita Scale with winds in excess of 158mph. Forty-seven People were injured in the storm. Damages totaled $15 million.

When a tornado came to visit 405 15 St East, no one was home.

"I remember asking a lady, 'Did it just take the roof off?' And she said 'No, it took everything.' The roof was literally in the front yard," said Joan Hippen.

"I sat there and looked. And I was in a state of shock and then after that the tears started to flow," said Chad Hippen.

When the storm came, Joan was 6 months pregnant with their first child. Today, she still tells the stories to her two daughters.

These two elementary school teachers weren't ready for the aftermath, but they handled it.

Now, they have a lesson for everyone.

"Make sure you take storms seriously and don't go out and watch them. Make sure you take cover," said Joan.

But first, make sure you know what you have at home. Inventory everything, and keep that list in a good place.

"It's so cliche, but you don't think it's going to happen to you until it does. Now I tell people don't say that. Because it can happen to you," said Chad.

Goes to show, even unexpected visitors, should always be expected.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com

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