Bhutanese in Massachusetts, US hit by tornado
Hundreds of Bhutanese resettled in West Springfield, Massachusetts area, USA have become homeless after a powerful tornado hit the city on Wednesday, June 02.
According to local residents, their homes and cars were damaged badly and the city officials declared their homes as unliveable and ordered them to move to shelter or any other safer place. Tornado victims whose cars were damaged and who had only liability (One Way Insurance) were disappointed to learn that their auto insurance will not pay for their damages.
At least 100 Bhutanese resettled there have taken refuge in a shelter at West Springfield Middle School, set up by American Red Cross for the victims. There hasn’t been any report of Bhutanese being injured or killed in the incident.
Roaring tornadoes caused damage in about two dozen communities, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees, scattering debris and leaving at least three dead throughout the state.
Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency and called up 1,000 National Guardsmen after the storms for help. While Massachusetts does not see many tornadoes annually, Wednesday’s storms were not unprecedented.
The two most notable tornadoes to hit Massachusetts – prior to yesterday – occurred on June 9, 1953 (killed 94) and May 29, 1995. Authorities were still calculating how many tornadoes hit the area.