Community bands together to weather storm with southeast Sask. family after tornado

The destruction of a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan is rallying the community in support of an area family that lost almost everything in the storm.

A tornado levelled the farm of Danny and Chelsea Brock on Tuesday, just south of Alameda. Since then, a GoFundMe has raised more than $30,000 for the family.

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“While we are profoundly grateful that Danny, Chelsea, and their family survived this terrifying storm safely and without injury, the physical toll on their life’s work is catastrophic. In a matter of minutes, their entire yard was wiped out,” said fundraiser organizer, James Henderson.

The fundraiser has a goal of $50,000.

In addition, the Rural Municipality of Enniskillen reported that donations of gift cards are being accepted at Prairie Pride Credit Union and Alameda Agencies in Alameda, as well as Affinity Credit Union in Oxbow and Exhale Massage Clinic.

“These donations will help support the family who lost their farm,” the RM said in a post on social media. “We sincerely appreciate the generosity and support being shown by our communities during this difficult time.”

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), two farmsteads were affected by storms.

The Brock family looks for clothing and other items scattered around their yard after a tornado. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

Damage has also forced the temporary closure of the Co-op Food Store in Oxbow. According to Southern Plains Co-op, the wind damage happened the night of June 7.

The SPSA has made available an Emergency Services Officer who has been in contact with affected communities. In a statement it said it’s also working with the Ministry of Education to help provide counselling for schools in Oxbow and Alameda.

In the meantime, the RM said it’s still working to assess the full extent of the disaster. It’s asking people who suffered damage to contact the RM office.

It hopes to provide application forms to the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program as soon as they’re available.

The Canadian Red Cross, Carnduff RCMP, and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan have also been in contact with the RM.

It also reported a number of livestock are unaccounted for at this time. Producers who might be missing animals are asked to contact the RM with numbers and species, markings, brands and tags and last known location.