During a typical Saturday night at her bar, Raina’s Sports Lounge owner, Raina Valkoun, was busy serving drinks to her regular customers when suddenly the walls began to collapse. Trapped inside with over a dozen people, Valkoun found herself fighting for her life and that of her customers.
As the building started to crumble around them, Valkoun was buried under five feet of debris. It took 45 minutes for first responders to rescue everyone, but one long-time friend and customer did not make it out alive.
When she finally emerged from the wreckage, Valkoun expressed her grief over the loss of her friend and business while being thankful for surviving the ordeal. She recounted the harrowing experience of being trapped and uncertain of her fate, hoping that her friend had found a way to survive as well. Despite the devastation, Raina was grateful to still be alive and witness others who had survived the storm.
According to state officials, approximately 30 injuries were reported from the storm, with about half of those occurring in Raina’s bar. The impact of the storm had a profound effect on Raina and her community, leaving them to cope with loss while being grateful for the gift of life.
