After destructive storm, Goessel asks residents to help document the damage
By Kate Devine
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GOESSEL, Kan. (KAKE) — As cleanup continues following Saturday morning’s powerful storm, Goessel city leaders are asking residents to help document the damage as emergency officials work to determine whether the community qualifies for potential state disaster assistance.
Residents are being asked to submit photos of damaged property, descriptions of the damage, volunteer cleanup hours and the amount of time equipment such as chainsaws and skid steers were used. The information will be included in a damage report being prepared for the state.
Crystal Burton said she first realized something was wrong after her home security system alerted her Saturday morning.
“I have a security system, and it went off a little before 9 o’clock in the morning. I’m wondering, ‘Okay, it’ll come back on.’ I got off work at 12:30, and it still wasn’t on,” Burton said.
When Burton returned home, she found a large tree on her property that had been struck by lightning.
“It could have been worse. I could have actually come home to no house or half the tree inside my window,” Burton said.
Denise Nickel was outside with her grandchildren when the storm rolled through.
“Saturday morning, we were out in the back of our yard playing with two grandchildren and two of their friends. All of a sudden, we saw it get really dark, and it wasn’t long before the wind was just more incredible than you’ve ever seen,” Nickel said. “The kids all went to the basement, and I think the scariest thing for me was that I looked out my kitchen window and above the tree line there was just debris everywhere in the sky.”
Nickel said the community quickly came together after the storm passed.
“There was a tree down here completely across the road and branches everywhere. Everybody was just incredible helping. There were chainsaws. The fire department was out right away getting the streets cleared so people could get out of their yards and down the street,” she said.
According to the City of Goessel, residents should submit:
The address where the damage occurred.
A description of the damage.
Photos of the damage.
Volunteer cleanup hours.
Equipment used and the number of hours it was operated.
Residents can send the information through the Get Goessel Facebook page or by emailing cityclerk@goesselks.com.
The city is also asking residents to place tree branches and limbs along the curb for scheduled debris pickup beginning Monday, with a second pickup planned later in the week if needed. Officials are encouraging residents not to haul debris to the burn site because muddy conditions could cause vehicles to become stuck.
Officials also remind residents to report low or downed power lines directly to Evergy and to stay away from the lines.
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