HUNTSVILLE — Early Wednesday morning Walker County residents found themselves smack in the middle of severe weather that left much of the area covered in debris and without power.

At around 8 a.m., a strong storm system moved into Huntsville and Walker County, bringing with it heavy rains and 30 mph gusts of winds. Wind shear brought down trees, including large old-growth oaks, that toppled onto homes and businesses and temporarily blocked roadways.

There were unconfirmed reports of tornadoes touching down near Forest Gate Apartments, located on Interstate 45 North, and Landscapers Pride, a business on the north side of New Waverly. Emergency management officials in Walker County could not confirm reports of tornadoes.

“We heard that there were some tornadoes reported sighted, but we are not sure if one actually touched down. The biggest problem was the high winds. There are a lot of trees that have fallen in the area and caused damage to homes and businesses,” Walker County Judge Danny Pierce said. “Fortunately we did not experience any flooding. All the areas that are prone to flooding did not receive any of the heavy rains.”

Just before the storm struck, Scott Williams with Covenant Fellowship Church said he was standing outside the church’s office on Financial Plaza and watching storm clouds roll by overhead.

“It was unbelievable how fast they were moving,” he said. “The wind picked up a few seconds later.”

By the time Williams turned to get inside, he said, the winds had already made it hard to open the door. Once inside, he could feel the building shaking, he said. After the winds died down, he and other office workers walked outside to find half of the building’s roof gone.

“It was a trip,” he said. “It was just crazy. It all happened in about a minute and a half. A tornado may not have touched down, but it was something. There was rotation to the clouds.”

No major injuries were reported in Huntsville, but a Sam Houston State University student sustained minor injuries when hit by a fallen tree limb. One person became trapped in an elevator at the Holiday Inn, but was rescued shortly after the storm passed.

Huntsville received 1.20 inches of rain, according to www.wunderground.com. There is a 30 percent chance of rain today.

Some businesses across Huntsville were hit hard by the storms. On 11th Street, the wind knocked in the bay doors at Tune-Ups Plus and a tree fell on the Quick Pic convenience store. American Bank had roof damage and lost a tree on its property, but the fallen tree didn’t damage any structures. Signs at TGF hair salon, Lindo Mexico Restaurant and many other businesses were damaged or destroyed.

The storm left 2,300 residents in the county served by Mid-South Electric  and 11,000 in the city limits served by Entergy — including The Huntsville Item — without power for most of the day. Sam Houston Electric Co-op had 100 customers without power.

Huntsville schools lost power for at least part of the day, according to Huntsville Independent School District officials, and after-school programs were cancelled. Workers with energy companies, the Walker County Office of Emergency Management and the city of Huntsville helped with the cleanup and restoration of power.

The city asked for help in making sure all debris was picked up and dangers removed.

 “We are asking our citizens for their assistance in reporting areas of concern,” City Manager Bill Baine said. “If you see a damaged power line or a fallen tree in a city right of way, contact the Service Center at (936) 294-5700.”

Citizens can check the city’s website at www.huntsvilletx.gov for updated information about the storm and cleanup.

Pierce issued a local disaster declaration for the area, which will allow Walker County and Huntsville residents and business owners to request assistance and funds from the state to assist in storm cleanup.

County officials said residents whose homes sustained roof damage during the storm can obtain a protective blue tarp by contacting the Walker County Office of Emergency Management at (936) 435-2400.