Severe storms leave behind damage across the Dallas-Fort Worth region
The severe weather system that blew through North Texas early Tuesday morning left behind severe damage in numerous locations throughout the Metroplex.
A tornado watch was in effect for the entire region for hours, and some areas heard outdoor warning sirens. Wind speeds in some areas topped 70 miles per hour, nearly equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
Tornado damage in Irving
Damage from an EF-1 tornado forced more than 350 people from their homes near Downtown Irving. The storm blew out windows in an apartment building, knocked down power lines and blew over brick siding in the area of West Pioneer Drive and North O'Connor Road.
The National Weather Service said "A brief tornado occurred in Irving within a larger area of wind damage. The tornado was verified with radar data after a ground survey was completed. The tornado began near Pecan Drive, south of West Pioneer Dr. Mostly tree damage was observed along this street. One vehicle was damaged due to falling trees. The tornado then impacted the Tree Country Apartments, causing EF-1 wind damage to the roof of nearly every apartment building in the complex. Tree and roof damage was also noted next door at the Learning Tree Academy. Across the street, the Irving Police Family Advocacy Center lost half of its roof and the covering off a second story balcony. The tornado tracked east-northeast from here and dissipated between Cedar Drive and North O'Connor Road. Damage to the La Hacienda Apartments was caused by RFD-type winds at the end of the tornado track. Maximum estimated winds were 110 mph at the Tree Country Apartments."
Irving ISD's Zavala Middle School was closed due to the downed power lines and a gas leak in the area.
Planes at Alliance Airport blown around, buildings damaged
Video from CBS News Texas Chopper showed damage to multiple buildings and hangars at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Marcair Aviation, a flight school at Alliance, saw half of its hangar ripped open, CBS News Texas anchor Doug Dunbar reported.
The strong winds also blew two private jets into a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, which the military uses to transport troops and equipment around the world. A spokesperson for the Air Force's 445th Airlift Wing said the incident is under investigation and they are waiting for estimates of the damage.
A spokesperson for the airport, also known as Perot Field, said no one was injured and the aircraft are being evaluated for possible damage. The runway and control tower remain open.
Lewisville warehouse damage
Part of the Benjamin Moore paint warehouse collapsed in Lewisville along SH121 near Leora Lane.
According to a city spokesperson, the warehouse sustained the damage at about 5:40 a.m. Lewisville Fire and PD responded to the scene.
Video from the scene shows a large section of an exterior wall and the roof missing, with various building materials scattered around the parking lot.
It is not yet clear if there were any injuries.
Parker County RV park
Multiple people suffered minor injuries at an RV park off White Settlement Road in eastern Parker County.
The storm toppled or tore through multiple RVs and trailers.
Plano West Senior High School
Part of the roof at Plano West Senior High School was blown off in the storms. It is unclear how the damaged roof is impacting the school day, but classes are in session.
However, the district advised families to expect delayed bus service for all routes Tuesday morning.
McKinney warehouse damage
The storms tore off the wall of a small warehouse in McKinney, at the corner of North Kentucky Street and McCauley Street.
Video from the scene shows a pile of cinder blocks and other debris on the ground, with nearly all of the building's exterior wall missing.
Dallas apartment buildings damaged
Dallas Fire Rescue responded to reports of damage an apartment complex on Marsh Lane near Rosemeade Parkway just after 6 a.m. Six two-story buildings at the complex had their chimneys either partially or completely blown over, DFR said.
One of the buildings also had part of its roof blown off. DFR said the four people who lived in the building with roof damage were displaced. No one was hurt.
