Constance Atton | Lariat Photographer
By Abigail Loop
Staff Writer
The storm that swept through at 6 p.m. Thursday did not come to a close before causing damage to several parts of Waco.
Rain, high winds, thunder, lighting and golf ball-sized hail caused people to seek shelter and caused a number of traffic accidents, said Sgt. Patrick Swanton, public information officer for the Waco Police Department.
Although Waco went through the worst of the storm in roughly two hours, Waco police and other emergency teams were left to deal with the aftermath of the storm, he said.
“There was wind damage to a lot of West Waco,” Swanton said. “There’s been power outages, windows blown out, traffic lights out, trees down and numerous buildings have been damaged.”
One such accident involved a blown-over 18-wheeler in the 400 block of Jewel Drive in North Waco.
Swanton said the Heart of Texas Fair was also shut down because several ticket booths were tipped over causing minor injuries.
Baylor students were alerted through an emergency text of the severe weather to stay safe and find shelter indoors.
According to the National Weather Service, Thursday’s storm will continue to move east and southeast. Residents in areas ahead of the storm should plan for very strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall. A cold front will usher in gusty northwest winds.
To stay updated with the Waco weather, visit the National Weather Service website, www.weather.gov.
