Fort Worth Aviation Museum asking for donations for hail damage repairs
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum is asking for donations after golf ball-sized hail damaged their building and every single aircraft on site Saturday, April 25.
“First of all, we know other people have far worse problems than we do,” Museum Executive Director Jim Hodgson told the Star-Telegram. “This is just the worst thing that has happened to us in the 28 years that we’ve been in existence.”
An EF-2 tornado in the Runaway Bay area in Wise County killed one, injured six and displaced 25 families during the weekend storms. An EF-1 near Springtown in Parker County killed another.
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum suffered damages on every single plane at their facility, and hail broke through their exhibit building, sprinkling insulation onto the entire gallery. Because of this, the museum will be closed until Saturday, May 2 to clean up the damage. When they reopen Saturday, only the outdoor air park will be available to visitors.
Fort Worth has produced more than 70,000 planes since the 1940s, Hodgson said. The aviation industry is an integral part of livelihood here in North Texas, as one in five residents are employed in an aviation-related industry.
“Aviation has been part of the fabric of this community since the 1940s and it’s our job to preserve that history and the achievements of people here,” said Hodgson. “Some of the people here have designed, built and flown 26 iconic airplanes that have been sold and operated in 140 countries worldwide. So Fort Worth is a hub for aviation and aerospace worldwide, not just here locally.”
How to help the Fort Worth Aviation Museum
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum is asking for donations to repair damages to the museum and aircraft in the museum. A GoFundMe from the museum is asking for $20,000 in donations.
The damaged planes at the museum range from a 1943 trainer to a Harrier Jump Jet and F18 Hornet. Most of the airplanes on display are on loan from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or the General Services Administration.
The exhibits are located in an old schoolhouse that was not able to sustain the ”two-inch ice balls,” according to Hodgson. The insulation from the ceiling snowed down onto virtually every part of the building — exhibits, artifacts, galleries and display cases. Currently, museum personnel are working to filter the air to remove insulation particles.
Other resources to help those affected by the North Texas storms
The Runaway Bay tornado killed local resident Juan Madrid. A local non-profit, Acts 4 Others, organized a donation for the Madrid family to rebuild their home.
The American Red Cross is responding to tornado damage in Runaway Bay and Springtown. If you need help, or know of anyone who needs help, call 1-800-733-2767.
Residents who were affected should report damages to Texas Division of Emergency Management on their website.