MARYLAND, USA — The National Weather Service team determined seven tornadoes touched down in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The damage left behind is irreparable for some families, but they are trying to find ways to move forward.
Several families have launched GoFundMe accounts asking for the community’s help to restart their lives.
WUSA9 spoke with one of the families impacted by the storms in Gaithersburg. The Fuentes family was inside their home watching everything unfold. They were getting tornado alerts on their phones and watching as the trees in their backyard swayed back and forth.
As the family of four huddled in the safest place they could find inside, a large tree came crashing into their home, leaving a gaping hole in their kitchen. Everyone was able to escape safely. But emotionally, they were completely distraught.
Grateful to their neighbors for helping them during their time of need, the Fuentes family is asking for help raising money to repair their kitchen. Click here for their GoFundMe.
A second family also in Gaithersburg was not as fortunate as the Fuentes’. As the Perez family huddled in their home for safety, winds gusting over 100 mph were so strong it uprooted a large tree and sent it flying into the home.
The family was trapped inside under rubble and debris for 15-20 minutes as they waited for emergency crews to arrive. Family members sustained serious injuries from the damage caused. Now, the family is asking for help. To donate to their GoFundMe, click here.
The Lavrich family had their entire basement flooded in Harford County. Police had to break the windows to help get the family out and to safety. To donate to their GoFundMe, click here.