WELLINGTON, Fla. — Nearly 100 people — including local leaders and lawmakers — volunteered Friday to help residents in the Village of Wellington who were impacted by a devastating tornado earlier this week.
In addition to cleaning up piles of debris along Flying Cow Ranch Road, volunteers handed out water to residents.
“These people that came, they were not people. Those were angels that came here. Angels," Natasha Erra said. "That time that they could have spent with their families, they spent it here. Some people said they could only come for one hour. I said, 'I’m not counting how many hours you were here. I’m counting you here. That’s all.'"
Images of the devastation in Wellington of homes hit from by the tornado, mangled cars and ripped off roofs.
“I didn’t think this much damage could happen with a tornado. Never. You know, 39 years of living here never did I think this would happen to me," Mandy Erhardt said. "I see it always on the news, but now I have to find a place to live and start all over from the bottom.”
Among the volunteers were Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone, as well as former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
A powerful tornado on Wednesday tore through multiple neighborhoods in Wellington, including the Preserve at Binks Forest, where several homes were destroyed.
WATCH: Tornado touches down, kicks up debris in Wellington
New video obtained by WPTV News on Friday showed the twister spinning close to homes on Flying Cow Ranch Road just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, with swirls of debris flying through the air.
"Get ready to go inside!" resident Tyler Stellway told a family member in the video.
"Where are we going? In our closet?" the family member asked.
"We're going in my bathroom. Get ready!" Stellway replied.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said five people were hospitalized in the Village of Wellington and a horse was injured.
Despite all of the damage and destruction, residents in the community said they are resilient.
“We’ve just gotta start all over from the ground up. But, you know, we’re strong, we’re strong individuals," Erhardt said. "And I know the community and you know, we’re going to come together some way or another and to start over.”
Wellington officials on Friday stressed to people that if you want to volunteer in the recovery efforts, you have to go through the proper channels by calling 561-791-4010, or by going to the Wellington Community Center, located at 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard.
For more information on tornado relief efforts in Wellington, click here.
