The small town of Jarrell, for which this Safety Rest Area is named, has a notorious claim to fame. The town has survived not one, but TWO F5/EF5 tornadoes, in 1989 and 1987 (the most notorious). That tornado, generated by an aberrant north-to-south-moving storm, moved so slowly that it acted like a giant "blender," pulverizing an entire neighborhood so that the locals couldn't even tell what address they were at in the aftermath. It scoured pavement off roads and completely defoliated the trees. I used to own a cache in Jarrell that recounted the story and ended inside the community storm shelter that was built after the second tornado.
The State of Texas, in all of its newest rest areas, provides a place for travelers to seek shelter in the event of a catastrophic storm such as these. There is a desgnated storm shelter in between the two large restrooms on the south end of the building, and the restrooms also provide significant protection. When you travel Texas' highways during the spring severe storm season, rest assured you can find a refuge somewhere on your route.
Here is another "leg-stretcher" cache for you to find in this lovely and large rest area. One more bit of advice - give those big rigs LOTS of room, front and rear, when on the highway! This advice is from a retured truck driver (ME).
ENJOY!