An army of volunteers helps a city in Missouri to recover from Tornado | Kcur

Ryan Manso and his wife only lived in Rolla for two years and bought their house directly opposite Juan Park Only seven weeks ago.

But since his home was damaged by the Tornado, who swept through the city on Friday evening, he fell in love with his new city.

“I don't think I have ever felt a greater sense of community than here today,” he said. “I woke up this morning and called the shipping number to get help. Within 30 minutes there were two trucks and then a team of volunteers who help to clarify rubble.”

The 10 people in Mansos Hof, who are stacking on supporters on the trailer, are among the dozens of volunteer teams who send the city in the city to help home owners and companies to tidy up and recover from the tornado.

In addition to local volunteers, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief have set up all mobile command centers and help people to find protection and a hot meal. Missouri University of Science and Technology opened the Gale Bullman building for showers without power or water in their houses, and students of the civil engineering system help to assess structural damage.

“The congregation here was wonderfully supported,” said John Dungan, specialist for disaster programs for the American Rote Cross, which runs an animal shelter in the first Baptist Church in Rolla. “We each have our niche what we can do to help the needy, and in Rolla we all worked very well together.”

Rolla Public Schools canceled the lessons for the week because they evaluate damage to the primary schools Mark Twain and Wyman as well as in middle school. Other buildings are without electricity and the Internet. The district hopes to have a plan so that the students can return to class after the planned spring break.

With all the free time, some Rolla students started volunteering to help clean up.

“We can have the time. Said Emma Maurer, student of the Rolla High School.” It's really great to see how everyone comes out and help instead of just sitting at home. ”

Local companies too lent a hand. More than a dozen restaurants offered first aiders, pension employees and volunteers free meals.

Clifford Foster works for Cohen Woodworking, one of several companies who were free to have a paid day if they wanted to report voluntarily to support the clean -up work.

Half a dozen volunteers worked to get a tree and other debris from a car. Foster said he only hit the owner briefly, who could not stay to help because he had to go to work.

“This is my home and everyone is my family here,” said Foster about Rolla. “I would like to believe that they would do the same for me if my house was hit on the other side of the city.”

Zachary Clark lives on the other side of the street, from the Foster and the other volunteers to free the Kia soul. He said his street had been a non -stop parade of volunteers since Saturday morning.

“It is a nice thing that people can come together and help the community,” said Clark.

Clark's house is one of around 500 still without electricity in Rolla.

“These pines have come down and bubbled the roof and took off all of our electric lines.

With the immediate clean -up work in his house and nothing to do than waiting for the restored force, and a roof repair company that comes to him, he turns his attention to his neighbors.

“I bought a chainsaw so that I could help other people,” said Clark.

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