Tornadoes in northern Texas leave at least 2 dead and destroy multiple
homes
[April 27, 2026]
RUNAWAY BAY, Texas (AP) — A tornado-producing thunderstorm left
at least two people dead in northern Texas and displaced at least 20
families, with many homes sustaining major damage, authorities said
Sunday.
At least one person was killed and numerous homes were damaged Saturday
night in the town of Runaway Bay, said Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, who
serves as the county’s chief executive. Emergency responders worked to
clear debris to reach damaged homes and provide medical care where
needed, Clark said. |
A lineman works to repair a damaged power pole after severe weather hit
the area, Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Springtown, Texas. (Elías Valverde
II/The Dallas Morning News via AP) |
|
“Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed
utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach
those in need,” Clark said.
The storm also hit Springtown, where Parker County Assistant
Fire Chief David Pruitt said in an email that a second person
died south of the city limits. There was “significant damage” in
the area, Pruitt said.
“One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the
widespread power outage affecting many residents,” he wrote.
National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado
with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) touched down in the Runaway
Bay area. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph)
was confirmed in the Springtown area, the weather service said.
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.
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