Power Outage in Canton, TX

Extreme cold gripped the county for several days. Overnight lows were near or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit almost all week. The period of February 15-16th was the coldest with low temperatures between 5 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature on the 15th was only around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chill values during the 14th-16th were between 10 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. The cold temperatures resulted in an extreme amount of damage to pipes, infrastructure, and power.

This tornado continued into Kaufman County. A little more than an hour after the Malakoff tornado occurred, a second tornado developed over extreme southwest Van Zandt County, approximately 3 miles northeast of Mabank. This tornado touched down along VZ County Road 2718 just east of the intersection with VZ County Road 2719. The tornado moved almost due west along VZ CR 2718, producing intermittent tree and power line damage, as well as roof damage to several manufactured homes, site built homes, and a couple of farm outbuildings. The tornado continued westward, moving into extreme southeast Kaufman County and producing additional intermittent tree and outbuilding damage. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of Kaufman County Road 4007 and Farm to Market Road 90. The total length of the tornado was 2.19 miles and the maximum winds were 85 mph.

The roof was blown off the Old Rose Dry Goods building near the intersection of James and 4th streets. Five apartments were damaged. Power lines were also blown down in the area.

Nearly 100 homes and several outbuildings were damaged across mainly the southern half of Van Zandt County from two strong supercells. These homes were damaged by either a tornado in the same region, damaging downburst winds, and/or RFD winds. It cannot be determined how many of the homes were damaged by the tornado and how many by the RFD or downburst winds. In addition, numerous trees were also knocked down and several were blocking roadways. Power lines were also down as well.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth found that a tornado touched down at a park near Highway 64 and Old Kaufman Road. Several trees were damaged, a power pole was broken, and fencing was blown down. East of the park, two power poles were broken along Highway 64. A mobile home to the northeast suffered minor roof damage and a shed was damaged. The tornado then moved through the First Monday trade site, heavily damaging several trees and pushing over a trailer in the western portion of the grounds. Several vehicles were damaged by falling trees and limbs. Additional tree damage was noted as the tornado approached Highway 19. The damage swath ended about 200 yards east of Highway 19. This tornado was rated a low EF-1 with maximum sustained winds of 85-90 MPH. Two people were trapped in a van under a fallen tree in the First Monday parking lot. A truck travelling north on Highway 19 was thrown 38 yards. The driver was not injured.

Power lines blown down and signs blown off buildings.

Trees and power lines were blown down all over town.

Several houses were damaged, many RV trailers destroyed, trees, and power lines were blown down.

Trees and powerlines were blown down.

Power lines were blown down by high thunderstorm wind.

Power lines were blown down on C.R. 2140 and C.R. 2146. Trees were blown down on C.R. 3203.