Volunteers flock to Southeast Kan. town to help after EF-3 tornado

EUREKA, Kan. (AP) — Residents of a Kansas town where a tornado injured eight people and damaged dozens of homes are starting to clean up the mess.

Volunteers checking in at the Matt Samuels Community Building on Thursday-photo Greenwood County Emergency Management

The state Adjutant General’s Department says in a news release that more volunteers are needed in Eureka after more than 300 people showed up on Thursday to help. The twister that hit the town of about 2,400 residents Tuesday night has been classified as an EF-3 with winds of at least 136 mph. Nearly 80 homes were damaged and at least 10 were destroyed. The high school also was damaged.

The Red Cross is providing food and has set up a shelter in a church where residents and volunteers can cool off. State officials also are helping residents obtain critical documents, such as birth and marriage certificates.