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‘We lost everything’ | Wharton County residents attempt to rebuild after tornadoes
In Wharton County, two tornadoes caused major damage just as hurricane season begins. Now, some residents are rebuilding as they anticipate future storms.
WHARTON COUNTY, Texas — Residents in Wharton County are taking stock of the damage after two tornadoes ripped through the area last Thursday.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-0 and an EF-1 tornado touched down, leaving residents like Leo Herrera with little to salvage.
“We lost everything,” Herrera said. “You can see right now, the whole roof is gone.”
In Herrera’s case, it left behind water damage and debris, including pieces of the roof and furniture, now piled on the front lawn. The damage only worsened in the days that followed, as more rain poured into the exposed home.
“It just got worse. All the sheetrock started coming down, right now it’s a mess inside the house,” he said.
Just down the road, Edith Williams is facing her recovery. The EF-1 tornado, which initially touched down near County Road 166, collapsed her garage directly onto her vehicle.
“It’s devastating to anybody to lose what they have,” Williams said. “But I just started praising God because it could’ve been the house, instead it was the garage.”
With the help of family, Williams was able to remove the vehicle and clear branches from her yard. Like many in the area, she’s relying on loved ones and neighbors to get through the aftermath.
“I think everybody around is just thankful because no lives were taken,” she said. “And that’s the most important thing.”
At least 24 tornadoes were reported across Texas as of mid-April, according to the National Weather Service and NOAA preliminary reports. Last year, Texas saw 169 confirmed tornadoes, the highest in the nation.
While no federal disaster declaration has been issued for Wharton County, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is urging residents to self-report any property damage. Doing so helps state and local officials determine if more resources or aid are needed.
You can fill out the damage assessment report at damage.tdem.texas.gov. The site also includes links to:
- Emergency food and shelter assistance
- Legal aid for renters
- Volunteer cleanup programs
- Insurance and contractor tips from the Texas Department of Insurance