See it: Destructive storms slam Texas, leaving 1 dead as severe weather sweeps region
WISE COUNTY, Texas — Texas was battered by severe weather producing large hail, thunderstorms and powerful winds — some nearing 90 mph — overnight.
With multiple tornado reports concentrated in North Texas, the National Weather Service (NWS) said they are conducting damage surveys to confirm the reports and issue official ratings for these storms.
MILLIONS AT RISK ACROSS PLAINS AS LARGE HAIL, POSSIBLE INTENSE TORNADOES RETURN TO KANSAS, OKLAHOMA
The trail of destruction displaced 20 families and caused numerous injuries, with Wise County Judge J.D. Clark confirming at least one fatality in the Runaway Bay area.
Preliminary information from the NWS indicates that at least one tornado was an EF-2 with peak wind gusts of 135 mph. Other tracks and damage locations are still being assessed.
Following Sunday's press conference, officials issued a disaster declaration for the county "to ensure that our residents impacted by this event have every resource available to them to assist with the recovery process."
This comes as a part of a multi-day tornado outbreak that sparked on Thursday, April 23.
Since then, 28 tornadoes have been confirmed across parts of the South and central U.S., including a monstrous EF-4 that tore through Enid, Oklahoma, with surveys ongoing.
On Saturday, tornado watches and warnings were in effect for portions of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, as a pocket of North Texas was under a Level 3 Enhanced Risk for tornadoes.
LEVEL 4/5 RISK: GIANT HAIL, STRONG TORNADOES TARGET PLAINS AGAIN AS DANGEROUS SEVERE STORMS FIRE UP
Storms also knocked out power to thousands of customers across North Texas.
Overnight, many utility partners, emergency response crews, county officials and specialized support teams worked to perform life-safety operations, restore power, support displaced residents and conduct damage assessments.
"Our first priority is the safety and well-being of every resident affected by this storm, and our teams are working to meet those needs," Clark said early Sunday morning.
He also urged the public to continue avoiding the Runaway Bay area for the safety of residents and first responders.
A reunification center was established in Runaway Bay during the initial response, but it has since been decommissioned as families were reunited.
Wise County has established a Unified Command structure to coordinate leadership, emergency agencies and utility partners under a single operational framework. It is being led by Texas Task Force 2, whose expertise is critical in thoroughly clearing all impacted areas.
Additional support from regional EMS, law enforcement, fire departments and the American Red Cross will remain engaged in operations throughout the day, officials said.
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