Clean-up has begun in Jacksboro, where the National Weather Service says a tornado with winds up to 150 miles an hour hit Monday afternoon.
"It's like it was picking and choosing where it was going," one man who lives in Jacksboro said.
He works with the Jack County Sheriff's Posse. The tornado hit near the rodeo arena just west of the city.
"It just blew one of our stands from one side of the arena over on top of the stands on the other side," he said. "It's amazing."
Jack County is one of 16 where Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration. He says at least 80 homes were damaged or destroyed.
"First thing [Tuesday] morning, people had their backhoes, Bobcats and dirt pushers out," a woman who lives near Jacksboro Elementary School said. "I feel like it's going to get cleaned up quick."
Both the elementary school and Jacksboro High School were damaged.
"It's okay. We'll come back bigger and better and stronger," she said. "There's no doubt about that."
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Several restaurants have been handing out meals to electric crews, police, firefighters, and people clearing debris this week. Ryan Hammond, the owner of JR's Chophouse B&B, says he texted the chief executive of Faith Community Hospital and asked if they needed anything. Hammond says the CEO responded, asking for meals.
"We helped take care of dinner for them. The next morning, we turned around and helped take care of breakfast, also," Hammond said. "You're seeing a lot of people come together."
Hammond says a friend from Aurora, south of Decatur, brought bottled water. After serving meals at the hospital, he says another friend suggested help for linemen restoring power, so he brought them sandwiches.
Hammond also says his supplier sent an extra truck so he would have enough to make meals for utility crews and people forced from home.
"We're hearing from people who used to live here and moved off. They're wanting to help the community, also," Hammond said.
Hammond says Jacksboro is planning a luncheon on the courtyard outside the Jack County Courthouse Friday to give families and utility crews a place to gather and get to know each other.
"Everyone's just coming together. It's fun to watch," Hammond said.
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