San Antonio Mayor Seeks Gubernatorial Disaster Declaration After Tornado Damage

SAN ANTONIO, TX — The mayor of San Antonio on Tuesday formally requested of the governor for a disaster area declaration for parts of the city ravaged by this week's powerful storms creating four tornadoes in the city.

A powerful storm that began forming late Sunday night and growing in intensity by early Monday swept through a wide swath of Texas real estate from Houston to Central Texas before heading south. Once in San Antonio, the storm grew to its strongest intensity, spawning four confirmed tornadoes and whipping up winds reaching 150 miles per hour in some areas.

By daybreak, the destruction was evident. Reports of up to 45,000 damaged buildings have been compiled and tens of thousands were left without electricity. Fortunately — and perhaps even miraculously — no reports of deaths or injuries have emerged.

But the devastation left behind has displaced many residents given damage to their homes. Member of the American Red Cross descended to the area in efforts to assist those affected. Even officials of U-Haul stepped up, offering free storage space for affected residents' belongings while they tend to their damaged homes.

With an official disaster declaration from Gov. Greg Abbott, the process of providing state and federal monetary assistance is made easier.

Patch will update this story as warranted, including updates on the governor's decision. In the meantime, below are stories from Patch's weather coverage on the climactic event in the way of background.

Powerful Overnight Storms Leave Destruction, Power Outages Across Wide Central-South Texas Swath

U-Haul Officials Offer Free Storage To Central-South Texas Residents Affected By Severe Storms

Tornado Warnings For Austin, Williamson Counties Expire Early Monday

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