Illinois Group Helps Farmers In El Reno Clear Tornado Debris

It's hard to see some of the tornado damage from the May 31 storms in El Reno, especially on farmland.

Debris is still scattered everywhere in wheat fields. It's harvest time for wheat farmers, so the rush is on to clear those fields of storm debris.

A group of church members from rural Illinois has traveled nearly 900 miles to help local farmers rebuilt after the tornado.

"We are from a farming community. Most of our group either grew up on a farm or lives on a farm," says Samantha Zumdahl, with the group called No Excuses Disaster Relief.

Nearly 30 volunteers spend Wednesday walking through 120 acres of wheat fields to clear debris.

A class picture from the early 1990s and a report card from 1978 was also found among the pieces of metal and tree limbs.

"No excuses" is clearing the fields for a farmer who lost his home on May 31.

"We wake up in the morning and we are going to work our butts off all day long," says Zumdahl.

No Excuses Disaster Relief arrived Sunday and will drive nearly 900 miles home on Saturday.

The church group will help people in Little Axe Thursday and Friday.