NCSML to raise money for tornado-impacted Czech Republic region

CEDAR RAPIDS — On the evening of June 24, an F3- to F4-tornado struck several villages in the Hodonín and Břeclav districts of the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. As the Czech and Slovak Republics were one of the first to send aid to support the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library during the Flood of 2008, the NCSML is asking for direct financial assistance to help the impacted region in the Czech Republic.

The 2021 South Moravia tornado struck several villages in the Hodonín and Breclav districts of the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. An extreme storm including a tornado and large hailstones devastated several villages, killed at least five people, injured at least 200 people, and left more than 120,000 residents without power. It was the strongest tornado ever witnessed in the country, as its wind speed reached F3-F4 levels on the Fujita scale. The tornado struck seven municipalities, with the worst damage in the villages of Moravská, Nová Ves, Hrušky, Lužice and Mikulcice. Hodonin is the birthplace of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, where there is a Moravian regional museum dedicated to Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.

NCSML President/CEO Dr. Cecilia Rokusek said, “Assisting those so severely affected by the strongest and most devastating storm ever in the country is our responsibility and is essential for preserving our rich history for the long term future from both local and transatlantic perspectives. In this new and horrific disaster, we are also reinforcing the importance of our work together to learn from history and create a strong future of sharing, innovation, peace, and ongoing collaboration.”

To donate funds, please visit https://ncsml.org/support/donate/

On behalf of donors and NCSML, Rokusek will present funds at a future date.