News 9's Michael Konopasek Tours North Texas Tornado Destruction

Hundreds of people are working together to clear miles of debris left behind after a deadly tornado hit Granbury, Texas, late Wednesday night. The city of just more than 8,000 people is about 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

North Texas was hit by multiple violent tornadoes late Wednesday night. Just hours later, News 9 crews were out in force talking with volunteers who are lending a helping hand to people like Beatrice Gamez, who lost her home.

"I was praying to Our Father the whole time. And then my husband was just asking the Virgin Mary to protect us and to take the tornado away and leave this family," Gamez, a mother of four young girls, told News 9.

The family of five rode out the storm in a closet, but they thought they wouldn't make it. That thought still haunts the youngest girl.

"She's glad that we're alive," Gamez said with tears in her eyes.

5/16/2013 Related Story: News 9's Rusty Surette Tours Granbury, Texas Tornado Damage

Twelve-year-old Tyler Wright says he has never experienced the kind of destruction he saw Thursday. He says his best friend lost relatives.

"[My friend] wasn't there when it happened," said Wright. "But some other friends said some of their family members are gone."