Torrential thunderstorms, tornadoes touch down in Texas

Both voluntary and professional crews cracked dawn Saturday and Sunday for cleanup after a brutal tornado and torrential thunderstorm swooped over Cass County and touched down in Hughes Springs, causing major damage to the downtown area.

Crews assembled before the rooster crowed Saturday as they worked to remove debris and cut up trees.

Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy said Sunday SWEPCO and Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative linemen were out working to get power back on for residents in the eastern part of the city.

“I don’t know how long it will take but they are doing their due diligence,” Kennedy said. “Out in the county, we have numerous power lines down. The cleanup crew is here and has been doing a fantastic job.”

Bowie-Cass Electric, offered updates on their Facebook page Sunday and said linemen continued to work around the clock to restore power to the thousands affected.

“At about 10:30 p.m. … a transmission line from Simms to South DeKalb was restored,” one Bowie- Cass update read Sunday. “We went from 6600 outages to 3050 in 24 hours. All of our crews, along with six other crews from sister co-ops are continuing to work and we expect major progress. Unfortunately, we won’t get it all today.”

Those still without power should continue to check for updates on the Bowie-Cass Facebook page or Website.

The police chief said there is significant damage to Hughes Springs City Hall, with windows knocked out and a roof that will need replacing.

“But the fire station is totally demolished,” Kennedy said. Firefighter Randy Jones was the lone man inside the firehouse when the storm hit–-aside from the fire department’s beloved dog, Dixie.

Jones and Dixie rode out the tornado together. “He was able to get up under a fire truck to take shelter,” Kennedy said. “And Dixie, she survived, too.”

Since Dixie’s home was destroyed she was taken home with a member of the fire crew.

“I was really surprised,” Kennedy said. “I mean, it was a miracle they were able to survive that. We’ve been so very fortunate that we’ve had no fatalities or injuries reported to me so far.”

Many homes, vehicles, and buildings were destroyed or greatly damaged in Hughes Springs Friday night.

“City hall was surrounded by downed limbs and trees on the side near the park area and on South Pine,” a male observer said Saturday. “At South Pine, there was a downed power line beginning at East 1st Street that stretched down the front yards and driveways of residential homes on the cross street as far back as I could see from where I was parked at City Hall.”

Multiple power lines were strewn and tangled in trees, weaving all along the main strip.

“There are downed telephone poles, lines with junction boxes drooping over the road and trees uprooted and collapsed in yards and on roofs,” another man said.

Black splice boxes from downed lines were weighing down multiple cables on Saturday as well, a shocking scene.

Casey Taylor, whose son Travis traveled back home from just south of Fort Worth, had a team of friends and family coming to help with the thicket of tree limbs and debris surrounding Taylor’s home, which is situated near City Hall and the park.

Taylor’s camper was turned on its side and likely totaled, he said. A red, antique 1990 Dodge pickup sustained major damage, and Taylor’s wife Jodi’s car was also likely totaled.

As far as Casey Taylor was concerned, all that was just “stuff ”.

“That’s what insurance is for,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

It’s fair to say that even with all the aforementioned damage, Taylor seemed more relieved than anything: His wife Jodi Taylor was home alone when the storm hit their place. She took cover in the hallway of the home they share.

“My wife was here…alone,” Casey said. “That was all I cared about. All the rest of this stuff is replaceable…but not her.”

Kennedy said he felt God shining down Saturday in regards to there being no serious injuries or casualties in Hughes Springs reported to him. For such a brutal storm that did so much damage, it failed to claim any lives in Cass County.

Toni Walker, editor for The Steel-Country Bee (or The Bee, as it’s known locally) was on the ground covering damages throughout the Hughes Springs area early Saturday–-

but her day of coverage didn’t stop there. Walker also had to survey and report on major storm damage in Morris County, such as Cason, Texas, near Pittsburgh and the Rocky Branch area. ‘The Bee’ covers Morris, along with neighboring areas in Cass County like Hughes Springs and Avinger.

Walker and her camera are well known around these parts, as Hughes Springs first responders waved her on through toward the demolished department to discuss damage as she snapped photos here, there, and everywhere.

There was so much damage, it would send any good photographer spinning in circles just to try to document it all.

Billy Simpson, a local firefighter, and Walker looked grim as they spoke about the fire department’s destruction and the effect it was having on the local fire chief.

Walker held up well, but there was a deep sadness behind her eyes as she surveyed the scene.

“As a member of the local media, it’s my job to cover local news,” Walker told Journal-Sun staff. “When that news is such widespread destruction and affects people you know, it is hard. I go to church with folks affected by this tornado…I see them in the stores…it makes it even more important.”

“All of the Hughes Springs Firefighters are volunteers; They willingly give their time and effort to help and assist in the community,” Walker added. “To see the physical loss of property the department has suffered is heartbreaking. Now, it is time for the community to assist them,” Walker confirmed Sunday that Morris County had one fatality north of Daingerfield.

Due to the chaotic storm, there were unfortunately some headstones tipped over at Hughes Springs Cemetery, just off East Main. Some monuments were moved from their foundation, while other gravestones were pushed by high winds.

Kennedy was unsure Sunday if there were any tombstones or grave markers that were cracked due to the whirlwind, or if other cemeteries in the area had been affected.

“Hughes Springs and Douglassville areas both received significant damage to both homes and other structures in the storms this evening so please be safe and mindful when traveling,” Cass County Judge Travis Ransom said Saturday. “Emergency crews are working to canvas the areas with damage to check on residents. Please continue to pray for our county as we weather these storms.”

The police chief said an unusual increase in traffic through critical areas was a major problem for work crews at the beginning of the cleanup.

Traffic began gumming up the streets late Friday night near the fire department, city hall, and other nearby side streets almost immediately following the whirlwind’s departure, while emergency crews fought to gain control of a grim scene where they had to check–not only for damage and downed lines–but to make sure no one was hurt or killed in the turmoil of the twister.

Kennedy told Journal-Sun staff he spoke with KLTV’s Bob Hallmark on camera around noon Saturday to make a plea with would-be spectators about how the vast increase in traffic and rubbernecking surrounding critically damaged areas was impeding cleanup and work crew efforts.

The Chief of Police had stern words for those wanting to go sightseeing on such an important day–the critical first day of what will likely turn into several days of work, whipping Hughes Springs back into the shape residents recognize, know, and love.

“Ok guys, look I know everybody is curious about the damage here to Hughes Springs City Hall and fire station, and other places here but this needs to stop,” Kennedy addressed the public on KLTV’s video feed. “What you are doing is, you’re hindering the work crews and you’re placing in danger the work crews that are trying to get this stuff cleaned up.”

“So please…please, if you don’t have to get out–don’t,” he added. “This is dangerous. Someone is going to have a wreck here and you are going to cause more problems for first responders and volunteers.”

Kennedy told Journal-Sun staff he would likely enforce a curfew between 10:30 or 11:00 pm Saturday and possibly Sunday, to keep people out of heavily damaged areas where crews were working near city hall and the fire station, as well as other areas with significant destruction. The chief discouraged folks heading to areas such as the local Masonic Lodge–where bricks appeared to have been pitilessly plucked from the building.

Those who aren’t volunteers cutting up trees or clearing debris should also stay clear of areas where several large, elderly trees cover yards and ditches—violently twisted out of the ground beneath their roots by the tornado’s touchdown.

Kennedy said overall, he was touched by all the generosity and togetherness he was witnessing.

“The community has been great, even volunteers out of town,” the chief said. “It’s really been heartwarming to see the outpouring of help and support we’ve received in our community.”

Roger and Paula Westmoreland, offered to store city equipment and fire trucks after the raging tempest took out Hughes Springs Fire Station, Kennedy said.

“If you have been affected by the damage in our town and surrounding communities and need storage space, contact our offices,” the Westmorelands said in a statement through the ‘City of Hughes Springs’ Facebook page, as well as their personal page.

“We have space you are welcome to use. If anyone needs storage that’s not undercover, just secured, we can use the space in front of our shop that’s fenced up past the funeral home, too. Sending you all our prayers & support.”

Paula and Roger Westmoreland can be contacted through their offices: Roger’s Mini Storage at 903-6397256 and WD Storage at 903-639-7016, they said.

“The Westmorelands have been gracious in their offer to store firetrucks for us,” Kennedy said. “We are so thankful to them and the numerous other agencies that have offered to help out with clearing the road. It’s just really, really great that we’ve had the community and surrounding communities come together to assist this way.”

Area churches stepped up to help those affected by the storms. First Assembly of God Hughes Springs encouraged those in need of disaster relief to contact them at 430342-7360 and said they would be providing meals at the church from 12;00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The church was also set up as a Civilian Command Center for the disaster.

“We have multiple teams and still need more volunteers to help clean up, clear, and distribute items,” First Assembly posted on Facebook. “If you need help, shelter, clean up, food, or anything else, please call us. We have a trailer full of boxes coming” Kennedy recommended those looking to volunteer to get in touch with the aforementioned church.

Ransom said that those with damage visit iSTAT Damage Surveys Website, damage. tdem.texas.gov/ for a short video tutorial on how to submit damages to their residence or business property with the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool.

The American Red Cross Hotline listed for disaster assistance is 1-800-733-2767 and Cass County residents may also call the Texarkana Branch of the American Red Cross at 903-793-5602.

“I’m thankful that the damage wasn’t worse than it was,” Ransom said. “Grateful for first responders and volunteers who came together to clear roads and check on residents” Stephen Barnes, Hughes Springs city manager agreed. “Words cannot express the appreciation owed to members of our amazing community,” Barnes said in a release. “Churches, our fire departments and first responders–fire departments from other communities, and the many others that have helped with the recovery efforts so far.”

“Times like these remind us that we live in a great place surrounded by great people.”