(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Our Texas hearts are hurting for the town of West. A huge explosion at a fertilizer plant last night rocked the small town of 2,700. Many know the small town just north of Waco on I-35 for the popular Little Czech Stop bakery, but the town has now been evacuated for fear of dangerous fumes.
Locate Your Loved Ones
Here are numbers to check on injured residents at local hospitals:
- Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center (254) 202-1100
- Scott & White (888) 394-4947
- Providence Health Center (254) 761-7200
- Parkland Hospital (214) 590-8000
How To Help
The American Red Cross is sending crews to West to help with disaster relief and finding shelter for displaced residents. You can donate money to the Red Cross online at redcross.org or by texting RED CROSS to 90999 to donate $10.
Medical City Children’s Hospital is having a blood drive this morning from 7AM to 1:30PM. Located at 7777 Forest Lane in Dallas, First Floor Atrium. Donors will get a free breakfast from the Original Pancake House.
Carter Blood Care Center is accepting donation starting this morning at 9AM in Waco, but you can also donate at locations here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Find locations near you by visiting carterbloodcare.org.
The Extraco Events Center will have a place to accept donations this morning starting at 9AM. The events center is located at 4601 Bosque Blvd in Waco. For more information, call (254) 776-1660.
Two consignment stores in Waco, Peas & Tots and Smarty Pants, are accepting donated clothing in all sizes for the residents of West. Peas & Tots is located at 1411 N Valley Mills Drive, and Smarty Pants is located at 5301 Bosque Blvd, Ste 190.
A donation fund has been set up at the PointWest Bank in West. You can send monetary donations to: PointWest Bank, PO Box 279, West, TX 76691
Items they are requesting for donations: Blood, bottled water, toiletries, clothes, blankets, diapers, formula, baby bottles, toys, adult diapers, peroxide, alcohol, gauze, medical supplies, cots, air mattresses, pillows, dog food, cat food, pet crates/carriers.
Shattered glass covers items in the front of a thrift shop after the West Fertilizer Company exploded April 18, 2013 in West, Texas. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Housing Available For Displaced Residents
Aquilla ISD has opened up facilities for evacuated residents. Report to the gym entrance. They are located at 404 North Richards.
Blair’s Cove Apartments in Waco is offering to house any West residents. They are located at 2425 S. 21st Street. Call (254) 447-0810 for more information.
First Baptist Church of Lott has room for people needing a place to stay. Call (254) 829-2321.
Latham Springs Baptist Camp in Aquilla is opening their cabins to displaced West residents. They are located at 134 Private Road 223.
The Abbott High School gym is open to West residents in need of shelter. Located at 219 S 1st St in Abbott, TX.
Valley Mills Nursing Home has rooms available for any nursing home patients that were evacuated from West. Call (254) 932-6288. Located at 101 W Avenue E in Valley Mills.
First Baptist Church of Gholson is open to any West residents seeking shelter. Located at 228 Wildcat Circle near Waco.
Gholson ISD is also open to West residents. Located at 137 Hamilton Drive near Waco.
Brazos Meadows Baptist Church is open to anyone needing a place to stay. They are located at 625 Hewitt Dr in Hewitt, TX, next to Castleman Creek Elementary.
American Legion Post 121 in Elm Mott is open to evacuated West residents. Located at 722 Leroy Pkwy in Elm Mott.
Sykora Family Ford in West has opened for residents needing a place to rest. Located at 519 S George Kacir Dr.
Town Hall Estates in Hillsboro is open to displaced residents. Located at 300 Happy Ln in Hillsboro.
The Home Depot in Bellmead has been open all night for anyone needing plywood, generators, etc. Located at 1803 North I-35 in Waco.
