May Tornado: One Year Later

It's been one year since the May 18 tornado that damaged more than 400 Abilene properties. Here's a flashback to what happened shortly after the tornado hit.

The Community Foundation of Abilene and the United Way of Abilene partnered to raise and deploy money for immediate relief needs and long-term rebuilding projects. This effort was called Abilene Relief.

Here's a snapshot of the impact one year later:

• $590k raised
• $473k spent on relief and rebuilding
• 153 families served with immediate assistance and/or funds for long-term rebuilding

All of the money from individual, public donors has been spent to help people who reported need. Thanks to additional contributions from private foundations, there is some padding that remains to serve still-evolving needs.

Abilene is resilient. This community stepped in immediately to contribute funds, thousands of hours of volunteer service, and innumerable other acts of kindness to help those affected by the tornado.

The Community Foundation of Abilene is honored to have helped facilitate, but it truly is the people of Abilene who made this impact happen.

Thank you for being #AbileneStrong.