Good news continues to roll in from Eureka after the town had to deal with really bad weather last week.
On Tuesday, an EF-3 tornado sliced through much of the town, damaging or destroying close to 200 structures and injuring eight people, one critically. Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels tells KVOE News all the people hurt Tuesday night have been discharged from the hospital.
In addition, cleanup is about two to three days ahead of the pace set after an EF-2 tornado in 2016. That includes tree removal debris — and it includes full restoration of power to Westar Energy customers as well. Spokesperson Gina Penzig tells KVOE News Westar’s experience in dealing with severe and tornadic storms was a big help in this case.
Meanwhile, residents impacted by Eureka’s second tornado this decade flocked to a temporary information hub to learn more about different services available to them as the recovery effort continues.
The Multi-Agency Resource Center, or MARC, gathered close to 20 local, regional, state and federal offices at Marshall Elementary — which was untouched by Tuesday night’s twister while Eureka Junior-Senior High had major damage to its activity center and the bleachers at McGinnis Field. Dicie Nicklaus, the Red Cross Disaster Program Manager for South Central and Southeast Kansas, says the MARC is great for people looking to get information when they can as they try to piece their lives back together.
Folks who missed the information at the MARC can find it at the Eureka Library.
Donations have poured in, so much so that food and water are well in abundance and the community primarily needs monetary donations to help with demolition of damaged homes. Monetary donations, however, are definitely needed. The Emporia Community Foundation’s Growing Greenwood Relief Fund and Eureka Ministerial Alliance are ready for donations.
Public Information Officer Robin Wunderlich says volunteers are still needed, with check-in and check-out at the Matt Samuels Community Building. Community meals will be served through at least Tuesday.
Prior KVOE News coverage
*Click here for Saturday’s story on the return of electric power and a deluge of donations
*Click here for Friday’s update on debris clearing efforts and food/water donations
*Click here for Thursday’s update on the number of damaged structures, the ongoing help of Emporia and Lyon County government agencies and the upcoming implementation of the MARC
*Click here for information on Wednesday’s tour by Gov. Jeff Colyer and the National Weather Service’s preliminary rating
*Click here for Wednesday’s damage assessment by Eureka and Greenwood County officials
*Click here for Wednesday’s story on how to help the recovery effort
*Click here for Wednesday’s initial story and photos about the Eureka tornado
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}Eureka Tornado Cleanup June 30 2018{/gallery}
