LINWOOD, Kan. — People from across the community are lending a helping hand after an EF-4 tornado tore through Linwood, Kansas, on Tuesday .
“People just came," Basehor-Linwood Mentors Director Tammy Potts said. "They saw the need and they came."
With a little extra help, Linwood is beginning to pick up the pieces.
LISTEN: Kansas City shows resiliency after devastating tornadoes
“It just kept raining and then all of the sudden it go quiet and we couldn’t hear anything, except then you could hear the train," said Margot Woolf, whose house was struck by the tornado.
Woolf said 80 percent of her home was damaged by the storm, but she's thankful to be alive and grateful to have a community ready to help.
“We see all of the people coming in and out and in and out, and truckloads of water," Woolf said. "Some came by our house even and just left water."
The Basehor-Linwood School District also stepped up to help, collecting donations to be distributed to those in need.
“By 10:15, we had our first full truckload — and I’m not talking a little truck guys, I’m talking a huge truck, huge trailer on the back," Potts said. "That was one of 20 that we filled before the day was out."
From the high school, donations were taken to Linwood Elementary, where they were distributed to victims who couldn't leave their homes.
“They’ve just been so grateful and thankful and they’ve lost everything, so for them to thank us for doing what I think we should as a community is spectacular," volunteer Paige Pruitt said.
Potts said cleaning supplies and gift cards are the biggest need.
Donations can be dropped off at Basehor-Linwood High School on Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
