RUNAWAY BAY, Texas — A deadly twister swept through northern Texas communities Saturday evening, claiming two lives and forcing at least 20 families to evacuate their damaged homes, local officials reported Sunday.
Rescue teams spent Saturday night and into Sunday clearing debris and navigating blocked roads in Runaway Bay to reach victims and provide emergency medical assistance, according to Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, the county’s top executive, during a Sunday press briefing.
“Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” Clark said. “Roads in the affected area will remain closed by law enforcement to ensure safety and allow emergency crews to manage the scene without obstruction.”
The deadly weather system also struck Springtown, where a second fatality occurred south of the city boundaries, Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt confirmed in an email statement. The area suffered “significant damage,” according to Pruitt.
“One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the widespread power outage affecting many residents,” he wrote. “Officials are coordinating with utility providers and emergency partners as restoration efforts continue.”
Weather experts from the National Weather Service verified that an EF-2 category tornado with maximum winds reaching 135 mph struck the Runaway Bay region. Assessment teams were still evaluating damage in Springtown as of Sunday afternoon.
The destructive supercell storm system moved slowly through the region around 10 p.m. Saturday, according to meteorologist Patricia Sanchez from the Fort Worth weather service office.
The storm originated near Wichita Falls close to the Oklahoma state line, then traveled southeast while passing just west of Fort Worth. Runaway Bay sits approximately 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth along Lake Bridgeport, while Springtown is located roughly 30 miles northwest of the city.
Weather service radar detected a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado approaching Azle at 10:14 p.m. Saturday, about 10 miles southeast of Springtown.
