Mineral Wells tornado declared EF-3 as damage assessments continue. What we know
A storm that hit Mineral Wells on April 28 during a severe weather outbreak has been confirmed as an EF-3 tornado, authorities said.
At around 5 p.m. Tuesday, the tornado touched down in a northeast portion of Mineral Wells near FM 1821 and Ellis White Road, according to Mineral Wells Fire Chief Ryan Dunn.
During initial damage assessments, the storm was declared an EF-2 with wind speeds of up to 120 mph, the National Weather Service told the Star-Telegram Wednesday afternoon. However, the tornado was later upgraded to an EF-3 with wind speeds of up to 145 mph as a damage assessment was underway, according to a social media post from the agency.
The tornado moved toward Wolters Village, flattening homes and throwing debris, and hit multiple businesses along Washington Avenue.
Five people were injured, Brown said. Two were transported to a hospital by ambulance, and three others transported themselves. No fatalities have been reported.
Mineral Wells officials had not received an update Wednesday afternoon on the number of residents and businesses without gas. Oncor spokesperson Roxana Rubio said that 233 customers were without power, but the company was working to restore power to customers whose equipment is functioning well enough for power to be delivered.
Donations can be taken to the Mineral Wells Center of Life at 200 SW Fifth St., according to the city of Mineral Wells Facebook page. People interested in volunteering can go to the Purdue Center at 300 South Oak Ave.
A curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, city officials said, but whether that curfew will extend is undecided. That curfew, according to a press release from the city, includes:
- Energy Avenue (Country Club Estates) to the west
- US 180 to the south
- Washington Avenue to the east
- Beletta Drive to the north
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at First Baptist Church, 100 SW Fourth Ave.
This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 3:29 PM.
