The devastating tornado tore through the area on June 21, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Four people have tragically lost their lives, and another 10 individuals have been injured following an "unprecedented tornado" that struck the small Texas town of Matador, NBC news reported.
The Lubbock Fire Rescue reported that seven of the injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals by emergency medical services, while three others made their own way for medical attention. Matador, with a population of approximately 570 as of the 2020 U.S. census, currently finds itself without power as the tornado knocked out electricity in the area.
As of 8:45 a.m. June 22, more than 500 homes and businesses in Motley County, where Matador is located, remain without power. The Lubbock Fire Rescue stated that various agencies from neighboring areas are lending their assistance in search and rescue efforts, and state resources have been deployed to aid in post-disaster operations.
Matt Ziebell, the lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Lubbock, confirmed the occurrence of the tornado, stating that its strength and rating would be determined following thorough surveys. Ziebell noted that footage and images showed clear evidence of the tornado, and an off-duty weather service employee was present in the area during the incident. Ziebell described the destruction caused by the tornado.
“Definitely buildings and some vehicles were pretty severely damaged," Ziebell said.
Brandon Moore, senior water superintendent for Matador, revealed that at least 20 businesses and homes had been destroyed, with more details expected to emerge once daylight arrives.
NBC affiliate KCBD of Lubbock shared video footage showing first responders at the site of a flattened commercial building and a toppled tractor-trailer. Additional reports indicated that three other large trucks had also been overturned by the powerful tornado.
The Texas Transportation Department issued a statement revealing that U.S. Highway 62, located west of Matador, had been rendered impassible due to tornado-related damage. The Lubbock Fire Department promptly dispatched a heavy-rescue team to Matador to provide assistance.
"Our hearts and prayers are with the communities affected by this disaster," the fire department tweeted.
The National Weather Service had issued a warning at 8:02 p.m., confirming the presence of a tornado over Matador, a community situated around 66 miles northeast of Lubbock. Tornado watches were in effect across most of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles throughout the day.
A total of 11 tornadoes were reported in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. Damage assessments will be conducted to determine the exact number and strength of the tornadoes that occurred.
This devastating event comes just a week after another destructive tornado struck Perryton, a city located approximately 160 miles north of Matador. In that incident, three people lost their lives, and numerous others were injured. The tornado, rated as an EF3 with peak winds of 140 mph, carved a path of over 6 miles and reached a maximum width of 880 yards when it hit Perryton on June 15.
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