June 20th 2025 began like any other summer Friday, but with a familiar awareness in the back of my mind — the potential for severe weather. Throughout the day, I closely monitored forecasts, weather models, and updates from the Storm Prediction Center, knowing conditions could evolve quickly.
i wrapped up work around 4:00 p.m. My wife, who has always been incredibly supportive of my storm-related pursuits, understood that if the weather became a real possibility, we’d likely be heading out. We fed the kids, packed up, and set our sights on a target area north of Verona, North Dakota.
We arrived roughly two miles north of Verona and waited, watching the sky and radar. Storm spotting runs in the family — my parents were also out that evening. My dad serves as the local fire chief in Oakes, ND, where I also volunteer as a firefighter, and my brother was out with them as well.
Around 9:45 p.m., my parents picked up our kids so my wife and I could continue monitoring the situation. We decided to push farther north alongside friends who were spotting with us. Eventually, we stopped at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 27, west of Lisbon, ND.
Not long after, the storm — which had already produced a tornado near Adrian, ND — dropped another tornado roughly two miles north of our location. The tornado was brief and thankfully only caused damage to a tree belt and an adjacent field.
As conditions worsened, we made the decision to leave due to an approaching derecho that would later cause widespread wind damage across North Dakota, extending all the way into Bemidji, Minnesota.
That same storm system continued producing tornadoes, including one near Fort Ransom and the devastating EF5 tornado in Enderlin. It was a somber night. Three lives were tragically lost in Enderlin, though the city itself narrowly avoided a direct hit.
As a firefighter and first responder, I was prepared to assist with search and rescue or cleanup efforts if needed. While my direct help wasn’t required that night, the impact of that storm stayed with me. It was this event — witnessing the destruction, the loss, and the need for organized recovery — that ultimately led me to become a member of Team Dominator Storm Recovery.
I am a firm believer in what TDSR stands for and deeply grateful to be part of a team committed to helping communities rebuild after disaster. This mission matters, and I’m proud to serve alongside others who feel the same.
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