Clean-up efforts continue in Rock County after historic tornado

 

EVANSVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- People in Rock County have been cleaning up for the last three days after an EF-2 tornado ripped through on Thursday night.

It was the first-ever February tornado in the state.

Some of the damage is devastating, but recovery efforts have been swift.

"I think everybody thought Friday morning, looking at the damage, that we're in for a big job here, and sitting here Monday morning, things are looking much better," said Evansville Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Larson.

Thursday night's tornado cut through 25 miles.

Since then, neighbors have been helping in any way possible.

"I don't know how to run a backhoe, but I know how to feed people and get people here to help," said Makenzie Schoenenberger, vice president of Evansville Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni.

Evansville FFA have rallied more than 100 people to help clean up.

"They'll just pull up and say, 'where do you want me?' We don't know who they are, and they just jump in and get to work," said Austin Schmelzer, a board member at Evansville FFA Alumni.

The Evansville Fire District has been collecting and distributing water, snacks, trash bags and other donations.

"The people that were hit the hardest, you know, are just overwhelmed with support, and so it's really kind of lessened the burden on everything," Larson said.

For several properties, the hard work isn't over yet.

"People are still kind of waiting for insurance adjustments, so there will be more cleanup to come," Schoenenberger said.

Evansville's assistant fire chief said the department has received plenty of snack and water donations.

Moving forward, they just ask neighbors to help neighbors with clean-up efforts.