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Tornadoes and Historic Blizzard Strike the Lone Star State [VIDEO]

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Tony Maples Photography

 

By Max McNabb

The Texas Hill Country was spared the worst of the blizzard that wreaked havoc in West Texas and the Dallas area over the weekend. San Antonio did see some pea-sized hail on Sunday, but Hill Country residents are thankful they weren’t subjected to the devastation of the tornadoes that swept through Garland and Rowlett and left a pass of destruction.

Tornadoes and Historic Blizzard Strike the Lone Star State

Photo: Dallas News

The terrifying tornadoes killed 11 people in the Dallas area and destroyed 600 structures. Survivors call getting out alive a miracle. One survivor noted that his family went from happy to homeless in minutes. The deafening roar of the tornadoes was described as sounding like oncoming trains.

Scary Night Tornado in December

Video by EL TURC_O

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that hit Garland was an EF-4 with wind gusts of 166-200 mph. Nearby Rowlett suffered through an EF-3 with lesser, though still brutal, wind gusts. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for the four Texas counties hit the hardest: Dallas, Rockwall, Collin, and Ellis counties.

Meanwhile in West Texas, storms left huge snow drifts, covering roads and driveways as temperatures plummeted. On Monday, the mayor of Lubbock declared a state of disaster. Many businesses and government offices remained closed and residents were snowed in, their cars buried in drifts. Roads are likely to be hazardous as the drifts melt in warming temperatures and the ice covers the asphalt.

Tornadoes and Historic Blizzard Strike the Lone Star State

Photo: Max McNabb

Considering conditions in other parts of the Lone Star State, Hill Country residents are hard pressed to complain about a little hail, gusty winds, and some snow. Fortunately, from now until the New Year, no harsh weather is expected for the Hill Country. Here’s hoping 2016 brings blue skies and peaceful weather.