A Michigan family has been left heartbroken after their three-year-old son died when a tree came crashing into his home during a tornado.
Cooper Drake lost his life on Thursday, a day after an EF1 tornado ravaged through Livonia, about 25 minutes outside of Detroit.
The toddler and his mother, Corrine, both got trapped under the 'massive tree' that uprooted and fell onto the roof of the family home.
The mother and son were in a bedroom near the back of the home when the tree came slamming through, pinning them to the bed. Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene after rescue crews pulled them from under the debris.
Corrine was taken to the hospital in critical condition while the toddler's two-week-old sister, who was also home when the tree fell, survived. It is unclear if the father, Chris, was home when it happened.
Cooper Drake (middle) lost his life on Thursday, a day after an EF1 tornado caused a 'massive tree' to uproot and fall onto his family's home
The mother and son were in a bedroom near the back of the home when the tree (pictured) came slamming through, pinning them to the bed
'Wind like I've never seen before, rain sideways. It was just a mess, lot of damage,' Michael Medlin, a neighbor in the area, told WVLT.
'This neighborhood is a strong neighborhood. People stick together and help each other quite a bit.'
EF1 tornadoes are known to have intense wind speeds of about 86mph to 110mph. They can also cause more structural damage to houses, warehouses, and at times, flip cars, WCNC reported.
Fundraisers have been made to help the distraught family as a GoFundMe page has raised more than $434,000.
'It will be a long and difficult road ahead for this family, both physically and emotionally,' Trisha Thomas, the page organizer, said.
A second fundraiser was set up by the Livonia First Responder Foundation, a local non-profit organization.
Cooper, who was pronounced dead at the scene, enjoyed going to the park, animals, the grocery store, and more than anything he loves being with his family
'The outpouring from the community, the willingness to give and the generosity has been overwhelming,' Kristen Houchins, director of communications for the city of Livonia, said.
An outpouring of support for the family has also been posted on social media as close friends and family remember little Cooper.
Kristen Turk, Corrine's cousin, said in a Facebook post: 'Cooper was such a happy energetic little man, loved his parents so very much, and was our son’s very best buddy. He is going to be deeply missed!'
Turk also noted how strong Corrine is and that she 'has a long road of recovery ahead of her.' The mother's current condition is unclear at this time.
'Continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue life dealing with the unthinkable. Fly high and rest easy sweet Cooper,' another person posted.
An obituary for Cooper described him as 'the sweetest, fun-loving boy' that was 'perfection' in his mother and father's eyes.
Cooper loved to try new things, including making sandcastles for his grandmother, spending time with his cousins, or 'sprinting up and down' his grandfather's boat.
Workers remove parts of trees at a home on Hubbard Street after a storm in Livonia, Michigan, Wednesday, June 5, 2024
He also enjoyed going to the park, animals, the grocery store, and more than anything he loves being with his family.
In honor of the three-year-old, his family has requested that guests wear jeans and a t-shirt with one of Cooper's favorite characters on it. He specifically loved the Ninja Turtles, Spiderman and monster trucks.
A visitation is set to be held on Thursday from 2pm, and Cooper's funeral will be held on Friday at the Fred Wood Funeral Home in Livonia.
Last week's disastrous storm also injured five others as officials said that the quick-developing tornado struck through several neighborhoods in the city causing devastation.
In Maryland, five people were left injured after another large tree fell through a family home as one person was left with 'traumatic injuries.'
Injured tornado victims are moved to the front yard of a neighbor's home in Gaithersburg, Maryland
In Maryland, five people were left injured after another large tree fell through a family home. Leaving one person with 'traumatic injuries'
Livonia officials say the city activates sirens based on National Weather Service alerts or tornado sightings.
However, Emergency Preparedness Director Brian Kahn emphasized in a statement that they received no prior warning from the National Weather Service or any other source.
A National Weather Service representative attributed the event to a rapidly forming storm, a 'spin-up,' which developed too quickly to be detected by radar and allow for a timely warning, per city officials.
The National Weather Service in Detroit confirmed on Wednesday night that a tornado with a peak wind speed of 95 mph moved through Livonia.
The agency said the twister traveled a path spanning over 5 miles, uprooting and damaging trees and damaging some houses.
