Eden farm reflects on EF-2 tornado one year later
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EDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) -- It's been one year since an EF-2 tornado touched down in the Town of Eden, leaving behind major damage.
On July 10, 2024, powerful winds ripped through Mammoser Farm located on East Eden Road tearing apart barns and trees in its path. Catherine Mammoser, who has been a part of the family-run farm for years, recalled the moment she heard the news.
"I got a message from my brother that there had been a tornado," said Mammoser. "I just assumed it was something in the field and not nearby."
Winds that day reached 115 miles per hour and caused great damage in just minutes.
"I remember pulling in the driveway screaming in my head," said Mammoser. "It was just like, what could have happened? How did this happen to us? Why us? Why now?"
Fortunately, no one in the Mammoser family was injured, but a few cows passed away from injuries sustained during the storm.
Within weeks, Mammoser Farm had companies on sight breaking ground and starting repairs. Mammoser said three barns have been completely rebuilt from the ground up and four had to be repaired.
"We were in crunch time," said Mammoser. "By the time the dust settled, we were in September. We were reaching fall which is rainy weather. Snow could come at any moment."
The total damage left behind was roughly $1.5 million. Mammoser said she's proud of her dad for choosing to fight, rather than giving up.
"This is my dad's livelihood. This is what my dad lives and breathes," said Mammoser. "My dad turned sixty and he could've taken the easy way out and retired and collected his social security, but he said 'nope.' He put his head down and said, 'I'm going to do this.'"
Despite a $200,000 grant from Erie County, there is still work to be done. Next on their agenda is a new storage barn.
Mammoser said she's grateful for how the Town of Eden rallied around them when they needed it most.
"It felt very positive knowing that the community does care," said Mammoser. "They know our family, or they know someone in our family, and it's been really heartwarming that we have that."
Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.