Monetary donations only for tornado relief effort
The response has been overwhelming.
Thousands of people across Kansas and the country have flooded Greensburg and the surrounding area with food and other items following a devastating tornado May 4 that wiped out the community.
So much so, authorities don't know what to do with the items.
According to Sharon Watson, director of public affairs of the Kansas Adjutant General truckloads of donations are being turned away at Greensburg because there isn't sufficient storage space and being sent to 1919 E. Douglas, Wichita.
"We are grateful for the outpouring of support from around the nation but ask everyone to donate cash to the various organizations who support such disasters as this one," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas Adjutant General and Director of Kansas Emergency Management.
Contractors wishing to provide services to Kansas or volunteers wishing to donate their time or other resources must call the Kansas 211 number.
Food donations may be sent to the Kansas Food Bank. For more information, call (316) 265-3663.
Local efforts
A bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the lot next to Duckwall's, downtown Marion. All proceeds will go to Greensburg and be designated to help rebuild their schools.
Take donated baked goods to Nicki Case at Marion Elementary School on Friday.
Marion and Hillsboro Pizza Hut participated Thursday in a statewide corporate effort by contributing 20 percent of the day's profits to the cause.
Cash donations
United Way Greensburg Fund will distribute contributions to agencies that will provide services to the tornado victims. Donors should make checks payable to United Way Greensburg Disaster Fund, and mail to United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water, Wichita KS 67202.
Donations also may be sent to Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, PO Box 3726, Wichita KS 67201, or call 800-REDCROSS.
Services
Thousands of volunteers from across the state and country are assisting Kiowa County and Greensburg as the area moves into the recovery phase. Infrastructure and services are being restored to the community and surrounding area.
Water is being restored in parts of the town but residents were reminded not to drink, shower, or bathe with the water until officials have determined it is safe.
Electrical power is being restored as quickly as possible.
More than 4,300 loads of debris have been taken to the local landfill. Many damaged and destroyed vehicles have been tagged and will be towed to a landfill. Owners will not be responsible for towing fees. Owners must coordinate with their insurance companies for removal of a vehicle.
Kansas National Guard Expeditionary Medical Support System is in Greensburg and will be used as the main site for all medical care until the Greensburg hospital can be rebuilt.
Residents of Greensburg, Kiowa County, and surrounding counties which had businesses impacted by the May 4 tornado will not have to wait for unemployment benefits.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed an executive order eliminating the required wait of one week before benefits can be received.
The order eliminates the waiting period for workers in Kiowa, Barton, Edwards, Phillips, Pratt, and Stafford counties.
The Governor also signed an executive order that suspends motor carrier rules for vehicles participating in disaster relief efforts in the following counties: Dickinson, Cherokee, Clay, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellsworth, Geary, Harper, Jackson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Lyon, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, and Wyandotte.
Firefighters are working to replace street signs. All mail is being forwarded to the U.S. Post Office in Pratt.
A Disaster Recovery Center has been established at Barclay College in Haviland to assist residents in obtaining a variety of services.
Federal Emergency Management Services have sent trailers to the area to serve as temporary homes to tornado victims.
U.S.-54 will remain closed indefinitely. Travelers on U.S.-54 will be directed by Kansas Department of Transportation and law enforcement officials at two road blocks — one in Pratt at U.S.-54 and U.S.-281, and one west of Greensburg at U.S.-54 and U.S. -183.
Greensburg residents, with proof of residency, will be the only vehicles allowed by law enforcement past U.S.-54 road blocks.
KDOT has provided a local building to be used as a law enforcement command center. The department also is providing 50 employees, 20 heavy equipment loaders, and 20 dump trucks to assist with clearing U.S.-54 and local city streets. KDOT also has brought in a mobile communications center to support law enforcement coordination.
Want to volunteer?
If people want to help with the recovery, the Red Cross is encouraging cash donations, or volunteers can check in at the Cannonball Chapter of the American Red Cross at 114 N. Main, Pratt.
