A strong thunderstorm developed in Starr County line a little after 2 AM on the 16th, than quickly strengthened and became severe while moving from eastern Starr County in Hidalgo County a little before 3 AM. The potent and persistent cell then swept rapidly east through central Hidalgo and into northern Cameron County between 3 AM and 415 AM, finally weakening as it approached the coast.
The storm, which produced 70 mph and higher gusts in its long lived core, left more than $250 thousand in propety damage in its wake, along with at least 9,000 customers powerless from Alton and Edinburg in Hidalgo County to Harlingen and Las Yescas in Cameron County.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 16-MAY-08 02:50:00 to 16-MAY-08 02:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANTA ROSA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The same severe thunderstorm that rolled a number of trailer homes, ripped a roof off of an industrial building, and blew down hundreds of trees and limbs in central Hidalgo County continued to maintain strength while racing into northwest Cameron County. Wind gusts estimated near 80 mph damaged homes in Santa Rosa, and flipped two vehicles along Farm to Market Road 506, including a pickup truck on a driveway near the intersection of Orphanage and Louisiana. A number of power lines were also down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 16-MAY-08 02:02:00 to 16-MAY-08 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINDSAY GARDENS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A microburst descending from a potent severe thunderstorm first produced damage just north of Alton, at a mobile home park near the intersection of Moorefield (Farm to Market Road 681) and Monte Cristo (Farm to Market Road 1925).  In this neighborhood, at least six mobile homes were overturned by the winds, generally along and near the intersecion of 9 1/2 Mile Road and Inspiration Road. Just to the northeast, in the Las Ca��as colonia along and north of Monte Cristo, the combination of a pulse microburst striking a number of very poorly constructed homes led to the destruction of 14 mainly trailer-type residences, near the intersection of Monte Cristo (Farm to Market Road 1925) and Farm to Market (FM) 681.
In a number of cases, the residences were completely demolished. A total of 13 persons sustained minor injuries requiring transport to local hospitals. By mid afternoon on the 16th, all were released. While the majority of injuries were minor, in one instance, a 3 year old girl had to be rescued from a pile of rubble that was once an unanchored trailer home. In addition to the building damage, at least eight wooden telephone poles were pulled down.
The damage track continued to the east southeast, generally along and north of FM 1925, at least to the intersection of FM 1925 and Federal Highway 281, twelve miles away. The vast majority of damage beyond the Las Ca��as neighborhood was hundreds of downed limbs from mesquite trees. Based on assessment from an NWS survey team, peak winds were between 65 and 70 mph, with the highest values likely where the telephone poles were pulled down in the Las Canas colonia, and again in the mesquite stand about two miles east.
Based on radar signatures, it is possible that winds of 60 mph or greater continued into rural locations of eastern Hidalgo County, north of Edcouch and Elsa.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 16-MAY-08 03:00:00 to 16-MAY-08 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARLINGEN AIRPARK AR
Magnitude: 75.00 MG
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The severe thunderstorm which caused structure, vehicle, and power line damage moments earlier in Santa Rosa roared into the northern portion of Harlingen, eventually producing an 86 mph wind gust at Valley International Airport (KHRL) at exactly 405 AM, which blew off portions of three hangar roofs on the airport grounds. Pieces from one of these roofs, made of heavier asphalt underlines, knocked out at least two large windows in the control tower! In a nearby neighborhood just west of the airport, generally well constructed buildings fared well; however, dozens of large tree limbs were snapped and some fences were partially blown down.
The storm continued to produce damage farther east, with a 25 square foot portion of one residence's roof ripped away by the winds in Las Yescas.  The storm gradually weakened as it headed through largely uninhabited eastern Cameron County, on its way to dissipation in the Gulf.