One dead, three hurt after tornado strikes Westmoreland

Update 5:30 p.m.: More than 500 mutual aid volunteers from neighboring counties and agencies have come to the Westmoreland area to assist with cleanup efforts Wednesday.

“People are working very well together. We have more than enough resources and help. The response has been a bright spot during a dark time for our town. We appreciate all the volunteers, emergency responders, and essential personnel who are helping us navigate our recovery from this disaster. In particular I would like to thank the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Great Plains United Methodist Disaster Response Team, for their rapid response in our time of need,” Mark Jack, Mayor of Westmoreland said.

Update 1:00 p.m. The Salvation Army is providing lunch and dinner Wednesday, May 1 for Westmoreland residents and volunteers on the west side of the Law Enforcement Center, according to a release from Pottawatomie County Public Information Officer Becky Ryan.

Due to debris removal efforts, access to the affected area is restricted. Residents are encouraged to place debris near the roadside to be collected by volunteers, city and county crews. Ryan said volunteer assistance is appreciated, but no heavy equipment is required. Volunteers should register at the Law Enforcement Center, 108 N. first Street. As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, more than 175 residents are in Westmoreland helping with debris cleanup.

Update 11:50 a.m.: The Red Cross shelter has been relocated to the Westmoreland United Methodist Church at the Ed Building at 109 Main St. The shelter at Rock Creek High has been closed.

Update 10:45 a.m.: A Pottawatomie County spokeswoman provided updates on the storm that struck Westmoreland. Currently, power has been restored to most undamaged areas of the city and the water service is working normally.

The County Recycling processing building and the Buildings and Grounds office building located at 407 Campbell Street were destroyed.

PIO Becky Ryan says access to the devastated area is limited. Residents are being asked to place debris on the side of the road for city and county employees to pick up. Roads will be closed while debris is being cleaned up.

A temporary shelter is being staged at the Westmoreland Community Center at 201 Main Street. Anyone impacted can call 1-800 RED-CROSS.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY ( KSNT ) – As of 9:45 p.m., the entirety of Westmoreland is without electrical power. County offices are running on emergency generators. Becky Ryan, the Pottawatomie County Public Information Officer said Evergy and Kansas Gas Service are in town working to restore services safely.

Pottawatomie County is accepting donations at the Westmoreland Community Center, 201 Main Street at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 1.

One person is confirmed dead and three were hurt after a tornado hit Westmoreland Tuesday afternoon.

According to Ryan, one person was killed after a tornado hit Westmoreland. At a news conference Tuesday evening, she confirmed that three Westmoreland residents are being treated for serious injuries.

Pottawatomie County officials say five outbuildings and 22 houses in the north part of Westmoreland are destroyed or deemed “unlivable” and an estimated three RV’s were damaged at an RV park. An additional 13 residences and a commercial building were damaged.

A temporary shelter is now open at Rock Creek High School for residents who are displaced. The American Red Cross is operating the shelter. The Salvation Army will also be responding to help care for the emergency responders.

A 9:30 p.m. curfew has been issued for the town of Westmoreland to increase public safety. Tri-County Waste announced will not be removing trash in Westmoreland on Wednesday, May 1 and for an unknown time frame.

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