HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. — The Hot Springs Village community has been continuing to clean up after an EF-2 tornado hit last week. As they're slowly recovering, several organizations have been stepping in to help.
Grace Brunelle has seen a lot in her 99 years, but not a storm like this.
"I didn't panic or anything like that. But I thought 'what in the world?' You know, because when the trees fell on the house, it made a pretty good noise," Brunelle described.
Now, she's trying to get her house back to normal.
"Probably this whole wall will have to be redone because of the water damage," she said.
Brunelle went without power from Thursday night to Sunday night, but thankfully her daughter Sharon was able to take her in.
She also said that several others have helped her too.
"All the neighbors were called in for a meal yesterday. So that was nice. We were all sitting around the table talking and you know, enjoying the nice food, which, you know, we're not able to cook at that time," she explained.
According to a Hot Springs Village press release, the tornado impacted more than a hundred homes and 58 were left with major damage.
That's why volunteers and other disaster relief organizations are helping with the recovery.
The Red Cross set up at Balboa Baptist Church on Monday to give out supplies to those in need.
"We provide emergency supplies or cleanup kits, that include mops, shovels, work gloves, goggles, you know, cleaning supplies. All of those things to try to help aid as they get their life back as normally they could after a disaster like this," said John Brimley, Red Cross Communications Manager.
Red Cross volunteers and staff also did several damage assessments across the area.
"We're just here trying to make sure we can get an accurate count, and then do the best that we can to help them on their recovery," Brimley added.
The Red Cross encourages anyone in need of disaster relief assistance to reach out and call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767).