(Newswire.net — May 21, 2019) — Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through the Texas towns of Abilene and San Angelo over the weekend, leaving damage in its wake. The National Weather Service has confirmed that tornadoes moved through both towns as well as the town of Ballinger.
The towns were battered by two strong storms, which caused extensive property damage.
Aerial video of the city showed debris scattered through streets and homes with their entire roofs blown off. There have also been reports of damage to several businesses and vehicles.
Fortunately, city officials say that there were no reports of damage or fatalities.
Abilene’s Emergency Operations Center was opened early Saturday morning. A disaster declaration was signed by the mayor late Saturday morning.
A survey team from the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-2 tornado ripped through Abilene, causing damage. Abilene was under a Tornado Warning at the time of the storm. A storm survey team also confirmed damage from at least an EF-2 tornado in the Bradford area of San Angelo as well as the town of Ballinger.
A building at the West Texas Boys Ranch, just southwest of the city, reportedly collapsed.
Wind gusts of 80 mph were reported in parts of San Angelo. Winds in the Bradford area reached 135 mph.
Families hunkered down in their homes to ride out the storm. One family of seven in San Angelo huddled under a mattress in the small bathroom of their home. The tornado sent a 2×4 plank through an exterior wall. Once the storm passed, the family was trapped inside of their home. The roof caved in, and the pecan tree in the front yard had fallen to block the front door. The family managed to escape by crawling through a bedroom window. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The family joined 50 other people who sought shelter at Bradford Elementary ahead of the second storm.
Many homes in San Angelo were severely damaged by the storm, and basement contractors in Toronto say that repairs could take months. Citizens are already starting the clean-up process, but officials from the City of San Angelo ask that debris be moved to the curb.
“Please do NOT put storm debris in the street, which creates a driving hazard,” the city said in a statement. “Crews will eventually come by to pick up storm debris from curbs, but given the level of damage, that could take weeks.”
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at Bradford Elementary School.