HARDIN COUNTY, Texas — Hardin County residents have been outside in the wet weather Wednesday picking up debris after severe weather swept through on Tuesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service is saying the damaging storms did not involve a tornado, but a 'downburst.'
Tuesday's storm was a nightmare for the Franz family who lives in Silsbee.
"I was crying in there because it was really really scary," said second grader Ashlynn Franz.
Folks in the community as well as Hardin County work crews spent the day picking up ahead of the cold front.
"With us just praying about it and setting their minds at ease that not all storms are going to be like this," Franz said.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service have confirmed this was not a tornado that hit the area but straight line winds, with some reaching up to 100 miles per hour.
Roger Erickson with the NWS said it was actually a 'downburst.'
"It's actually really difficult to when you are living through it and going through it, a tornado and a heavy wind event like we had up here feel exactly the same," Erickson said.
He said only one person has reported injuries. The man was inside a small building that was tipped over by the wind, and had to be treated for scrapes and bumps.
The storms caused some issues at South Hampton, prompting a shelter in place. The plant is northwest of Silsbee off FM 418.
Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis says a storage tank was damaged in the storm. Workers had to move the product to a safer spot.
12News spoke with the Hardin County Emergency Management Coordinator Aaron Tupper. He said for people who need assistance or a tarp for their roof should call (409) 209-5400.