Strong Thunderstorm, Hail Pounds Tornillo
TORNILLO, Texas – Incredible damage done by a fast moving thunderstorm. El Paso didn’t see damage but off to the east, the small community of Tornillo got pounded.
From homes to the local school, hail and flood waters invaded Wednesday afternoon. Flooded streets are now filled with mud leaving residents upset.
ABC-7 caught up with Leticia Aguirre taking cover at a local convenience store, a block away from her house. She’s one of many residents who had to evacuate their homes due to rain and pea sized hail.
Aguirre says the water was several feet high. “Jumping our 3 foot yard, it’s jumping inside the house. It’s up to our thighs.”
Residents say the rain and hail started falling at 3 Wednesday afternoon. About two hours later, the sun was out shining light on what residents had left to clean up.
Water infiltrated every cabinet and corner in many homes. Aguirre says it’s frustrating because this happens every time it rains. “The tunnels, they were flooded with sand. They {county officials} never come and bother to clean them out. I know it’s an unexpected rain, but hey, they should always have them cleaned out.”
El Paso County officials say the Road and Bridges Department is “pretty diligent” in maintaining the drains. However, “it’s the nature of the beast.” They also explain there’s little drainage in the underdeveloped areas of the county and crews are working on the problem.
Until then, residents are left to salvage anything they can. “It’s our properties. Our files, our life’s worth, savings are there. All the sofas and every thing’s under water right now,” explains Aguirre.
Late Wednesday night, people living on 4th Street say the water is finally draining from inside to outside their homes, but now they’re left with a muddy mess.
