Monetary Donations Needed for Van Tornado Relief

VAN — On Friday morning, Van city officials announced the American Red Cross has closed the shelter for tornado victims at First Baptist Church in Van. As of Thursday morning, all displaced residence had been placed in temporary housing. People still in need of assistance are urged to go to the Van Church of Christ, Van Assembly of God or the Van Community Center. According to KETK, all volunteers are to report to the Van baseball and softball fields located on North Maple Street. Food donations can be taken to the East Texas Food Bank, in Tyler, but please specify if you want your donations going toward Van residents. Clothing donations can be taken to a large warehouse located at 901 South Oak Street in Van.Monetary donations can be made at any Austin Bank or Van Community Ministries Tornado Relief Fund.

Cleanup is continuing in Van following Sunday’s EF-3 tornado that left two people dead, close to 500 structures damaged, and around 100 homes destroyed. Over 300 volunteers checked in Wednesday. Allen said during a news conference Wednesday that a waiver the school district had applied for with the Texas Education Agency had been approved and classes would be cancelled for Pre-K through third grade students for the remainder of the school year. Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams made it official Wednesday afternoon. The Van Independent School District has canceled classes for the rest of the week amid damage to campuses. Allen also said that the EF-3 tornado that hit Van left behind about $40 million in damages. He says authorities will be watching for profiteers preying on people struggling to recover.