Update 3/15: In Grain Valley, Jackson County Emergency Management will help clear debris in rural parts of the county. Residents should set out trees and limbs by the road on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The city is also sending chainsaw crews out for more assistance.
Jackson County residents can drop off tree debris at the Eastern Jackson County Yard Waste Collection Center for free. They have to prove they are a resident of the county.
Smithville is sending its chainsaw crews to harder-hit communities, like Oak Grove. The city's police department posted on Facebook that the community responded so well after the tornado that help is needed elsewhere. If there are disabled or elderly residents who still need cleanup help, call the city.
Oak Grove still needs non-perishable food items and clothing. Donations can be dropped off at Community Service League locations in Grain Valley, Independence, and Blue Springs.
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Before it's 150+ mph winds tore through Oak Grove, Monday night's EF3 tornado touched down 12 miles away in Grain Valley.
"I’m lucky to be alive. Why it didn’t take my house I don’t know I don't know," said Thomas Gilchrist of Grain Valley.
Gilchrist was in the living room at the time when he said his home lifted in the air and dropped back down.
Two of his barns on the 3200 block of E Major Rd. were flattened, but his pig somehow survived.
The tornado continued barreling toward Oak Grove, destroying Jason Williams’s home on the 7300 block of S Hardsaw Rd near the edge of Oak Grove.
“The whole house came up off the top and landed over there,” said Williams, a pastor at Valley Community Church.
Williams and his two sons, 11 and 8 years old, made the decision to head to the garage instead of the bathroom. Just 30 seconds after the huddled near their car, the garage double door blew out and the chaos began.
The side wall of the garage came down on top of us probably inches from our head. I had a church inflatable and we had my toolbox over here,” explained Williams. “It landed on those two things protecting us and the wall kind of covered and shielded us from all the debris that was flying.”
Williams says he is thankful to God that his wife and daughter hadn’t yet made it home from cheer practice. They were within a quarter mile when the tornado hit.
“It’s a miracle we’re not in the hospital or even worse, dead.”
Williams was renting the house. The homeowner does not have insurance.
“We can replace vehicles and a home and all these kind of things. It’s hard but we can replace those things, the most important thing is people,” said Williams.
Valley Community’s parent church Epic in Independence has setup a fundraising effort to assist the Williams family.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
