Full Breakdown
North Texas Tornado Outbreak Leaves Two Dead, Hundreds Injured, and Thousands Displaced
4/29/2026, 1:18:59 PM
Core Event: EF-2 and EF-1 Tornadoes Devastate Runaway Bay and Springtown
On Saturday night, April 25 2026, an EF-2 tornado hit Runaway Bay, Wise County, killing Juan Madrid and injuring six. An EF-1 tornado struck Springtown, Parker County, causing roof damage and the death of a 69-year-old woman, later linked to rear-flank-downdraft winds.
Timeline of the Outbreak
April 25 night: tornadoes touch down in Runaway Bay and Springtown. April 26: Judge J.D. Clark declares a disaster; Red Cross opens a reunification center. April 27: schools close, shelters open at Mineral Wells High School. April 28: a tornado near Mineral Wells injures two, triggers a curfew.
Data & Statistics
Fatalities: 2 (Juan Madrid; 69-year-old woman). Injuries: 6 in Runaway Bay, 2 hospitalized in Mineral Wells, plus many minor. Displaced families: >20 in Runaway Bay, dozens in Springtown, several in Mineral Wells. Power outages: >20,000 customers (Oncor), 13,000 still without service. Damage: roofs torn, manufactured homes destroyed, industrial area in Mineral Wells heavily damaged, widespread downed trees and lines.
Impact on Communities
Roads were blocked, prompting a 10 p.m. curfew in Mineral Wells. Shelters opened at the high-school cafeteria and First Methodist Church. The Red Cross established a reunification center at 513 Port O’ Call Drive, provided meals, and set up supply sites at the Runaway Bay pool. A unified command with Texas Task Force 2, fire departments, and utilities cleared debris and restored power.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge J.D. Clark declared a disaster, urged prayers, and coordinated with the Texas Division of Emergency Management for damage surveys. Police Chief Tim Denison announced the Mineral Wells curfew and warned residents to avoid the northeast area. Fire Chief Ryan Dunn said two people were hospitalized and that the industrial zone posed “major hazards.” The Red Cross provided shelter, meals, and supplies, while officials said volunteer help was not needed.
Criticism & Opposition
No organized criticism of the response appeared in the source material.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Parker County death is described by some outlets as tornado-related, while the National Weather Service attributes it to rear-flank-downdraft winds. Power-outage figures vary from “over 20,000” to “13,000” customers without service. Displaced-family counts range between “more than 20” and “over 25” households in Runaway Bay.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re going to stand strong, and we’re going to stand together,” — J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge
- “We’re going to get through this,” — Tim Denison, Mineral Wells Police Chief
- “Two people were taken to the hospital and others with minor injuries were treated at the scene, according to Ryan Dunn, the city’s fire chief.” — Ryan Dunn, Mineral Wells Fire Chief
- “You could hear the wind. You could hear the sound of a freight train,” — Kelly Ince, Runaway Bay resident
What’s Next
The National Weather Service will finish damage surveys and finalize tornado ratings. County officials will collect iSTAT assessments and allocate state aid. Power crews stay on-call, and the Red Cross will keep shelter and supply operations while monitoring for further severe weather.
