The impact from Tuesday night’s tornado in Eureka is coming into more focus.
The tornado hit the Greenwood County seat around 7:15 pm, causing damage to parts of downtown, residential neighborhoods, and Eureka Junior-Senior High School. Public Information Officer Robin Wunderlich calls the damage “devastating.”
The Greenwood County Courthouse had part of its roof removed by the twister. Most operations are continuing as normal, although the damage affects the Register of Deeds and — in a twist of irony — the Emergency Management Department.
The damage to Eureka Junior-Senior High includes major damage to the activity center and significant damage to the football field. There is also damage to a tee-ball field.
Parts of town were hard hit by an EF-2 tornado almost exactly two years ago. Wunderlich says some of the homes that were damaged in north Eureka two years ago were damaged again Tuesday night.
In all, Greenwood County authorities now say over 300 structures were in the damage path. Of that number, 78 — or better than a quarter — were damaged. Of those, 10 were destroyed and another 12 failed. An early estimate had over 100 city blocks suffering some sort of damage. That number has now come down to 77.
At last word, eight people were hurt. One suffered critical injuries.
Residents can go back into the damage area to check on loved ones and property. Meanwhile, volunteers are encouraged to check in Thursday at the Matt Samuels Community Center.
Cleanup begins at 7 am.
Residents needing shelter are told to go to the Eureka Methodist Church at 521 N. Main. People needing to charge their cell phones can do so at the Eureka Library. Residents needing medications can stop at Eureka Methodist as well.
A full donation list is coming. Wunderlich says personal hygiene items and other personal items can be brought to 717 N. Main. Immediate needs also include equipment like chainsaws or trailers. Those can be taken to Eureka Downs.
There are now several options for donating money, including the Eureka Ministerial Alliance and the Growing Greenwood Relief Fund through the Emporia Community Foundation.
The National Weather Service has not determined the strength or the official damage path of Tuesday night’s tornado. Gov. Jeff Colyer is slated to be in Eureka after 7 pm Wednesday to meet with residents.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for ongoing updates, photos and videos from Tuesday night’s tornado. Click here for our prior coverage. Click here for additional information on how to help.
