EF1 tornado displaces residents near Lake Palestine, shelters open
COFFEE CITY, Texas (KETK) — Shelters have been set up for displaced residents after an EF1 tornado touched down near Lake Palestine on Thursday.
PHOTOS: Trees uprooted, buildings flipped after storms in East Texas
According to the National Weather Service, with maximum winds of 105 mph, the tornado touched down just southwest of Coffee City and largely stayed over the water. NWS said the path width reached a maximum of 480 yards.
The tornado reportedly traveled to the Lake Palestine Resort where trees were uprooted and RV’s flipped over, NWS said.
The path of Thursday’s EF1 tornado. Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.
On Friday, Smith County officials held a press conference at 3 p.m. at Bullard Methodist Church to give updates on Thursday’s severe weather.
Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Fire Chief Eric Greaser said that all the properties in the southern part of Smith County have been searched and they confirmed that there have been no fatalities and no homes destroyed.
Greaser also asked boaters to be cautious of any power lines if you go out on the water this weekend.
Smith County Judge Neal Franklin thanked the bridge and road department who cut trees from 20 roads last night. He also said that any residents can move debris out to the right of way and county workers will be able to haul it away.
According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, one person has been taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
NWS said six total injuries resulted from the tornado and two of those were taken to local hospital.
Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney declared a local state of disaster for the county following Thursday night’s severe weather. The disaster was declared in order take “extraordinary measures” to help residents of the county and the declaration won’t last longer than seven days.
On Friday, Smith County also declared a state of disaster.
As of Thursday evening, South Rather Street between Cain Street and West Main Street will be shut down for thru traffic until further notice, City of Bullard officials said.
SHELTER LOCATIONS
A temporary shelter has been set up at the Coffee City Civic Building and they are working to get power turned on there with a generator.
The Henderson County Senior Center at Regional Fair Park is also opening up as a shelter, according to Henderson County officials.
Smith County officials said the severe storms that hit Bullard at around 8 p.m. have left several residents displaced. A shelter location has been opened at Bullard Southern Baptist Church at 716 N. Houston St. People are asked to bring pillows and blankets along with any other necessities. The shelter will only take service animals at this time.
Starting on Monday there will be a disaster recovery center at Bullard City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They’ll be there to help affected residents get resources from groups like the Red Cross and the United Way of Smith County.
Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said that less than five people are currently staying at the Bullard Southern Baptist Church.
KETK’s Ashlyn Anderson spoke with a Coffee City resident live in the following video:
To send us any storm damage pictures or reports email us at tips@ketk.com.
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