Canton Area Radio Emergency Services - VZ CARES

08/11/2026

Live on the air!!

Information and Trivia

08/10/2026

Van Zandt County is now under a burn ban.

08/10/2026

Sign up here to get alerts from Van Zandt County! It’s a free service available to all. It has the ability to text, call and email you with important information such as weather alerts and burn ban notices.
https://www.smart911.com

This service helps 9-1-1 protect your family by providing more information to first responders. You should sign up too, it is free!

08/08/2026

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
418 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Van Zandt County in north central Texas...
Rains County in north central Texas...

* Until 515 PM CDT.

* At 417 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Emory, or 15
miles northeast of Wills Point, moving south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northwestern Van Zandt and Rains Counties, including the following
locations... Hermits Cove, Flats, and Willow Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from
windows.

&&

LAT...LON 3258 9580 3270 9601 3284 9595 3284 9593
3285 9595 3298 9589 3298 9567 3272 9564
3271 9563
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 008DEG 8KT 3285 9580

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...

08/08/2026

As our area continues to experience dry conditions, the risk of grass and brush fires remains high. The ground and vegetation are extremely dry, allowing fires to spread rapidly.

If you are burning, welding, using equipment that creates sparks, or doing any activity that could start a fire, be prepared to extinguish it immediately. Have a water source, fire extinguisher, or other firefighting equipment readily available before you begin.

If a fire gets out of control, call 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide your exact location and clear instructions on how emergency responders can access the fire.

Your Wills Point Firefighters had a busy evening responding to multiple incidents yesterday and into the night. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Edgewood Fire Department and Elmo Fire Department for their mutual aid assistance. We appreciate the teamwork and support that helps keep our communities safe.

Please stay alert, use caution, and help us prevent unnecessary fires.

07/13/2026

Special Weather Statement for Van Zandt County, TX

Van Zandt TX-Henderson TX-
947 PM CDT Sun Jul 12 2026
..A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Van
Zandt and north central Henderson Counties through 1015 PM CDT...

At 947 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Purtis Creek State Park, or 7 miles east of Gun Barrel City, moving
southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Athens, Gun Barrel City, Eustace, Caney City, Forest Grove Reservoir,
Purtis Creek State Park, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Payne Springs, Log
Cabin, Murchison, Crescent Heights, Phalba, Roddy, Walton, and
Martins Mill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

07/06/2026

We love our friends over at the library! Please consider joining in on their volunteer efforts! Our late club president William Howell loved devoting time to serving here. It brought him so much joy! You can experience this too! Many hands make light work!

🌟VOLUNTEERS NEEDED- SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LIBRARY-CANTON📚

Do you have 1-3 hours a week to spare? The Sarah Norman Library here in Van Zandt County is looking for extra hands to help out.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to get out of the house, meet new friends in our community, and make a real difference. Plus, you will go home feeling great about the impact about the impact you've made.

Interested in helping? It's easy! Just stop by the front desk or give them a call at 903-567-4276 to learn more.

Thank you everyone 💓 ☺️ 💗

07/05/2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
458 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... North central Van Zandt County in north central Texas... Eastern Rains County in north central Texas...

* Until 600 PM CDT.

* At 458 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southeast of Emory, or 14 miles northwest of Mineola, moving southeast at 5 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Van Zandt and eastern Rains Counties, including the following locations... Willow Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.

&&

TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 308DEG 7KT 3280 9569

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

07/05/2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
342 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2026

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Kaufman County in north central Texas... Southwestern Van Zandt County in north central Texas...

* Until 430 PM CDT.

* At 342 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Kemp, or 9 miles north of Gun Barrel City, moving southeast at 5 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near... Cedar Creek Reservoir around 345 PM CDT. Mabank and Kemp around 350 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Prairieville, Roddy, Becker, and Rand.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning can kill.

Heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 333DEG 5KT 3246 9614

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH