Copperas Cove impacted by Sunday storm: nearly 200 homes damaged
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
An early evening storm on Sunday swept through Copperas Cove, causing damage to several areas in the city, but particularly the west side and knocking out power to more than 1,100 customers in the Copperas Cove area as of 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning which was followed by a tornado warning at 5:33 p.m. for southwestern Coryell County and southeastern Lampasas County, and southwestern Bell County, with the NWS stating that weather spotters confirmed a tornado.
The City of Copperas Cove issued a statement this evening that storm-related damage was reported in the neighborhood on the western side of Copperas Cove off Big Divide Road. Homes were also affected in the area of Skyline and Colorado Drives, with Keith Ace Hardware also being damaged.
City spokesman Kevin Keller announced via an email this evening that the number of homes damaged as a result of the storm is now at 196 homes in the Big Divide area with three being uninhabitable. The residents from the uninhabitable homes have made other arrangements to stay with family/friends, Keller said.
Copperas Cove Emergency Services responded to the area to check on residents in the area to ensure that no one was injured.
“There are no reports of injuries at this time,” stated Gary Young, Deputy Fire Chief and the city’s emergency management coordinator. “Numerous persons are out onlooking which is congesting the neighborhood. Please avoid the area so that emergency responders are not hindered by the increased traffic in the area.”
The total extent of the damage is not known as of this evening.
"Several homes are without power but the power company is working to restore power as quickly as possible. No estimate of damages is available at this time. The residents in the affected area have worked well helping their neighbors with needed immediate cleanup and checking to make sure that everyone was ok," Keller stated.
Earlier this evening, HomeBase of Copperas Cove posted on social media that it would be opening back up to any area residents needing supplies to recover from the severe weather earlier this evening, and that they would remain open at until all of their customers were taken care of.