Darcy Kleinschmit, a rural mail carrier from Norfolk, helps save the mail from the destroyed Pilger Post Office.
75 percent of the community is “gone, and that’s my opinion,” Unger said, including the middle school, Midwest Bank, a convenience store, post office, numerous houses, city hall, firehouse and St. John’s Lutheran church.
Numerous rescue squads from neighboring towns within a 25-mile radius responded after the storm. There were no reports of anyone still missing.
With the large amount of destruction in Pilger, Unger said, “there definitely should have been multiple fatalities.’’ The town had a 10-15 minute warning before twister struck.
“We’re small-town America,’’ Unger said. “… Our motto is we’re a town too tough to die.’’
Sanford Goshorn, Stanton County emergency management official, said two twisters merged south of town “over the (Elkhorn) River’’ before tearing into Pilger, a town of 360.
Praying for Pilger postal workers & people who have lost their 5 year old child. That Restoration of life be quick.