Some Garland Storm Victims Frustrated With Limited Home Access
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GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Frustration is building in the city of Garland, where some victims of the weekend tornadoes say they're running low on food and supplies. According to some people, police have told them that if anyone leaves their home they won't be allowed back in.
You could put people who lived in the path of the Garland tornado into two categories – some 100 individuals whose homes were completely destroyed and many more who live in the damage zone but whose homes are considered livable.
Some wanting to get supplies and help for people impacted by the storms say they're hitting a roadblock.
Officials with the City of Garland opened up several roads Sunday night, but others remain closed by a security checkpoint. Bobtown Road in Garland crosses through one of the hardest hit areas. Along the street downed power lines and debris are the primary concerns.
While police are escorting some residents inside the perimeter to gather belongings, people are not able to move freely.
Storm victim Mike Easly says he tried multiple times to get out of his damaged neighborhood to gather basic supplies, like a generator and food, to take back in for people who are able to stay at their homes. Easly says authorities turned him away and explained that if he left he would not be allowed to return.
Easly says he would like to see restrictions eased for people who can prove residency or provide identification that verifies they are legitimately in the area to help.
"One of the individuals that came to the check point with supplies was a sworn police officer and he was not allowed in the area either," Easly said frustrated. "He was bringing in provisions for his parents, along with a generator."
Garland police and emergency management will meet at 8 a.m. to discuss today's plan. Some officials have said that as the days go by it will be increasingly hard to keep people away from their properties and they see the restrictions easing up.
The other big concern in Garland is cleanup. Not only were 600 buildings damaged by the EF-4 tornado, but an estimated 100 homes were also destroyed.
The scope of the destruction is so widespread; many areas are not yet secure - meaning officials don't know what kind of hazards may be there. Utility crews are working to stabilize gas and electrical lines in the area. The utility repairs will need to be done before heavy equipment can be brought in to salvage, clean, and repair homes and businesses.
Anyone who is a storm victim in need or is looking for the latest community updates, as well as individuals outside of the storm's path who want to make donations or volunteer can log on to the "Garland, Texas Tornado 2015 Relief" webpage and get all the information you need.
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