Community members in Washburn have set up fundraisers to help provide aid to people affected by a June 11 tornado that caused significant damage across the village.
On GoFundMe, three fundraisers have already raised thousands of dollars for those affected by the tornado, which saw homes lose their roofs and caused significant tree damage, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln.
One fundraiser, designed to help TJ Farm and Fowl, a small family-owned operation in Washburn that saw damage to hundreds of trees, vehicles, their garage, greenhouse and home, has already raised $6,665 toward a $12,000 goal as of Monday afternoon. The organizer, James Brent, said that the funds are needed to replace buildings, equipment and even chicken coops, along with the replanting of crops.
“These steps are essential to restoring the little income we receive from our farm and to bringing back the sense of stability and purpose that our land provides,” Brent said. “Every donation will help us move forward and rebuild what was lost.”
Another fundraiser, designed to help Dan and Taylor Willis rebuild after their Washburn home was destroyed by the tornado, has raised $2,640 towards a $5,000 goal, with organizer Emily Zimmerman requesting that people also inquire with the family about potentially removing debris from their property.
Finally, a more general fundraiser, set up by Erica Feazel, has raised $3,015 towards a $10,000 goal.
The tornado hit around 5 p.m. on June 11, with winds reaching up to 155 mph, enough to make it an EF-3 tornado, according to NWS. The storm caused a log house to see its walls collapse, with one home losing not just its roof, but the entire second floor as well. Significant damage was also caused to trees and crops, with some trees seeing only their trunks remaining.
The storm would eventually dissipate in a field northeast of Washburn, but not before continuing to cause tree and property damage along the way.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Fundraisers set up to help victims of Washburn tornado
Reporting by Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
