PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE

Friday, May 30, 1997

Tornado victims return to homes - what's left of them

By JAIME ARON / Associated Press Writer

JARRELL, Texas (AP) - Residents of the area wiped out by a wicked tornado were allowed back onto the remains of their property Thursday, somewhat relieved after learning the death toll was capped at 27.

Figures initially released by authorities indicated as many as 50 people may have been killed by Tuesday's twister, which churned at more than 200 mph and ate up about 50 houses in its 5-mile-long, half-mile-wide wake. It was the state's worst tornado in a decade.

Officials said Wednesday they had 27 bodies and were still trying to locate 23 people, dead or alive. By Thursday morning, 28 were presumed dead, but that figure was lowered when "somebody turned up safe," said Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Sherri Deatherage Green.

The confusion was caused because authorities had a list of names of missing people and a morgue with 27 bodies. As the names were matched to the bodies, officials realized that many people had been counted twice.

Many of the victims remained unidentified at the medical examiner's office in Austin because their body parts had been scattered by the storm.

"They believe the names and bodies will match up once they are identified," said Laureen Chernow, another DPS spokeswoman. "That process is extremely time-consuming because, unfortunately, in many cases the bodies are badly damaged."

By Thursday afternoon, four bodies had been identified. Justice of the Peace Jimmy Bitz was expected to announce more after confirming identities with relatives.

Rescue workers gave up searching for any other possible victims shortly before noon Thursday. More than 200 people unsuccessfully combed the swath Wednesday, but another, smaller expedition made a final, futile sweep before allowing residents to return to what's left of the Double Creek Estate subdivision.

Sheriff's officials then led a brief meeting to a packed house at the First Baptist Church, then allowed folks back into their homes. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, wearing the red ribbon that has become familiar, made an afternoon visit.

"It was very quiet, very solemn," attendee Diane Howell said of the gathering.

Many residents braced for the worst. Almost everyone in this community of about 1,000 located 40 miles north of Austin either lost property or knew people who did. They had seen pictures of the destruction and heard the stories.

"I know what I'll find: nothing. It's all vacuumed up - gone," said Charlie Boren. "I'm going back to see where my truck went."

A lot of people were furious they were kept out so long. Several complained that authorities harassed and even threatened them with arrest when they tried returning the previous two days. The DPS - which wasn't the lead agency but was handling the release of information - said it didn't know of any violence or arrests.

"We've had two days where we could've saved our furniture or something, but we've just been sitting here on our thumbs and waiting," Danny Hammett, holding his young daughter, Bonitta.

Clifford Tschoerner's parents lost their mobile home and wanted to get back in, but as the assistant chief of Jarrell's volunteer fire department he also knew it wasn't safe.

"It was still a pretty good mess out there yesterday," Tschoerner said. "There were people out there with motors trying to move out some of the bigger debris."

Case workers from several crisis centers around the state were working with victims. Counselors accompanied homeowners as they toured their property for the first time.

"We've seen a wide range of emotions thus far," said Angie McCown of the Austin police victims' services division. "We have a lot of people still in shock. I'm not certain people know how to feel at this point. There's still a lot of sadness and anger.

"But I think the community has done an excellent job supporting one another. I think that is pretty much the beginning of the healing process here."

Relief crews say they have more than enough food, clothing and necessities thanks to the rapid response of area residents and local businesses. But money is still needed.

"Donations will go to assistance for things from toothbrush and toothpaste to temporary housing and some semblance of a normal lifestyle," said Randy Ackley of the American Red Cross. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: