Storm leaves destruction across Milam County

A severe storm with high winds raced through Milam County early Monday morning leaving several without power, multiple downed power lines and debris across the county.

Cameron residents on the north side of town were without power for most of Monday after high winds knocked down and tree and power lines near the Arlidge Storage Units along Highway 77.

Thorndale residents woke up to no power and extensive damage after a storm bought 70- to 80-mile hour winds to the area.

The winds damaged several power lines leaving the city and most of the area without power until late Monday. Damage was done to roofs, barns and many trees were knocked down due to the wind.

The lights at the Thorndale ISD athletic fields were knocked over along with damage done to a silo along the railroad tracks.

Residents and business owners were left to clean up the mess.

“We are devastated,” Lilly Dennis, owner of Country Roads Emporium in downtown Thorndale said. “Both of my businesses were damaged, thousands and thousands of feet of my store. Everything is gone.”

Dennis wanted to thank the community and the owners of Good Time Eats, across the street, for all of their help moving furniture and feeding everyone on Monday.

“A man offered me a key to his building and told me not to worry about paying rent,” Dennis said. “I was able to salvage a few things and I praise the Lord for it.”

Dennis said all of the furniture in her store was damaged along with boxes of clothing she had been saving for missionaries.

Thorndale Mayor Allen Hejl commended the community for coming together to respond to the storm.

 “I saw friends helping neighbors, churches helping the elderly, and businesses giving time and food to workers,” Hejl said. “There was no waiting for outside help to come in. Our town stepped in and the clean up began.”

North FM 908 between Sheckles Lane and Apache Pass will be closed for a while because the electrical transmission lines that cross the road had major damage to at least eight towers. Residents were urged to stay away from the area because of danger from the high-voltage lines.

Thorndale Independent School District staff had a work day scheduled Monday but, because of the damage, the work day was canceled and the staff was told to stay home and take care of any storm damage. School was delayed two hours on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said late Monday afternoon that two tornadoes, possible EF-2s, were confirmed Sunday night or early Monday morning in Williamson County near Thrall. The Thrall High School gym and a Thrall church were damaged, and about 20 train cars derailed between Thrall and Thorndale.