PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Residents of Port Arthur are still trying to recover after a tornado ripped through the city early Wednesday morning.
Jake Johnson, like many in Port Arthur is picking up the pieces after the EF-2 tornado touched down in his neighborhood.
Johnson tells 12News that the tornado lifted his home off of the foundation and a tree smashed into his bedroom leaving a gaping hole for water to get in.
"The house that I didn't know it was lifted. I knew it was shaking at the moment, but I didn't know it had lifted the house," said Johnson. "But the house slumped back down."
Johnson still recalls the terrifying moments when he heard a tree smash into his home.
"I got damage on the inside of the house. It's got a big stripe that's going down," he said.
In the middle of it all, Johnson witnessed Progressive Baptist Church being carried away by the wind.
"Once I looked out the window I saw a big turbulence that was over in the parking lot and it was spinning," Johnson said.
The damage to his home was so great that he's had to go to one of the Red Cross shelters to have a place to sleep.
"We have three shelters open currently," said Red Cross Representative Tramena Horn.
Horn works with the Red Cross to support displaced residents.
"Just being able to see their reactions and their smiles and giggles you know, as they're eating and just having everyday conversation," she said.
Johnson says he thanks God for the support from the Red Cross.
"Well to be totally honest with you. God's always got a plan," he said.
Johnson says a company has stepped in to help him get the tree out of his house. It's just the first step in a long road of the rebuilding process.