A tornado whipped through Texas on Tuesday evening. According to officials, 23 people were injured in the storm.
Numerous tornadoes were confirmed. One twister rolled through Salado and damaged homes in the rural areas of Bell County between Waco and Austin, Texas.
Judge David Blackburn from Bell county said the first report was made around 5:40 p.m. near Salado. He stated that it traveled for approximately seven miles and big trees were ripped out of the ground and many buildings were demolished. The damage was significant but could have been worse. He is thankful that no one lost their life.
Tornado Location and Injuries
Twelve out of 23 people who were injured were brought to local hospitals. One of those people was in critical condition. Some of the other 11 injured people went to the hospital and were released after treatment.
The National Weather Service warned people about the confirmed tornado that moved into the southern area of Bell County as the big storms rolled through Texas. The warning encouraged people to hide safely in bathtubs and find shelter.
The government in Salado stated that the tornado did not go into the town. The town’s population is approximately 2,300 people and is nearly 50 miles from Austin, Texas.
Blackburn proclaimed that there is not really anything left in the storm’s path. He mentioned that big trees have been uprooted, stripped, and overturned. He said that buildings have been turned into rubble at multiple locations and that power lines and poles were scattered everywhere.
Hail and Tornado Weather Survey
Images posted on social media showed hail the size of a grapefruit from the storm.
Storm survey teams will be sent out by the weather service on Wednesday. The teams will be going to Williamson and Bell Counties. They will be doing an assessment of the storm path and strength.
The tornado developed as the high winds and storm threats impacted the area of the country from South Dakota and Minnesota to nearly the Gulf Coast.
On Tuesday night, northeast Texas, central and northern Louisiana, pieces of Iowa, and southern Arkansas had tornado watches in effect.
Blizzard Conditions Closes Roads
The National Weather Service warned about a blizzard and it was in effect through Thursday for most central and western regions of North Dakota. Up to two feet of snow was expected during the storm
Blizzard conditions lessened visibility to almost none in North Dakota, according to the weather service. The state transportation department said that most of Interstate 94 and other roads and highways were closed because conditions were considered life-threatening. Schools, government buildings, and the Capitol in North Dakota were also closed due to the conditions.
Winds similar to hurricane winds, big hail, and strong tornadoes were a possibility in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Louisiana, according to forecasters.
Written by Marrissa Kay
Edited by Jeanette Vietti
Sources:
NBC News: 23 injured after tornado hits Texas as storms sweep across central U.S.; by Phil Helsel
ABC News: 23 injured in Texas storms; more tornadoes forecast in US; by The Associated Press
25 ABC: 23 injured in Bell County: Central Texas tornadoes cause widespread damage
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Vincent Parson’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Red Cross: Carl Manning GKCARC’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
