Storms were predicted for Saturday, December 28 in the Northeast Texas area. At least six counties were under a tornado watch. The pattern was at first not clear and spotty but strong winds were expected. 

Juan Ramirez and his wife were outside of their mobile home in Alvin, Texas, about an hour away from Houston near the Gulf coast. “We were cleaning up getting ready for a New Year’s celebration,” Ramirez said. “Drizzle started to fall which was not of concern. But then we started seeing a lot of thunder and lighting around us.”

“When the lightning began striking,” Ramirez continued, “my wife and I got scared and ran to a metal shop next to our mobile home. We had just entered when we heard a very loud noise. I can’t describe what it was like. The wind began whipping up from West to East but just as we were closing the door to the shop the wind suddenly changed in the opposite direction, blowing fiercely. Water started to pour into the shed, so we ran to the back room. The wind began tossing everything around the shop and it blew out a window. We closed the room’s door, and I barricaded it with my body. My wife stood behind me.”

“We heard the storm passing by,” Ramirez said. “When it was over I went outside and looked around. At first it seemed that nothing happened. It was just raining. But then I went around the corner. Our home was gone. There was nothing left, just a pile of rubble. The tornado picked up the home in its entirety and flipped it over a large nearby tree. The tree was toppled too. Our home was completely destroyed. We found the bathroom a distance away in another field. In five minutes, everything was gone.”

The Red Cross has been on the ground in Alvin to help the Ramirez family and others in their neighborhood. 

“We didn’t know about the Red Cross until we saw their vehicles arrive,” Ramirez said. “We are very grateful for their help.”

Red Cross disaster response teams were dispatched to distribute basic supplies like food, water, gloves and rakes. Another team began to assess the damage in the area. Once damage assessment is completed our Red Cross caseworkers will meet with each family individually and help them start their recovery process with resources and financial assistance if they qualify.  

The National Weather Service confirmed that at least six tornados, including two EF-3s, touched down in the affected area which included Brazoria County. Among the cities struck was Alvin.

One of the tornadoes resulted in a death, according to the NWS. There were also multiple injuries. 

You can help those affected by natural disasters by donating to the Red Cross. For every one dollar donated, 90 cents go directly to help those in need. Text to 90999 to give $10 or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-434-7669). 

Story by Francisco A. Philibert