Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A massive storm caused heavy winds and even tornadoes across Texas. On Monday, the first Spring storm brought more than just showers as entire towns faced the prospect of being flattened by the heavy winds.
The city of Jacksboro was in the direct line of the storms as they moved east across the Lone Star State. Witnesses taking shelter at the local school said they could hear the walls shaking, but didn’t think the damage would be as severe as it ended up being.
“Substantial damage to our elementary and high school, both of the gym at the elementary, the roof was taken off. Walls collapsed. You can see the damage here at our high school gymnasium.
— Brad Burnett, Superintendent Jacksboro School District
More than 65,000 people reportedly lost power overnight as a result of the storms with one county being forced to shut down its grid after numerous lines went down.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the site of the damage in Williamson County, declaring it to be a miracle that no deaths had been reported as a result of the storms.
“At the very same time, and what I’m about to say may be early and premature, but it may be a miracle also,” he stated. “Because even though there’s been some devastating physical damage, to my knowledge as of right now, there is no report of loss of life, which is just stunning.”
Thank you to all who worked through the long day and night to keep us weather aware and safe, including the national weather services, local weather broadcasters, emergency managers, city and county officials, and first responders in communities across the state. #txwx pic.twitter.com/bcm9bnBIwJ
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) March 22, 2022
Abbott went on to praise meteorologists and television weather people for giving quick warnings just before the tornadoes hit towns in which potentially saved dozens of lives. The governor is expected to sign a disaster declaration on Tuesday after these storms, plus wildfires, hail and snowfall all hit the state at once.
For Texans who want a reprieve from the severe weather, there is no luck as more violent storms are expected on Tuesday.
Source: One America News Network
