Katherine A. Pfaff-Dehn dies in fatal Enderlin tornado
Fatal Enderlin tornado death of Katherine A. Pfaff-Dehn
Katherine A. Pfaff-Dehn, 73, was among the three individuals who lost their lives when a violent tornado tore through rural Enderlin, North Dakota late Friday night. Her death was confirmed by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office following the destructive storm.
Authorities identified the other victims as 73-year-old Michael D. Dehn and 89-year-old Marcario M. Lucio. Emergency crews were dispatched around 11:40 p.m. after local firefighters, assisted by storm chasers, located two deceased individuals. Katherine’s body was found at one of the severely damaged properties.
The tornado that struck the Enderlin area has been preliminarily rated EF-3+, indicating wind speeds that may have exceeded 165 miles per hour. It was one of at least 13 tornadoes reported across North Dakota that evening.
Under the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF-3 tornadoes are categorized as having winds between 136 and 165 mph, resulting in severe structural damage. According to first responders, the path of this tornado was estimated to stretch about six miles long and three miles wide.
Enderlin Fire Chief John Anderson described widespread devastation, with debris from homes spread up to a mile from their original sites. The sheer scale of the storm’s destruction has left many in the community reeling.
Footage from a Ring doorbell camera owned by local resident Hannah Diegel captured the massive tornado lit by repeated lightning flashes as it passed through the area, offering a haunting view of the storm’s power.
Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner offered heartfelt condolences to Katherine’s family and all those mourning loved ones lost in the tornado. He stated that the sheriff’s office and emergency services are coordinating recovery efforts, with help from the American Red Cross and other support agencies.
Recovery and damage assessments are ongoing as officials work to support survivors and rebuild the community following one of the most intense storms to hit the region in years.
