Upshur County, TX (East Texas News) – Homes have been destroyed in what authorities believe was a tornado during Monday night’s storms.
Sheriff Larry Webb said a tornado appears to have touched down just south of Evergreen Road and FM 2685. He said it continued moving through the county on a northeast path that ends at Upshur Landing at Lake of the Pines.
“There has been significant damage to homes and some are completely destroyed,” Webb said in a Facebook post. “Right now there are reports of injuries that are not life-threatening and there have been no deaths reported. As daylight arrives and the full extent of the damage becomes clearer, keep our friends and families in your prayers as we begin to pick up the pieces and move toward recovery.”
A structure was torn completely from its foundation, reduced to a pile of rubble.
DPS and the Gilmer Fire Department are helping with chainsaws to clear fallen branches.
Chief Gaston DeBerry said there was extensive damage across the area.
Damage was reported along Highway 271 to the northeast, north of Ore City. A house with a partially missing roof, structural damage. Authorities said several homes were damaged or destroyed in the area. There were multiple reports of injuries, but the number is unknown at this time. The damaged areas include; FM 2685, Evergreen Rd.; Highway 271, Bluebird Rd, Highway 300, Highway 154.
“We were hit very hard,” DeBerry said.
The storms struck a mobile-home park and knocked campers over. DeBerry said one camper was hurled about 100 yards toward Lake of the Pines with people inside. But the people were rescued. DeBerry said there were no major injuries at the mobile-home park.
DeBerry said many homes are damaged with trees on them and trees litter the streets. Power lines are also down.
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