STANLEY, Wis. —  Seth Proctor left the Twin Cities area early Thursday morning.

By 8:30 a.m. he was helping remove fallen trees and limbs around the small Chippewa County community.

“My kids live here and I know a lot of people in the community,” Proctor said after he finished sawing a fallen tree. “It’s hard not to help out when you know so many people.”

Stanley was hit by a severe storm Wednesday evening. Part of a massive weather system that spawned tornados and other severe weather across the midwest and Wisconsin.

The one-tie resident of the Stanley said the damage was extensive.

“There are trees down, houses with roofs missing, buildings that are completely gone,” Proctor said. “It’s just devastation.”

Jason Bergman saw not only his home damaged, but a new camper was destroyed in the unusual December storm.

“My trees were here but we took them down this morning. They were on top of his house. Blew away,” he said pointing across the street at a badly damaged home. “That’s what’s left of my brand new camper sitting there. It flew from all the way other there on the side of the pickups.”

Groups of people residents and firefighters — many from surrounding communities — moved around neighborhoods, offering help where they can.

“That was the best part ever, waking up this morning at daylight and just everybody showed up,” Bergman said, pointing to a group of firefighters across the street. “All those guys just showed up over there and they’re going to help now.”

Bergman, Proctor and others all say Stanley will rebound from the storm damage with the help of the entire community.

“I feel terrible for the residents; you’re helpless. There’s nothing you can do when it comes to this type of storm,” Proctor said. “But to come back [and help], who wouldn’t?”