When I was 14, a huge and deadly tornado struck my town. Storm prediction and warning was a lot different then, and because that storm happened at night and didn’t damage my part of town, I didn’t actually know about it until the next day.

But I’ve never forgotten the shock in our town, the way the winds tossed heavy thing around like they were nothing, and the fact that 26 people died in the storm. And even down, decades later, if you know where to look, scars are still visible.

On June 21, 2023, a tornado struck the small town of Matador. Four people were killed and there was much damage to structures and businesses. And in just a matter of a few seconds, that storm created scars that will last for many, many years.

Matador, Texas
photographed 3.15.2024