Several Buildings Damaged in Downtown Canton After Severe Storms Move Through

People in Canton are surveying the damage left behind after a severe storm moved across the city, damaging several buildings.

At the intersection of Texas Highways 19 and 64, people in a Valero gas station ran for cover.

“We saw it spiral up right across the road. I told everybody, ‘Let’ go!’ said manager Crystal Herrera. “We went to the bathroom. We hunkered down."

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Seven people in all were in the bathroom as the twister dropped down right on top of them.

"We heard the building just pull away from itself,” Herrera said. “Something I've never been through."

Her daughter was with her.

"It was scary,” Abbie Herrera said.

Across the street, others took shelter in a store.

"By the time you saw it, if you didn't already have a place you could be very soon, you wasn't going to make it,” said Jerry Lane. “It was really moving. Really moving."

The tornado ripped parts of the roof and outside walls off the gas station.

But everyone hunkered down in that bathroom emerged without a scratch.

"It just went through and it was over and that was it,” Abbie Herrera said.

Not far from the gas station, homeowners had already started cleaning up after the storm passed.

"My son came out and my nephew and said 'Well aint Linda your car is a pancake,'" said resident Linda Myers.

Just a few blocks away, a tree landed in the middle of a newly renovated bathroom.

"The only thing I can say is that God performed a miracle because we're safe," said storm victim Sadie Berry.

Over at the UT Health Rehabilation Center, the strong winds basically peeled the roof off the building.

With the continuious rain only adding insult to injury, workers say they will be there Thursday morning, trying to save whatever they can.

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Stay Safe During a Hail Storm   At Home? Head indoors immediately If time allows, close all drapes, blinds or shades to prevent broken glass from entering your home. Stay away from windows and skylights (any exterior glass) and head to a safe location inside your home, ideally only with interior walls. Outdoors? Cover your head and seek shelter indoors immediately. If you are trapped outside, get to a low-lying area and try to protect your head. Use clothing if it's all you have. Driving? Stay inside your vehicle. Slow down or pull over and stop at a safe location. DO NOT stop under a highway overpass. You may be protecting your vehicle, but you could be forcing other people to stop behind you. Turn your back to windows or cover yourself with a blanket, coat or spare clothing to protect yourself from breaking glass. If you have a sunroof, try to find something to protect your head.

 

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