BERTRAM, Texas (KXAN) — There is significant storm damage in Bertram in Burnet County following Monday night’s severe thunderstorms. At least one century-old building in Bertram collapsed in what was possibly a tornado just before 10 p.m.
The damage is spread all over town, and one of the most damaged buildings housed a local business, the Bertram Blend and Boutique.
“Oh my god, what are we gonna do? It’s tough,” owner Amanda Powell said. “COVID was tough, I mean, this is definitely going to be another hurdle to cross. Hopefully we’ll be able to do it. I built the business up from nothing.”
Bertram Volunteer Fire Chief Bobby Huffstuttler posted a Facebook Live showing the damage. In the video, he says he believes a possible small tornado hit the town. He walked around showing and detailing all the damage and asking everyone to stay home.
“The A.B. McGill building is heavily damaged. The Boutique, a lot of damage to the Boutique. See all these huge rocks, came off the A.B. McGill building,” Huffstuttler said in the video.
Huffstuttler added traffic is being diverted, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative crews are out working trying to restore power. In the video, you could see the storms also toppled a street light, which was laying in the road.
A.B. McGill & Co. General Store, which was built in 1905, was reduced to rubble.
The National Weather Service must still survey the damage to confirm if a tornado did in fact hit Bertram. Either way, the damage from this storm was significant.
KXAN’s Avery Travis went out to Bertram shortly after storms passed through the area and spoke with business owners and emergency officials.
KXAN meteorologists identify possible Bertram tornado during coverage
KXAN Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans and Meteorologist Nick Bannin identified what may have been a small tornado in Bertram just before 10 p.m.
Red colors indicate winds moving away from the radar. Green indicates winds moving toward the radar. Anytime you get bright green next to bright red, it indicates that the storm’s winds close to the ground are rotating.
The bright pink spots also indicate straight-line winds, which could be as powerful or as damaging as a small tornado even if a tornado does not actually form.
If the radar structure of the storm shows a curve or “hook,” it can also be a sign of a tornado.
by Wes Wilson (2021, Mar 22 | Updated 2021, Mar 23) KXAN
