Homes damaged, injuries in Runaway Bay, Springtown as severe storms hit North Texas
Damage to homes, 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 possible tornado touched down there just after 9 p.m., according to the Wise County Messenger. 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 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.
Wise County emergency crews, with mutual aid from other communities, are 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.
Blocked roads, downed power lines and debris are restricting access to several damaged structures, and first responders are coordinating with utility providers to clear those hazards, Clark said early Sunday morning.
A reunification center has been set up at 513 Port O’ Call Drive in Runaway Bay. Families seeking information about loved ones or who need assistance are encouraged to report to that location.
The Shell gas station in Runaway Bay has been 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
Hail up to baseball size also was reported with the storm in Wise County.
“City officials have been actively coordinating with Jack and Denton Counties to secure additional assistance for damage response,” officials said.
Springtown area damage
Parker County fire officials told KTVT-TV that at least one death was reported near Springtown.
Officials in the City of Springtown, in Parker County, confirmed reports of downed trees and power lines throughout the city, but could not immediately confirm whether the damage was from straight-line winds or a tornado, according to statement posted to Facebook.
Travel is discouraged until further notice, officials said.
“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.”
Tornado and flash flood watches
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has extended a 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 are in effect until early Saturday morning.
In Fort Worth, police and firefighters have responded to multiple water emergency calls for reports of drivers stuck in high water, mainly in the west and central parts of the city.
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.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative reported almost 13,000 customers without power.
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 11:12 PM.
