SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KSHV) – The National Weather Service is completing damage surveys after tornadoes tore through Texas and Oklahoma Monday night and Tuesday morning. There are three confirmed touchdowns so far in the ArkLaTex area, with more investigations to be completed tomorrow.
Two people were injured when an EF2 tornado touched down along FM 2685 and Pomegranate Rd. south of Gilmer around 10:20 p.m. The tornado traveled 21 miles between Gilmer and Ore City in Upshur County through the Lake O’ the Pines. It was reported to be 0.4 miles wide.
Damage in Marion and Cass counties should be complete tomorrow. It has the potential to be upgraded to an EF3 depending on the results of further investigation.
“The Marion County Judge has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to relieve the suffering of the people and to protect or rehabilitate the property,” according to the declaration of disaster signed Tuesday morning by Judge Leward J. LaFleur.
A strong EF2 tornado touched down in Panola County around 12:10 p.m. Tuesday and injured one person. It started along FM 348 and traveled 8.8 miles northeast, causing significant damage to trees and several structures along Highway 79. The tornado was 500 meters wide and began to move moving at 35 mph, but structural damage suggests the maximum wind speed reached nearly 130 mph.
At approximately 12:49 p.m., a weak EF1 landed in Harrison County along Blocker Rd. south of Marshall. Damage was primarily to trees in parts of southern Harrison County. The 200-metre-wide storm track continued for 6.5 miles with peak wind speeds reaching 90 mph.
An investigation should be completed tomorrow for Rusk County.
On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties in Texas while visiting Jacksonboro.
