By Paige Wright
Oppressive heat and humidity wafting in from the south during the day has provided ideal conditions for the brewing of severe summer weather across the state. While the area welcomes the precipitation, the large hail and damaging winds are not as longed-for.
Last week at least two evenings brought heavy rain, considerable hail, and gusting winds in and around Menard. Tree limbs, healthy trees and electric poles were downed, minor flash flooding occurred, a few residential windows were broken, and some vehicles sustained minor damage following Menard-area storms on Monday and Wednesday. Temperatures in the 105-111 range dropped down to 68-72 in a matter of minutes during both thunderstorms. No injuries or major property damage has been reported. Twenty-eight miles southeast of Menard, in London, some residents were not so fortunate.
It was the Monday evening storm that overwhelmed London, Texas. The tiny community tucked away on US 377 in northeast Kimble County reported rainfall totals ranging from 4-7 inches as the weather system moved through. Some residents have reported 11 inches of rain. Screaming winds and monsoon-like rainfall battered the town and its old buildings.
Across the street from the legendary London Dance Hall, at the London Grocery & Grill, Sheri Ivy and her family rode out the storm on the second floor living quarters above the business with her son Noah, and his girlfriend Jolee.
When the battering eventually relented, all 3 remained physically unharmed. The same could not be said for their living space and business, which is Ms. Ivy’s job and livelihood. The building’s roof had been violently ripped away in the tornadic winds, allowing the excessive rainfall to soak the residence’s interior and leak below to the Grocery & Grill. The wind hurled ceiling tiles, insulation, and belongings about the residence and beyond. Although the night was dark, the damage was evident. Both the living space and business were unusable.
Across the community and into rural homes, wind damage was everywhere— mangled roofs, flooded buildings and downed trees dominated the landscape.
London Volunteer Fire Department members and residents spent much of the night clearing the streets and highways of debris and downed trees. The next morning a group from the Menard Mission Team arrived at the Ivy’s building prepared to get the cleanup started. The Mission Team is based out of Menard’s First Methodist Church, but the volunteers tend to represent many churches in Menard. The Team’s Disaster Response Trailer supplies were utilized to remove water, supply fans, dehumidifiers, shop vacuums and tarping services to the Grocery & Grill. Additional fans were also placed across the road at London Dance Hall, which received flooding, but no roof collapse.
As they often do when the need arises, available Mission Team members dropped what they were doing on Tuesday and responded to the need. This trip included Steve Whitson, Randy Corbin, Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin, Menard County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Whitson—all fresh from a weekend Texas Ramps Project Build— and Menard County Commissioner Tyler Wright.
Kimble County Sheriff Allen Castleberry arrived with lunch for Tuesday’s volunteer crew. Castleberry also arranged for the use of a Shelby Brock bucket truck to fully lift and remove the remaining marred tin from atop the building. Ms. Ivy and her family have expressed their appreciation for all who have helped so far.
As the sun shines and temperatures shoot back up to 110+, cleanup and salvage remain the priority. Kimble County Commissioner Dennis Dunnegan had a dumpster delivered to collect the tons of material still being hauled out of the 2-story building.
The electricity to the second story was cut immediately; however, power at the Grill was able to be left on long enough for the Ivy family and employees to empty refrigerators and avoid food waste. Most of the food was donated to Meals on Wheels in Junction where it will go to good and immediate use.
The loss of a consistent employer in London will affect the livelihood of 4 employees, including Ms. Ivy. With their income suddenly reduced to zero, and mounting monetary, physical, and emotional costs piling up, Ms. Ivy, her family, and the employees— who are as much family— are at a loss when it comes to what is next.
London Dance Hall is working to plan a benefit music event. Details will be announced as they are decided. A online fundraising account has been created and can be accessed here: The Ivy Family- London Grocery & Grill (gofundme.com)
Note- The GoFundMe account mentioned was created by the writer of this article, Paige Wright, as a friend of the Ivy family. If you are interested in assisting the family and employees of London Grocery & Grill you are welcome to visit the fundraising website, or Ms. Ivy can accept checks at P.O. Box 154, London, TX 76854.