The Central Texas cities of Florence and Salado sustained serious damage from a powerful tornado on Tuesday (April 12), according to a report from Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. Bell County Judge David Blackburn said that at least 20 people were injured during the severe weather event, KXAN reported.
The aftermath of the tornado found residents sifting through destroyed homes and assessing devastating losses while expressing gratitude that they and their loved ones were spared, Austin CBS affiliate KEYE reported. One of these residents is Sophie Palmer.
“It was pretty terrifying," Palmer told the station. "We weren't able to stay there because everything was coming at us."
KXAN reported that the tornado damaged approximately 63 structures and officials closed off FM 2843 between Salado and Florence, which had been strewn with debris and downed power lines, to just local traffic.
The tornado's path measured an estimated eight miles long and a quarter-mile wide, Blackburn said, according to the station.
KXAN reported that more than 600 people were without power on Wednesday night (April 13).
Blackburn said it's unclear as to when residents will have their electricity resume given the extent of the tornado's damage to infrastructure, the station reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) performed a post-storm assessment.
In Williamson County, County Judge Bill Gravell declared a local state of disaster, KEYE reported.
"We are grateful that we did not have any serious injuries due to the storm in our county, but our prayers are with the families in Bell County who did experience tremendous loss," Gravell said, per the station.