Fort Washington, PA - Tornado relief

I started this Go Fund Me in honor of my brother and sister and their families whom all live in Elliger Park.  My family and I have been helping as much as we can everyday, but I’ve noticed many residents do not have the same support.  I want to fill in the gaps to ensure no one is left behind. 

In Pennsylvania, tornados are very rare. It’s a state with endless hills and trees. But on September 1, during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, an EF2 tornado made a direct hit on Elliger Park, a beautiful neighborhood in Fort Washington, known for unique, modest houses, friendly neighbors and quiet roads lined with hundreds of old hardwood trees. 130mph winds, torrential rain and hail have laid waste to this happy community.

There is significant damage done to over 100 homes, but it's mostly due to the massive, fallen trees that have splintered like match sticks. Limbs large and small scatter the landscape, crushing property and many impaling roofs, walls and vehicles like cannon balls. The cleanup has begun, but it will take weeks to cut and remove all of the debris. Insurance will help to an extent, such if a tree damaged a home or vehicle, but an incredible amount of trees have fallen in yards and streets. The costs to cut and remove these large trees, many of which have a deep sentimental value for the locals, is a burden with a cost that is out of reach for many people, young and old. Many families will need to pay upwards of $30,000 for tree service, with an estimated total cost of over $1 million for the entire neighborhood. Cranes and booms are needed to lift giant ash, sycamore and oak trees, among others, over homes before being cut and mulched.

The resulting devastation is a life-changing event for the families that live here. Some people are expected to be displaced for over a year while they rebuild. Utility line workers, tree service companies and local volunteers are currently working hard to restore some normalcy, but this community needs your help. Any amount you can give will go directly to families to help them pay their out-of-pocket costs for tree removal.