HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Hot Springs residents continued to clean up the widespread damage caused by an EF-2 tornado earlier this week.
The storm caused extensive damage to a trailer park home near Amity Road. The strong winds blew over dozens of trees, crushing homes and vehicles.
Those living in the area remember the moments the tornado struck down.
"The wind started blowing, and hail was coming down," Trailer home park manager Melody Walker said. "Then the trees fell over."
Walker and Lacy Bouton are neighbors who live along Shannon Lane in Hot Springs; both saw significant damage from the EF-2 tornado.
“Within a few seconds, I heard the loudest crash I've ever heard,” Bouton said.
The damage at Bouton’s home is shocking. Neighbors said the largest tree in the community toppled over into their house and left considerable damage. Bouton and her family were devastated to see the reality of what the storm left behind.
"It fell not only in the house, but completely demolished both of our cars," Bouton said. “It was a lot. It was hard to take in, and it's been hectic trying to move forward.”
Everyone at the trailer home park is trying to put the storm in the past. The landlords sent crews to help clean up, and the City of Hot Springs is also assisting.
"It's going to be more than a one-day process around here," Walker said. "The city was here. They were getting limbs, but their truck was so loaded that they had to leave and run back and forth."
The City of Hot Springs released this information regarding debris pick-up on its website.
“After being able to tour the full extent of the tornado damage, it is much more than the City resources can accommodate," The City of Hot Springs said. "Private contractors working on storm debris removal will need to haul the debris to one of the appropriate sites for disposal. The City of Hot Springs will continue to assist with hauling the debris, however, contractors will be required to do the same. We will have resources allocated throughout today and will start again Monday morning through the end of next week. We are suspending city debris collections over the weekend to provide Entergy contractors to work with less congestion, however, the compost facility will remain open. Efforts by Garland County are also underway to establish and permit additional disposal sites.”
Although the tornado was an unexpected curveball, the Hot Springs community continues to rally behind each other. Bouton's neighbors have offered to help clean up and provide transportation.
“We’re lucky to be alive,” Bouton said. “We didn't get hurt, and all this stuff can be replaced. It's hard, and it's going to be a process, but we'll make it through.”
Bouton has created a GoFundMe to help get her family back on their feet.