3 days ago
Picking up the pieces — Community shows up to support tornado victims
A tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service has devastated a family farm in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, leaving the community rallying to assist in recovery efforts.
The EF2 tornado struck the Seabury farm, causing significant damage and resulting in the loss of two horses. Volunteers from across the county and beyond have come together to help clean up and support the family in their time of need.
The Seabury family took cover in their basement as the storm approached, as windows were blown out and cracks began to form on the interior walls. The aftermath revealed their farm decimated by the tornado.
'Me and my family, we worked to keep this farm running and every single day I've been out here, my whole life. It's been a real staple and to come home and see everything absolutely demolished is just really surreal,' said Nolan Seabury, son of the property owners.
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Hundreds of volunteers have arrived with trucks, trailers, wood chippers, and disaster relief vehicles to assist in the cleanup efforts. They are picking up debris, cutting fallen trees, and providing essential supplies like food, water, and generators. Penelec crews have been working to repair power lines and install new utility poles to restore electricity to the area.
'In such a dark time it was really comforting and brought a lot of joy knowing my community really does have my back. We always try to be our best people, and it makes us to feel good that people are here to support us,' Nolan Seabury added.
A volunteer group called 'All One' has mobilized to provide additional support, including cooking meals for workers and offering internet and electricity. They just a few of the many people doing their part.
Logan Eschrich from All One Disaster Response commented, 'We also do disaster relief kits similar to the Red Cross and Salvation Army. We focus on a lot of small towns with the truck because sometimes small towns don't get looked at if there's a larger population affected.'
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The community's response has been a beacon of hope for the Seabury family, demonstrating solidarity and support in the face of disaster. Efforts continue to restore the farm and aid the family in rebuilding their lives.
The farm faces up to $100,000 in uninsured damages, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with recovery costs.
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