Disaster relief organizations from Texas have stepped up to assist those affected by a series of tornadoes that touched down in the South and Midwest last Friday and Saturday.
At least 32 deaths were logged across seven states in the wake of a powerful storm system that swept across these regions on March 31 and April 1.
In Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency on Friday, and the National Guard has been mobilized.
“We ask that everyone be patient as we work to respond as quickly as possible,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. as he stood outside a tornado-ravaged fire station, per The New York Times.
That was one of many structures hit by the tornado that touched down in the Arkansas state capital on Friday.
A Circle K gas station on Rodney Parham Road lost its roof, back room, and garage.
“[It was] like a train, being hit by waves,” explained Brandi Pelkey, the store’s manager, who took refuge in the back of the store with other employees as the tornado hit, per NBC 5.
“It [was] like a power washer. Just the wind, debris hitting you. Just like felt like the power washer, the water spraying you. It burned,” Pelkey added.
In light of the disaster, Fredye Quain, a volunteer with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief team, arrived in Little Rock on Saturday.
“I’ve been blessed. Seeing these people out here that’s not blessed, it’s heartbreaking,” Quain said, per NBC 5.
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief team headquartered in Grapevine is one of many groups providing aid to those affected by the storms. Its volunteers are trained to handle both prepare for and respond to disasters, per its website.
Another disaster relief group based in Dallas, Texas Baptist Men, has deployed several of its units to the Little Rock area, per CBS News.
Relief efforts include preparing meals, providing mobile showers and laundry services, and clearing debris with chainsaws.
These deployments aim to bring help and hope to Little Rock’s residents as they begin to recover from the shockingly powerful storm.
“Never seen anything like this, ever,” said Brian Roper, a resident of West Little Rock, per NBC 5. “Never. Nobody has.”