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by Jaiya Brown
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A small town in southeastern Kansas is beginning a long recovery after a reported tornado touched down Sunday evening in Sycamore, leaving widespread damage, knocking out power and sending crews working through the night.
Emergency management officials in Montgomery County said primary assessment teams found damage to multiple homes. Officials also confirmed one person was injured and transported to Wilson Medical Center.
Overnight, the Kansas Task Force worked to compile a list of affected addresses by 2 a.m. as crews pushed through debris to begin the cleanup process. Officials said 14 agencies responded, including the state fire marshal’s office and multiple fire departments, and said the unified command system worked effectively in a fast-moving situation.
Along Highway 75, nine power poles were snapped, leaving much of the town without electricity as crews continued working to restore power.
Officials said residents often must begin recovery on their own properties while help arrives. “Unfortunately, when things happen on a private residence. You know, it’s up to insurance companies and the resident to clean up their own mess,” said Rick Whitson, chief information officer and director of emergency management. “Now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t help, because, like I said, we have Team Rubicon, we got public works. We have a host of agencies. The Red Cross is en route here, so there’ll be a lot of people to help them, but there’s usually not federal assistance to come down and clean up your house.”
For resident John Redman, the storm upended a recent move. “We just put the shop up Saturday, I moved the camper out Saturday also brought the boat out. So everything was here. We’re finally in it, and Saturday at seven o’clock, or Sunday at seven o’clock, everything’s gone. The boat’s in a tree out there, and the campers in neighbor’s pasture, and it’s all replaceable,” Redman said.
Redman and his family had been in their new home for two months when the tornado struck, scattering belongings and damaging property.
As cleanup continues, officials said support is growing, with Team Rubicon helping with downed trees, the Red Cross en route and local crews stepping in to help. The National Weather Service office in Wichita is expected to arrive today to determine the strength of the storm as the full scope of damage comes into focus.
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