Fight to Recovery After Tornado

My name is Karolina. I was born in Poland and came to the United States when I was 4 years old. I lived in Chicago through my 20s and then moved to New York for 7 years, Dallas for 3 years and moved to Omaha, NE in 2023. I purchased my first house just last year in August 2023. This was my dream home and it was a complete loss. The entire neighborhood was brand new and everyone that recently purchased lost their homes in the devastating event. I typically rented my entire life up until now. I was hoping to settle in finally and stop moving every year, but God had another plan for my life.

My dream home was devastated in the tornados that went through the Midwest on April 26th, 2024. I have been grateful for the support of all local relief agencies including but not limited to Relevant Church (Elkhorn NE), Omaha Rapid Response, Red Cross and other church organizations which I have met some amazing and caring people. I want everyone to know that you are not alone in this journey and they are here to help us any way they can. I am raising money to help in any property or vehicle insurance claim short fallings for myself and others. Any unused funds will be sent to Omaha Rapid Response and other great organizations that have helped me along the way.

My Story:

I am grateful to be alive. A tornado hit my home head on and leveled my house along with the entire neighborhood in Elkhorn, NE at 3:47pm CT on April 26th, 2024.

I lost everything.

Besides the clothes on my back and my 17 year old cat, Bear; everything is gone. When I recall the events of the day, it feels surreal. Did it really happen? Will I wake up tomorrow to just an incredibly terrible dream?

We had no idea how, when and where it would hit and how big it would be. We hid where I was always told to hide during a tornado, under the staircase. I put my cat in his metal traveling cage. I didn’t have a helmet to protect my head so I found the next best thing, a hard cooler in case the house collapsed. Pillows and cushions from the couch lined the walls and floor of the little closet under the stairs. I was prepared as I ever could be with the 30 minute notice from the local storm system. I prayed for our lives. I knew it was coming right for us but I didn’t want to believe it. I thought it would miss us.

I felt my ears pop when the windows blew out and the train noises came, the house cracked like giant bones breaking as the tornado went through. Everything happened so quickly. I didn’t think it was real.

The load bearing wall in front of the basement door that we hid behind was a barrier between life and death. Never did I think I’d ever see a tornado, let alone be caught in one and live to tell about it.

I’ve protected myself as much as I can. I’m alive. All material things can be replaced but nothing can replace your loved ones. I’m thankful to have the support of my friends, family, and colleagues.

I am in utter shock and devastation. It is surreal. We see it in the movies every day but I never thought this would happen to us. A 1/2 mile wide tornado hit my home and I lost everything.

But…

I am strong.

I will get through this life altering event.

I will rebuild.