Full Breakdown
Northern Texas Tornadoes Kill Two, Displace 20 Families, Prompt State Disaster Declaration
4/27/2026, 12:32:40 PM
Tornadoes Strike Runaway Bay and Springtown
On the night of April 26, a slow-moving supercell produced an EF-2 tornado in Wise County and an EF-1 tornado in Parker County, north of Fort Worth. The EF-2 struck Runaway Bay, killing one person, injuring six and displacing 20 families; the EF-1 hit Springtown, destroying a mobile home and killing a 69-year-old woman. Peak winds were 135 mph and 105 mph respectively. Hundreds of homes suffered major damage and thousands lost power. Radar at 10:14 p.m. detected a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” vortex near Azle, and the storms were part of a multi-day outbreak that began April 23.
Official Statements & Responses
Wise County Judge J.D. Clark said the community is “feeling the weight” of the disaster, urged residents to “stand together,” and noted that volunteer assistance was not needed while needs were being assessed. He requested a state disaster declaration to unlock recovery resources and praised the “phenomenal” response from state and regional partners, including Texas Task Force 2. Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt highlighted the widespread power outage as a major challenge. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado ratings and continues damage surveys. Governor Greg Abbott personally offered support.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early coverage varied on the death toll, with some outlets reporting only one fatality; later verification confirmed a second death in Parker County, bringing the total to at least two. The identity of the Runaway Bay victim remains withheld pending family notification, and ongoing NWS surveys may identify additional tornado tracks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” — J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge
- “Our community is feeling the weight of that this morning,” — J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge
- “At this time, volunteer assistance is not needed, and unmet needs are still being assessed,” — J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge
- “One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the widespread power outage affecting many residents,” — David Pruitt, Parker County Assistant Fire Chief
What’s Next
Clark’s request for a state disaster declaration is pending, which would activate life-safety, debris-management and recovery funding. Residents are urged to complete the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to document damage. Officials warned that additional storms could strike within 24 hours. The NWS will continue damage assessments, and utility crews aim to restore power to all affected customers.
