An EF-2 tornado touched down in Todd County on Friday, May 16, turning one family’s life completely upside down.
Travis and Grace Newswanger, along with their two-year-old son and three-day-old baby, are facing an uncertain future after Friday’s tornado leveled their home and all four of their commercial chicken barns on Blue Hole Road.
Now, they are seeking help from the community for temporary housing, essential household items, and other family necessities.
Allegre Fire Department Chief Steven Weaver was at the property Friday and described the scene as “utter devastation.”
Weaver notes Newswanger is one of the fire department’s volunteers and the organization will be helping the family as well. He adds Newswanger and his family had previously taken shelter at a local church and were not home when the tornado hit. Weaver is so thankful he and his family are safe and says everything else can be rebuilt.
The family was able to find around 90% of their clothing and are not in need of any more at this time, but they are looking for a mobile home as well as household appliances, such as a refrigerator and washing machine. The fire department is also accepting food and drink donations for the family at the station.
The family has plans to rebuild their poultry barns, but it will be a long process. Currently, the main focus is to get the Newswangers rehomed as soon as possible.
A GiveSendGo fundraising page is currently active to directly support the family with immediate needs. So far, the family has raised over $3,000. Access the fundraising page HERE.
Individuals who have leads on mobile homes and other resources should contact the Allegre Fire Department or Weaver at (270) 878-0320.
