KANSAS AND MISSOURI TORNADOES

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 6, 2003 by Tim Hrenchir Capital-Journal

By Tim Hrenchir

The Capital-Journal

Topekans from the Kansas Insurance Department and local chapters of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army were working Monday to help victims of Sunday's tornadoes.

Kathryn Allen, deputy executive director of the Topeka-based Kansas Capital Area Chapter of the Red Cross, said the chapter sent two volunteers in a mobile meals truck to Wyandotte County on Monday to provide free meals in an area hit by a tornado.

Allen said her chapter also assigned a liaison to an emergency operations center in the affected area to monitor needs that the chapter could help meet. Numerous other Red Cross volunteers in Topeka were on alert and ready to help if called upon.

She said the best way for Topekans to help would be by donating money to the Red Cross Kansas Tornado Relief Fund. Donations may be mailed to the local Red Cross chapter's office at 1221 S.W. 17th, Topeka, 66604.

Capt. Paul Duskin, commander of the Topeka corps of the Salvation Army, said tornado relief donations of money, bottled water, sports drinks, packaged snacks and cleaning supplies were being accepted Monday at the agency's Topeka Corps Community Center, 1320 S.E. 6th, Topeka, 66607.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger said her department was pooling all of its resources to help residents of seven storm- damaged Kansas counties.

"I want to assure storm victims that my department has been contacting all insurance companies doing business in Kansas to make sure they have adjustors here immediately," Praeger said.

She encouraged Kansans who suffered storm losses to call her department's consumer hotline at (800) 432-2484 if they have trouble reaching their agent or company.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at (785) 295-1184 or threnchir@cjonline.com.