SEALY, Texas -- A rare 'microburst' caused a lot of damage and major power outages late Tuesday across the Sealy area.
Residents were urged to stay inside overnight while the damage was assessed. Roofs were torn away, power lines were knocked down, cars and trucks were flipped upside down and Interstate 10 was shut down in both directions.
"We were open, we had customers. We had our dominos players here. It came in very hard and fast," said Stephanie Litchauer, owner of the Creekmore Sports Bar.
Photos: Storm damage in Sealy
Photos: 'Microburst' storm damage in Sealy
Power poles up and down Highway 36 were pushed beyond their limit, and wood flew right through the Evanicky family's 50-year-old home. Their landscape changed in seconds: a barn fattened, a fence line dismantled.
Mom Carolyn Evanicky couldn't make it home to her three sons before the storm hit.
"All I could do was pray that they were okay," said Evanicky.
Somehow, despite all the damage across Austin County, there were no injuries reported.
As of early Wednesday about half of the community was still without electricity, according to the police chief.
"A substantial portion of the city is without power at this time, especially on the southside. This includes stores, restaurants, traffic lights, etc. please remain inside," they posted on Facebook shortly after the storm.
Crews are working around the clock to get more homes and businesses back on the grid.
Federal and state inspectors are expected to look over the damage along with the National Weather Service to confirm it is the result of a tornado.
All Sealy ISD schools were closed Wednesday because of the damage and power outages, and Brazos ISD delayed the start of classes.
I-10 was blocked in both directions at Highway 36 due to overturned big rigs and downed power lines. The interstate fully reopened several hours later, at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Views from Air 11 after sunrise showed numerous homes with siding and roof damage along with some overturned vehicles.
Highway 36 has also reopened, although traffic remains slow at I-10.
Along with wind damage, Sealy was also hit by hail.
