Mayor Todd Gottel has declared a state of disaster in Rowlett. Around 7 p.m. Saturday night a large tornado ripped through parts of the city mainly in the areas of Lakeview Parkway, Dalrock Road, Scenic Drive, and Chiesa Road.
Multiple neighborhoods were damaged and several houses were leveled with only a foundation remaining because of the natural disaster. Several residents have been put out along with pets and some have lost everything.
City officials are asking people to stay out of Rowlett, for now, until roads are cleared and damage is assessed. At 8:30 p.m. a Facebook page, DFW Scanner, said the hardest hit area was south of Lakeview between Chiesa and Dalrock. At 9 p.m. it was confirmed that Dalrock and Lakeview were closed going into Rowlett so first responders could help those in need.
The city released a statement on Facebook saying the best way to help right now is stay home and stay off the roads. Residents who want to volunteer are asked to stay put until the city can organize volunteer efforts. Red Cross has set up a temporary location at Steadham Elementary in Rowlett, 6200 Dandridge Road.
Multiple cities have helped with damage and victims in Rowlett including Sachse, Murphy, Garland, Dallas, Richardson, Wylie and Rockwall County. Power in certain areas was out during the storm but is starting to come back after Oncor began taking care of downed power lines. Lake Pointe Medial Center is at capacity according to Mayor Gottel.
The Home Depot in Rowlett is staying open all night, if necessary, to help anyone needing tools or supplies. Gottel said the only way to help is to report any damage form the tornado.
The city of Garland confirmed Saturday night that five people have died after a tornado hit the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and Interstate 30 around 6:45 p.m. The Rockwall Police Department said Westbound I-30 is closed but Eastbound I-30 is open.
A few shelters have been set up in Rowlett for families who have been put out by the disaster:
Rowlett Community Centre, 5300 Main Street (Next to Rowlett High School), 972-412-6170
Is there a central location where people can drop items such as trash bags, work gloves, anything else that clean-up crews will need? Water? Snacks? Various communities around the Metroplex could put out a call to friends, neighbors and on nextdoor.com and have someone with a truck deliver. Prayers are with everyone in the affected areas.
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Is there a central location where people can drop items such as trash bags, work gloves, anything else that clean-up crews will need? Water? Snacks? Various communities around the Metroplex could put out a call to friends, neighbors and on nextdoor.com and have someone with a truck deliver. Prayers are with everyone in the affected areas.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.