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Residents shocked by deadly MT tornado

Posted: Jul 28, 2010 8:03 AM by Amanda Venegas
Updated: Jul 28, 2010 8:06 AM

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BILLINGS - The deadly tornado in notheastern Montana has shook up life for several communities.

"I would never believe it if I didn't see it. You see things about tornado alley, but this is completely different when you see it firsthand," said Bayard Brekke.

Brekke lives in Reserve and went out to the Smith Ranch Tuesday and says it was unrecognizable.

"I know where the farm is located and I couldn't quite find the farm. So I had to look closer and the farm was all destroyed, everything was destroyed, everything was moved. There was a 35,000 lbs. tractor that was moved across the road," Brekke said.

Larry Schmitz lives about 18 miles away in Medicine Lake. As a volunteer firefighter he was one of the emergency responders out on the scene after the tornado hit.

"We learned there was a lady trapped in basement and we helped get her out. It's pretty amazing anybody survived it," Schmitz said.

Both men say it's a tragedy these small communities won't forget.

"It's a real solemn feeling like it's just quiet feeling. You hardly don't want to talk about it," Brekke said.

Topics: tornado plentywood

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