Monday night, thunderstorms hammered the city of Brownwood and straight line winds are to blame for extensive roof damage at the Austin Avenue Church of Christ.

Tom Washburn, the church's minister, tells us that around 8:00 p.m. high winds peeled back the metal roof of the church.

"Some of it was in the trees that you see behind me," said Washburn.

According to the National Weather Service in San Angelo, winds in excess of 65 mph were to blame for the damage.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the only damage the church sustained.

"It had ripped the sheathing so not only do we have that roof of but we had water dripping in the auditorium," said Washburn.

According to Washburn, nearly four inches of water were standing at the front of the auditorium.

Several rooms in the auditorium also had ceilings cave in due to water damage and the building was evacuated last night as workers surveyed the damage after several people smelled gas.

Tuesday, members of the congregation are pitching in.

"We're just trying to clear the parking lot and we've got plenty of help," said Tony Salazar.

They'll still have to find a place to have church on Sunday but the people we spoke with Tuesday know it could have been much worse.

As of right now it looks like the church will have to stay out of the Family Life Center for at least the next three months but, it could take the rest of the year.