Late-night storms cause damage in Young County
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A tornado caused damage to a house at 199 Main Street in South Bend Wednesday night. As of Thursday morning, there were two confirmed minor injuries due to the tornado which touch downed around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday. (Leader photos by Mike Williams) -
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Two bands of thunderstorms, producing a tornado and quarter-size hail, moved through Young, Stephens and Jack Counties Wednesday night, into Thursday morning. A tornado touched down in South Bend at 9:14 p.m. Wednesday, causing extensive damage and minor injuries.
At 8:59 p.m., the National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a tornado warning for northwest Stephens County and southwest Young County. The radar indicated a severe storm in the area with rotation moving northwest at 30 mph.
A tornado touched down in South Bend, located nine miles southwest of Graham, in Young County, causing property damage and minor injuries. The tornado warning was extended in Young County at 9:31 p.m. to expire at 10 p.m.
A tornado was reported near Finis Road in Graham at 9:40 p.m. Young County Emergency Coordinator Greg Coker was first on the scene and reported that two homes had minor damage and four people were displaced from their homes. Ten minutes later, damage reports came in from Salem Loop and Hwy. 16, FM 701, Rosser Ranch Road, Canyon Road and Teresa Lane and Hwy. 67.
“We activated storm spotters at 9:45 p.m.,” said Graham Fire Department assistant chief, Jim Don Laurent. “Our first call came in at 2140 (9:40 p.m.) and we were en route at 2144.”
In total, 15 homes were damaged and four were destroyed. As a result, 31 community members were displaced from their homes. There were four injuries reported.
For those affected by the recent storms, the American Red Cross is offering aid. Call American Red Cross at 866-505-4801.
For the full story, see the Saturday, March 21 edition of The Graham Leader.
