MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A disaster declaration has been issued for Montgomery County after a powerful EF-3 tornado ripped through the area, destroying homes and leaving families devastated.
Among the hardest hit is the Martinez family, whose focus remains on the recovery of their mother, who was critically injured and trapped beneath the wreckage of their home.
Residents along Pickering Road have begun clearing debris and salvaging what remains after the tornado struck Saturday. For the Martinez family, however, the recovery process is deeply personal as they balance rebuilding their lives with caring for their injured mother.
Juan Martinez vividly recalls the moment he saw the tornado barreling toward their mobile home.
“I opened the window and saw the tornado coming straight at us,” Juan said. “It moved back and forth, tearing through our home before leaving it in ruins.”
Juan and his wife Blanca were inside their trailer when the tornado hit. Their daughter, Stephanie Martinez, received a frantic call from a relative.
“I just heard my mom screaming hysterically,” Stephanie said. “It was terrifying.”
Stephanie later learned that her mother had been pinned under the collapsed structure. Family members managed to pull her out, but the injuries were severe. Blanca Martinez is currently in the ICU with extensive injuries.
“She has two broken legs, fractures in her front and back, and a fractured neck and spine,” Stephanie explained. “Any wrong movement could paralyze her completely.”
Stephanie says her father, Juan, also sustained injuries but is recovering after receiving stitches for wounds caused by falling debris.
Sitting amid the wreckage of their home, Stephanie reflected on the devastation.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “We’ve been here so long, and in just seconds, everything was gone.”
She says the family didn’t have home insurance on their property, so the recovery process will be much longer and possibly harder than expected.
Despite the destruction, the Martinez family remains hopeful. Stephanie says her mother’s condition is stable, but she faces a long road to recovery. Meanwhile, the family is focused on rebuilding their lives while caring for Blanca during her recovery.
Residents of Montgomery County continue to clean up and recover from the tornado’s aftermath. Relief efforts are underway, and officials are encouraging those affected to seek available resources.
For now, the Martinez family is relying on faith, community support, and resilience to face the challenges ahead.
