FOUR members of a family passed away after a tornado ripped through their home Saturday. Two neighbors also died, according to authorities.
The tornado made a devastating path through homes in Winterset, Iowa, tearing through multiple homes.
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Melissa Bazley, 63, died when the tornado passed through her home. Her husband and adult son survived, but her son-in-law Mike Bolger, 37, died.
Two of Bolger’s three children also did not make it. His two-year-old son, Owen and his five-year-old daughter. It is not known whether her name is spelled as Kenley or Kinlee.
Bolger’s oldest son, Brysen, survived but the children’s mother, Kuri, has suffered serious injuries.
The Bolgers were visiting family from Blue Springs, Missouri.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for the family’s funeral expenses and hospital bills.
“All funds will go directly to Kuri for hospital bills, ongoing expenses and provide proper celebrations of life for the family,” read the post on the GoFundMe.
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So far, over $134,000 has been raised for a goal of $150,000.
Rodney Clark, 64 and Cecilia Lloyd, 72, also died when their homes were hit by the storm.
DEADLY STORM
Dramatic footage showed homes being ripped apart as the deadly tornado hit Madison County, southwest of Des Moines on Saturday.
The storm was classified as an EF3 tornado with winds of 136-155 miles per hour leaving a 13.7 mile path of destruction, according to WHO-TV.
“This is, I think, the worst anyone has seen in quite a long time,” said Diogenes Ayala, Madison County Emergency Management Director.
Officials estimated 25-30 homes have been destroyed.
There was significant damage reported south and east of Chariton and damage was also reported in Red Haw State Park.
The county conservation building at Pin Oak Marsh was destroyed.
The Iowa tornado missed the city of Winterset, with most of the damage occurring in rural areas, reports indicate.
“Let people that are living there, let them clean up, give them some space. This is pretty devastating for our community,” Ayala said. “Give people time to heal. Keep our community in your prayers tonight.”
Anyone looking to volunteer to assist with clean up in Winterset can call the Madison County Chamber of Commerce at (515) 462-1185.
If you are aware of someone who is missing or who has not been accounted for, you can call Madison County officials at (515) 462-3575 extension 8.
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