On June 2nd,2024, the Sanderson Texas Tornado hit and left behind an evident trail of destruction across this small town. There were two tornadoes.
The first tornado was classified as EF-3 and it landed with wind speeds around 140 mph causing serious damage to houses and historic constructions like Ferguson Motors which acts as a local hub for community activities.
People who saw it happening told about how chaotic everything became.
The Tornado Event in Sanderson
Sanderson Texas Tornado hit at around 7:14 PM causing extensive damage in the area.
The initial tornado, an EF-3, made landfall close to the Lomita Terrace subdivision and moved about a mile, affecting residential areas and causing damage to a number of homes and buildings.
The Sanderson Texas Tornado caused serious damage to structures, including the historic Ferguson Motors, and was estimated to have produced wind speeds of 140 mph.
Not too long after, another tornado, rated as an EF-1, developed, adding even more devastation to Sanderson.
Twelve people were hurt by the destructive trail left by the storms, one of whom was a U.S. Border Patrol agent who suffered serious injuries.
Wind Speed Estimates
When the Sanderson Texas Tornados hit the National Weather Service calculated that the wind speed was 140 mph.
According to this assessment, the initial tornado had a high potential for destruction classification.
Such winds have the power to uproot trees, seriously damage well-built structures, and carry debris great distances.
For example, the EF-3 tornado that struck Westmoreland, Kansas, earlier in 2024 also had wind speeds of 140 mph, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Tornado Classification
The first tornado of Sanderson Texas Tornadoes to hit was rated as an EF-3 by the National Weather Service, while the second tornado was rated as an EF-1.
On the other hand, because of its reduced wind speed, the EF-1 tornado usually results in minor damage, like broken massive tree limbs and damage to buildingsā roofs and windows.
The first tornado in Sanderson caused the most damage, including the loss of historic structures and serious injuries to locals.
Injuries and Casualties
In the Sanderson Texas Tornado there were 12 reported injuries, including one serious injury to a US Border Patrol agent.
The agent, whose mobile home was directly hit, was taken to Odessa with many fractures, including a broken femur, head fractures, and internal hemorrhage.
After that he underwent surgery and he is said to be in stable condition. Another woman was taken to El Paso with a severe fractured arm, while the other ten people were treated locally for their injuries.
Despite the intensity of the destruction and the grave state of several victims, authorities confirmed no fatalities from the tornadoes.
Emergency Response
When the Sanderson Texas Tornado hit, the local authorities and emergency services quickly responded to assist the community.
Judge Dale Carruthers made the declaration of a disaster to ensure they could acquire necessary resources.
Thaddeus Cleveland, the Sheriff, told us that emergency responders came instantly after tornadoes. They were providing medical aid and arranging relief activities.
The community got a ton of support, with volunteers and supplies pouring in.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Red Cross also dispatched people to assist. Cleveland noted they had to reject some volunteers since they were already receiving so much assistance.
Power and Water Restoration
Power and water services returned to Sanderson residents in a fast manner after the tornadoes.
Authorities mentioned that within a day, all roads were cleared from debris which allowed utility teams to reach places affected by storms for fixing tasks.
Even though there were some difficulties during the restoration process like power lines falling down and infrastructure being damaged, the combined work of local crews backed up with resources from nearby places made it possible for essential services to get back quickly.
The hard work that went on non-stop led to power being brought back for most of the homes and businesses within two days, followed by full water service shortly afterwards.
As this place starts getting better again, what was learnt will make a deep promise for being ready and helpful which will help Sanderson come out of this tough time with new energy and a caring heart towards others.
