Severe storms started to move through East Texas about 10:30 pm last night and continued until around 6 am this morning. Storms produced large hail, sometimes in excess of 2 inches in diameter, damaging wind gusts over 70 mph, and reports of a tornado near Lake O' the Pines.
However, The National Weather Service confirmed Sunday afternoon that the damages are from straight-line winds, not a tornado.
Authorities confirmed two storm-related deaths, one in Longview and one in Marion County.
Park Rangers also confirmed:
- Seven people injured, three of whom were sent to surgery
- 66 of the 76 campsites were occupied at the time of the storms
The Marion County Sheriff's Office issued a press released Sunday afternoon with more information on the Brushy Creek Campground storm damage. They identified the female victim as 40-year-old Mary Pinney from Mt. Belvieu. Her husband was also severely injured in the storm and is being treated at a local hospital.
Their three kids were not hurt.
"Debris cleanup and damage assessment will continue for several more days, along with removal of the numerous damaged RV's and vehicles," according Sheriff David McKnight.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, US Army Corp of Engineers, and the Marion County Sheriff's office along with fire departments from Harleton in Harrison County and volunteer fire departments from Marion County, Jackson and Mims are all assisting with cleanup. Several private citizens with chain saws and tools are also helping.
The Marion County Sheriff's office confirmed on death at the Bushy Creek Campground near Lake O' the Pines:
The second death happened in Longview. A tree fell on a mobile home just after 4 a.m. Sunday morning, killing a 40-year-old man. A 12-year-old was treated and released from a local hospital and is reported to be okay.
Hail also caused damage across multiple counties, including Titus, Morris, Gregg, Panola, and likely several others.
PHOTOS: Damage from storms that rocked East Texas
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