BRECKENRIDGE, Tex. – A wind turbine in Breckenridge, Texas, caught fire on Saturday after being struck by lightning.
The strike caused the rotor of the Stephen County turbine to break off and continue to burn on the ground.
TORNADOES REPORTED ACROSS SOUTH AS DANGEROUS SEVERE WEATHER SLAMS MILLIONS
Footage from the Breckenridge Fire Department showed thick black smoke rising into the sky from the site.
The turbine was part of the La Casa wind farm, which operates dozens of turbines in the area.
Local media reported that no injuries were sustained.
The Southeast is bracing for additional severe storms and the potential for strong tornadoes across portions of the region, with three already reported in Louisiana this morning. The line of storms will continue pushing east and could intensify along the northern Gulf Coast before reaching the Florida Peninsula Sunday evening. Stick with FOX Weather for the latest:
Over the weekend, severe weather impacted the Southeast region, ushering in heavy rain, gusty winds, thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Reports of extensive damage were reported across multiple areas. In Port Barre, Louisiana, there was a report of a caved roof, and part of another roof was removed from a home.
Deweyville United Pentecostal Church suffered damage when a line of storms blew across Southeast Texas on Feb. 14.
(Constable Howie M. Wonders/Facebook)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, as of Monday morning, at least 12 tornadoes were confirmed across three states; Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
In response to the storms, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a State of Emergency.
“The State of Texas is prepared to respond to severe storms anticipated this weekend,” Gov. Abbott said. “I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate all necessary resources to assist Texas communities ahead of potential severe weather. Texans are urged to surveil road conditions before traveling, remain weather-aware, and have a plan in place in case of emergency.”
