A powerful and unprecedented tornado tore through the town of Matador in Texas, resulting in four fatalities and 10 individuals sustaining injuries, according to officials. The Lubbock Fire Rescue reported that emergency medical services transported seven of the injured to nearby hospitals, while three individuals made their way to medical facilities on their own.
Matador, a small town situated approximately 70 miles northeast of Lubbock with a population of 570 according to the 2020 U.S. census, has been left without electricity as of early Thursday. The agency stated in a news briefing that over 500 homes and businesses in Motley County, where Matador is located, are currently experiencing power outages, as indicated by PowerOutage.us at 8:45 a.m. Thursday.
Multiple agencies from the surrounding area are collaborating in search and rescue efforts, and state resources have been deployed to Matador for post-disaster operations, the agency confirmed.
Matt Ziebell, the lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Lubbock, stated that there was evidence of a tornado striking Matador around 8 p.m. Wednesday, although the exact intensity and rating of the tornado will be determined after further surveys are conducted. Ziebell mentioned that video footage and photos clearly depicted the occurrence of a tornado, and an off-duty weather service employee had witnessed it as well. Buildings and vehicles in the affected area suffered significant damage, Ziebell added.
Brandon Moore, the senior water superintendent for Matador, revealed that at least 20 homes and businesses were destroyed. More comprehensive information regarding the extent of the damage will be ascertained during daylight hours.
The Texas Transportation Department announced that U.S. Highway 62, located west of Matador, was rendered impassable due to tornado-related damage.
Lubbock’s fire department dispatched a heavy-rescue team to assist Matador, a distance of approximately 70 miles southwest. In a tweet, the fire department expressed heartfelt condolences and prayers for the affected communities.
The National Weather Service issued a warning stating that a confirmed tornado was present in Matador at 8:02 p.m., a community of around 600 residents located approximately 66 miles northeast of Lubbock. Tornado watches were in effect for most of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles on Wednesday.
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According to the weather service’s report, there were 11 tornado reports in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. Damage surveys will be conducted to confirm the occurrence of tornadoes.
Last week, a devastating EF3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph struck Perryton, a city around 160 miles north of Matador, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries. The tornado had a massive path exceeding 6 miles and a maximum width of 880 yards, and hit the town on June 15, as reported by the weather service.