NWS REPORTS FRIDAY NIGHT’S STORMS INCLUDED EF-1 TORNADO IN BURLESON CO.

  

Efforts to clean up damage and restore power continue in the Brazos Valley, after a line of severe storms pounded the area Friday night.

Wind damage and power outages were widely reported through the region, with some seeing winds around 70 miles per hour.  Severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings were placed for several area counties.

The most severe damage was seen in Burleson County.  The National Weather Service office in Houston-Galveston, after a survey of the area Saturday, announced a preliminary report of an EF-1 rated tornado west/southwest of Caldwell.

The tornado was only on the ground for about a minute.  Its path of damage was roughly a tenth of a mile and 50 to 100 yards wide.  It was estimated to have peak wind speeds of 100 miles per hour, downing several power lines and trees, destroying a shed, and throwing a trailer 40 yards.

Somerville ISD’s Yegua Center, which is also used as an activity center, saw major roof damage.  There was also a home in Somerville affected by a downed power line, along with reports of downed trees and power lines in the northwest portion of Burleson County, near the border with Lee County.