Storm Chaser Rescued a Family During Texas Tornado One Year Ago Today

It’s been one year since a powerful tornado tore through the small town of Hawley, Texas, an event that left a family injured, a home leveled, and a storm chaser hailed as a hero.

Texas Twister Outbreak

On May 2, 2024, multiple tornadoes touched down across Texas, but it was near County Road 458 in Hawley where the drama unfolded live on stream. Storm chaser Freddy McKinney was tracking severe weather near Hodges when he witnessed a tornado demolish a home in real time.

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What happened next seemed straight out of a movie.

As McKinney drove closer, a group of people—one woman cradling a child—ran toward his vehicle. In a shocking twist, they were the same residents whose home had just been destroyed.

McKinney immediately helped them into his vehicle. One of the first things they asked for? A phone to call their loved ones.

READ MORE: Tornado Recovery Steps Every Texan Should Know

You can watch the dramatic events unfold on Freddy McKinney's YouTube Channel.

The family, later identified as Wes and Kasey Lambert, suffered several injuries as McKinney confirmed on X that he had taken the family to the hospital.

The heroics of McKinney didn't end there as he made sure to keep in contact with the family to make sure that they were ok.

Hawley Tornado

Besides the footage above, several residents took to social media to post pictures of the storms that hit Texas. Here's a drone view of the twister that struck Hawley.

Tornadoes In Texas

At the time of the Hawley tornado, Texas had already experienced over 40 tornadoes in 2024. That number has since grown, with many more storms reported throughout the year.

As storm season continues through Texas, be sure to keep your eye to the sky.