At Least 2 Dead After Deadly Texas Tornado Destroy Homes Overnight

A deadly night of violent weather ripped through northern Texas, leaving at least two people dead and dozens of families suddenly without a place to live after tornadoes tore apart homes and knocked out power across multiple communities.

Officials said the destruction unfolded late Saturday night as a tornado-producing thunderstorm swept through parts of Wise and Parker counties, carving a path of devastation through neighborhoods and leaving emergency crews scrambling to reach survivors trapped behind debris, blocked roads, and downed power lines.

One person was killed in the town of Runaway Bay, where many homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, according to Wise County Judge J.D. Clark. At least 20 families were displaced in the aftermath as first responders worked through dangerous conditions to search damaged properties, clear debris, and get medical help to those in need.

Clark said crews faced major obstacles as they rushed into the storm-ravaged area.

“Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” he said.

The storm also turned deadly in Parker County. South of the city limits of Springtown, a second person was killed, according to Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt, who said the area was hit with significant damage.

Pruitt also warned that widespread power outages remain one of the biggest problems facing residents as the recovery begins.

Weather experts have since confirmed that the storm packed serious force. The National Weather Service said an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph touched down in the Runaway Bay area. In Springtown, officials confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph.

Meteorologist Patricia Sanchez with the Fort Worth office of the National Weather Service said the slow-moving supercell moved through the region around 10 p.m. Saturday. The storm tracked southeast from near Wichita Falls, close to the Oklahoma border, and passed west of Fort Worth as it battered communities in its path.

Runaway Bay sits about 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth near Lake Bridgeport, while Springtown is about 30 miles northwest of the city. As the storm pushed farther southeast, weather radar detected what officials described as a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado near Azle at around 10:14 p.m. Saturday, adding to the night of fear across the region.

The full scale of the destruction is still coming into focus, but for families who lost loved ones, homes, and power in a matter of minutes, the nightmare is already all too real.