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Dozens of homes, businesses damaged by tornado in Bowie, Texas
Officials are assessing the area Saturday and the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit Bowie, which is about 70 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
BOWIE, Texas — Updated at 1:51 p.m. Saturday with confirmation of a tornado.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth confirmed an EF-1 tornado occurred Friday night in Bowie. The NWS says maximum wind speeds were estimated to be 95 mph.
Gov. Greg Abbott deployed resources to the area, including Texas Task Force 2 due to the severe weather that hit.
A tornado, flash flooding rains, and a cluster of severe storms moved through the area.
Saturday morning, the Bowie Police Department confirmed on its Facebook page that there have been no reported deaths or major injuries.
Officials report at least 50 businesses throughout Bowie were damaged, and dozens of homes were impacted as well.
“The state will work with Montague County, and any other area affected, to ensure any resources they need will be fulfilled,” Abbott said in a news release.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management is en route, as well as other agencies to assist with debris removal and electrical outages.
There are at least 400 power poles that will need to be replaced, according to emergency management.
More than 500 homes were without power as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday in an area stretching from Bellevue west to Bowie and Montague.
About 25% of the Bowie Best Western’s roof was ripped off, according to the fire department. A number of cars in the parking lot were damaged by flying debris, including one that was struck by the hotel’s sign that came off the building.
Next door to the hotel, the Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Bowie suffered roof damage and flooding.
A huge billboard in the area was also knocked down.
In addition to the damage in Bowie, a cluster of thunderstorms that formed along the Red River on Friday night brought large hail and heavy rain, including flash flooding to areas.
Baseball to almost softball-sized hail fell in Clay County, west of Montague County, according to reports online.
Officials are scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Saturday to provide updates.