On April 17, 2026, The National Weather Service issued severe storm warnings across Wisconsin. Within hours, an EF-3 tornado with winds of 145 mph ripped through Kronenwetter, Weston, Ringle, and near Easton in Marathon County. The twister was on the ground for 17 minutes, covered 13.5 miles, and was as wide as six football fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of homes were damaged and hundreds of trees knocked down, leading to wide scattered power outages. Within minutes of the tornado touching down, local Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), led by the Wausau Corps Community Outreach Coordinator Colleen Hilber, received an activation call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She quickly assembled a team and carefully selected volunteers based on location and availability. When she arrived, the situation was chaotic. Families were displaced, communication strained, and uncertainty everywhere. Stationed at a local school, she became a central point of coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe had to slow things down. Survivors were in shock, and they are always our first priority,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe immediately focused on them and meeting their basic human needs. Then we started working with other groups who offered their services. The generosity of others is always so heartwarming during disasters. They have a way of bringing people together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through constant communication with emergency management and first responders, her team helped reunite families, provide food and water, and offer reassurance. Miraculously, despite widespread destruction that impacted 143 homes, no lives were lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t even have to give out a Band-Aid. We were lucky,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the days that followed, Colleen\u2019s role shifted from rapid response to long-term support. She coordinated with local leaders, managed donations, and helped prevent well-intentioned but premature aid efforts from overwhelming the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople want to help right away, which is amazing,\u201d she says. \u201cBut we have to assess needs first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colleen also focused heavily on emotional care by sitting with survivors, listening to their stories, and helping them process trauma. One particular moment really stood out to her. She spent an hour with a mother and her two young children who had been trapped in their basement as the tornado tore their home apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe woman just cried,\u201d Colleen said. \u201cAnd sometimes, that\u2019s what we\u2019re called to do \u2026 to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three weeks after the tornado, Colleen is still fielding calls from survivors who need a variety of assistance. Some families are transitioning into temporary housing, others are rebuilding, and there are those who are still processing what happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Salvation Army EDS team continues to provide essentials, coordinate resources, and offer a steady presence to everyone who contacts them. In some cases, they may continue to need help for months or years following this disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur assistance is not limited to the first few days,\u201d Colleen said. \u201cIt\u2019s about staying with people through the recovery process. We want to help survivors rebuild their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To support The Salvation Army\u2019s ongoing disaster response efforts, please give today at HelpSalvationArmy.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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