A potent winter storm dumped sleet and snow across the Texoma region over the weekend, leading to widespread structural collapses under the heavy accumulation, including livestock barns and marina boathouses.
Grayson County Commissioner Matt Hardenburg, representing Precinct 4, reported six to seven inches of ice and snow buildup on roofs at Loy Lake Park’s livestock barns, bending steel beams and causing portions to give way. Similar failures occurred countywide.
“We’ve seen multiple boathouses [damaged]. We’ve seen some metal shops that have collapsed with all the weight of the snow. I’ve seen some big horse-riding arenas that have collapsed,” Hardenburg said, KXII 12 reported.
At Loy Lake Park, inspections on Sunday afternoon revealed roof damage to the sheep and goat barns, along with a collapse on the south end of the middle steer barn.
The timing poses hurdles for the upcoming Texoma Exposition and Livestock Show, set to begin March 2.
“It’s going to be a major impact to the TELS show that starts March 2,” Hardenburg said, per KXII, adding that there was uncertainty about repairs but affirming the event would proceed.
“The show will still go on. We’ve just got to figure out the logistics of getting animals in and out and how that will work,” he said.
Hardenburg emphasized efforts to rebuild the affected facilities.
On Lake Texoma, up to six inches of sleet and snow triggered collapses and sinkings at Eisenhower Yacht Club Marina. Officials there described boathouses 8-11 as a total loss, with others bearing heavy ice loads and showing signs of stress.
Power remains available to most boathouses, except those numbered 7-11. Marina representatives urged the public to avoid accessing slips due to unsafe roads and said they were reaching out to customers amid ongoing assessments, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Dena Burden, a local resident, reflected on the unexpected nature of the damage: “We have always worried about Texas storms but never imagined it would be an ice storm.”
James David Archer noted extensive destruction at the marina, including ruined docks and some areas sinking several feet.
Additional reports highlighted collapses of carports and gas-station awnings due to their weight.
County officials encouraged residents with storm damage to report it through the Texas Department of Emergency Management website.