On Friday, June 16th, a powerful weather event struck the southern area of Van Zandt County, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. While the weather event has not been officially confirmed as a tornado at this time, the affected areas experienced high-speed winds that caused extensive damage to structures. As of now, authorities are still conducting a damage assessment, but no deaths or injuries have been reported.
The areas hit hardest by the severe weather include the Little Hope Community, the vicinity near Highway 19 and FM 1651, the area around Highway 198 and FM 3227, the region near Twin Lakes Tree Farm, and various parts within the City of Canton. Numerous structures in these locations suffered from the impact of the strong winds.
In response to the emergency, South Van Zandt County's emergency services were inundated with calls for assistance. From 3:30 AM until 2:08 PM, the South Van Zandt County emergency response teams received a total of 36 calls for service. To manage the situation effectively, assistance was provided by multiple departments from across the county, including the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.
The emergency crews, alongside the collaborating departments, worked diligently and swiftly to ensure that all calls were promptly answered and the affected citizens were taken care of. The efforts extended beyond the official response teams, with many civilians selflessly joining the rescue and recovery efforts. These individuals played a vital role in clearing roads and aiding in the overall recovery process. The authorities express their sincere appreciation for all the assistance provided.
If you have received damage to your home, register with Texas Department of Emergency Management iStat. This will assist the state in providing additional assistance and resources as needed. Use the link to open the iStat website.
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