Funnel clouds and tornado cause damage to Galveston

(7/05/07 - KTRK/GALVESTON, TX) (KTRK) -- Severe weather moved into our area and over Galveston Island late Thursday afternoon. This large red cell spawned at least two funnel clouds.

SkyEye HD spotted one over the water west of Shoals Field on the island. It dissipated and reformed several times over water as we watched, and came dangerously close to land.

The first funnel cloud formed just as the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Galveston County. That warning ended just before 5pm, but the resulting tornado was strong enough to damage a car dealership and a nearby home. The shingles on the roof were blown off and debris was left scattered in the backyard.

For most of the afternoon it was like Mother Nature was toying with Galveston residents.

"My brother came and got me and he was like, 'Oh my God, there's a tornado and we had seen it," said eyewitness Chuck Borsellino. "At first I didn't believe him because he likes to play jokes on me."

But Borsellino quickly found out his brother wasn't twisting his words and witnesses reported seeing more than one throughout the day.

"On my way home, I saw a big dark cloud and it may have been the funnel cloud, but I just didn't focus on it," said resident Manuel Trevino. "I expected a whole bunch of rain, but it just didn't get here."

While some watched in the distance, employees at a car dealership had a front row seat to the dancing spout.

"We saw it coming out of the south since it was a funnel cloud or a water spout, whatever you want to call it, over the water," said Jerry Gambino of the Sand Dollar Dealership.

Employees at one car dealership had firsthand experience when it comes to how much damage it can do.

"It happened so fast, I just wanted to make sure everybody got away from the windows," Gambino said.

As employees peeked out to find they had all survived, they could see the damaged roof and debris on cars too. Employees couldn't help but notice how quickly the dark skies were replaced by the sunlight.

"Everybody always says after something like that there is always a pretty day, so it's good," Eyewitness Devon Bosellino said.

The car dealership is expected to reopen Friday.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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