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Relief Fund Raising Money for Watford City Tornado Victims

ERES is one of several companies that has donated and encourages other local businesses to do the same

 

Photo by Mike McCleary, Bismarck Tribune
Photo by Mike McCleary, Bismarck Tribune

Watford City, ND (AP) —  Nearly $100,000 has been raised so far to help people affected by a deadly tornado that hit Watford City in western North Dakota.

A local relief fund set up by the North Dakota Community Foundation will go directly to families impacted by last week’s storm, McKenzie County Emergency Manager Karolin Jappe told the Bismarck Tribune.

The tornado that tore through a recreational vehicle park in Watford City early July 10 killed a newborn baby, injured more than two dozen people and displaced about 200. One injured woman is expected to remain hospitalized in Montana for at least another month, according to Jappe.

The community is working to raise funds to help people with medical bills, housing expenses and other needs. Lutheran Social Services will determine who is eligible to receive aid and money will be sent to families through the North Dakota Community Foundation. Several energy service companies, including Energy Real Estate Solutions, have made donations and are asking others to please do the same.

A recovery team from the American Red Cross Dakotas Region is also reaching out to those affected by the tornado, said spokeswoman Gretchen Hjelmstad. The agency is providing people financial aid, mental health support and connections to other resources, she said.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account for the family of the 1-week-old baby who died has raised more than $27,000 as of Tuesday.

Ways to donate to the Watford City tornado relief fund:

Click HERE to view the original AP story.