stupid texas weather

mustanglover · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:19 pm

Randy Wilson wrote:

I called Nelson's shop a few minutes ago and got one of his helpers who I didn't know personally. He said that everyone at the airport was OK but looking at the video posted above, it is clear that the main shop hangar suffered damage to the back or West side. Hopefully he was correct that no one was injured there but the last view of a house by the road destroyed doesn't look good.

Nelson and his family are old friends and I wish them the best and hope that the damage isn't too bad but only time will tell, I'm afraid. I suggest we all wait for things to calm down there before too much more speculation and wait for some definitive news. My 2 cents.

Randy

Well at least they had power when you called.

I have tried Ashley a couple of times at home and tried the shop. No answer, but I am sure they are busy with more important things right now.

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Wow, what a shock!

I hope that Ezell and his family, friends and employees fared o.k. in regards to damage to homes, hangars and airplanes.

This is a huge loss! Well, the one bright side is that Nelson is a master craftsman, but too bad they will have to concentrate on rebuilding homes and hangars before they can even think about airplanes any time soon.

I wish them the best!

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:52 pm

Actually, I had to call several times and always got a busy signal at first until I finally got through. I, too, was worried that this indicated damage to the phone lines, etc. Again, I'm sure we will get more info from those on the scene given a bit of time.

FYI, we have a rather nasty looking storm about to hit Midland as I write this. More later.

Randy

JBrawner · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:56 pm

well im on the phone with steve and the whole town doesnt have power and all the people at the airport are safe and accounted for. there is a relief for all of us here. so now that we know the good folks over there are good and all in one piece. the bad news....

the airport is really bad off with alot of hangars and such being totalled. seems most of the warbirds only have minor damage but it was getting dark wheh they were looking at them so they will know more tomorrow. steve was working on the CAF corsair replacing a jug and rode out the thing under the corsair getting wet and watching things go by. his house right behind the main hangar was damaged a bit but he has gas on site and water so he is ok with it. he'll keep us informed im sure either through one of a few people who have their numbers. the staggerwing was pushed back into a trailer that was in the hangar nad was messed up a bit and has some damage on the side near the bagage door. the p38 has some damage to the right boom and the elevator is in the upmost position so possible damage there too. it has water damage in the cockpit. he didnt say anything about the corsair that he was working on so i would hope nothing is damaged on it. will keep you all informed as i am.

mustanglover · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:59 pm

Randy Wilson wrote:

Actually, I had to call several times and always got a busy signal at first until I finally got through. I, too, was worried that this indicated damage to the phone lines, etc. Again, I'm sure we will get more info from those on the scene given a bit of time.

FYI, we have a rather nasty looking storm about to hit Midland as I write this. More later.

Randy

Considering what the radar looks like............I would take cover!

b29flteng · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:09 pm

Fox News web site has photo of hangar damage to a Beech King Air? 15 people hurt.

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:16 pm

Looks like more storms are headed that way from the SW

JBrawner · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:18 pm

yea watching it move towards dfw... should be here after midnight.... yay :roll:

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:02 pm

JBrawner wrote:

yea watching it move towards dfw... should be here after midnight.... yay :roll:

They said 7/8am tomorrow either way, stay low and watch out....

Lynn

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:04 pm

Randy Wilson wrote:

Actually, I had to call several times and always got a busy signal at first until I finally got through. I, too, was worried that this indicated damage to the phone lines, etc. Again, I'm sure we will get more info from those on the scene given a bit of time.

FYI, we have a rather nasty looking storm about to hit Midland as I write this. More later.

Randy

Randy, that one looked even more nasty on the 10pm news. :shock:

Lynn

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:30 pm

I saw the videos on the local news up here in NJ, near Philadelphia, Pa. My heart goes out to everyone down there..

Robbie

retroaviation · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:42 pm

Just a late update here...I spoke with Chad Ezell on the phone earlier this evening and he said that one of their employee's family went to the hospital with cuts and bruises after their house collapsed on them, but it looks like they'll be okay (he was leaving the airport to go check on them as I spoke with him).

Howard's Wildcat has some wingtip damage and the P-38 has some elevator damage, along with one rudder. Since there was so much debris, it was tough to tell just how much, if any other damage there was on any other Warbirds in their facility.

The L-bird in the video that's flipped on it's back is an Aeronica L-3 and is NOT Howard's airplane. I can't recall the owner's name, but it's been in that covered tie down area since I worked there, from 1996- 2001. I don't think it's moved from that spot...until this tornado, that is.

I'm just glad to say that everyone is safe. The Ezells are like family to me and it frightened me to death to have heard about this. I'm sure that at some point, Ashley Ezell or Steve Dickey (fairly frequent WIX contributors), will give us some first hand accounts of what happened. Until then, they will work hard to get things back in order.

Gary

clangjr · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:48 pm **Posts:** 106

Obviously this has impacted not only their business but their lives as well. Would it be prudent to suggest that we try to collect some money here to help them get back on their feet?

Glad everyone is OK...

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:17 am

Wild night around here too!

Damage at Addison airport, hope Cavanaugh is ok. McKinney airport north of Dallas showed damage this morning as well...

All souls accounted for and OK!

sgt hawk · **Posted:** Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:20 am

Texas has had a slew of Tornado's so far this year. As a matter of fact, we in the South have had our share so far, maybe that crap Al Gore was talking about is true! Naw! I saw the news on the Tornado that hit Brekinridge this morning and the Ezell folks came instantly to mind. Glad everyone is OK. Some of you guys down that way find out what we can do to help.
Woodstock, Ga

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