Butler County, my home town of New Hartford, and several communities around us took the direct hit of a tornado on Sunday. After touring the area both Sunday night with my grandson and Monday with the governor, it's hard to believe the devastation. I’ve lived in New Hartford my entire life, so I’ve known many of these people a long time. President Bush has declared Butler County a disaster area, so we know that help is on the way to help the people in the area rebuild. Iowans are known for their resilience and I know our friends and neighbors throughout the communities that have been hit will bounce back. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones. My office will do everything possible to help those who lost family members, friends, homes and livelihoods.