Volunteers needed as clean up continues in Kansas towns heavily damaged by tornadoes

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Relief efforts are ongoing across Kansas following severe weather and tornadoes that have caused significant damage to many communities.

Just two days after storms left dozens without power and destroyed several homes, the town of Plevna is beginning to look more normal. Roofs have been repaired, and fallen trees have been cleared from the streets.

Louis Morgan arrived Tuesday morning, eager to volunteer. He serves as the first vice district governor for the Stafford Lions Club, a service organization. He noted that much work was already underway when he arrived in town.

“This morning, when I got here, the power company was putting up power lines,” Morgan said. “People were coming in and out, and a lot of construction vehicles were getting the job done.”

Community volunteer Jesse McGrath advised that those interested in participating in relief efforts should go through verified organizations.

“There’s storm spotter training programs you can get involved with, and there’s all sorts of other volunteer opportunities through the Red Cross and United Way, things like that for somebody who doesn’t have experience; they can get involved and serve at whatever capacity is needed,” McGrath said.

Sedgwick County Emergency Management Director Julie Stimson emphasized the value of local volunteers during a crisis.

“The neighbors who know the neighborhood and can help triage what’s happening, how bad is the damage, what are the extent of the injuries,” she said. “That volunteer can go to the first responder and say, ‘Here’s what we got.’ (It) saves the first responders a lot of time, and they can respond much quicker, getting the right resources to the right people at the right time.”

As relief efforts continue in Plevna, organizers stress that volunteer help will be essential in the days ahead.

“We will need volunteers for days, not just in those immediate hours,” said McGrath. “We want people to sign up to help, but we need to manage that carefully to ensure safety stays at the forefront. Patience is key, as volunteers aren’t needed just for those few hours, they’re usually needed for the long term.”

If you are interested in receiving training from the Sedgwick County Emergency Management Team, you can sign up here. The next training session will be held at the Wichita Fire Regional Training Center from June 27-29.

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