TORNADO UPDATE: There have been reportedly 3 fatalities and at least 20 injured as a result of the tornado that touched down late yesterday afternoon in Onalaska. I addition to Yaupon Cove, Canyon Park (off FM-356) was also heavily damaged. County Judge, Sydney Murphy, has declared it a disaster. Lots of medical resources and other resources are streaming into Onalaska to help clean up the mess.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Policemen, firemen and volunteers in Yaupon Cove near Onalaska.
Tornado Rips Subdivision Right Down the Middle, YAUPON COVE, April 22, 2020 - At approximately 5 pm on April 22, 2020, a tornado touched down in the subdivision of Yaupon Cove near Onalaska. The tornado appeared to have went right down the middle of the subdivision leaving a terrible path of destruction in its wake. State Troopers from Polk and surrounding counties, Sheriff's Deputies, Police from Onalaska and Livingston, Constables, Firemen from Polk and surrounding counties, ambulances and volunteers converged on Yaupon Cove to help. Trees were blocking nearly every road. Houses, mobile homes, and vehicles were completely destroyed. There were injuries, and at time of press, no fatalities. Due to blocked roads, the boat ramp in Yaupon Cove was being utilized to transport some wounded to waiting ambulances on the other side of the lake. The subdivision was crawling with law enforcement. Volunteers with chain saws were helping to clear the roads and clear trees off of houses. Please see the pictures below.
Editor's Note: My video camera stopped working and, thanks to coronaviurs madness, I cannot get into Best Buy Lufkin to have them honor their warranty. But I had my trusty Canon snapshot camera.
Law enforcement officers on FM-3459 directly in front of the subdivision of Yaupon Cove.
Homeowner, James Bryan, whose house was destroyed, cuts a tree to clear the road in front of his home.
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