ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — A tornado that struck Brazoria County Saturday afternoon left one person dead and four others injured while causing extensive damage to buildings roughly 30 miles south of Houston.
The tornado touched down multiple times, damaging at least 10 buildings including a school, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. The four injured victims were transported to a Houston hospital with non-critical injuries.
“Tornadoes are uncommon in our region, and damage of this magnitude is even more rare,” said Madison Polston, sheriff’s office spokeswoman. Authorities have not released details about whether the victims were from the same residence.
The deadly tornado was part of a broader severe weather system that generated multiple warnings across the South. The National Weather Service recorded 16 tornado reports across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi by Saturday evening.
In East Montgomery County, north of Houston, a possible tornado caused significant structural damage, including to the East County Fire Department, resulting in minor injuries. Lake Charles, Louisiana, faced a “life-threatening situation” tornado warning, though it expired without reports of injuries.
Social media captured the storm’s intensity, with one video showing a funnel cloud crossing a field in Katy, Texas. Emergency responders and residents have begun assessing damage and cleanup efforts.
“The community is coming together to help those affected,” Polston said. “We’re fortunate the casualties weren’t higher given the storm’s intensity.”
Local authorities continue monitoring weather conditions while providing support to affected residents. The National Weather Service will conduct damage surveys to determine the tornado’s strength and path.
