SMITH COUNTY, Texas — Over the weekend, cleanup efforts continued in Henderson and Smith counties near the Lake Palestine Resort.
Residents in the Lake Palestine area said they're thankful to be alive after an EF-1 tornado touched down Thursday night, causing significant damage to docks, homes and properties.
Resident Lisa Trees said she wasn't there when the tornado swept through, but she said her husband and son experienced their trailer rocking and shaking.
"He just prayed that he said he didn't want to die that way. He hit the door and ran out and went and busted the window of the marina open and got in there to safety," Trees said.
For now, she said her family will be staying in a tiny home just yards away that didn't suffer much damage.
Many volunteers have showed up and helped too with companies bringing in water, food, and trash bags. One of the volunteers, Madeline Brooks, normally spends her Saturday nights enjoying the resort, but this past weekend, she was helping neighbors.
"Devastating, heartbreaking -- I mean people are still in shock. They still have nowhere to sleep," Brooks said. "They're bunking in with each other. The ones who don't have family are trying to find places to stay, but all the destruction is just heartbreaking and devastating."
Residents said there's still need in the community. They're asking people to drop off basic necessities like toothpaste, soap, food, gas, and other items to the Lake Palestine Resort.