Chip in for the Reintjes/Fisher Family #LFKTornado

“In the basement, everyone!” At 6:15 pm on May 28, 2019, Jim Fisher shouted those words when the trees started twisting and debris started hitting the house as an EF-4 tornado headed straight for Terri Reintjes and Jim Fisher’s property south of Lawrence, Kansas. Thankfully, they both made it to safety in their concrete storm shelter in the basement, but they had no idea what they’d find after the house stopped shaking and the heavy steel door stopped rattling. As they emerged from the basement, the house seemed to be intact at first, but they soon discovered the entire south side of the second floor torn off and blown away, half of the roof was gone, and most of the windows were shattered. Water and debris were everywhere.


Outside, their small barn was leaning precariously, all their cars were trashed, and there was massive damage to the huge grove of mature oak and cedar trees that surrounded their house and pond. Large and small debris was EVERYWHERE… twisted metal roofing, shingles, insulation, broken glass, random plastic/wood/etc./etc., and huge fallen trees…from their property and from their neighbors. Even though they were still in shock, the clean up began immediately.


Since then it’s been a flurry of activity for the Reintjes/Fisher family. First steps included clearing the long driveway of tumbled trees, assessing the damage with one professional service company after another, cleaning up debris inside and out, covering the roof and windows, salvaging the furniture and possessions, restoring power, and cutting downed tree after tree. So many friends and family have brought equipment, supplies, food, and beer and have worked tirelessly alongside Terri and Jim to pack, clean, clear, and cut. Thankfully, insurance will pay for the structures and possessions, and the house will be better than ever. But insurance doesn’t cover everything….like the trees. Unless the tree fell on the house, it wouldn’t be covered. Losing all the trees is the saddest part for the family.


Terri and Jim and their whole family are the most wonderful people and would do anything for their friends or friends’ friends or anyone in need. It’s no surprise that so many people have asked how they can help. So besides providing manual labor and moral support, we’ve started this GoFundMe for everyone to help Terri and Jim offset expenses that insurance just won’t cover. Like those pesky deductibles or percentages that don't quite make it to 100%. Like renting dumpsters and big equipment as needed to remove large debris around the property and take down all the decades-old trees that can’t be saved…which is, sadly, most of them. Restoring the yard and putting in new landscaping, basically starting from scratch, will be a long and arduous task. 


Please consider donating to our good friends. Your gifts to the Reintjes/Fishers are appreciated more than you know.