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A powerful tornado-producing thunderstorm tore through northern Texas, leaving at least two people dead and displacing a minimum of 20 families, with numerous homes sustaining severe damage, authorities reported Sunday.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly through Saturday night and into Sunday in the town of Runaway Bay, battling debris to reach damaged properties and provide urgent medical assistance.
Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, the county’s chief executive, detailed the challenging conditions at a news conference. “Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” Clark stated. He added that “Roads in the affected area will remain closed by law enforcement to ensure safety and allow emergency crews to manage the scene without obstruction.”
The destructive storm also impacted Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt confirmed a second fatality occurred just south of the city limits. Pruitt noted “significant damage” across that area.
The destructive storm also impacted Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt confirmed a second fatality occurred just south of the city limits (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
“One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the widespread power outage affecting many residents,” he wrote. “Officials are coordinating with utility providers and emergency partners as restoration efforts continue.”
National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) had touched down in the Runaway Bay area. They were still assessing damage in Springtown on Sunday afternoon.
The slow-moving supercell traveled through the area around 10 p.m. Saturday, said meteorologist Patricia Sanchez with the Fort Worth weather service office.
It moved southeast from around Wichita Falls, near the Oklahoma border, passing just west of Fort Worth. Runaway Bay is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Fort Worth on Lake Bridgeport. Springtown is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Fort Worth.
Weather service radar picked up a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado near Azle at 10:14 p.m. Saturday. That’s about another 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Springtown.