Early Morning Storm Causes Fatalities and Widespread Destruction in Ellis County

Devastating Storm Strikes Ellis County

• ⚡ A powerful and destructive storm swept through Ellis County, causing significant damage in a very short period, estimated to be around 30 seconds.
• 💔 Tragically, the storm resulted in one fatality and several hospitalizations within the county.

Impact on Structures and Businesses

• 🏚️ Numerous structures were destroyed, including a hotel where the roof was ripped off, and several rooms were filled with insulation.
• 🛒 The front facade of the L'Grande supermarket was also torn down, leaving the store exposed.
• 🚛 Multiple 18-wheeler semis were overturned along I-35E, resembling tossed toys.

Personal Loss and Community Impact

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The storm claimed the life of TJ Bailey, a beloved member of the drag racing community, who was inside an RV with his wife and 5-year-old son when it flipped.
• 💔 While TJ's wife and son are expected to recover, the family is grieving and the community is mourning the loss.
• 🛠️ Residents and workers are now faced with the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding after the widespread destruction.

Power Outages

• 💡 The storm caused widespread power outages, with over 2,000 customers initially affected in Ellis County.
• 📉 As of Sunday morning, the number of customers without power had decreased to just under 1,300.