Van Zandt County tornado survivors recount April 29 storms

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - For survivors of the April 29, 2017 Van Zandt County tornadoes, the one-year anniversary comes with hesitation. Tornado season and recent thunderstorms seem to bring back difficult memories.

Erin Stevenson was driving on Interstate 20 from Marshall to Dallas when she noticed the dark skies. The heavy rain on her windshield made it difficult to see, so she made a "last minute decision" to exit towards Canton. She pulled into the I20 Canton Dodge Dealership.

According to General Manager Scott Fitzgerald, the I20 Canton Dodge Dealership was nearly ready for a grand opening. Fitzgerald said, "The storm came in on a Saturday and we were scheduled for our final walk-though on Monday". That walk though never happened.

Stevenson pulled under what appeared to be the service awning. One other car was also taking shelter there and "about 30 seconds" later, she says she felt as though they were in the middle of the tornado. "There was this moment of all of sudden panic," said Stevenson.

After the storm, Chopper 7 video from above the dealership shows cars and trucks tossed like toys. Several vehicles were lifted from their parking spaces and thrown into a private property behind the dealership. The I20 Canton Dodge dealership's building was a total loss. "Really the only area that was still standing is the area where we were seeking shelter," said Stevenson.

Stevenson say she often thinks back about the storm she survived. She says the events brought on some anxiety and post-traumatic stress, however they've also given her a new outlook on life. "Life after you've accepted death is different." She credits her support system, family and friends, for helping her through the difficult memories. The I20 Canton Dodge Dealership rebuilt several months later and at last, had a successful final walk-though.

County Road 2301, south of the I20 Canton Dodge Dealership, was one of the hardest hit areas. Residential homes appeared to be nothing more than a pile of stick and debris from Chopper 7. Stacey Buck was one of the many whose homes were a total loss.

On April 29, 2017, Stacey Buck, her daughter and father were suctioned out of their home due to powerful wind gusts. Stacey and Karo, her daughter, were the last tornado victims at ETMC. According to Stacey Buck, they were in the hospital for "three weeks and two days."

"At the time you feel like it is not going to get any better, but it did," said Stacey Buck. The Buck family received some financial assistance from the Catholic Charities of Dallas, in addition to the Long-term recovery fund, and were able to purchase a new home. Buck says they now make monthly payments, but they're thankful. "It is not the house I grew up in, but it is slowly becoming home," said Karo.

When the storms hit, Stacey Buck's two nieces, Macie and Breann Chaney were inside The Rustic Barn preparing for the Edgewood High School Prom. There were about 30 people, students and their families, taking photos and finishing the final decorations for the "Enchanted Evening" themed event.

Macie Chaney says weather warnings started causing everyone's phones to beep and buzz. "All of a sudden the sky turned green and we realized, oh my god here it comes." The approximately 30 people took shelter inside the event space's bathrooms. Chaney said two men held the door shut, fighting the wind, to prevent any debris from coming in. "It felt like forever," said Bailey Cabaniss, another student who took shelter in the bathroom.

After the storm, the only part of the event space still standing was the four walls of the bathroom. Everyone walked out without any serious injuries. The Rustic Barn was not as fortunate, the event space was a total loss. To date, the owners have not rebuilt.

Macie Chaney says after surviving the ordeal, her message to others is, "Believe your weather notifications. Don't just shrug them off, just actually listen to what they're saying." Erin Stevenson, Stacey Buck, Karo Buck, Breann Chaney, and Bailey Cabannis share the same sentiment.

Copyright 2018 KLTV. All rights reserved.