DALLAS — WFAA and Tom Thumb/Albertson's announced a partnership Wednesday to raise money for relief efforts in the wake of the devastating severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that caused widespread damage across North Texas.
Customers can donate to the effort by visiting any Tom Thumb or Albertsons store and making a donation through the pin pad at the checkout. Customers also can donate online.
All donations will go to the Albertsons Companies Foundation. Money raised will be donated to local non-profit organizations and specifically restricted for use in storm-related response and relief.
Several rounds of severe thunderstorms caused damage beginning last Saturday including in Valley View, where an EF-3 tornado destroyed an estimated 200 homes and other buildings.
Seven people -- including two children -- died in Saturday's storms.
Community groups in Cooke, Denton, and Collin Counties organized supply collections for residents. The American Red Cross also opened a shelter to provide food and water for people affected by Saturday night's storms.
Tuesday morning, another round of severe weather moved through the Dallas-area with winds topping more than 70 miles per hour. The storm knocked out power to more than 600,000 Oncor customers, toppled trees, and damaged homes.
Dallas, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties issued disaster declarations on Tuesday as tens of thousands of residents were left without power.
Winds gusted so strongly at DFW Airport on Tuesday that a parked plane was pushed away from the gate.
Several schools canceled classes due to no power, as well, including Ursuline Academy, which called off its last day of class on Wednesday.