Holly Lake Ranch picks up pieces after tornadoes

Published 2:36 pm Friday, May 6, 2016

 

HOLLY LAKE RANCH – A series of tornadoes that roared through East Texas more than a week ago continues to test the resolve of those caught in its path.

When the April 29 storm tore through the region, its fury seemed eerily familiar to a deadly weather system that hit Van on Mother’s Day almost a year earlier, killing two as it shattered schools, neighborhoods and peace of mind.



This most recent round of wicked weather toppled thousands of trees in multiple counties, damaging homes, cars and power lines and leaving entire neighborhoods cut off from help.

Many in the Wood County community of Holly Lake Ranch are breathing a sigh of relief as they come together to pick up the pieces.

“We had an EF-2 tornado come through,” General Manager Jim Horn said. “We have seven houses that are uninhabitable and about 150 damaged. Interestingly enough, not a single injury was reported.”

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Roughly 4,000 people were in the path of the storm, which first plowed through Lindale about dinnertime and continued on a 27-mile trek through neighboring counties.

Days into rebuilding efforts, many Holly Lakers are still marveling the miracles.

Ralph and Nelda Hendrick, married 52 years, weathered the storm in a small, windowless bedroom as large trees and limbs crashed around their modest home.

The structure was barely visible last week amid the jungle of fallen trees and vegetation that filled the yard.

“We’ve been blessed; we didn’t even lose a shingle,” Hendrick said. “That thing didn’t so much as break the screen on the porch. God’s hand was on us … not a drop of blood was shed in this whole thing.”

Security Chief Brian South heads up a 16-member department that deals with everything from snakes to speeders.

The recent bout of bad weather put South and his team on the front lines of helping mitigate a natural disaster, described as the worst during his 23-year tenure.

“Trees and power lines were everywhere,” South said recalling the moments after the storm. “You couldn’t see. We couldn’t get back there by vehicle … That night, even I got lost. It looked totally different out there.”

Lt. Kevin Welch, a 12-year security officer who spent years working as a paramedic, was among the first to respond to the emergency and found roadways transformed into a maze of fallen trees.

Outfitted primarily with a flashlight and a strong sense of direction, he crawled through the debris to search for injured and trapped residents.

“He got through on foot,” South said. “He found a family back there scared to death and walked them out. So many people were calling us, asking us to go check on people. One thing that really helped us was, neighbors checking on neighbors and then relaying information back to us … it helped us to go check houses quicker.”

Lt. Josh Lewis, a former military canine officer, had just completed his shift and arrived home in Lindale when the storm roared through.

After the danger passed, he jumped in his truck and headed back to work, embarking on a two-hour journey that normally takes about 35 minutes.

He grabbed a chainsaw and headed into affected areas to help clear roadways, then joined efforts to install tarps on roofs and conduct door-to-door welfare checks.

“All these people out there are like my family,” Lewis said last week. “I wish I could do more. And if I didn’t have to sleep, I’d be out there right now cutting trees.”

South said every officer pitched in that night and throughout the following day, expressing special gratitude to the men who held down the phones and calmed jittery nerves.

Upshur Rural Electric crews worked around the clock for days to help restore power, aided by workers summoned from neighboring counties and states.

The initial estimate suggested it might be two weeks before power could be fully restored, but most residents were enjoying hot showers again four days later.

“At least 20 trucks came through one day, including two 18-wheelers with power poles,” South said.

Horn, the administrator, said the nearby Silverleaf Resorts responded to the emergency by opening up more than 60 unoccupied timeshare units for temporary housing, alleviating concerns about where to put displaced families.

Officials said there’s no way to thank everyone who helped, although special appreciation was expressed for Gordy’s Roofing, Lee’s Trees, Texas Baptist Men, Briggs Home Repair, C&B Electric, Summit Heights Church, Holly Brook Baptist Church, Lion’s Club, Red Cross and Holly Lake maintenance workers and volunteer fire department to name just a few.

In the minds of some lake residents, the storm may have torn up property, but it also strengthened relationships.

“I’ve seen more people helping each other than I’ve ever seen,” said retiree Andy Hasty. “I’ve gotten to know my neighbor much better since all of this.”

TWITTER @ TMT _ Jacque