We were lucky, they said. It could have been worse. What happened didn't matter as much as what didn't happen.

Nobody was killed or even injured, no disaster proclamations were issued, property damage was low for a tornado, and everywhere there were near-misses, near-disasters and close calls, some even quite welcome.

"That tree was leaning over the roof, and I kept expecting it to fall on my house," said Art Klundt of Northwest 69th Street near Vancouver Lake. "The tornado sucked it the other way and it fell on the yard, where it's easy to work on. It did me a favor."

Digging out and cleaning up began in earnest Friday along the tornado's most destructive path, a 3-mile-long swath from Vancouver Lake to St. Johns Road, roughly along 78th Street. The midday twister touched down at several spots but fell short of becoming a major disaster.

Roofing and siding were stripped off, power was knocked out, windows were broken and a trees crashed into houses. But kids were in school and adults were at work and disaster was avoided.

"The potential for injuries was a lot greater than what happened," said Leah Edwards, spokeswoman for Fire District 6. "It was a hit-or-miss storm system. We're a lucky community."

And by Friday, all roads were open, all power was back on and the chain saws and leaf blowers hummed in relief that the day hadn't been worse. TV helicopters buzzed steadily overhead and the scent of fresh-cut wood was everywhere. It smelled like Christmas.

Calculating the cost of the loss caused by the twister won't come soon, Edwards said. The insurance companies will process claims, so final dollar figures may be a long way off.

"We don't have numbers yet," she said. "It's hard to get a good handle on how many homes have been damaged. We'll know more as insurance agencies get involved."

Utility trucks were on every block in the hardest-hit areas of Hazel Dell, including cable companies, power companies, roofers and Clark Public Utilities. Freelancers distributed fliers advertising debris-hauling services.

Local emergency relief officials were enormously gratified by the way everyone helped each other out. John Wheeler, emergency management coordinator for Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, saw church volunteers helping out and businesses donating food and products to recovery workers.

Dena Cearley and Noel Carr hauled a red wagon along a damaged Hazel Dell street, ladling out clam chowder for workers and residents. They just wanted to help, they said. The chowder had been donated by Salty's on the Columbia in Portland.

Scott Haas of Vancouver heard about the destruction of the Vancouver Lake Crew operation by the lake and persuaded Home Depot to donate 50 pairs of work gloves. He drove up to the site, popped open his trunk and showed them to the club members and their volunteer helpers.

"The community has really stepped up to the plate," said Becky Bittner, a club member.

"It's great to see that kind of support," Wheeler said.

Even Gov. Chris Gregoire took notice.

"We've heard a lot of great examples of neighbors' helping neighbors," she said in a news release. "That says a lot about the power of community there."

Reuben Hatch and his wife have been building a house on Northwest 69th Street, only a hundred yards from the home they've occupied for 40 years. The tornado passed only yards from the new house but did nothing worse than tear off a roof shingle and pepper one side with gravel - nothing that should stop them from moving in sometime in the next few months.

"As far as I can see," he said, "we're good to go."

Red Cross crews canvassed tornado neighborhoods Friday, checking for damage and to see who needed help. Do you have power? Is there any damage? Is everyone OK?

"We're hearing people feeling very fortunate," said Duane Royer, a Red Cross volunteer. "They're in good spirits and have a positive attitude."

On Northwest 25th Avenue, Nancy Henry helped clean her parents' yard. One of their trees was downed and branches from a neighbor's tree fell in their yard. The trees might not have survived the tornado, but the American flag flying at the front door made it through just fine.

Don Hamilton can be reached at 360-735-4526 and

don.hamilton@columbian.com

.