Community supports family whose toddler died in tornado

LIVONIA, Michigan – A tornado in Livonia toppled a tree Wednesday, killing a toddler and seriously injuring his mother.

Chris and Corinne Drake’s son was killed when a large tree fell through the roof of their home. The tree landed on a bed where Corinne and her son were sleeping. Officials said rescue crews had to work for at least an hour to get the victims out.

A two-week-old sibling who was in a crib in another room was not injured but was taken to the hospital for evaluation, Livonia Fire Department Chief Robert Johnson told WDIV-TV.

Now the community is rallying to support the family as they mourn the loss of their two-year-old child while the mother works to recover.

A co-worker of Corrinne’s set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the family, and in less than 10 hours the campaign had raised nearly $200,000.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has not directed the city of Livonia to activate its sirens, officials said. The city only activates its warning sirens when instructed to do so by the NWS.

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