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.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

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.

Article continues after sponsor message

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.

Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe.

Prefer RiverBender on Google
Copyright 2026 Riverbender.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

More like this:

Granite City 18-Year-Old Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter After Fatal Teen Shooting
Jun 30, 2026
Granite City Police Charge Madison Man With Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming, Solicitation
Jun 27, 2026
UW-Madison Announces Spring 2026 Graduates
Jul 21, 2026
Mysterious Creatures debut along MCT Trails for Route 66 centennial
Aug 31, 2026
Senator Harriss Secures $80,000 For Granite City Street Department
Yesterday