This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
On October 20, 2019, a devastating tornado swept through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm, which was accompanied by golf-ball sized hail and lightning, caused significant damage to concrete buildings, a big rig, and utility poles.
According to the National Weather Service, visual confirmation of the tornado was confirmed at 10:27 p.m. local time north of Interstate 635 and east of U.S. 75 in the northern part of the city. The Fort Worth office of the National Weather Service issued a urgent warning, stating, “Everyone in northeast Dallas needs to take shelter now.”
Residents took to social media to share videos and photos of the funnel cloud and extensive damage, including footage of a Home Depot in tatters. Fortunately, the city of Dallas reported no fatalities or serious injuries from the tornado.
The Dallas Police Department conducted door-to-door checks in a neighborhood northwest of Love Field to ensure the safety of residents. Meanwhile, the utility company Oncor reported that around 85,000 customers were without power as of 11:30 p.m.
The city of Dallas activated its Emergency Operations Center late Sunday to assess damage from the tornado. Emergency responders sounded tornado sirens in northeast and northwest Dallas ahead of the storm.
