High winds damage Hoover’s Valley store
Most of the roof of Hoover’s Valley Country Store was torn off due to high winds overnight March 3-4. The store will be closed until the damage can be repaired or covered up, but the gas pumps will continue to operate. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
High winds in the Highland Lakes tore the roof off of Hoover’s Valley Country Store on the night of Monday, March 3. The store, 7203 Park Road 4 West in Burnet County, will still offer gas and diesel at its pumps, but the shop and cafe will be closed until the damage is repaired.
Wind speeds were recorded as high as 39 mph in some portions of the Highland Lakes on Monday night and early Tuesday morning, according to data gathered by the National Weather Service from Burnet Municipal Airport and Horseshoe Bay Resort Airpark.
“We’re just in the process of determining our next moves,” store owner Fred Wells told DailyTrib.com. “(The wind) looked like it was hell coming through (last night). It was really incredible.”
Wells said he might install a temporary roof covering so the business can operate but had no time estimate on when permanent repairs would be made.
Hoover’s Valley Country Store is an essential resource to nearby residents, with the next closest convenience store about 5 miles away in Kingsland.
“It is tough, many (locals) do not have a car and they depend on this store,” Wells said.
The high winds are expected to continue through Tuesday. An NWS wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. and a red flag warning until 9 p.m.
Steady winds will range from 25-35 mph, with possible gusts of 50 mph.
The red flag warning means higher fire risks due to high winds and dry conditions that could contribute to out-of-control blazes. Burnet and Llano counties are under burn bans.