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Jasper County cleaning up downed power lines, trees after tornado damages areas across Southeast Texas

Roughly 20 homes in Jasper and Newton counties were damaged.

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — Almost 25 hours after a tornado ripped through East Texas, the cleanup continues in Jasper County. 

Evidence of Wednesday's storm can be seen at Huff Creek Cemetery, where trees have been left all over the place.  

It's clear that cleanup is going to take a while. Crews have spent Thursday cleaning debris and trying to make roads driveable. 

County Road 278 was especially hard hit. Homeowners here in the area of Jasper County still don't have power. County leaders think it may be another day or two before it's restored. 

Roughly 20 homes in Jasper and Newton counties were damaged. 

You can only imagine how scary it was when the storm hit. One family said the worst of it lasted for more than three minutes, but it's something they never want to go through again. 

“It was scary because it was our first time ever having to go through this. We just went in the bathroom and we prayed," said Jasper resident and mother Jamie Young.

"I was scared, I thought it was coming in the house, said daughter Akea Bradford. "I thought we were going to swoop swoop around.”

Nobody inside the home was hurt and the home wasn't damaged. 

Although, it was a different story in Polk County. 

RELATED: Polk County residents killed in tornado identified as TDCJ staffers

RELATED: Newton County couple thankful to be alive after tornado rips roof off home

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen has already issued a disaster declaration. This provides an opportunity for the area to get funding if it's available. 

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