Some Garland Tornado Victims Endure Cold To Stay & Protect Homes
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Communities across North Texas continue to rebuild following deadly tornadoes over the weekend. Today workers, residents and volunteers will get some help from the search and rescue group Texas Task Force 2.
Volunteers from Ohio are expected to arrive with toiletries and other needed items. The American Red Cross will also open a shelter in Midlothian at Longbranch Elementary School. Donations are being accepted at the location Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
One of the hardest hit areas looking to rebuild is in Garland. The EF-4 tornado that hit the city Saturday killed eight people and damaged scores of homes. Tuesday some families in the area were still waiting for power to be restored.
Utility crews say it could be a few more days before the electricity is back on. Chances are you've seen the damaged homes, but some people who were fortunate not to lose everything say they are now worried about protecting what they have left.
Inside Jose Chavarria's home adults and children bundled up. While there is tornado damage all around, the circumstances weren't enough to force the family into a shelter.
While sticking around to look after his home and his personal belongings, Chavarria says he's watching out for his neighbors and their things too. "I've been doing to already, been trying to help out in the day to night. I'm trying to at least step outside and see if there's anybody that I don't know."
There are homes that look no worse for wear and others, next door or across the street, that are in pieces. With people's belongings just out in the open local police, sheriff's deputies, officers from other cities and counties, and even the game warden are among those on patrol in the area.
As of Tuesday afternoon there were still 600 customers in the Garland area that did not have electricity. Overnight, the Garland Red Cross Shelter housed its largest group since the weekend – 96 people.
Travis Koscheski is at the shelter. He says he survived the twister when it tore through his apartment complex. Having lost so much ahs left him in shock. "I'm living out of some plastic bags and a backpack. The rest of my stuff is over there," he said pointing. " I have no idea what kind of shape it is in. I got to do something about it - but that's just stuff. I'm just glad to be alive and uninjured."
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