Expand / Collapse search
☰

EF3 tornado causes significant damage in Montgomery County

By
Published  December 30, 2024 9:30pm CST
Montgomery County
FOX 26 Houston

Porter Heights cleaning up following last weekend's tornado outbreak

Montgomery County residents are picking up the pieces of their homes after a deadly tornado outbreak struck multiple areas in Montgomery County.

The Brief

    • Tornado impact: An EF3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph caused significant damage across Montgomery County, impacting numerous structures.   
    • Limited injuries: Despite the significant damage, only minor injuries were reported among residents.
    • Community support: Local officials have opened a shelter to provide assistance and support to those affected by the storm.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed an EF3 tornado hit Porter Heights on Saturday. 

Their records say a "Large tornado with one spot of EF3 near start.  Majority of track was high-end EF1 or low-end EF2."

SUGGESTED: Tornado victims reflect following weekend storms

The report says that the tornado traveled 10.34 miles with peak wind speeds of 140 mph and a max width of 1,675 yards. 

For comparison, the tornadoes in the Houston area, the same day, hit a very small fraction of that width. In Katy, the max width was 150 yards and in Brazoria County, the width hit 300 yards. 

The NWS says the tornado started at 12:05 p.m. and lasted until 12:30 p.m. 

Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app 

Montgomery County officials say eight to ten individuals sustained minor injuries related to the severe weather and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. 

They say there were also no reported fatalities in Montgomery County associated with this storm. Additionally, preliminary assessments indicate that approximately 302 structures in the affected area sustained damage, with about 30 of those structures being completely destroyed.

The county says for those displaced a shelter is open at the East Montgomery County Community Development Center, located at 16401 First Street, Splendora, TX, 77372. The shelter is providing a safe and warm space for those in need.

The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Abigail Dye has more on the devastating tornado that struck Montgomery County over the weekend. 

Montgomery CountyNewsWeather