Disaster declared for Alice as storms rip through southern Texas

Severe storms moved through parts of southern Texas on Thursday night, May 8, injuring multiple people and causing widespread damage in Corpus Christi, San Diego, Alice, Petronila, and surrounding areas.

The total number of injuries remains unclear. Several minor injuries have been reported, and assessments are ongoing, but officials confirmed that at least five people sustained significant injuries.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storms brought peak winds of up to 185 km/h (115 mph), equivalent to a category 3 hurricane, along with widespread gusts of 113 to 145 km/h (70 to 90 mph) across the region.

According to Alice Fire Chief Patrick Thomas, the storm, which moved rapidly east, struck multiple neighborhoods, uprooting trees, damaging homes and vehicles, and knocking down power lines across the city. Multiple parks and recreational areas have also suffered significant damage.

The severe impact prompted swift emergency response, with law enforcement officials, county commissioners, and the Jim Wells County Judge meeting late Thursday at Central Fire Station to assess the situation and coordinate next steps.

Schools were closed through Friday, May 9, in many areas, including Alice, due to the power outages and debris spread across the region. Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District announced that all schools were closed through Friday due to a power outage and safety concerns.

The City of Alice submitted a disaster declaration to the Governor’s office on Friday, following the storms. Jim Wells County Judge Pete Trevino reported that over 5 000 people were left without power after the storms.

Authorities continue to work on clearing out debris left behind by the storm and assessing the extent of damage.

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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