One location where MDS local and regional units are active is Gassville, north-central Arkansas,

MDS Region III Directors, Wilbur and Mary Litwiller, are working with locals MDS volunteers. Wilbur commented that things are busy, and that it is “very rewarding to see the fantastic work that the men were doing with skid loaders, dump trailers, rakes and shovels. These were men and boys from Missouri and northern Arkansas.”

Approximately 3-4 skid loaders and 5-6 dump trailers were being used, mostly to clean debris in house yards.

The Litwillers said that during one day alone they saw significant change, noting that Ted Hostetler and Stanley Hostetler did a great job of organizing and keeping the 70-plus men busy.

Time was spent visiting with home owners and hearing their stories, including the owner of the trailer park. That park had 50 homes and 90% were destroyed. They also touched base with Red Cross, FEMA and Salvation Army, leaving contact information as they all look toward long-term recovery. “It appears that clean-up now and maybe later, and some minor repair might be all the help the Gassville would need for now.”

Wilbur noted that most people are insured. A small group of MDS volunteers are expected today and tomorrow to hopefully finish up basic cleanup and to see what additional ways they may be of help.

MDS also investigated and surveyed the damage in Ash Flat, several miles east of Gassville. The tornado hit in the rural area, east of the town, where there is a lot of tree damage but not nearly as much as Gassville.