Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in Van Zandt, Henderson and Rains Counties on Monday, where four tornadoes touched down Saturday killing four and injuring scores of others.
Abbott toured the area Sunday and activated the Texas Task Force 1 and 2 teams to help. But, they are not the only people out in Canton helping search through debris.
At the request of the state, volunteers with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief team started arriving at Crossroads Church in Canton on Monday.
[NATL-DFW] Tornadoes Leave Trail of Damage Across Three Counties
Assessment teams will be on site, then two cleanup and recovery units will follow.
They will provide everything from chainsaw work, help with damage assessments and just overall support for those who lost everything.
Damage is widespread, and there is a lot of help that will be needed during what will be a long recovery. SBTC disaster relief teams said they will be in Canton for quite some time to help people affected by the tornado get back on their feet.
“I mean when you think about a disaster, people have lost everything and they don’t know where to turn, and a lot of folks don’t have hope and we just want to provide hope by helping people in Jesus’s name,” said Bill Bumpas, Southern Baptist of Texas Convention Disaster Relief.
A Chaplain and other critical support teams will be on site as well.
Disaster relief crews with Texas Baptist Men would assist with recovery efforts in Van Zandt County. The organization said they'll provide meals, chainsaw teams and shower units.
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Monday, the Salvation Army was expected to establish food trucks at Canton High School and the car dealership at Interstate 20 and Farm-to-Market Road 17.
Donations to support Salvation Army efforts can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or online at give.salvationarmyusa.org/cantontornado.
