One killed as twister hits south Texas close to the Gulf coast, damaging dozens of properties
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One particular person was killed and a curfew was imposed after a strong tornado tore by way of a group near the southern tip of Texas earlier than daybreak Saturday, damaging dozens of residences and flattening energy strains, authorities stated.
At the very least 10 others have been hospitalized, together with two individuals who have been listed in important situation, stated Tom Hushen, the emergency administration coordinator for Cameron County.
Many residents additionally suffered cuts and bruises.
A nighttime curfew for these 17 and below was issued by Eddie Treviño Jr., the Cameron County choose, and is anticipated to finish Might 16 to “mitigate the consequences of this public well being and security emergency.” The order additionally forbids non-residents of Laguna Heights from coming into its residential areas.
The twister hit at about 4 a.m. as most individuals have been of their properties asleep within the unincorporated group of Laguna Heights, positioned on the mainland throughout from South Padre Island, off the Gulf of Mexico.
The county has among the many highest poverty charges in Texas and is dotted with substandard housing.
There was no advance warning. As a substitute, the primary warning of a twister “went out on the identical time it was touching floor,” stated Barry Goldsmith, a warning coordination meteorologist for the Nationwide Climate Service in Brownsville.
![At least 10 others were hospitalized, including two people who were listed in critical condition.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Severe_Weather_72789-5720c.jpg?w=1024)
![here was no advance warning. Instead, the first warning of a tornado “went out at the same time it was touching ground."](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Severe_Weather_74079-bb329.jpg?w=1024)
“With hurricanes we get pleasure from getting some advance warning; we all know it’s in all probability on its means,” Treviño stated throughout a Saturday press convention. “With a twister, like Barry talked about, it’s not a standard state of affairs except we now have a hurricane/tropical cyclone within the space. So, we didn’t get pleasure from a warning.”
“The hour didn’t assist,” Treviño added.
Roberto Flores, 42, died after being “principally crushed on account of the harm to his cell residence,” Treviño stated.
The storm was clocked with wind speeds of 86-110 mph and was categorized as an EF1 twister, in response to the climate service. It lasted solely about two to 4 minutes however it ravaged the world.
![The tornado hit at about 4 a.m. as most people were in their homes asleep in the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Severe_Weather_47187-0ba1b.jpg?w=1024)
![The storm was clocked with wind speeds of 86-110 mph and was categorized as an EF1 tornado, according to the weather service. It lasted only about two to four minutes but it ravaged the area.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Severe_Weather_15976-2ce8f.jpg?w=1024)
As many as 60 properties have been broken. The county choose signed a catastrophe declaration, and a brief shelter within the close by metropolis of Port Isabel was offering assist to 38 folks.
“Apparently it went straight by way of that group,” stated county sheriff Eric Garza. “People don’t need to depart their homes as a result of they’re afraid that any person will go in there and begin stealing stuff.”
Garza stated his division helps present safety for the world.
![As many as 60 homes were damaged. The county judge signed a disaster declaration, and a temporary shelter in the nearby city of Port Isabel was providing help to 38 people.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Severe_Weather_09485-00174.jpg?w=1024)
Laguna Heights is about 20 miles northeast of the US-Mexico border at Brownsville and isn’t liable to having tornados, though this spring has been lively, stated climate service meteorologist Angelica Soria.
The realm can also be gearing up for the beginning of hurricane season.
The Texas twister follows an outbreak of dozens of twisters in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado that triggered harm however no reported deaths.
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