Ennis, Texas — A man died and three of his family members were injured when his RV turned several times in the Texas Motorplex during a strong thunderstorm that caused generalized damage in an area about 25 minutes south of Dallas on Saturday.
Strong winds of up to 90 mph (145 kph) started the roof of a inn along the 45th interstate, the houses damaged throughout Ellis County and overthrow at least seven semitactor tow trucks in the interstate 35. The strong storms also knocked out the power to almost 20,000 people, but did not generate any tornado. Around 2,000 remained without energy on Sunday afternoon, but the service was expected to be restored at the end of the day. Some a quarter -size hail also fell into the area.
The 42 -year -old man who died was TJ Bailey by Midlothian, Texas. His wife and two children were inside an RV who realized on the runway, said the peace judge of Ellis County, Chris Macon, to The Dallas Morning News. Bailey family members were treated in a hospital for injuries that are not mortal. The children were released, but their mother. He remained under observation at the Hospital on Sunday.
Macon said he had never seen winds so strong and sustained in his life to live in Ellis County.
“I can say honestly, I have known that the wind blows, but I never like it during that long period of time,” he said.
The mayor of Ennis, Kameron Raburn, said in a statement on Saturday that the city is beginning to collect debris and work to recover from the storm.
“The security of our residents is our top priority,” Roburn said.
Oncor, the electric company, said that some of the energy restoration works were slowed down by trees and debris that had to be cleared by excavators before the workers of the public services company could enter the area.
The nearby city of Waxahachie had to cancel its tulipaloaza festival planned due to storm damage.
