Where to go for official updates on the train derailment

Dear Gordon Community,

Yesterday was unsettling and we are breathing a sigh of relief that the train derailment did not have more serious impacts. We are grateful to the first responders for their courage in a frightening situation.

Palo Pinto County Emergency Services "ESD1" (which includes the VFD's) manages disasters under a contract with the City. In the case of a train derailment like we had yesterday, the railroad also plays a role.

Official updates are available on the ESD1 Facebook page 

https://m.facebook.com/61575556586794/

If, like me, you do not have a Facebook account, you can still access the page by clicking past any pop-up boxes like "Safari cannot open the page" and the log-in. Information is available to people who are not Facebook users.

Yesterday we contacted PPCo immediately upon news of the accident and were able to confirm no danger to residents. The City is always here to support PPCo with any needs and respects their request to stay out of the way of this complex scene. Mayor ProTem Griffith delivered water from the tornado to first responders when we became aware of this need.

We are so very grateful there were no injuries and there was no need for an evacuation. That said, another emergency threatening residents on the east side of town hits individuals whose resilience is not yet restored from the May 18 tornado. I know we can count on this community to find some extra love and compassion for neighbors as we are out and about. I will share that it can be easy for me to slide toward blame and frustration, and I look to my own faith to remind myself that I am not able to know what unseen burdens a person faces, or how difficult it is to manage the moving parts of a complex emergency.

With Love, 

Mayor Sherrye Mills