SAN ANTONIO – People who live in one near North Side neighborhood have days, possibly weeks, of cleanup ahead in the wake of a tornado.
According to the San Antonio Fire Department, 43 homes were left with damage as a result of the powerful storm which struck late Sunday night.
All along the 400 block of Linda Drive, as well as several other streets in that area, homes were left with damaged or missing roofs, and trees were uprooted or splintered by the storm.
"I thought the house was going to collapse,” said Adrian Venegas, who lost his roof to the strong winds. “I got my four kids, my wife and we ran to the neighbors. "
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Later, he discovered the weather also had toppled a tree that landed on his van, breaking its windows. Venegas also lost his family pets.
"I had animals in the back. They disappeared. I’ve got to look for them later,” he said.
Across the creek near Sharon Drive and Basin, dozens of other people gathered in the streets surveying the damage to their homes.
Mario Camacho also lost his roof as well as a car and truck.
Living in the airport’s flight path, he at first thought he was hearing the usual sounds as the storm barreled toward him.
"I heard it louder and closer and I thought it was a plane about to hit our house," Camacho said. “You don't even have time to think what's going on. "
Camacho and his family also escaped unharmed.
Spokesman Joseph Arrington said firefighters did have to rescue some people who were trapped by debris. However, there were no major injuries.
Arrington said about a half dozen people did suffer minor cuts and scrapes.
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