Within Space of One Week, 2 Tornado Outbreaks in Texas

At least six tornadoes blew through Central Texas overnight on Feb. 19 and 20, damaging more than 100 structures in the San Antonio area, just days after another six were reported near Houston.

The mayor of San Antonio issued a disaster declaration for the city of 1.4 million after four tornadoes touched down in the area late on Feb. 19 and early on Feb. 20. Mayor Ivy Taylor said the declaration is the first step toward securing state and federal assistance.

The San Antonio Fire Department officials said five minor injuries were reported.

The severe storms and tornadoes that pushed through Central Texas damaged at least 150 structures, according to early estimates, most of them homes in the San Antonio area. The National Weather Service confirmed at least six tornadoes touched down, though not all in populated areas.

A tornado with winds hitting 105 mph struck a residential area about 5 miles north of downtown San Antonio around midnight. Of the 43 homes damage, three fully collapsed, said San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward.

Another tornado briefly touched down about 5 miles northeast of San Antonio International Airport.

Thirty to 40 homes were damaged in two adjoining subdivisions about 10 miles northeast of downtown, where forecasters said a weak tornado left a roughly 1 1/2-mile track.

A dozen auto-carrier cars of a Union Pacific freight train were blown from their track northeast of Austin near the tiny town of Thrall, where at least two tornadoes touched down early on Feb. 20, according to Williamson County officials. About 20 homes and several barns and outbuildings were reported damaged.

Earlier in the week, at least six people were injured in Van Vleck, about 70 miles southwest of Houston, by a weak tornado rated an EF1, with winds of 86 to 110 mph. Up to four homes were destroyed and several others damaged.

An EF2 tornado with winds of 111 to 135 mph caused extensive damage to subdivisions 27 miles southwest of Houston. A weak tornado also was confirmed in Wharton, about 55 miles southwest of Houston.