Freak winds hit Madison County

On July 26, strong winds from a storm did much across the area, including to Los Panchitos Restaurant. photo courtesy of Madisonville Meteor Emergency Management Coordinator Shelly Butts reported a serious weather event classified as a downdraft/ downburst occurred in Madison County at approximately 5:25 pm on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Much of Madisonville was affected, as well as most of the center of the county with severe damage to homes and businesses. Numerous roofs were ripped off, damaged trees were uprooted and limbs severed, power lines were downed and debris was strewn across pastures and roadways.

The downdraft ripped the roof from Lakeside Restaurant, near the I-45 feeder, as several customers were eating. Seven to nine customers and restaurant staff reportedly retreated into a center location of the building after hearing and feeling the loud clamor and shaking in the structures roof and ceiling. After the noise and wind subsided the nervous group returned to the main dining area to find that much of the roof had blown away. Other major businesses near the interstate that were damaged include Madison County Tire, Budget Motel, Zip/‘N Subway, McDonald’s, Los Panchitos, Sonic, Western Lodge and Texas Pride Trailers. Other businesses further from the intersection including buildings in the Industrial Park were also damaged. Reports from downtown Madisonville include power pole damage, roof damage, and fallen trees and debris.

Meanwhile, an unidentified man driving a pick up reported that his truck was struck and spun around side ways by part of the restaurant’s roof as he drove near the restaurant and I-45. He didn’t realize what had struck his vehicle until he stopped and got out of the truck. That was when he saw another part of the roof “flying” through the air in his direction. Two major accidents with overturned vehicles were caused by damaging winds and a commercial vehicle was overturned due to the storm; however, no fatalities were reported. Only three stormrelated injuries were reported immediately following the storm.