Severe storms hit the Big Country area on Sunday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction, especially in Roby, Texas. High winds and hail uprooted trees and damaged roofs, leaving residents in shock. The damage was significant enough to make it feel like a tornado had passed through the area, as described by locals.
The Impact of the Storms
Angel Delao and Ricky Guzman, both from Sweetwater but working in Fisher County, were among the first to witness the aftermath of the storm. Guzman, on his way to work early Monday morning, described the scene as “lots of trees down,” with some homes losing parts of their roofs. He said the storm’s damage looked severe, and it seemed like a tornado might have struck.
“Lots of trees down. Even just driving down the highway, within ten feet of the road, you could see trees scattered all around. We saw a couple of houses where parts of the roof were torn off. It was pretty bad,” Guzman recalled.
Deja Vu for Local Residents
For Delao, the damage in Roby was a reminder of a recent storm that affected Sweetwater. He had experienced a similar high-wind storm in Sweetwater a few weeks ago, which caused damage to personal property, including a fallen brick wall and broken trees. Despite the similarity in the storms, Delao expressed his gratitude for the help he received during the cleanup in Sweetwater and felt it was only right to pay it forward.
“I had a lot of help offered to come and help me clean up my mess. So, it felt right to come back and clean and do it for somebody else,” Delao said while helping clear trees and debris in Roby.
Community Support
Though several local residents were affected by the storm and the damage it caused, many chose not to participate in interviews. However, the spirit of community support was strong as Delao and his coworkers pitched in to help with the cleanup, showcasing how people in the area are coming together during tough times.
The storms that struck Roby on Sunday night caused significant damage, with residents waking up to uprooted trees and damaged homes. The quick action of people like Angel Delao, Ricky Guzman, and other community members to help with cleanup reflects the resilience and kindness of the Big Country. Even in the face of disaster, the people of this area continue to support each other, making their community stronger.