Thunderstorm Wind in McLennan County, Texas

Isolated wind damage was noted in western McLennan County, including Crawford, Valley Mills, McGregor, and western Waco. Widespread wind damage occurred across southern McLennan County near Woodway, McGregor, Speegleville, Hewitt, Robinson, Bruceville-Eddy, and south Waco. The damage extended along and south of the Highway 6 corridor. A large sycamore tree was uprooted in McGregor and fell onto a parked car. Three tractor trailers were blown over on Interstate 35 near mile marker 329...about 7 miles south-southwest of Waco. Thousands of trees, power lines, and signs were blown down across the county. Power was knocked out throughout Waco. Winds of 50-80 MPH damaged roofs and blew one roof onto a police patrol car. Roof damage was reported at the Ace Hardware on Hewitt Drive, two miles north of Hewitt; at the Masterfoods/M&M Mars building on Texas Central Parkway, two miles north-northeast of Hewitt; and at the Colorite Corporation on Jewitt Lane, two miles northwest of the community of Elm Mott. A 2,400 square foot house was lifted from its concrete foundation and deposited several yards away. The builder estimated damages at $100,000. A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth determined that a downburst was responsible for the damage. Due to the extent of the damage, a countywide disaster declaration was issued by the McLennan County judge.