DALLAS — Five tornadoes have been confirmed behind the widespread damage in North Texas on Saturday night. The National Weather Service has given the official ratings for the five tornadoes:
- EF-3, northeast of Celina with 165 mph wind speeds
- EF-3 (upgrading from an EF-2), from Montague County through Cooke County and into Denton County with 135 mph wind speeds
- EF-1, Denton County at Ray Roberts Marina with 110 mph wind speeds
- EF-1, Collin County from Northwest of Celina to south of Weston with 95 mph wind speeds
- EF-1, northern Hunt County near Celeste with 90 mph wind speeds
Saturday night’s supercell lasted over three hours beginning just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday.
Below is what we know about the two EF-3 confirmed tornadoes.
Montague/Cooke/Denton County Tornado
Rating: EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 135 mph
Fatalities: 7
Injuries: >100
Start Date: 05/25/2024
Start Time: 9:42 PM CDT
Start Location: 5.5 SE Bowie / Montague County / TX
End Date: 05/25/2024
Damage, per National Weather Service report:
A supercell thunderstorm started in Montague County late May 25. This storm went on to produce a tornado that impacted trees five miles southeast of Bowie. The tornado then went on to damage two residences consist with EF -2 damage and max sustained winds of 120 to 125 mph. The tornado then moved east to damage trees consistent with EF–0 and EF-1 damage (winds 75 to 110 mph).
That same supercell continued into Cooke and Denton counties. Here, widespread tree damage was seen consistent with EF-0 intensity. The tornado then intensified and produced EF-2 (winds of 115-125 mph) damage to three residences southeast of Era.
The tornado then maintained intensity as it approached Valley View. The top floors of new homes were damaged or destroyed. Widespread damage then occurred in a manufactured home community. After that, the tornado crossed I-35 damaging cars, trailers and a gas station with estimated winds of 135 mph (EF-2 damage). The tornado then moved to Ray Roberts Lake causing damage to roofs, trees and the marina.
Collin County tornado, north of Celina
Rating: EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 165 mph
Start Date: 05/25/2024
End Date: 05/25/2024
Damage, per National Weather Service report:
North of Celina there is one neighborhood along Prairie Meadow Lane that sustained the most significant damage. Two homes showed signs of high end EF-3 damage consistent with the type of damage caused by winds of 165 mph. This type of damage consists of walls and roofs destroyed.
Homeowners and renters in Collin, Cooke, Denton and Montague counties are eligible for FEMA assistance, the agency announced Monday. People can apply online here or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.