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American Morning

Michigan Tornado: Daughter's Warning Saves Michigan Man

Aired May 22, 2001 - 09:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: To a spring storm system that unleashed high winds and tornadoes: The storms raked across Ohio and Michigan. But the most severe damage was in Detroit and its suburb, Hartland Township.

At least two tornadoes are blamed for peeling off shingles and ripping apart roofs. Truck drivers also found themselves overpowered on the open roads, where winds pushed over their big rigs. No serious injuries have been reported.

Amid the tattered landscape and scattered debris left behind by the tornado, there are also very personal stories of loss and gratitude.

We get one man's story from reporter Guy Gordon of our Detroit affiliate WXYZ.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE "FRED" BOSKO, TORNADO VICTIM: She saved my life, yes.

GUY GORDON, WXYZ REPORTER (voice-over): Fred Bosko's daughter Laura was watching Channel 7 when the heavy weather hit. She knew her father's home was in the path of the storm.

LAURA BOSKO, DAUGHTER OF TORNADO VICTIM: I know he didn't have the TV on. He doesn't watch it during the day. So I thought he needed to be warned.

GORDON: Her father was reading in the living room. It was the most important call of her life.

F. BOSKO: And she said, "Get in the basement. Get in the basement now." And I got in the basement. And it hit. And then the house blew up around me.

GORDON: Laura tried repeatedly to call her father again, to see if he was OK -- all to no avail. She was worried sick, dialing police, when she saw this picture from Chopper 7.

L. BOSKO: About the time that I was on the phone with the police, I saw him on your station sitting on the front porch.

GORDON (on camera): And so you new he was OK.. L. BOSKO: Yes, I knew that he was alive.

GORDON (voice-over): This was Mr. Bosko's home for 14 years. It's felt pretty empty since his wife's death in March.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I figure, you know, at least if he's got some familiar things around him.

GORDON: His family was salvaging what they could: pictures and memories to help fill the next home.

F. BOSKO: No, I've never been through a tornado, no. It's like getting tarred and feathered. Once is enough.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: That was reporter Guy Gordon of CNN's Detroit affiliate WXYZ.

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