Video footage has surfaced on social media showing two tornadoes hitting western Texas on Thursday. Clips shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, captured separate tornadoes near El Campo in Wharton County and Crosby in Harris County. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, although three farms in Wharton County sustained damage, authorities confirmed. Newsweek reached out to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for further details.
Tornadoes: A Recurring Threat in Texas
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Tornadoes frequently wreak havoc in Texas, with some causing significant destruction. For instance, a tornado in northern Texas in May 2024 resulted in seven fatalities after devastating a truck stop. Although tornadoes are most common during summer, they can also occur in winter, particularly in southeastern U.S. regions and Gulf Coast states. Data from the Weather Channel indicates that Texas experiences an average of 124 tornadoes annually, the highest of any state.
Earlier this week, severe storms swept through Texas, prompting flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) on Tuesday. The federal agency reported that heavy rainfall and strong winds posed flash flood risks on Thursday in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, potentially affecting post-Christmas travel plans.
Thursday’s Tornado Incidents
The Wharton County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about a tornado near Highway 59 and the El Campo truck stop, urging residents to seek shelter immediately. A 16-second clip posted by Live Storm Chasers showed the tornado across the road from a group of people inside a building. One person can be heard urging others to “come inside” as they prepare to lock the door. The video has garnered over 580,000 views.
Local reports confirmed no injuries but noted damage to three farms in Wharton County. Meanwhile, Harris County witnessed another tornado near Crosby, captured in a video shared by freelance meteorologist Kody Wilson. The clip, showing a tornado moving across Lake Houston, has been viewed over 110,000 times.
Expert Insights
Speaking to Newsweek, NWS meteorologist Sean Luchs stated that the El Campo tornado touched down around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday. He noted that while such events in December aren’t rare, they aren’t highly common either.
In a separate development, Weather Channel field reporter Charles Peek shared photos of tornado damage in Liberty County, showing downed trees and a trailer home with a damaged roof.
Looking Ahead
The NWS has issued dense fog advisories for northern Texas on Friday morning, expecting conditions to improve by midday. As the fog lifts, weather across Texas is forecasted to stabilize heading into the weekend.
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