HOUSTON – A Houston-area school district stepped up to help the people of West as the small town tries to regain some normalcy.
Thirteen buses from Spring Independent School District arrived in West Saturday. On Monday, students in West will return to class.
"A great group of drivers volunteered their time to come up here, whatever we can do to help," said Brian Weisinger with Spring ISD.
Along with homes and businesses in West, a middle school near the fertilizer plant was also damaged.
About 500 affected students will be bussed to a recently closed school building in Connally ISD. Desks were moved in this weekend.
Other school districts have also offered to help.
"It was a multi-district effort, said Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Bonny Cain. "We were just checking off the list what can we do and other superintendents, what can they do. It was a group effort and it still is."
Residents have been told not to cook for now, because there is so much donated food. Officials said they're also trying to figure out how the monetary donations will be distributed.