Men from youth with a mission (garden valley) use saws to clear a tree in the road west of Lindale on fM 16

1. Linda community begins cleanup after suspected tornado
2. Lindale family details experience during tornado

A line of severe storms moved through East Texas on Friday evening, spawning a suspected tornado in Lindale that left a path of debris in its wake. 

The shopping center housing Dollar Tree and Hibbett Sports on Main Street and a neighborhood on the northeast side of town appeared to be hardest hit.

However, as of late Friday, only minor injuries had been reported.

“I cannot verify a tornado touched down,” Lindale Fire Chief Jerry Garner said. “We do have widespread damage throughout the central and east part of the fire district.”

Houses on Gregory and Vivian streets saw significant damage, and fire department officials were not letting anyone into the neighborhood as they worked to clear debris.

“We have numerous trees down on FM 16, numerous power lines down,” Garner said. “We have additional resources, such as county road and bridge and TxDOT attempting to clear roadways.”

Crews and volulnteers worked in the dark, using chainsaws to clear downed trees. 

The area near the city’s schools also saw some damage, including a tree that fell on a house.

The Lindale High School baseball team was in Whitehouse for a game, that ended up being canceled because of the weather. They returned to find the rolling batting cage toppled on top of their cars in the middle school parking lot. 

Late Friday, the Smith County Road and Bridge Department asked all of its avaialble employees to report to work as soon as possible to help with storm cleanup. 

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., Smith County Judge Joel Baker announced on Twitter he was issuing a disaster declaration for the county as a result of the storms. 

Officials with the American Red Cross Serving East Texas opened a shelter at First Methodist Church, 402 W. Hubbard Street in Lindale.