Garland Disaster Center Will Remain Open For Tornado Victim Assistance
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GARLAND (CBS11) — Just over a week after an EF-4 tornado hit Garland, the recovery picks up steam Monday. Crews will start removing debris in the morning.
Garland officials anticipate it will take several weeks to go through the neighborhoods. They're asking homeowners to put the trash out by the curb and not in alleys.
If you take a walk up and down the worst hit streets, you can see how much volunteers have been able to accomplish clearing debris and getting it ready for pickup, but a lot of work remains to be done. That's why relief workers are preparing for another week of recovery efforts.
For the past week, members of the Gegbe family have been slowly going through the remains of their Garland home trying to salvage anything they can. When nearly a dozen volunteers from Operation Blessing showed up to help, the work suddenly went much faster.
"They have done awesome because this is a big job. To pack all these things, this is awesome. The love they showed us, they are awesome. They are wonderful," Cecilia Gegbe said.
The Joint Disaster Management Resource Center at Garland's Granger Recreation Center has been deploying volunteers after identifying homes that need them. Gegbe was able to register Friday, and her family was also immediately eligible for financial relief.
"We went there. We registered, and we went to Red Cross. Red Cross was able to give us some cash money," Gegbe said.
The Red Cross serves as a starting point. Then dozens of other nonprofits and faith-based organizations are also on hand to help.
"The Buddhists, they are awesome. They gave us $300, and then the Islamic people gave us $100" Gegbe said.
For some like Cathrine Armstrong, this is the first opportunity to make it to the center.
"I heard today was the last day, and I've been digging out at my house for a week, every day from sunup to sundown," Armstrong said.
That's why organizers have decided to keep the center open through next week to continue serving those just learning about the resources available.
The center has had a huge turnout of volunteers thanks to the holiday and the weekend, and they want to encourage people to keep coming out next week when fewer people may be available because of work schedules.
The Joint Disaster Management Resource Center is located at 1310 W. Avenue F, Garland, TX 75040.
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