At least two people were killed, and dozens more were impacted after tornado-warned storms tore through North Texas overnight, leaving widespread damage in the area, according to officials.
The storms hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area around 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. At the time, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado watch for several North Texas counties, including Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and Parker. The NWS also issued tornado warnings for parts of Parker and Tarrant counties, as well as flash flood warnings for certain North Texas counties overnight.
In Wise County, the storms caused significant structural damage across multiple neighborhoods, resulting in at least 20 families displaced, numerous injuries, and one confirmed fatality, according to Wise County Judge J.D. Clark. Wise County is located roughly 50 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
“This storm caused significant damage across multiple neighborhoods, and our community is feeling the weight of that this morning,” Clark wrote on Facebook at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 26. “We can confirm one fatality, and our collective prayers go out to that family during this incredibly difficult time. Six additional individuals were treated or transported by Wise County EMS for storm related injuries.”
In Parker County, one person has died as a result of the storms on Saturday night, south of Springtown, officials told CBS News. Parker County is located west of Fort Worth.
The City of Springtown wrote on Facebook that there are a significant number of downed trees and power lines throughout the city and surrounding areas. It was also determined that a gas storage tank was struck by lightning during last night’s storm. Springtown is roughly 20 to 25 miles northwest of downtown Fort Worth.
Confidence is increasing that at least one or two severe storms will develop late this Sunday afternoon and evening across parts of North Texas, according to the NWS. The storms will likely have large hail and damaging winds.