CONROE, TX – The EF-1 tornado that tore through a small subdivision in Trinity County on Sunday night, hit Jimmy and Adela Waller’s house like an arrow aimed for a bullseye, leaving a pile of splintered wood, chunks of debris, and a pair of cowboy boots.
Conroe Police Lieutenant James “Jimmy” Waller and his wife Adela were both hurt. She was thrown from the trailer.
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Jimmy was pinned underneath part of the home’s frame.
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The couple was found by a neighbor who couldn’t get Jimmy to answer the phone after the tornado, so after four tries he rode his golf cart down the way to check on Jimmy and Adela. When lightning lit up the sky, he found Adela on the ground. After more yelling and searching, Brant Pee found Jimmy under the trailer’s frame. He called 911, got him out from under the frame. Pee said Waller was in pretty bad shape and could hardly talk. Pee and Adela prayed while they waited for the ambulance.
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with Pee, who told her a flash of lightning was the only way he was able to see the couple’s flipped-over car and flattened home where only a picnic table still stands.
“In that moment I resorted to yelling for names, Jimmy, Jimmy! I eventually found his wife and she was right out there In the pasture about 40 feet out. I asked her, do you know where Jimmy’s at? She said no, could you please help. So I immediately went to hollering for Mr. Jimmy and I heard him moan, so I went into this rubble and found him underneath his trailer house,” said Pee. He stayed until paramedics arrived.
Waller had one surgery today and the road ahead means more.
The Conroe Police Department is trying to help support the family.
“Lieutenant Waller, a respected 22-year veteran of the Conroe Police Department, sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized as he receives treatment. His recovery will be lengthy and require multiple surgeries. Lieutenant Waller’s wife was also injured and has received treatment and remains by his side,” Conroe police said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“Please keep the Waller family in your prayers as they endure this traumatic event. There has been an outpouring of support and requests for donation information. The Conroe Police Officer’s Association has set up a Go-Fund me for Lieutenant Waller and his family with the link below- this will be the only official donation location. Any cards or well wishes can be accepted at the Conroe Police Department Reception Desk,” the police statement said.
The GoFundMe page, set up by The Conroe Police Officers Association, says Waller and his wife, Adela “find themselves grappling with loss and uncertainty” and Lt. Waller faces a long road to recovery both mentally and physically.
The Wallers bought the trailer in Trinity County about a year ago, according to Brant Pee, the neighbor who found and saved Jimmy. He said they were planning to fix things up and spend more time there.