Homes damaged, injuries in Runaway Bay, Springtown as severe storms hit North Texas
Damage to homes, two deaths, injuries and widespread power outages were reported in Runaway Bay and Springtown on Saturday night as a round of severe storms passed through North Texas, officials said.
Major damage was reported in Runaway Bay after a confirmed EF-2 tornado touched down there just after 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. At least one home was reportedly destroyed and multiple other homes were heavily damaged in the area of Cumberland Trail and Overland Trail on the city’s west side, the Wise County Messenger reported.
“The storm caused significant structural damage across multiple neighborhoods, resulting in at least 20 families displaced, numerous injuries, and one confirmed fatality,” Wise County Judge J.D. Clark wrote in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
Six injured people were treated or transported to hospitals by Wise County EMS, he said.
Wise County emergency crews, with mutual aid from other communities, were working on search and rescue, medical response, and damage assessment, Clark said. “All county ambulances are committed to the incident, and additional EMS and fire resources from surrounding jurisdictions are en route or already operating in the area,” he wrote early Sunday morning.
Blocked roads with downed power lines and debris were restricting access to several damaged structures, and first responders were coordinating with utility providers to clear those hazards, Clark said early Sunday morning.
Hail up to baseball size also was reported with the storm in Wise County.
A reunification center was set up at 513 Port O’ Call Drive in Runaway Bay. Families seeking information about loved ones were able to go there for help. The center was closed down Sunday morning after all families were reunited, Clark said at a press conference update about 9 a.m.
The Shell gas station in Runaway Bay was designated as a temporary command post because it has electricity and convenient access for first responders, officials wrote on the city’s Facebook page. The 1 Stop convenience store is also open and available as a place for residents needing temporary relief.
American Red Cross officials are responding to support displaced families and help with shelter and recovery needs.
“City officials have been actively coordinating with Jack and Denton Counties to secure additional assistance for damage response,” officials said.
Runaway Bay is on the south side of Lake Bridgeport, about 50 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
The National Weather Service sent a survey team to the area on Sunday to study the path of the storm. The team determined the Wise County damage was caused by an EF-2 tornado.
“As we move into recovery, we are focused on collecting accurate damage information so resources can be directed where they are needed the most,” Clark said at the Sunday morning press conference. “The Texas Division of Emergency Management’s damage assessment team is helping us verify impacts across this community. Residents with damage to their homes or businesses are asked to complete the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool called iSTAT.” Complete the survey online at damage.tdem.texas.gov/
Speaking to the Wise County community, Clark said, “Situations like last night are challenging. They’re tough. It was a tough night, and it is understandable that emotions are running high. From the heart of our county government, all our community partners here that are working together, please know this: Wise County takes care of Wise County, and we are going to stand strong and we’re going to stand together.”
Volunteers are not needed at this time, he said. If that changes, information will be shared on official social media channels and through local media.
Clark said he will issue a disaster declaration on Sunday, and additional updates will be provided through the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
Springtown and Parker County damage
Parker County officials confirmed that one death was reported near Springtown.
Officials in the City of Springtown confirmed reports of property damage and downed trees and power lines throughout the city and to its west and south. The National Weather Service later determined the damage was caused by an EF-1 tornado.
“Please exercise patience with responding crews,” Springtown officials wrote. “Many are being called in for this event and will (work) through the night to clear roadways.”
As of 2 a.m. Sunday, most roadways in the Springtown city limits were cleared of major debris and power lines.
The Springtown school district has canceled classes for Monday as residents continue to recover from the storm.
According to the National Weather Service, fire officials also reported damage to multiple residences near the city of Reno, where numerous roads were blocked by downed trees.
Tornado watch and flash flooding
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth extended the tornado watch until 5 a.m. Sunday for much of North Texas, including Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Rockwall, Tarrant, Van Zandt and Wise counties.
Flash flood warnings also were in effect until early Sunday morning.
In Fort Worth, police and firefighters responded to multiple water emergency calls for reports of drivers stuck in high water, mainly in the west and central parts of the city, late Saturday and early Sunday.
Power outages
As of midnight, Oncor reported more than 20,000 customers without power throughout its service area, including over 15,000 in Tarrant County, more than 2,000 in Wise County and more than 1,500 in Parker County. At 10 a.m. Sunday, about 14,000 customers remained without power, with the majority of those in Tarrant, Dallas, Wise and Parker counties.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative reported almost 13,000 customers without power late Saturday, and about 8,000 at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Storm chances in Sunday forecast
There is a conditional threat for isolated severe storms late Sunday afternoon and evening across parts of North Texas, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
“A strong capping inversion will keep storm coverage limited (less than 20%), but any storms that do develop will be capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts,” the NWS website states.
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 11:12 PM.
