Just as East Texans were trying to dry out from a massive spring weather event, a second arrived rapidly on its heels this past week packing 70 mph winds, wreaking havoc and leaving thousands without power for several days.
The first storm system roared into East Texas on May 28 dumping several inches of rain and uprooting trees.
The second arrived Monday night (June 3) and produced more rain and even more dangerous winds.
As a result of the damage caused by these storms, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said homeowners in Smith and Van Zandt Counties, along with 32 other Texas counties, are eligible for federal assistance.
To apply, homeowners and renters can:
Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.
The deadline to apply is July 16.
WET GROUND, FALLING TREES
With the ground already saturated, trees snapped and fell onto power lines leaving nearly 100,000 people without electricity across East Texas Tuesday and Wednesday.
Work crews arrived literally by the truckloads, as hundreds of tree trimmers and electrical workers were busy around the clock clearing trees and debris and restoring power.
Saw crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System were busy clearing trees from roadways. County Emergency Disaster Coordinator Brandon Moore reported that out of the more than 300 trees down on 100 county roads from Monday night’s storm, nearly all Smith County roads were cleared enough to be drivable by late last week.
Dozens of trees in Lindale were felled by the storm and among the early damage reports was the roof on Pop’s Honey Fried Chicken in Lindale being blown off.
Workers reported they were seeking shelter in the walk-in cooler as the storms rolled through when they discovered the damage. The restaurant was able to continue operating and no injuries were reported.
Smith County Communications Director Casey Murphy reported emergency personnel responded to dozens of weather-related calls during the storm surge.
By Friday morning (June 7), an estimated 1,452 people were still without power, said Moore.
AMENDED DISASTER DECLARATION
Smith County Judge Neal Franklin issued an Amended Disaster Declaration on Thursday, June 6 to encompass damages from all severe weather during the last two weeks throughout the county, Murphy said.
The declaration read:
“Beginning May 23, 2024, the entire county has been hit hard by several storms, including severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, excessive rainfall and/or tornadic activity. These storms resulted in widespread and severe damages, injuries and/or loss of life or property.
Declaring a disaster allows officials and emergency management personnel to access additional resources to support operational needs, as well as allowing for additional resources to be made available to citizens.
A Disaster Declaration can also aid Smith County Emergency Management in helping get resources for residents who need it. That is why Smith County is asking anyone who suffered property damages from any of these storms to report them here: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/’’
Several county roads were closed due to flooding. These included County Roads 448, 336 at Wiggins Creek, 381, 471 at Prairie Creek and 498, as well as Farm-to-Market Road 1253 at CR 455.
(To see Smith County’s interactive map of current road closures, visit www.smith-county.com and click on the “County Road and Office Closures” button).
A shelter in Lindale was opened at the First Baptist Church and provided ice, ready-to-eat meals, water and tarps for those in need this past week.
Other shelters in the county were opened in Bullard and New Chapel Hill, Murphy said.
She said anyone still in need of assistance can call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4.
Smith County Emergency Management has asked that anyone sustaining storm damage during the past two weeks, please submit those damages to Texas Division of Emergency Management: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/
If you reside on a Smith County road and have trees down due to the storms, Smith County Road and Bridge can assist you by hauling off only tree debris, (no structural lumber, roofing or metal).
They cannot go onto private property so you must move the tree material that is cut into manageable sizes into the Smith County road right of way.
Officials have asked for patience as it will take a considerable amount of time to pick up all the material throughout the county.