Powerful storm rocks area
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Nathan Straus Photos ABOVE: A tree fell through Kyle Bridges' garage and across the roof due to the storm Monday morning. The storm downed other trees in the area and several power lines.

On Monday, March 3, the area was hit hard by strong winds and heavy rain as a vicious front moved in early morning. The storm, felt at around 6:30 am that morning, felled trees, downed power lines and even damaged homes.

Kyle Bridges, chief of police for Brownsboro Independent School District, said it was about 6:30 am when he woke up and heard a strange whistling noise.

"We got into the laundry room and I heard a noise like a freight train," Bridges said.

Just as he shut the door a tree on his property crashed through the roof, scattering dust and debris everywhere.

"I had to force the door open to get out," Bridges also said.

Kyle Bridges lives with his wife Tina and their daughters Lacy and Kylie.

The damage to the Bridges home will run upwards of $60,000 with all the destruction taken into account, which includes damage to the ground outside the home as well as damages to the two cars in the garage, a Ford pickup and a Ford Mustang.

LEFT: The storm hit the Murchison area as hard as the Brownsboro area. This structure on FM-1803 lost its roof to the powerful winds, and objects inside were scattered about.

Luckily, Bridges said, his insurance will pick up the tab.

"There was no doubt in my mind this was a tornado," Bridges said. "We're just lucky to be alive."

The Bridges' house rests on FM 607, but this was not the only area severely affected by the powerful wind and heavy rain. In Murchison along CR 1803 the winds blew the roofs off of several houses, including completely shearing the top off a mobile home. The roof could be found in a tree several yards from the home.

One farm-owning resident of the area along CR 1803 described waking up and seeing dozens of the farm's cows wandering around on the road.

The storm also caused a barn to collapse in on itself. Local volunteer fire departments were hard-pressed to keep on top of damage control.