Amanda Guerra

Garland Residents Begin Tornado Clean Up

Residents asked to follow officers' directions and instructions in damage zones

Garland residents are sorting through piles of debris after an EF4 tornado tore through the town Saturday evening.

City officials confirm nearly 600 buildings and homes were damaged when the massive twister touched down at about 6:45 p.m.

Homeowner Justin Schuler was working inside his house when he heard the tornado approaching.

One of the largest tornadoes Saturday hit Garland, rated as an EF4 storm with winds measured higher than 166 miles per hour. People there who survived the storm have incredible stories.

"I heard the roaring, stepped outside and saw it coming this direction. I had enough time to get my dogs in my bathroom," Schuler said. "At first you don't believe it. I'm like, 'This isn't real.' Then it kicks in and you start running and reacting immediately."

Schuler said he grabbed his three dogs and took cover in his bathtub.

Chopper 5 toured storm damage in North Texas on Sunday. Tornadoes left paths of destruction in multiple communities.

"That's when all the power went out and everything was black. It just started hitting. The whole house started shaking. I thought the roof was going to come down, but luckily that was the only room that didn't collapse on us," he said.

Schuler said he had to climb out of his home, and when he finally got outside he saw his entire street had been destroyed.

"Once I came out people were screaming up and down the street. It was chaos," he said.

Garland city officials said eight people died in Saturday's storms – all of them on Interstate 30 near the President George Bush Turnpike.

Officials said the tornado, with winds topping 166 mph, picked up the victims' cars and tossed them several feet.

Schuler said he's just grateful his wife and 2-year-old child were not home when the tornado hit.

Residents in Garland spent Sunday trying to sort through what was left of their homes, but a cold rain soaked what was left.

As of Sunday evening several neighborhoods in Garland were still closed to residents, as utility crews worked to make sure gas lines were stable and power lines cleared from the roads.

Here is a list of neighborhoods currently open, as of 7 p.m. Sunday:

South of Locust Grove to include only the following streets:

  • Deep Canyon Drive
  • Anchor Bay Drive
  • Greenbrook Drive
  • 5200 – 5300 Kelso Lane
  • Blue Cove Drive
  • Anchor Cove Circle
  • Hollow Bend Lane
  • Hidden Court

Also, the neighborhood south of I-30, east of Peninsula Way is open. See below for a map illustrating which streets are open:

 
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TornadoSafetyUpdateMap-2015-12-27-5pm (Text)

Police said residents must be aware there is no power in the neighborhoods cleared to be open. People are asked to take extreme caution when driving or walking in the streets and must follow officers' directions.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter for displaced Garland residents. It is located at the Gale Field Recreation Center, 1701 Dairy Road.

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