Updates
- Happy to help
Volunteer Nell Hall was one of many friendly faces eager to help Mobile Food Pantry clients Saturday morning during distribution at the Granbury First United Methodist Church. Mary Vinson/Hood County News
- Young boys in lake transported to hospital
Two young Hood County boys, ages 7 and 8, who reportedly had been missing from their home since about 1 p.m. Sunday, were spotted in Lake Granbury shortly after 6 p.m. by an Oak Trail Shores subdivision resident who lives on Pecan Valley Court before being carried by first responders and a BRA lake ranger to two waiting ambulances and then transported from an address on nearby Lakeshore Drive to a hospital, according to officials and witnesses at the scene. Emergency scanner traffic indicated that the boys were wrapped in blankets because they may have had hypothermia, but an official as well as a witness said they were not in a life-threatening situation. The man who called 911 said the boys were trying to avoid being seen, and appeared to have been in water that was only about chin deep.
- Postal service asking those displaced by tornado to contact local post office
The U.S. Postal Service is attempting to coordinate mail delivery to those impacted by last week’s tornado. Officials ask that customers from the Rancho Brazos area contact the Acton Post Office to provide instructions for temporarily forwarding their mail to another address or arranging for in-person pick-up. Identification will be required for pick-up. The Acton Post Office is located at 5563 N. Gate Road. The phone number there is 817-910-2552.
- Brush yard open Sunday
Hood County will take brush and limbs Sunday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the brush yard, 1510 Weatherford Highway (FM 51 North). Have a county ID for proof of residency.
- Disaster assistance center open again today through Wednesday
The disaster assistance center for victims of Wednesday’s Hood County tornado damage, which opened for the first time on Saturday at the Granbury Church of Christ, 1905 W. Pearl St., is open today (1-6 p.m.) as well as Monday through Wednesday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.), officials said. The Hood County Emergency Management Office is coordinating its efforts through the center so that victims can have easy access to fill out forms for various insurance companies and contractors. Representatives from the American Red Cross and Mission Granbury will be there to offer services and to find out what is needed. No donations will be accepted there. Attendees must park off of Pirate Drive in the church’s south parking lot. Contractors and insurance company representatives should call the Hood County Fire Marshal’s Office at 817-579-3335 for more information.
- Congressman views tornado damage
U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, who represents District 11, was scheduled to view tornado damage at Rancho Brazos at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday. A staffer for the congressman said he had flown into D/FW after last votes were taken in Washington.
- Tornado victims asked to meet today at Church of Christ
Victims of Wednesday’s Hood County tornado damage are being encouraged to meet between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. today (May 18) at the Granbury Church of Christ, 1905 W. Pearl St., according to Stephanie Parker with the Hood County Emergency Management Office. The meeting will give the disaster victims easy access to fill out forms for various insurance companies and contractors. Also, representatives from the American Red Cross and Mission Granbury will be there to offer services and to find out what is needed. No donations will be accepted there. Attendees must park off of Pirate Drive in the church’s south parking lot. Contractors and insurance company representatives should call the Hood County Fire Marshal’s Office at 817-579-3335 for more information.
- United Cooperative Services sets up customer plan for tornado victims
United Cooperative Services, which had 1,037 meters out of power immediately after the tornado strike Wednesday evening in Hood County, made this announcement through Communications Manager Mauri Montgomery: “Our board of directors … approved a … measure to aid co-op members who have been displaced following the disaster. The funds will be administered through Operation RoundUp (an annual program made possible through the voluntary contributions of members who allow their montly electric bills to be rounded up to the next even dollar amount. The difference between the amount owed and the next even dollar amount is put into the program to aid members every day, all year long). We intend to distribute flyers at the Hood County Emergency Management meeting at the Granbury Church of Christ (9 a.m.-6 p.m. today, May 18, at 1905 W. Pearl St.).
- Water supplier giving a break to Rancho Brazos customers
SouthWest Water Company, parent company of Monarch Utilities – water provider for 128 customer accounts in the Rancho Brazos subdivision that was devastated by a tornado Wednesday evening – announced Friday that it is “suspending due dates and balances on current water bills until further notice for Rancho Brazos customers,” according to a statement issued by Director of Operations Ryan Quigley. The news release said customers who have questions are encouraged to call Monarch’s toll-free customer phone line at 866-654-7992. “Once we are given access to the subdivision, we will set up a temporary water-fill station at the water plant site (3708 Sundown Trail),” according to Quigley. “Rancho Brazos customers will be able to fill up water jugs at the fill station. With the level of destruction, any permanent repairs will take some time and we ask for the community’s patience.”
- Some information on tornado fatalities updated by officials
The names and ages of some of the six people who died in the Rancho Brazos subdivision east of Granbury as a result of Wednesday’s EF-4 tornado have been updated by Hood County officials. Here is the updated list, provided by the Sheriff’s Office: Robert H. Whitehead, 60, and his wife, Glenda Whitehead (age not available); Jose Tovar Alvarez, 34; Leo Stefanski, 83; Tommy Martin, 61; and Marjari Davis, 82. As of Friday afternoon, officials stated that there were no other people unaccounted for in the aftermath of the tragedy.
- Site holding dogs from tornado areas to be open Saturday, Sunday
Those missing a dog because of the tornadoes Wednesday can go to NewScope Marketing, 5845 Acton Circle, just off Industrial Avenue in Granbury, where the canines that have been found by Hood County Animal Control are being housed and cared for, Animal Control Sergeant Kelly McNab said. Or, go to the Animal Control facility, 240 Bray St., Monday through Friday. The Acton Circle location will be open for that purpose 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday (May 18) and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, McNab said. More than 200 animals were rounded up from the areas hit by the tornadoes, the sergeant said. The overall number includes about 150 dogs and 20 cats plus birds, gerbils, lizards and even a rooster. As of Friday afternoon, 27 of the 62 dogs taken to the Acton Circle location (which has only dogs) had been reunited with their owners. To claim a pet, you will need to describe the animal in detail and/or show a photo, and show your driver’s license. McNab said more than enough pet food and supplies have been donated. However, donations of cash or checks can be taken to the Animal Control facility or checks can be made out to Hood County Animal Control and mailed to: Hood County Sheriff’s Office, care of Animal Control, 400 Deputy Larry Miller Dr., Granbury, TX 76048. The pets not claimed will eventually be posted with a photo on a pet rescue website, www.petfinder.com.
- Sheriff: Rancho Brazos residents to be allowed back in
At a press conference Friday afternoon with the governor and attorney general, Sheriff Roger Deeds said that residents of Rancho Brazos will be allowed back into the demolished neighborhood on a limited basis starting Saturday (May 18). No media or business representatives will be allowed in, he said. On Saturday, residents can inspect what is left of their homes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., but they must register with the county fire marshal’s office first. That number is 817-579-3335.
- Attorney General: Tornado scammers beware
Visiting the ravaged Rancho Brazos area Friday afternoon (May 17) with Gov. Rick Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott warned that the force of the law will descend on any “unscrupulous” businesses that target tornado victims. Abbott said his office will “stand ready to take complaints and investigate and prosecute” any who engage in illegal business practices that bring further harm to the residents of Rancho Brazos. At a press conference held at the site of the destruction, Perry praised Sheriff Roger Deeds and other county and city officials for their handling of the disaster. He said that efforts are getting under way to coordinate state and federal aid.
