Jacksboro turns attention to recovery after EF3 tornado rips through town
Power restoration, cleanup and school planning are underway in Jacksboro after an EF3 tornado ripped through the town Monday, injuring nine people, destroying homes and damaging schools, city and Jack County officials said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The tornado hit the town around 4 p.m. Monday, flipping cars and lining streets and yards with debris.
Some of the worst damage was along North Main Street, where the tornado ripped the roof off Jacksboro High School’s gym. The storm also tore off part of the roof at Jacksboro Elementary School and severely damaged the Jacksboro Animal Shelter.
There were no reports of serious injuries in the town as school officials said they were able to get students and staff into storm shelters before the severe weather hit.
Neighbors late Monday helped clear debris using chainsaws to cut tree limbs and neatly stacked them on the sides of residential streets.
One neighbor was bringing blankets to his mother’s house to keep her warm.
A shelter was set up at the Twin Lakes Activity Center, at 1114 Texas 59 in Jacksboro, and the Red Cross is expected to arrive Friday to help residents who want to file for financial assistance.
Jacksboro Police Chief Scott Haynes said power is being restored to much of the city, but that restoration has caused problems. Some downed power lines have seen electricity return, sending sparks out and causing small fires. Nobody has been reported injured, Haynes said.
One home saw some smoke in the building after power was restored, but the fire department said that was handled and nobody was injured and no permanent damage was reported.
Jacksboro schools Superintendent Brad Burnett said classes are expected to resume as early as Monday but more likely on Tuesday. The district will make a final decision and contact parents Friday afternoon.
Elementary students will be sent to non-school buildings for their classes since the elementary school building is unusable. First Baptist Church Jacksboro, Jacksboro Paris and Jacksboro Masonic Lodge will all host classes.
Officials said they are thankful for the phone calls and requests for information about how to help the community with which they have been inundated since Monday. They’ve set up locations for donations.
Jacksboro National Bank is accepting cash donations, but officials did not say how those cash donations will be used or to whom they will be distributed.
Other donations, like clothes, water, food and other items can be delivered to the Jack County Fair barn at 1072 Texas 59.
Any contractors coming to work on rebuilding or repairing homes, including reconnecting power lines that may have been disconnected from homes, will have to contact Jacksboro City Hall before beginning any work.
Jacksboro Fire Chief Jeremy Jennings said homeowners requiring contractors to register at city hall will help protect them from scammers and others who may be coming to the community to cause harm instead of good.
For residents and local business owners, an “Insurance Village” has been set up at the Church Of Christ, Jack County Judge Brian Umphress said at the news conference. The Texas Workforce Commission has also set up shop at the church to help residents and businesses with financial assistance if they lost their ability to work because of the storm.