(pictured at top): Responding to a medical emergency in Streetman, Texas is Air Evan Rescue on Friday, February 19, 2021. Freestone County residents are grateful to all the first responders and emergency personnel who worked so diligently during last week’s unprecedented winter storm. (Shae Garcia reporting)
A historical Winter Storm, now federally designated as a Major Disaster, hit Texas last week. Thousands in Freestone County were stranded without the basics of survival; warmth, water and food.
The County has suffered damage to personal and municipal property which will take an untold amount time to repair.
Very few things remained untouched during the week unusually long drop in temps that was accompanied by several days of “Winter Mix.”
(Photo by Shae Garcia)
As the sun came out and the temperatures started to rise, citizens felt a bittersweet sense of relief that was quickly followed with the mounting stress of the task at hand and the urgent fact that many are still in critical need of help. Disaster relief is long term, and will not come overnight.
Disasters can bring out the worst in people but, in Freestone County, it brought out the very best in so many.
People helping people on Highway 27 in Wortham, Texas this past week as a fellow motorist assists with pulling a car out of the ditch on roads filled with ice and snow. (Photo by Jennifer Lansford)
Both county and city agencies and private citizens pitched in to help in countless ways.
Fairfield set up a warming center at the Senior Citizen center to provide emergency assistance to the vulnerable.
Local Fire Departments distributed emergency water to those without.
plunging temperatures presented unique challenges for animals as well as humans. As the ground began to freeze, many searched for shelter and food. This mule had wandered from his one field-mate, a cow, to eat some green grass under an iced tree. (Shae Garcia)
Fairfield Nursing and Rehabilitation received generous donations from citizens to keep their residents healthy.
Freestone County Sheriff’s office highlighted a private citizen making firewood deliveries to those in need.
USING A DRONE, one Fairfield resident took this snow picture Friday morning, February 19, 2021 of Interstate 45 in Fairfield, Texas. The view is looking south along the interstate. (Photo by Billy Patterson)
This is just a short list of the ways Freestone County weathered the storm with the help of the resounding compassion and fast action of its residents and officials.
As of Monday evening, much of the electricity grid in Freestone County has been restored. Some are still without power.
Freestone County is under a boil water order until further notice. As this edition goes to press, the City of Wortham is still completely without water.
The Freestone County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday evening that bulk water has been distributed to the citizens Wortham and Dew. Water has also been distributed to Wortham, Teague, Fairfield and Dew ISD’s so that classes can resume this week.
The City of Wortham has also set up portable restrooms and hand washing stations for their citizens.
River of Life Community Food Bank in Fairfield and the Lord’s Community Storehouse in Teague will be working hard, this week and beyond, to distribute food to those experiencing food insecurity due to the winter storm and otherwise.
River of Life Community Food bank is open 10:00 am.-12:30 pm. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They can be contacted at (903) 389-5433 for more information.
The Lord’s Community Storehouse will be open for Teague Residents this Wednesday, February 24th from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.
If you have the means, please consider donating to your local food banks.
Monday evening, February 22, 2021 it was reported that Freestone County was approved for FEMA Individual Assistance. You can learn more about what expenses are eligible and apply for assistance by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by reaching out to FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.
“WE ARE FREESTONE COUNTY STRONG!” said Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley, “We still have a ways to go. Just because you may have heat… you may have water…your issues may have been solved…others in this county continue to be in need. We must stay committed to our neighbors. We must continue to assist those in need. We must continue to show FREESTONE COUNTY LOVE.”
If you have a story of neighbors helping neighbors, or if you would like to highlight how readers can assist Freestone County residents in need, please reach out to reporter1@freestonecountytimes.com.
Special reporting by Allison Leidy.
