“I couldn’t stop screaming or crying,” said 18-year-old Ana, the oldest sibling.

Ana, her parents and two brothers, Noe, 7, and Ezequiel, 12, huddled together.

But first, with seconds to spare, father Paul Zapata grabbed a mattress to cover them.

“Once I put the first mattress over them, I was like, this isn’t enough,” he said.

So he dragged in a second mattress, and jumped in the tub too.

“And then we started praying,” Ana said.

They sang a prayer in Spanish.

“Dios esta aqui. Tan cierto como el aire…”

The prayer translates to: God is here, as sure as the air.

“That’s the way we calm down,” said mother Ruth Zapata. “We felt like he was right there.”

And then, it happened.

“I heard glass breaking,” Ana said.

Paul Zapata said what happened next was incredible.

“Feeling the walls shake and the tub under you is feeling like it is going to lift up anytime,” Paul Zapata recalled.

“I started more crying, screaming,” Ana said.

“The mattresses felt like they were trying to leave us. But no, we kept holding,” Ruth Zapata said.

Somehow, they held on as the twister ripped their house apart.

“And then it’s over and we’re okay and we’re thankful that we’re alive because in that moment, I thought we were goners. I thought it was going to take us.” Ruth Zapata said.

Many of their neighbors were hurt – some killed. But the Zapatas made it out of that bathtub, without a scratch.

“Thank God we’re here, we’re alive,” Paul Zapata said.

Now in a Red Cross shelter, with barely the clothes on their backs, they say they’re overwhelmed by the support.

“Strangers have called. I’d like to thank each and every one of you all,” Paul Zapata said. “Thank you.”

In an instant, one family’s lives were changed forever.

“We’re not going to forget this,” Ruth Zapata said. “We’re not going to forget what God did for us in that moment. And I even told my son, my 7-year-old and 12-year-old, don’t. Because God gave us another chance to live.”

As residents in Texas begin to clean up after devastating tornadoes ripped through the state Wednesday night, authorities are searching for several people who are still missing. The Weather Channel’s Mike Seidel reports.

The Zapata family took refuge in the bathtub of their Granbury home as the twisters approached on Wednesday.

“I couldn’t stop screaming or crying,” Ana Zapata, 18, said of how she sheltered with her parents and two siblings under a pair of mattresses.

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“The biggest problem is we are not asking them for their vote,” said Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega, vice president of  policy and advocacy for PowerPac, a progressive political action committee.  Ortega conducted a poll of over 2,600 randomly selected Hispanic registered voters.  According to the poll, 57 percent of Latino registered voters said Democrats best represent their views on social issues like same-sex marriage, religion and abortion, and 57 percent say Democrats best represent their views on jobs, economy and immigration.

And though Texas is considered a “red” state, only 23 percent of Latinos said they generally vote Republican, whereas 52 percent said they generally vote Democrat and 16 percent say they vote Independent.

One of the reasons why Republicans are still winning elections by about a million votes is that there are over 3 million Latinos “sitting on the sidelines,” according to Democratic state representative Trey Martinez Fischer and founder of One Texas PAC.   There are over 2 million Latinos in Texas not registered to vote, he says, and another million mostly Hispanic registered voters who are not voting.

Yet one of the poll’s findings was that only 54 percent of Latinos recall being contacted by a campaign in the last presidential election. “When pretty much half of Latinos didn’t even get a piece of mail, we have a problem,” said Martinez Ortega.  She added that while a third of Texas Latinos who voted for Obama also voted for conservative Republican Senator Ted Cruz, about a third of Latinos who voted for Senator Cruz did not know he was a Republican, according to the poll’s findings.  ”Here in Texas we didn’t make a concerted effort to educate Latinos on who Ted Cruz really is,” said Martinez Ortega.

Texas Republican Joshua Treviño takes issue with the Democrats’ contention that more Latino voters would turn Texas blue. “This is the old trope that gets trotted out, that demographic change in the state will go Democrat, and you hear this a lot these days from them,” says Treviño, who was a speechwriter for George W. Bush and is currently vice president of communications at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “While there are partisan tendencies among groups, the fact is that as affluence and social integration occurs, political pluralism increases,” he says.

Treviño adds it is not a “safe assumption” that more Latino voters will translate to increased Democratic numbers and Democratic elected officials, though he does say current Hispanic voter participation does not represent the proportion of Latinos in Texas.

But Texas Democrats say a focus on 6 key counties in the state where the majority of Latinos reside can make a big difference in increased voter registration, turnout — and future Democratic victories.

“Some look at my district and think it should be functioning as a Republican district,” says Senator Wendy Davis, who represents an area that is 29 percent Latino, 19 percent African-American and 47.6 percent non-Hispanic white.  ”But we’ve demonstrated that by talking and connecting with these voters — it will happen,” Davis said.  She adds that while many areas have been redistricted as “purely Democrat” or “purely Republican,” the strategy is to take a district approach and apply it statewide — “focus on places where you have the biggest potential gain,” says Davis.

Democrat Martinez Fischer stated he is not concerned whether Texas turns blue in 2016 or 2020 — “the key is not to be fast, but to be right,” he said.

The worst-hit city Wednesday was Granbury, where authorities say a deadly tornado tore through two neighborhoods about 8 p.m. Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds delivered the death toll at a midnight news conference.

“Some were found in houses. Some were found around houses,” Deeds said. He also said the total could climb as crews pick through the rubble of shattered homes.

About 50 people were taken to a Granbury hospital, where 14 were admitted for treatment of injuries and two were transferred to a hospital in Fort Worth, about 35 miles to the northeast, Deeds said.

As many as 100 people were injured, said Matt Zavadsky, spokesman for MedStar Mobile Healthcare. His company sent three ambulances and a medical bus from its Fort Worth base to Granbury.

Deeds said officials were trying to account for 14 people, but it was not clear if they were missing or were away from the area for other reasons.

Hardest hit were two neighborhoods, Rancho Brazos Estates and DeCordova Ranch, in the southern end of the town of about 8,000 residents about 65 miles southwest of Dallas.

Ambulances from as far away as Fort Worth were being called to Granbury, said Tye Bell, Richland Hills police spokesman who was heading to Granbury on Wednesday night.

Rancho Brazos Estates resident Elizabeth Tovar said she rode out the tornado with her husband and sister as she clutched her 9-month-old daughter.

“We heard the winds whipping and glass smashing everywhere,” said Tovar, 25. “I felt like a long time and when things died down I looked up and saw that the roof was gone.”

Another resident of that neighborhood, Allacia Jenny, said she witnessed devastation in her neighborhood.

“The house across from mine looked like it was destroyed,” said Jenny, 22.

Toppled large trees litter her yard, and “I saw power lines all over the place,” she said.

At Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill in Lake Granbury, the storm took diners and workers by surprise. Some people rushed inside from the patio and ducked under tables as the wind gusts and hail started, but nobody was injured, said Eric Martinez, a cook. Then they looked across the lake and saw several homeowners’ boat docks “just get torn apart,” he said.

“The boat docks just flew off, and they’re actually gone,” Martinez said, adding that the boards and other debris landed in some yards.

The same storm spawned another tornado that storm spotters told the National Weather Service was a mile wide. That twister tore through the southwestern quadrant of Cleburne, a courthouse city of about 30,000 about 25 miles southeast of Granbury.

There were no reports of deaths in that storm, Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain said, “but we do have the potential for some injuries.” He had no estimates.

Cain had no estimate on the number of homes damaged, but he said he expected the number to soar into the dozens based on his inspection of damage ranging from roof damage to total destruction.

Another tornado hit the small town of Millsap, about 40 miles west of Fort Worth. Parker County Judge Mark Kelley said roof damage was reported to several houses and a barn was destroyed, but no injuries were reported.

Hail as large as grapefruit also pelted the area around Mineral Wells on Wednesday evening. A police dispatcher reported only minor damage.

Music is his passion and he believes it has the power to reach deep inside into a person and pull them out of any situation they may be going through.

“I feel like what all these people rap about, giving people false hope that they’re doing all these things that aren’t what your supposed to be doing,” says Jared Salas. “I want to make something that people could look at it and say, I know what he’s doing. I’ve done that, I’ve been through that and it helps them through that. I know when I’m in a dark spot the only thing or way out is music. Music is medicine to me when I’m having a bad day, I listen to that song that turns that around.”

He wrote his rap song “Life Lessons” about the struggles and the pressures many teens face today, bumps in the path of life he too went through.

When asked if after high school participants would prefer their child to secure a full-time job or go to college, and 85 percent chose college over the job.

The poll found that Latino Texans are deeply connected with their local schools and over 67 percent are aware of the $5 billion 2011 budget cuts on public schools.  Not only are Latino Texan parents well-informed, but families are very engaged by volunteering and helping to fund-raise for their local school events.  Eighty-two percent attend school events, board meetings, school plays and football games, bringing the people together for civic participation.

Since the Latino population is much younger (26) than the non-Hispanic white Texan population (41), 77 percent have children previously or currently enrolled in public schools. The connection to the schools goes even deeper, with 40 percent reporting they have close family or friend who work in the district. Essentially, the poll shows parents are entrenched and their lives revolve around the school system.

Politicians beware, says the survey, when it comes to education and Latinos.  The authors claim three incumbent Republican legislators lost their seats to Latino Democratic challengers when they issue of school budget cuts became a defining campaign issue.  Latino Decisions interviewed 400 Latino adults from El Paso, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley from March 14-24, 2013.

If there’s one town in America that’s decidedly all about meat and potatoes, it’s Dallas, Texas. Home to the state’s oil industry, Dallas’s restaurants reflect the tastes of its residents – think slabs of steak and the usual steakhouse sides of creamed spinach and scalloped potatoes. But there is one chef who stands out among his peers in Dallas: Omar Flores, a Culinary-Institute-of-America-trained chef who has made seafood the protein of choice among the city’s foodies, turning out plate after plate of sustainable fish seasoned with clean, fresh and decidedly Mexican flavors.

“I grew up eating predominantly meat myself,” says Flores, 32. “But once I discovered seafood in culinary school, I fell in love and now, I enjoy bringing that experience of diving into something fresh and new to diners in Dallas. This city has an excess of steakhouses and to serve something different that reflects where I come from is a lot of fun.”

A composed hamachi crudo dish by Chef Omar Flores.

Born to Mexican parents – dad owned a restaurant, mom was a homemaker who always sent Flores off to school with enchiladas for lunch – Flores grew up in El Paso, Texas with an appreciation for the flavors of his heritage. He says he always knew he wanted to become a chef and after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management at New Mexico State University, took off for New York City’s Culinary Institute of America. Flores worked at several restaurants in New York City– including David Boulud’s Café Boulud – before heading back to the Lone State to work at Abacus Restaurant in Dallas. He quickly earned a reputation for elegant, composed plates and when he heard that a new restaurant  in town – Driftwood – was looking for an executive chef, decided to go for it. One plate of ahi tuna crudo dressed with yuzu, olive oil, English cucumber, 7 spice and churned avocado ice cream later, Flores had the job.

Flores describes his style as contemporary American, and that it is, reflective of the country’s growing Hispanic population and its culinary traditions. He serves steamed littleneck clams in a garlic confit, pickled aji amarillo and white wine broth and plates chargrilled octopus with manzanilla olives and smoked tomato vinaigrette; entrees made special with a decidedly Latin sensibility.

“I make dishes that reflect my style, but that people don’t feel intimidated by,” says Flores, whose cuisine has earned him multiple 4-star ratings from local press, as well as a nomination for “The People’s Best New Chef Award” from Food & Wine magazine. “I want people to feel comfortable about trying Latin-inspired seafood dishes that aren’t the usual fish tacos.”

“I want to push Dallas to try new things – but I want to stay true to who I am by doing so.”

Ahi tuna, avocado ice cream, yuzu olive oil

1 pound Ahi Tuna

Ice cream

2 cups cream

1 cup milk

1 ¼ sugar

¼ tsp

3 avocados

14/ salt

6 egg yolks

The juice from two limes

½ cup spinach leaves

Dressing

½ yuzu

1 tbsp white soy sauce

1 tbsp mirin

2 tbsp seasoned sushi vinegar

¼ extra virgin olive oil

Togarashi, to taste

Cilantro leaves, to taste

1.  In a blender, combine avocado, spinach, lime juice and 1 cup of cream. Puree well and strain. In a mixing bowl whisk together egg yolks, sugar, salt and avocado puree. Scald remaining cream and milk and temper egg-avocado mixture. Strain and cool. Follow recommended ice cream machine instructions.

2. For the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients and whisk until well incorporated.

3. To assemble, slice tuna thinly and arrange on a plate. Season lightly with sea salt, togarashi and place a few cilantro leaves on the tuna. Spoon a small amount of the vinaigrette on the fish and finish off with a small scoop of the ice cream.

When his father, Tony “Ham” Guerrero, the trumpet player and founder of Tejano band Tortilla Factory, passed away in January of 2011 from diabetes, Alfredo inherited the leadership role of the Grammy nominated group.

“I don’t know how my dad did this for 38 years,” says Guerrero, 41. “I watched him, and I learned — it’s a lot of work.”

He says as Tortilla Factory celebrates its 40th anniversary, he’s busy finishing up the anniversary album set to release mid-May, which will include some of his father’s hits, as well as new sounds of hip-hop, rap, and dance club music.

Being wide-ranging is pretty much a gene Guerrero got from his father.

“He used to put me to bed in my crib to the sounds of John Coltrane,” says Guerrero, who also remembers admiring his dad with his brother while he was performing trumpet on stage. “We would look and say, ‘We have a pretty cool dad.’”

When Guerrero was 10, he says his father recorded the mariachi song “La Malagueña” that he turned into a Latin rock tune.

“I remember crying,” he says, calling the song an “explosion” of emotions.

Although San Angelo, Texas is also the home to Los Lonely Boys, Guerrero says his father — a graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston — was the first to put the small town on the map.

“My father didn’t want me to be a musician, because it was a hard life,” says Guerrero, who originally pursued professional soccer. “I started following him and watching him. I was astonished, because he was an amazing musician and bandleader.”

One of the innovative things that his father did was, he says, hire Bobby “El Charro Negro” Butler, an African-American who used to pick cotton in Arkansas, to sing in the band.

“He learned how to sing Spanish and started singing Tejano music,” says Guerrero. “People would go bananas to see him.”

Now 75 years old, Guerrero is making sure “El Charro Negro” is on the new album.

“He says, ‘I’m a chick magnet boy!’” says Guerrero laughing. “I’m featuring him. I’m putting a couple of my pop’s tunes.”

Just like my father was changing things up in the 70’s, now I’m doing the same thing my dad did. It all stems from my father. He taught me. Tejano is in our roots, but at the end of the day, my father’s vision was world wide.”

Based in Austin since he was 14, Guerrero is now collaborating with rapper Paul Wall, who he calls Texas’ version of Eminem.

“He’s been a catalyst for me to work with the big names in the pop world, and he’s featured in the dance song I just realized called, ‘Com’on,’ says Guerrero. “We’re about to do a song with Chuck D from Public Enemy — Chuck D with a Tejano group!”

Guerrero says he’s branching out, just like his dad did. He says his dad didn’t look the traditional Tejano role either.

“My dad and his band looked like hippies, they were like Santana,” says Guerrero. “They got their name because they were rehearsing next to a tortilla factory one day.”

Tortilla Factory band in the 1970′s. (Courtesy Tortilla Factory)

Guerrero says he really loves salsa and R&B, and anything that’s musically hip.

“What my dad did was use his influence of Big Band and Quincy Jones and put those riffs in Tejano music,” he says. “What I’m doing is what he did — use the best musicians in the world to maintain Tortilla Factory’s standards musically that my father set since day one.”

His father would tell him, “Mijo, if you’re going to be a vocalist and a bandleader, you have to learn to master every genre of music, because you’re not going to be a real musician, and you’re not going to survive,” so he says he practiced his vocals 10 hours a day until he got it down.

“Today, Tortilla Factory can go to New York and play in a salsa festival with Marc Anthony, and it can go to Los Angeles and go to an R&B/hip hop gig, or a Tejano festival in San Antonio,” says Guerrero. “Some of the old schoolers are saying, ‘What’s going on here?’ and I politely respond that nothing’s changed here. I’m doing the modern thing, but I still have El Charro Negro…”

“We’ve had probably five or six lunches with a bunch of Republican senators standing up and looking at Rand and Mike and me and yelling at the top of their lungs — I mean really upset – why did you do this,” said Senator Cruz, referring to the letter Cruz, Rand and Lee sent to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threatening to filibuster if need be to make sure gun control legislation did not pass.  Cruz said that the senators said, “as a result of what you did, when I go home, my constituents are yelling at me that I’ve got to stand on principle,” said Cruz.

“I mean, I’m really not making that up,” added Cruz to laughter. “I don’t even argue with them. I just sort of let them yell,” said Cruz. The Texan Senator added that in the closed-door hearings, the Senators said they would now look like a bunch of “squishes” if they voted in favor of background checks.  The vast majority of Republican Senators did not vote for background checks, and the gun control measure failed in the Senate.

Cruz credited his, Senator Paul’s and Senator Lee’s filibuster letter with mobilizing the anti-gun control “grassroots” which then pressured Republican Senators to vote against the gun background checks.

“Let me tell you something the media ain’t telling you — we’re winning,” said Cruz to cheers.

RELATED: Latino voters support gun control laws, regardless of political party

That is not the case for all Republican senators who voted against expanded background checks for gun purchases. In a recent poll, New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte’s approval rating went down 15 points after voting against the background checks, and another poll found lower ratings for Arizona Senator Jeff Flake and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. In addition, 65 percent of  Americans said in a Gallup poll released today that the Senate should have passed the measure to expand background checks for gun purchases, while 29 percent agree with the Senate’s failure to pass the measure.

In terms of policy, however, Latino Decisions political scientist Sylvia Manzano says Cruz is right.

“Right now, Cruz raises a fair point — months after the president was re-elected, and even after the Newtown shooting, in the policy scoreboard, the Republicans won against gun control legislation,” says Manzano.

What about Cruz? While he may be ruffling many feathers — including those of Republican colleagues — Manzano says the Texan Cuban-American Tea Party Republican has been consistent.

“The voters who elected him like his style; and he plays well to that base and the national Tea Party base which feels like it doesn’t have that much representation left,” says Manzano.