Storm Does Some Damage

The Item reports that Huntsville, New Waverly and other parts of Walker County were struck hard Thursday night with torrential downpours and high-speed winds, which damaged homes, vehicles and businesses.

Several buildings at Sam Houston State University were damaged, with the most severe happening to the Recreational Sports Center. Julia May, associate director of communications and public information officer for SHSU, says a glass and brick wall caved in due to built-up water pressure.

“We had several people who were inside and the water rushed into the lower level where the rock wall is,” May said Friday. “There was no one on the rock wall and everybody was able to get out quickly and safely.”

May says a professional cleaning crew was working nonstop to get the area cleaned up and stabilized in the event of more severe weather this weekend.

The recreational center will be closed for the remainder of the school semester, however, May says classes will still be held as usual, and that the university is working to accommodate students who still want to exercise in other parts of the building that were undamaged.