(May 15, 2008)—Bell County Commissioners declared a disaster during an emergency meeting Thursday, a day after powerful storms left a trail of damage across the southern portion of the county.
The heaviest damage was concentrated in Salado and smaller communities on the eastern edge of the county.
The declaration activates emergency management plans to authorizes aid and assistance to affected areas of the county.
The heavy damage from the early-morning storms Wednesday wasn’t caused by a tornado, a National Weather Service expert said Thursday.
Gary Woodall said sustained downburst winds of 70 miles per hour caused the widespread damage stretching from Youngsport to the eastern edge of the county.
At the start of the day Thursday in Salado, 90 percent of the homes and businesses were still without power and it could be this weekend before service is completely restored.
Crews were able to restore power to Salado’s schools Wednesday night and classes resumed on schedule Thursday morning.
Students got an unexpected holiday on Wednesday because of the storm damage.
The powerful winds uprooted trees, snapped tree limbs and ripped roofs off of buildings in Salado, and left heavy damaged behind in Little River, Oenaville and Zabcikville.
A second round of storms that moved through the same area Wednesday night also did some damage, but mainly produced heavy rain that caused widespread street and highway flooding.
There was a report Wednesday night of wind damage to a carport.
As the system moved out of the area, there were more reports of damage to the southeast.
In Robertson County, a tree fell across FM 46, partially blocking the road late Wednesday night.
A downed tree blocked a portion of Highway 7 early Thursday morning in Leon County, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
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