A tornado touched ground today at 12:10 p.m. east of FM 1314 and headed northeast —ripping apart trees, homes, and businesses around the county including students from Caney Creek feeder zone. 

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough activated the emergency operation center to help manage the county’s response and is still assessing damages.

The East Montgomery County Fire Station 154 had its steel garage door torn off and other structural damages, and surrounding trees flew across the lot. The crew of the station have no reported injuries, and are currently surveying the areas looking to help the community. In a Facebook post speaking on the destruction, Keough said the county is using all available resources to support the community.  

“We will continue to work with local and state officials to meet any needs,” Keough wrote. “The crew (of the station) are safe and currently working to help neighboring communities affected by the same storm. Please continue to pray for all those affected by today’s unconfirmed tornado.”

Directly across the street from the fire station, the home of a Caney Creek senior Bryant Benitez was no exception to the tornado’s wrath. In a photo, community members and workers are seen covering the rubble with tarps in effort to keep the belongings dry.

“My dad almost died,” Benitez said. “Thank god he was in the other room, but most of my house is completely gone. He is fine for what I know, but seeing him cry broke me.”

Benitez was in El Salvador during the storm but his father was home with three employees and an ORileys Auto Parts Driver. The four took shelter in a small paint shed nearby and remained unharmed.

The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management encourages residents to utilize the ISTAT survey to better record damages in the area. To those of whom have been affected, the Caney Creek Cowboy Church is offering bathrooms and showers during their time of need.

The Creek Compass reached out to Executive Director of Communications Sarah Blakelock and Principal Dr. Terri Benson for more information but were unable to comment as of yet. 

This is a breaking news report and will be updated as information becomes available.