Community mourns 10-year-old girl killed in Saturday's storm

BURIEN, Wash. -- While crews work to clean up the aftermath of the powerful storms this weekend, a community grieved for a 10-year-old girl who was killed when a falling tree branch hit and killed her.

Samara Iereneo would have been starting the 5th grade on Thursday. Teachers at Cedarhurst Elementary shared they are already planning a tribute in her honor when school resumes this week.

On a football field in Burien, the White Center Seahawks are learning the true meaning of being a part of a team. In this case, it’s grieving with one of their own, 12-year old Sage Iereneo, Samara’s older brother.

“We are all family here,” said Ike Leiataua, Samara’s uncle, as he addressed the team during practice. “When one us lose a family member, we all lose a family member.”

The team shared a moment of silence. Neighbors have also made banners and friends have left notes and flowers at the site where she was killed.

“The healing process will be long-term for us, especially because she was our little baby,” said Florence Iereneo, Samara’s mother.

The White Center Seahawks football team will be playing a game this Sunday at Rainier Beach High School. They plan to wear Samara’s favorite color, purple, on their helmets in her honor.

Several friends have started GoFundMe accounts for the Iereneo family, including:

http://www.gofundme.com/jt32w68c

The family is also planning to open up an account at a bank branch. They are hoping to raise money to help take Samara's body back to Hawaii, where she will be laid to rest next to her grandparents.