ELDORA - Pine Lake State Park reopens today, but much of the community still needs help as residents recover from a violent hailstorm.

Volunteers are needed to help clean up debris in Eldora, which was hit hard by hail and high winds Sunday. Some 3,000 residents lost power, and Gov. Chet Culver made an emergency disaster proclamation for Hardin County.

For information on how to help, call Eldora City Hall at (641) 939-2393 or call (641) 858-3901 to volunteer. Volunteers also can report to the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Eldora.

Camping at Pine Lake State Park will begin on a first-come, first-served basis. Officials shut the park while crews cleaned up.

The violent weather system dumped hailstones up to 3 inches in diameter across Hardin County. The park was busy when the storm hit, and many vehicles and campers were destroyed.

New reservations for campsites will be accepted beginning Monday. Reservations made previously still are in effect, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The lodges began accepting reservations Wednesday. The beach parking lot and beach also are open, though some debris remains in the area.

"Our crews have made tremendous progress, but there will still be signs of the storm and debris scattered throughout the park, beach and trails," said Greg Van Fosson, regional supervisor for Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau.

Van Fosson said he hopes the park provides local residents a place to "unwind from their daily stress" since the storm.