A Bible lost over 20 years ago following Hurricane Ivan’s blast through western Pennsylvania is being reunited with its owner after being discovered in a rather unusual place.
The Oakdale Hose Company shared the story on Wednesday via a Facebook post. One of their firefighters found an unexpected item while sorting through his bunker to ensure he had all his gear. Instead of his own belongings, he stumbled upon a small green change purse that appeared unrecognizable.
Curious, the fire chief opened the purse hoping to find identification or any clue that could lead them to the owner. Instead, inside was a small pocket Bible featuring an inscription dated May 12, 1997.
Intrigued, the chief and his wife searched online and eventually located Amanda Clotz, a former resident of Oakdale. After making contact, Clotz was able to identify the Bible as hers.
Speaking to CBS News, Clotz shared that the Bible was a cherished gift from her uncle, who had been like a father figure to her during a difficult time in her life. Unfortunately, she lost the Bible in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan swept through the Pittsburgh area.
Remarkably, the prized possession returned to Clotz undamaged, with its inscription perfectly intact and no signs of outside stains. She speculated the Bible might have ended up at the firehouse because it had been near her house when the hurricane hit.
According to the fire company and CBS News, Clotz offered to pay for shipping to have the Bible mailed back. However, the fire chief insisted on returning it to her free of charge.
As for how exactly the Bible made its way to the firehouse, that remains a mystery—adding a special kind of wonder to this heartwarming reunion.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/10/bible-lost-hurricane-ivan-owner-20-years-later/
