HARVEYVILLE, Kan. (AP) – Governor Sam Brownback has met with the family of a Harveyville man who suffered fatal injuries when a tornado lifted his home off its foundation.

Thursday’s visit came less than a day after 53-year-old Richard Slade was taken off life support and died at a Topeka hospital.

The trip to the Wabaunsee County town also gave Brownback a chance to see the damage caused by Tuesday night’s EF2 tornado, which packed winds of up to 130 miles per hour.

Brownback said he had high praise for the large number of volunteers who rushed to the town’s aid. He remarked that roofs already were being rebuilt.

While touring the area, Brownback received a call from President Barack Obama. The president also took time to talk to Harveyville’s mayor, Dustin Kuntz.

Governor Sam Brownback has declared a disaster emergency in 19 counties hit this week by violent weather, including the storm that spawned a deadly tornado in Harveyville.

The governor’s disaster declaration Thursday brings the state into the response to the storms.

Brownback had already declared of a state of emergency Tuesday night in Wabaunsee County after the tornado hit Harveyville. But other areas also had damaging winds, hail and tornadoes.

In addition to Wabaunsee County, the new declaration covers the following counties: Butler, Chautauqua, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Harper, Kingman, Labette, Leavenworth, Marion, Montgomery, McPherson, Reno, Republic, Sumner and Wilson counties.