On June 16th, 2014, twin F4 tornadoes killed two people and critically injured 20 others in and around Pilger.
The two tornadoes were part of a violent twister family that produced four EF4 tornadoes.
The outbreak went on to produce other tornadoes across the northern Great Plains over the next two days.
West Points’ 840 KTIC Radio and 107.9 FM The Bull had been covering the severe weather that day, prior to the development of funnels and the subsequent tornado touchdowns.
The National Weather Service in Valley had been issuing various warnings throughout the day.
Now retired, Rick Vincent was the KTIC News Director.
That afternoon, Vincent was driving near Pilger, following the twin tornadoes while giving “live” reports to listeners.
The super-cell had produced six tornadoes, including four EF4s that affected areas in and around Stanton, Pilger, and Wakefield.
Two fatalities occurred in or near Pilger and about 75% of the town was destroyed.
Dwight Lane and KTIC News arrived on the scene in Pilger, about three minutes after the town was struck.
Lane recalled seeing the two large, muddy trails where both twisters had previously crossed Highway 275 as he drove into Pilger and witnessed the overwhelming devastation.
He remained on-the-scene doing “live” updates, as KTIC and The Bull broadcast news reports and urgent requests for assistance through the afternoon.
Both Vincent and Lane later recalled on-the-air their sadness at having seen the effects on so many of the people in Pilger.
Volunteers, law enforcement, ambulances , family members , government agencies and EMT’s quickly arrived to help victims.
Residents were relocated that evening, as the town was closed to everyone but investigators and other officials.
The painful process of rebuilding began soon after.
In an inspiring effort, nearly 18,000 volunteers from across America lent assistance to the stricken community of approximately 350.
Within a couple of years, Pilger had largely “re-invented” itself— through rebuilding.
In 2021, the community spirit of Pilger remains strong, seven years after the tragic devastation of June 16th, 2014.
