The National Weather Service in Ft. Worth has confirmed two tornadoes, rated an EF-1 and an EF-2 touched down in Lamar County on Wednesday night.
“Last night’s storm became very busy for local first responders in the county. Now knowing that we had two confirmed tornadoes, with various areas seeing considerable damage, we are very fortunate here in Lamar County to have had so many people work so hard,” said Lamar County Emergency Management Coordinator Quincy Blount.
The first tornado rated an EF-1 touched down just west of the intersection of CR 35400 and CR 35650 in the South Belk community area and traveled in an easterly direction lifting just before FM1499.
The second tornado rated as a small EF-2 touched down on FM3298 between CR44250 and Hidden Lakes Drive. It traveled east towards the Red River County line, went north of Novice along CR 43200 crossed, and continued on CR 45250. It then crossed CR 45400 through to CR 46500, crossing FM906 and the Jamasco mulching company, then continued east lifted after CR45600 just about on the county line.
An EF-1 is described as causing moderate damage with wind speeds of 86 – 110 mph. Roofs severely stripped; mobile homes overturned or badly damaged; loss of exterior doors; windows and other glass broken.
An EF-2 is described as causing considerable damage with wind speeds of 111 – 135 mph. Roofs torn off from well-constructed houses; foundations of frame homes shifted; mobile homes completely destroyed; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground.
“From our volunteer firefighters who worked long into the night to clear debris from roads to helping LCSO Deputies check on houses and local families, to the LCSO dispatcher’s who kept everyone safe and updated as the storms went through, we cannot thank them enough for their efforts made,” said Blount.
Blount further said that the NWS has surveyed the area’s affected today, and are still compiling information on the tornadoes.
“We should have more detailed information in the next few days.”
Both tornadoes were said to be in the first storm cell that moved through the area between 6 – 7 p.m. Authorities confirmed there were no deaths or injuries to residents in the path of the storm.
Photo: Lonnie Norton