Power Outage in Junction, TX

Junction Volunteer Fire Department reported a mixture of sleet and freezing rain. Ice accumulations was estimated at about a half an inch of accumulation on a flag pole. By the afternoon about 1 to 2 inches of ice accumulated on trees and power lines. Many tree limbs, thousands of trees, miles of power poles and electrical lines, and two communication towers fell because of the heavy icing coating these structures. A traffic fatality occurred about 20 miles west of Junction on Interstate 10 at Mile Marker 438.

In Junction, the NWS survey team found evidence of two tornadoes. The first touchdown was located 0.8 miles west southwest of Junction in a residential neighborhood. At this location, they found damage to storage sheds and an awning. The tornado broke a power pole near the base and blew out windows of a nearby residence. The tornado damage was consistent with an EF0 tornado.

The second tornado was rated an EF1 and it began on Main Street in Junction between 14th Street and 3rd Street. The tornado ripped off several roofs, blew out windows and damaged trees and power lines. It turned a one by four piece of wood into a missile. This missile went through a metal eave of a residence and into the exterior wall of the residence just above the window. The damaging winds also turned a deer feeder lid into a missile as it lodged the lid into the side of a business. The damaging winds blew out an overhead door at the fire station.

The second tornado was rated an EF1 and it began on Main Street in Junction between 14th Street and 3rd Street. The tornado ripped off several roofs, blew out windows and damaged trees and power lines. It turned a one by four piece of wood into a missile. This missile went through a metal eave of a residence and into the exterior wall of the residence just above the window. The damaging winds also turned a deer feeder lid into a missile as it lodged the lid into the side of a business. The damaging winds blew out an overhead door at the fire station.

The Oasis Pipeline Fire 11 miles south of Junction burned approximately 9445 acres and it was 100 percent contained by midnight on May 10. There were 11 structures destroyed, including 1 home. Also, 3 vehicles and 1 bulldozer were destroyed, along with numerous power poles and fence line. In addition, 20 head of cattle were lost. Commercial airtankers and four MAFFs tankers helped slow the spread of the fire that came within four miles south of Junction. This fire was started by lightning on April 26.

The Oasis Pipeline Fire 11 miles south of Junction burned approximately 9445 acres and it was 80 percent contained. There were 11 structures destroyed, including 1 home. Also, 3 vehicles and 1 bulldozer were destroyed, along with numerous power poles and fence line. In addition, 20 head of cattle were lost. Commercial airtankers and four MAFFs tankers helped slow the spread of the fire that came within four miles south of Junction. This fire was started by lightning on April 26.

Trees and power lines were blown down by damaging thunderstorm winds.