Dec. 26 marks 10 years since deadly tornado
Ten years ago today, an EF-4 tornado tore through North Texas just as people were wrapping up their Christmas celebrations. FOX 4’s Alex Boyer looks back at the tragedy as one community honors the lives lost.
ROWLETT, Texas – It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since a devastating tornado outbreak hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area on the day after Christmas.
A local community will hold a remembrance ceremony on Friday to honor the 13 victims.
Dec. 26, 2015 Tornadoes 
The backstory:
On Dec. 26, 2015, 12 confirmed tornadoes touched down across eight counties.Â
The largest was the Sunnyvale-Garland-Rowlett Tornado, which was rated an EF-4. It produced winds in excess of 166 miles per hour.
Sadly, 13 people died. Nine of those fatalities occurred as the tornado crossed Interstate 30 and the President George Bush Turnpike.
Amazingly, everyone made it out alive at an apartment complex that was destroyed in that area.
People who were home at the time said they only had seconds to take cover before the tornado tore down entire brick walls and sucked everything out of their homes.
It was the deadliest tornado in Dallas County in December. It is also considered the strongest tornado in the county since records began in 1959.
Thankfully, much of the area has been rebuilt since then.Â
First responders recall impact 
What they’re saying:
Lt. Pedro Barineau was working for the Garland Police Department and remembers that day.
“I remember the amount of devastation that this tornado caused, affecting so many people,” he said. “This was one in which we had to adjust, you know. There were cars thrown about, houses that were destroyed. You know, we had so many calls from people in the community talking about how they were trapped and how this tornado fully impacted them.”
The other thing that stands out in the lieutenant’s mind is the resiliency of the community.Â
“Not one person stood on the sidelines. Everyone came in and worked together as one and, ultimately, despite the damage that was caused by this tornado, the effect it had on so many people’s lives, we as a community were resilient. And today we’re stronger than ever,” he said.
Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Murphy still remembers his first day of work after the tornado.
“They sent me to I-30 to help extricate victims searching apartment complexes in Garland that had blown onto the freeway,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the long days went on for weeks as they cleaned the area.
“Houses spread everywhere, found items with addresses two or three miles away from where it originated,” he said.
Rowlett Strong begins
To help aid in the response, Steve Walker formed a nonprofit, Rowlett Strong. Their first event, a 5K race, raised more than $35,000.
“In Rowlett, most residents were insured, but some were under insured and there were some who were not insured. We felt like the money needed to be there immediately,” Walker said.
Remembrance Ceremony
On Friday night, the city of Rowlett will host a remembrance ceremony from 6:00 p.m. to 6:56 p.m. at Bluebonnet Park off Sunnybrook Drive, marking the time the devastating tornado was on the ground.
The public is encouraged to attend.
The Source: FOX 4’s Alex Boyer gathered information for this story from past news coverage, as well as an interview with Lt. Pedro Barineau from the Garland Police Department.