GRANITE CITY - Granite City resident Karen Smith is organizing a fundraiser to support her family after a tornado severely damaged their home on Friday, May 16, 2025.

The storm ripped the roof off the trailer where Smith lives with her six children in Granite City.

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Smith said they have not received assistance from the Red Cross, and FEMA informed them they would only be eligible for aid if the president declared the area a national disaster.

Without insurance coverage, Smith expressed uncertainty about how to recover from the damage.

“We unfortunately didn’t have insurance, and I just am at a loss for words on how to move forward next,” Smith said.

The fundraiser aims to gather resources and support for the family as they navigate the aftermath of the tornado.

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Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe.

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