Andover officials said Sunday that search and rescue teams and first responders have completed their final rounds through the neighborhoods damaged by the April 29th tornado. The storm damaged around 1,000 homes and buildings, but city staff continue the process of using GIS software to determine an exact number.

Four people had minor injuries from the storm, and there were no fatalities.

Andover police were restricting access to the hardest-hit areas by allowing only residents, requiring identification before letting them in.

Kansas Gas Service said it has restored service to the Velvet Leaf Court, South Lantern Lane and Reflection Lake neighborhoods.  Crews made final checks of the neighborhoods and left door hanger messages with information on how to call to have service restored.

Highway 54 was reopened to eastbound traffic from 159th Street East to Santa Fe Lake Road, and one westbound lane was reopened on Monday.  Another westbound lane was closed from Yorktown to Meadowlark.

The city is working on donation and volunteer programs.  Donations can be made to the United Way of the Plains through its web site at unitedwayplains.org   The United Way plans to lead and coordinate volunteer efforts.

Andover residents are being told to put tree limbs and green waste on the curb and city crews will pick it up.    The Butler County Landfill will offer extended hours and will waive fees for debris cleanup related to the storm.  The landfill will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information will be posted on the City of Andover Facebook pages as the cleanup continues.   City officials said in a statement:  “As they learned from the tornado that hit 31 years ago on April 26, 1991, the City of Andover still has many days, months and even years ahead of them in which they will continue to feel the effects of this recent tornado.”

[ photo:  Office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ]