Tornado destroys family farm in Saskatchewan

Aug 02, 2016

Simpson family overwhelmed by community support

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

A Saskatchewan family is beginning to rebuild after a tornado wiped out their farmhouse near Melville on Sunday.

“Our house was just thrown throughout the field here, and it was very surreal and emotional,” Jamie Simpson told CBC. “You can’t imagine this is ever going to happen to you.”

According to Environment Canada, the tornado touched down just after 4pm.

Simpson, her husband and two children sought shelter at her parents’ house, located on the same property. They all remained in the bathroom until the storm had passed.

“It picked up hay bales and moved them, like, half a mile,” Simpson told Global News. “All the cattle shelters are gone and corrals are torn up. You can see things that have gone through them.”

Saskatchewan tornado aftermath
The aftermath of a tornado that wiped out a farmhouse near Melville, Saskatchewan.
Photo: Blake Lough/Twitter

Simpson, whose family lived in the house since 2001, said everything they’ve worked for is gone. But they have to pick up the pieces and keep going forward.

The community is rallying behind the family to help them rebuild.

A Gofundme page launched on Monday to raise money for the family. To date, $12,205 has been raised. Far exceeding the goal of $5,000. Clothing and toy donations for her son and daughter are also needed.

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