Former Xenia mayor remembers F-4 tornado 24 years later
XENIA, Ohio ( WDTN ) — More than two decades after the 2000 Xenia tornado, those who lived through the storm still remember the impact.
Former Mayor John Saraga describes the evening of Sept. 20, 2000, as if it happened just yesterday.
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"The sky turned orange and then green and it became really still. The folks that had gone through the 1974 tornado was as I was driving around, they reminded me of people that were in a war zone. They had that look. They knew that a tornado, what a tornado could do and how powerful it is. And so they just had this fear," said Saraga.
The National Weather Service reported an F-4 tornado, with a path of destruction spanning nearly nine miles.
"It destroyed over 321 homes. We lost two people and six churches were destroyed, and 19 businesses," said Saraga.
Saraga describes the sounds as that of a locomotive. He says he had to put his own emotions aside and be strong for his city.
"We established the war room in my house because I had the old AT&T telephone. Not through the computer, but through the poles. And I was still able to communicate. So we did it that way," said Saraga.
City leaders contacted several resources including news outlets, the federal government and several local organizations. Those who responded wanted to help, even if it took all they had.
"A little girl from Atlanta, Georgia, had saw the newscast and she was about five years old. She sent me a letter along with $5.21. And I used that to help start the Greene County Community Foundation, which since then has helped many, many people and businesses and events, giving out tens of millions of dollars," said Saraga.
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He said it all started with that little girl, showing him that it takes a village and we need to value our neighbors.
"That little girl who touched my heart once, she sent me all her savings," said Saraga.
Saraga says he hopes each thank you was received and that Xenia remains the home of hospitality for years to come.
