‘Triggering’: Houstonian transplant relives losing her home as she watches New Orleans tornado damage
The National Weather Service said the EF-3 tornado went 11 miles through three parishes with most of the damage in Arabi, a community east of New Orleans. Many in the area are left homeless. It’s a feeling many who have been forced to Houston know all too well.
Impacted by storm damage? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about filing a claim
Over the years, KPRC 2 has provided information on how to file a claim related to hurricane, tornado, flood and freeze damage. The severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that hit the Houston area Tuesday will once again have people cleaning up and making calls to insurance companies.
Click2Pins: KPRC 2 viewers give us a look at weekend severe weather damage
The second weekend in January brought severe weather to Southeast Texas with some of the worst damage occurring north of Houston. A tornado touched down overnight in Humble. Others experienced heavy rain and a lot of lightning.
Mayfield family with Houston ties narrowly escapes Mothers Nature’s wrath
Hundreds of families and volunteers spent the day Sunday sifting through debris to try and salvage what they could. The Bright family has been in constant communication with their daughter in Houston to assure her they were OK after deciding to ride out the monstrous tornado in their home.
Tornadoes, severe storms rip through the South: See some of the most powerful videos, photos of the weather
Here are some of the most powerful videos and photos of the storms found on social media. Tornado wiped out some chicken houses in Wayne County Mississippi (about 14 miles east of Laurel). @NWSMobile @spann @NWSJacksonMS pic.twitter.com/ejgi0KUVy0 — Spinks Megginson (@rzweather) March 17, 2021TORNADO VIDEO: Tyrone Thomas Jr. sent us this video of a tornado between Waynesboro and Laurel. https://t.co/gu0tyfieXa pic.twitter.com/Oo0Kkr83Af — WLBT 3 On Your Side (@WLBT) March 17, 2021TORNADO VIDEO: This was sent in by Lennye Smith near Highway 583 in Brookhaven. 🌪🌪 https://t.co/MIfRnbDypX — #WVTM13 (@WVTM13) March 17, 2021Incredibly dangerous situation unfolding in Alabama.
Tornado caused collapsed structures, blown out windows in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas – Collapsed structures and blow out windows in Arlington were due to a tornado. pic.twitter.com/1u5S4r2a0w — DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) November 25, 2020Storm Damage (Arlington) Major storm damage at a commercial building in the 1100 block of Colorado Lane. pic.twitter.com/jnHB5FEVqT — DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) November 25, 2020The Arlington Fire Department and police responded to several reported locations of collapsed buildings and structures. The Arlington Fire Department and @ArlingtonPD have responded to multiple locations in Arlington with reports of collapsed buildings. Our units are currently assessing the structures, triaging potential patients, and moving to other reported locations.
Would you know what to do during a tornado? We have tips
As mid-May arrives, tornado season begins to reach its peak, proving to be a big threat, and nearly every state in the United States can experience a tornado. Having said that, do you know the safest things you can do for you and your family should a tornado strike near your home? Because of that, it’s smart to consider what room may be safest for you, in the event of a tornado. Mobile homes are simply not designed to withstand a tornado or strong winds in severe storms. [WATCH: When you see a tornado while driving, here’s what to do]The time to find shelter is when you are under a tornado warning, so while all of this is helpful information, the best thing you can do is know the signs before a tornado hits.
2 weeks after deadly EF-3 tornado ripped through Onalaska, community still reeling
ONALASKA, Texas – The Onalaska community is still reeling from the devastation caused by an EF-3 tornado that touched down and destroyed several neighborhoods on April 22. “It’s been two weeks and every time we pull up it’s a different flood of emotions,” said resident Debbie Robins. Robins said she was home when the tornado hit and only had a few seconds to find shelter. Onalaska Assistant fire Chief TD Jennings was working the night the tornado hit and gave KPRC 2 a look at some of the hardest-hit areas in the Yaupon Cove subdivision. Officials asking anyone who can donate their time or money to please call the city of Onalaska or Polk County Emergency Management at (936) 327-6826.
Number of homes destroyed by EF3 tornado exceeds 170, Polk County Judge says
ONALASKA – Polk County officials gave an update two days after a tornado ripped through Onalaska, leaving devastation in its wake. Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy said that the number of damaged homes increased to 306. The American Red Cross provided shelter to about 100 residents who were displaced by the tornado, Murphy said. Instead, people can go to the Polk County Emergency Management Facebook page for instructions on how to properly sort their debris so it will get picked up by the county’s contractor. “Up until this point Polk County has done a great job,” Murphy said.
Community remembers couple among those killed in Polk County tornado
ONALASKA – The damage across Onalaska in Polk County from Wednesday's violent tornado was widespread. One of his best friends, Taylor Holbert and Taylor's girlfriend, Brooke Ivey, were both killed. Billy Price said he is thankful to be alive, considering he was driving down the highway when the tornado hit. Like so many small knit communities, Price also knew the couple that was killed. Less than 24 hours after the deadly tornado struck, the entire community is coming together to start rebuilding while remembering those lost.
Reporter’s Notebook: Surrounded by debris of what was their lives, Onalaska community remains resilient after tornado
Very little warning.”This is the sixth tornado Farrows said he has lived through. Mayra couldn’t recall too much of the moments the tornado hit but does remember waking up, pinned beneath her trailer. “I was expecting rain and hail and maybe a little wind, but not a full Wizard of Oz tornado,” Jimenez joked. Reilly told us preliminary findings indicated the tornado that descended on this little community had caused EF-2 damage. Reilly told us NWS has crews surveying the damage from this tornado all the way into Louisiana and their findings would be compiled into a complete report.
Polk County family says they’re lucky to be alive after tornado destroys home
POLK COUNTY, TEXAS – Residents of the Canyon Park Subdivision were left trying to pick up the pieces after a tornado touched down and left a trail of destruction on Tuesday. I was praying, thank God we’re blessed and unscathed,” Aryana Manning said. Manning considers her family lucky to be alive after a tree split their mobile home in half. “My mother-in-law said, ‘Is that a tornado siren?’ I said, ‘No that’s the tornado.’ It sounds like a siren or a train,” Manning said. The Manning family said they aren’t sure what they’ll do next but will stay with family until they can figure it out.
How rare was Wednesday’s Onalaska twister? You might be surprised.
According to the National Weather Service Office for Houston/Galveston, southeast Texas has only recorded six EF-3 tornadoes since 1992. EF-3 tornadoes make up only one percent of the overall tornadoes that touch down in southeast Texas. Chart courtesy of the National Weather Service Office, Houston/Galveston. According to the National Weather Service, only two F-4/EF-4 tornadoes have touched down in the area since 1950. EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes pack winds in excess of 166 miles per hour!
'So heartbroken’: This is what residents say it was like to experience tornado as it ripped through Polk County
ONALASKA, Texas – Residents were fearful and in shock after a tornado ripped through multiple neighborhoods in Onalaska in Polk County Wednesday evening. Y'all please keep Onalaska Texas in your prayers. this is yaupon cove drive pic.twitter.com/18QusOTPV7 — Joe Smith SDK (@JoeSmithSDK) April 23, 2020my dads entire neighborhood in onalaska tx just got completely destroyed by a tornado. 2020 is out for blood pic.twitter.com/948AqfVF5V — kasey (@eattmyshorts_) April 23, 2020Please pray for everyone who lost everything here in Onalaska, TX. A command post was set up at the Onalaska Fire and Rescue as first responders worked to rescue trapped residents and assess the damage.
How to help people in Polk County after deadly tornado
ONALASKA, Texas – Three people lost their lives, and several communities were devastated by a tornado that plowed through Polk County Wednesday. People are in need of basic items like food, water clothing and other miscellaneous household items. The PCEM shared a post on how you can help those impacted by the tornado. VolunteeringDue to COVID-19, Polk County Emergency Management will not be setting up a physical volunteer reception center. People who were displaced by the tornado and need clothing can also call the Oasis at 936-327-1208 or 936-327-8467.
NWS: Deadly tornado in Onalaska peaked at 140 mph winds, caused EF3 damage in parts
ONALASKA, Texas – The National Weather Service said Thursday that preliminary information shows the tornado that ripped through Onalaska in Polk County Wednesday evening, caused between EF1 and EF3 damage with a peak wind of 140 miles per hour. NWS officials said the tornado caused EF1 and EF2 damage with winds of 135 miles per hour for the most part. However, in Paradise Acres Subdivision of Onalaska, the peak winds were at 140 miles per hour which caused EF3 damage. See the path of a deadly tornado that ripped through Polk County on April 22, 2020. “Up to this point, Polk County has done a really good job of sheltering at home,” Murphy said.
EXPLAINED: A team is surveying the damage in Onalaska. This is how they will classify the tornado.
The National Weather Service is sending a small survey team to survey the damage in Onalaska where at least 20 people were injured and three people were killed after a tornado ripped through multiple neighborhoods on Wednesday evening. What a survey team doesThe survey team is tasked with decoding the tornado’s life cycle. When all the evidence is collected the survey team matches the damage they see to what wind speed is required to produce that damage and classify the tornado using the Enhanced Fujita Scale. About Southeast Texas destructive tornadoesSoutheast Texas is not know for large destructive tornadoes. An EFO tornado would cause minor tree damage, maybe damage to gutters while an EF2 would could cause significant roof damage.
KPRC 2’s Frank Billingsley breaks down the dynamics of tornado that destroyed Polk County neighborhoods
HOUSTON – KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist tracked the storm that moved through the Houston-area Wednesday evening. A tornado ripped through four neighborhoods in Polk County at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, bringing wind and hail damage to the surrounding areas. PHOTOS: Tornado rips through trees, buildings in Seven Oaks area Wednesday eveningIn the video above, Billingsley breaks down the dynamics and trail of the tornado and the damage it left in its wake.
WATCH: See videos and photos showing the impact of a tornado ripping through an Arkansas city
(CNN) – (CNN) -- A tornado ripped through Jonesboro, Arkansas, injuring six people and leaving a trail of flattened homes and buildings. MAJOR damage confirmed in Jonesboro, Arkansas from an intense tornado. A map on its website showed tornado strikes in Arkansas and Iowa, though none appeared to have been as damaging as the one in Jonesboro. The weather service map said power lines were knocked down and roofs blown off in Jackson County, Arkansas. The weather service issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" tornado watch for parts of the Midwest through Saturday night.
Unconfirmed tornado tears through rural North Texas
DALLAS, Texas – At lease one unconfirmed tornado tore through part of rural North Texas on Wednesday night, damaging numerous roofs and outbuildings, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Storm spotters reported that a suspected tornado tore through a rural area just south of Graham, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Fort Worth. The storm moved northeastward toward Lake Bridgeport and on to the town of Alvord, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Fort Worth, damaging several metal buildings. Reports of tree damage and downed utility lines were widespread.
Crews work to clean up day after deadly tornadoes tear through middle Tennessee
Multiple deadly twisters devastated four counties, including Davidson County, where Nashville sits, and Putnam, where more than a dozen people lost their lives. The new day revealed devastation more than 24 hours after the tragic tornadoes. In other areas like east Nashville, an EF-3 twister took out businesses and homes. In Putnam County, 80 miles east of Nashville, officials there clarified 18 people lost their lives in that devastating tornado. Businesses in east Nashville were ripped to shreds.
Nashville locals offer helping hand after tornado outbreak tears through city, surrounding counties
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly one day after a devastating tornado outbreak ripped through Nashville and surrounding counties, many people were left picking up the pieces. The series of weather events Monday night into Tuesday morning changed lives. Tennessee officials raised the death toll to 25 Tuesday night as the sunset and darkness took over the city. Thousands of people were without power including the neighborhood of Germantown near downtown Nashville. In Putnam County, 80 miles east of Nashville, 77 people are still unaccounted for and more than 18 have been reported there.
3 dead as suspected twisters, other storms batter the South
“We had to make due the best we could.”The storms prompted numerous tornado watches and warnings Monday. In nearby Alexandria, Louisiana, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, crews cleared roads and restored power late into the night, working in a chilly mist. Three people were injured, at least one of them very seriously, by an apparent tornado that hit Amite County, Mississippi, Monday afternoon, county emergency director Grant McCurley said. As the storm system pushed into Alabama on Monday evening it toppled trees and power lines and kicked up more suspected tornadoes. School systems in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi dismissed students early and canceled afternoon events and activities.