Storm leaves Moses Lake family facing major damage, urgent need for help

MOSES LAKE — A powerful storm that swept through Moses Lake on May 28, leaving widespread damage across the community, but for one family, the destruction has become a daily crisis. 

Yahaira Nava, a single mother of two, is now facing an urgent and costly situation after two large trees from a neighboring property crashed onto her home. Two additional trees on her own property also fell, one crushing her brother’s vehicle and another blocking access to the driveway. 

Now, the family is racing against time to remove the trees and prevent further damage – without the financial means to do so. 

“This is everything,” Nava said of the home. “It’s our safety, it’s our stability. It’s all my kids have ever known.” 

The home, purchased in 2017, houses multiple generations of Nava’s family. Along with her two young children, Nava lives with her parents, including her father, who is wheelchair-bound and disabled, as well as siblings who are currently attending college. 

After surviving domestic violence in recent years, Nava said buying her family home in Moses Lake provided her and her children with a sense of safety and stability. 

“We finally had somewhere permanent,” she said. “We’ve moved around a lot in the past, and this is the place we’ve called home for years. We never wanted anywhere else.” 

That sense of security was shaken when the storm hit. 

Two trees from a neighboring property landed directly on the house, causing visible structural damage. The front entryway is cracked, the doorframe and wall have shifted and leaks in the roof have created pooling water inside the home. 

Despite the damage, the trees remain in place, preventing a full assessment of the home’s condition. 

“We don’t even know all the damage yet because we can’t get the trees off,” Nava said. 

The family has been forced to enter and exit the home through a back sliding door, avoiding the compromised front entrance. While they remain inside for now, Nava says the situation feels uncertain. 

“We’re just taking it day by day,” she said. “Any time the wind picks up, I get anxious wondering if my family is safe.” 

Efforts to resolve the issue through insurance have so far stalled. Nava said her neighbors’ insurance company denied an initial claim, citing that the trees appeared healthy. 

However, a local tree service has since reported that the trees were neglected and not in good condition. Nava and her family are now working to appeal the decision, though that process could take time. 

Meanwhile, the need for immediate action remains. 

“We were quoted about $7,000 just to remove the two trees from the house,” she said. “That’s our biggest need right now.” 

The family has received some help from the community, including volunteers who assisted in clearing trees that blocked access to a working vehicle. However, Nava says financial help has been limited. 

With her father unable to work and her mother serving as his caregiver, the household relies heavily on Nava’s income and disability benefits to cover basic needs. 

The unexpected cost of tree removal – and potential repairs – has placed a significant strain on the family. 

“We don’t have savings for something like this,” she said. “We’re trying everything we can.” 

Beyond the physical damage, the emotional impact has been significant – especially for Nava’s children. 

Her daughter, who is autistic, and her son, who has ADHD and dyslexia, have struggled with anxiety in the aftermath of the storm. Nava described trying to maintain normalcy for them, even as the situation weighs heavily on her. 

“I’m just constantly worried,” she said. “But I keep reminding myself: we’re alive, and we have each other.” 

Despite the stress, Nava says her family has leaned on humor and resilience to cope. 

“We still laugh,” she said. “We’re trying to get through it together. We have been making jokes whenever we have to do daily tasks like I will ask my sister what we should cook for dinner and she will respond with ‘I don’t know, there are two trees on our house.’ I am trying to make everything feel normal, that’s all I can do right now.”  

To cover the cost of tree removal and potential repairs, Nava has created a GoFundMe and is asking for community support. 

Funds raised will go toward removing the trees, securing temporary housing if necessary, and restoring the home to a safe condition. Nava said she will be posting receipts to ensure the community knows the funds are being used responsibly.  

“It would mean everything,” she said. “It would save everything for us.” 

Nava emphasized that any support – whether through donations, sharing the fundraiser, or offering assistance – is deeply appreciated. She also said she understands she was not the only family harmed by the storm, and it is a hard financial time for people.  

“I just want people to know that anything they give will go directly to helping my family stay safe and keep our home,” she said. “We’re grateful for every single bit of help, every dime, every prayer in our direction, every kind message – all of it we are so grateful for.”  

“We just want to save our home,” she added. “That’s all we’re trying to do.” 

Those interested in supporting the Nava family can contribute to their GoFundMe at gofund.me/45fe69376 or reach out directly. Nava can be contacted through Facebook under the name Yahaira Nava.