Tornado kills four people in northwest Texas

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A tornado killed four people in Matador, Texas. Associated Press/Photo by Annie Rice/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Tornado kills four people in northwest Texas

A series of severe storms developed Wednesday night in the western and central United States and spawned several tornadoes. One tornado struck the small town of Matador, Texas, where it killed four people and injured at least ten others. Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Johnny Bures said the storm destroyed homes, businesses, and a power substation, which cut electricity to the entire town. The tragedy occurred less than a week after another tornado killed three people in the town of Perryton, which is about 180 miles north of Matador.

What other damage did the storms cause? National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Ziebell said the storm brought winds of up to 109 mph and 4-inch-wide hail stones to the surrounding area. At least 200,000 people in Texas and Oklahoma were without power Thursday morning amid high temperatures in the region.

Dig deeper: Read Janie B. Cheaney’s column for WORLD Magazine about crying out to God amid tragedy.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.