Injuries in Gordon, Texas, after tornadoes Sunday night. More severe storms today
Minor injuries, major damage to buildings, and snapped trees and power lines were reported in Gordon after a tornado in the small North Texas city on Sunday night, according to Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1.
“Last night in Gordon, Texas, a powerful tornado ripped through this small rural community, leaving a path of destruction in its wake,” officials with the Emergency Services District said in a Facebook post. “While thankfully there were only minor injuries reported, the property damage tells a different story, with homes and buildings bearing the brunt of nature’s fury.”
In an update Monday afternoon, emergency officials said that at least 31 homes suffered damage, including six categorized as major damage and one as a total loss.
Gordon ISD officials said in a statement that classes at the district’s only school were canceled Monday, May 19, and for the rest of this week.
“Our first concern is safety,” school district officials said in a social media post. “We are here if you need anything. There is lots of damage in Gordon. We are trying to assess as fast as we can.”
According to emergency services and school district officials, none of the reported injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Teams of first responders went door-to-door to check on residents and assess the damage. Most of the injured were treated on scene. Four people were taken to hospitals but were later released, officials said.
Damage was reported on the school campus, including to the athletic fields. WFAA-TV reported flooding damage to multiple classrooms in the school building, lights and signs knocked down, mangled bleachers and a destroyed building that had served as the high school’s field house and weight training room.
A storm survey team confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in and near the City of Gordon, which is in southern Palo Pinto County, according to the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth. The tornado had estimated peak winds of 105 mph. Surveys of damage in other areas are ongoing, NWS officials said Monday afternoon.
Gordon is about 60 miles west of Fort Worth. The city has a population of about 500 people.
“We can’t thank you enough for the outpouring of love,” Gordon ISD posted. “We are most thankful that no life threatening injuries occurred. We do have substantial damage on campus. ... For safety purposes, we ask that everyone please stay off campus at this time, including staff. We need to let emergency crews and insurance adjusters do their job. Please stay off the football/baseball field. It’s not safe. Cell phone service and internet are down and making it difficult to reach out to each of you.”
“While we are devastated, we are Gordon strong,” the post concludes. “We will get through this. Sending our prayers and love to each and everyone in our community!”
Officials with the Texas Department of Emergency Management were in Gordon on Monday to help evaluate the damage.
Schools in the nearby city of Santo also were closed Monday as officials assessed damage in the area. Santo ISD told parents to check the district’s website for updates.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth also issued tornado warnings Sunday night in Parker, Hood, Denton and Collin counties.
Videos and photos shared on social media showed what appeared to be multiple tornadoes in Palo Pinto County, near Santo and Gordon. Hail up to the size of golf balls and baseballs also was reported in some parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Oncor Electric reported about 4,000 customers without power as of about 12:30 a.m. Monday. That number was reduced to about 1,500 at 8 a.m., and less than 800 around noon. Electricity had been restored to about 60% of the community in Gordon by Monday afternoon, officials said.
The storms weakened as they moved east, and the tornado watch had expired in all North Texas counties by about 11 p.m. Sunday.
More storms in forecast for Monday
Additional storms are expected to develop in the late afternoon Monday, starting about 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service forecast.
All forms of severe weather including large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible into the late evening until around 11 p.m., according to the NWS.
The main risk area is expected to include the DFW Metroplex and areas to the north and east.
Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, a tornado watch was put into effect until 9 p.m. for these counties: Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Jack, Lamar, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Stephens, Wise and Young.
This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 12:28 AM.
