Volunteers helping Salado residents clean-up following EF-3 tornado

Volunteers helping Salado residents get back to normal following destructive tornado

After a tornado ripped through the Salado area, volunteers are now spending their Easter weekend helping residents in need.

BELL COUNTY, Texas - Volunteers in Bell County set up a call center inside the Salado Civic Center to respond to requests for assistance after an EF-3 tornado hit the area Tuesday.

"The calls are coming in," explained Precinct 2 Constable Rolly Correa, who is among those working at the center. "It’s a holiday, but it’s still something where there are people out there working hard to try to get their lives back together."

The center is also fielding calls from volunteers. They are matching donations of time, labor and resources with home and business owners' needs.

"People are just amazing. They just want to help," said Correa.

Philip Ballmann drove from Waco to assist with clean up on Friday. "I called the [call center] and they took my name and number and told me to show up and I got out here at 9 a.m.," he said. "I felt the need as a Christian it’s my duty to help other people."

Ballmann spent Good Friday cleaning rubble where the Victory Baptist Church once stood.

"I mean, it’s as good as it’s going to get," laughed Jeff Bohro.

Historic size? National Weather Service to study large hail found in Texas

After posting about the 5.5-inch hailstone on social media, the National Weather Service contacted her and asked Brown to preserve it, so they can study it.

Bohro’s uncle started preaching at the church 43 years ago, the year he was born. "It means a lot. My wife and I were married there. Baptized at the church down the road," he said.

Bohro says the family will rebuild. Most of the volunteers assisting them, like Ballmann are strangers.

"That’s what the whole church is about, love and helping thy neighbor, ‘Do unto somebody as you do unto yourself.’ So, it’s awesome to see everybody step together and come to help us out."

His uncle plans to host an outdoor Easter Service at the site Sunday. "That’s what he does every Sunday, that’s where he’s going to be at," he said.

For assistance in Bell County, call 254-534-4562. To volunteer or donate in Bell County, call 254-534-2217.

The call center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Salado church damaged by tornado still planning on holding Easter Sunday service

The Salado community is still cleaning up after a tornado ripped through the town on Tuesday. That's not stopping some churches from holding Easter Sunday service.

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