Volunteers Descend On Nappanee
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
The volunteers showed up to help clean up after the EF3 tornado that hit Nappanee and Scott Township Thursday night.
"Our best estimate is that well over 5,000 people showed up," said Terry Tyler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Nappanee.[[In-content Ad]]Tyler helped coordinate the volunteer efforts. Tyler said volunteers picked up thousands of bags and piles of debris scattered by the storm.
"It's kind of hard to describe," Tyler said. "They worked hard, and areas where you couldn't even see the ground before now look like nothing ever happened."
Volunteers cleaned up debris in Nappanee and also on several farms in the area.
"They cleaned up fields so farmers can get out there and collect what they have left to harvest or let cattle out to graze," Tyler said. "They did that work in two hours."
Nappanee Police Chief Mike Anglin said about 160 structures in the town were either destroyed or damaged by the tornado. After damage assessments are completed, Anglin said, big clean-up equipment will be brought in to move the rubble.
"It's going to be a lengthy operation," he said.
Tyler said after emergency and relief officials assess the needs of those affected by the storm, more volunteers may be needed.
"Yesterday was a huge effort," he said. "Now we're going to step back and assess what the needs are. As we begin coordinating those efforts, we're going to have a clearer idea of what needs done."
Ann Sweet, Kosciusko County Red Cross manager, said today that the emergency shelter set up at Nappanee Missionary Church was closed last night. She said everyone displaced by the storm had been relocated.
Sweet also said Red Cross officials continue to assess the needs of tornado victims in both Elkhart and Kosciusko counties.
The volunteers showed up to help clean up after the EF3 tornado that hit Nappanee and Scott Township Thursday night.
"Our best estimate is that well over 5,000 people showed up," said Terry Tyler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Nappanee.[[In-content Ad]]Tyler helped coordinate the volunteer efforts. Tyler said volunteers picked up thousands of bags and piles of debris scattered by the storm.
"It's kind of hard to describe," Tyler said. "They worked hard, and areas where you couldn't even see the ground before now look like nothing ever happened."
Volunteers cleaned up debris in Nappanee and also on several farms in the area.
"They cleaned up fields so farmers can get out there and collect what they have left to harvest or let cattle out to graze," Tyler said. "They did that work in two hours."
Nappanee Police Chief Mike Anglin said about 160 structures in the town were either destroyed or damaged by the tornado. After damage assessments are completed, Anglin said, big clean-up equipment will be brought in to move the rubble.
"It's going to be a lengthy operation," he said.
Tyler said after emergency and relief officials assess the needs of those affected by the storm, more volunteers may be needed.
"Yesterday was a huge effort," he said. "Now we're going to step back and assess what the needs are. As we begin coordinating those efforts, we're going to have a clearer idea of what needs done."
Ann Sweet, Kosciusko County Red Cross manager, said today that the emergency shelter set up at Nappanee Missionary Church was closed last night. She said everyone displaced by the storm had been relocated.
Sweet also said Red Cross officials continue to assess the needs of tornado victims in both Elkhart and Kosciusko counties.
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