(KLZA)-- Atchison County, Missouri Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley had high praise for Atchison County residents affected by severe thunderstorms early Thursday morning during a brief conversation with MSC News Friday morning. 

Wiley said the amount of volunteerism in cleaning up the massive amounts of tree damage is great to see, noting that when one person gets their debris cleaned up, they move on and help their neighbor.

Wiley also praised the efforts of Atchison-Holt Electric and KCP&L for their efforts to get power restored.  At one point there were at least 1,000 Atchison County residents without power. Both utility companies have called in help from outside sources to help restore power as quickly as possible. It could still be into the weekend before some get their power back.