Power Outage in Decatur, TX

Sporadic wind damage was reported from southwest of Cottondale to south of Decatur. The damage mostly consisted of tree damage, damage to outbuildings and barns, and power poles.

Sporadic wind damage was reported from southwest of Cottondale to south of Decatur. The damage mostly consisted of tree damage, damage to outbuildings and barns, and power poles.

A report of broken 3-inch tree limbs and power poles was received via mPing.

Extreme cold gripped the county for several days. Overnight lows were near or below 15 degrees Fahrenheit almost all week. The period of February 15-16th was the coldest with low temperatures between 5 to -7 degrees Fahrenheit, and the maximum temperature on the 15th was only in the lower teens. Wind chill values during the 14th-16th were between 0 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. The cold temperatures resulted in an extreme amount of damage to pipes, infrastructure, and power.

A trained spotter reported power flashes near Runaway Bay, TX.

A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of EF-1 and EF-0 damage across a three mile swath in southeastern Wise County. This multiple vortex tornado occurred over mainly open land, but destroyed two mobile homes, and damaging twelve others. Several power poles and power lines were damaged in the New Fairview area, between the city of Rhome and Decatur.

A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of EF-1 and EF-0 damage across a three mile swath in southeastern Wise County. This multiple vortex tornado occurred over mainly open land, but destroyed two mobile homes, and damaging twelve others. Several power poles and power lines were damaged in the New Fairview area, between the city of Rhome and Decatur.

Amateur radio reported power poles blown down approximately 4 miles north of Rhome, TX.

A utility company reported 6 power poles down in Hwy 2264.

Trees were uprooted and snapped in Decatur. The golden arches at McDonald's were knocked down, and the Dairy Queen and Taco Bell signs were also damaged along with other business signs in the city. Power lines were also knocked down and shingles were torn off roofs. A home weather station on Highway 287 on the north side of town measured a 62 MPH wind gust. A 50 foot hackberry tree, the largest in the county, was knocked down in Decatur by the storm, and it fell on a garage, crushing the car underneath.

Due to several supercells moving across the county, several trees and power poles were knocked down around the county.

An average of 10-12 of snow fell across the county. The COOP Observer in Alvord reported a snow depth of 7 the morning of the 12th, and the COOP Observer in Decatur reported a total snow of 11. A NWS meteorologist measured 12 of snow southeast of Decatur. The local newspaper reported 8 of snow in Alvord, 11.5 in Cottondale, 12 in Runaway Bay, and 12.5 in Decatur. Numerous minor vehicle accidents were reported across the county. Several thousand customers lost power and extensive tree damage was reported.

A 250 acre wildfire was started southwest of Balsora when arcing power lines set a tree on fire and the sparks from the fire ignited the dry grass below. The fire moved from near FM 2210 to FM 920 south of town. Approximately 30 residents were evacuated due to the flames and smoke. Three structures were lost; including one home.

A gas station awning was blown down on FM 51 just south of Decatur. The awning at the Chevron was uprooted from the concrete. The wind also blew down some power lines.

A utility pole was broken in Alvord and a tree branch fell onto a power line near a substation east of Decatur. Electric wires were downed on Highway 81/287. Power was out to about 1,000 customers.

Strong winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew power lines over in Decatur. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. A vehicle was blown from a road near Newark and small buildings were blown from their foundations. The winds also caused roof damage and blew down signs and fences. In addition, fallen trees, power poles, and power lines caused power outages at about 4,500 residences and businesses in the county. The fallen power lines sparked at least eighteen grass fires.

Street signs were blown down, four power poles blown down, a barn was damaged, and a large window was blown out.

The second Wise county tornado touched down on the southwest side of Decatur, with initial damage to trees and a large storage shed. The tornado strengthened as it moved east northeast into the Lipsey Subdivision. Several homes sustained roof damage and numerous trees were blown down or snapped off. One large home on Garland Street was rendered uninhabitable, as most of the roof was blown off and two exterior walls were destroyed. The occupant escaped with minor injuries. The tornado crossed Highway 51, blowing down numerous trees, power lines, and utility poles. A large portion of the roof of the Church of Christ building was removed and blown into a tree about one mile away. The Wise County Regional Hospital had some windows broken. As the tornado crossed Highway 287, it weakened doing sporadic F0 damage to trees in a residential area just south of downtown. The tornado reintensified just east of downtown near the intersection if Business Highway 81 and Old Denton Road, where a 10,000 square foot storage building was destroyed. The tornado continued moving northeast, severely damaging three homes. Two four inch diameter posts from a gazebo were thrown 1/4 of a mile and driven one foot into the ground. The tornado crossed Highway 380, heavily damaging a ranch, then moved into a heavily wooded area blowing down hundreds of trees before dissipating. Damage occurred to 50 homes,at least 8 businesses, and 2 churches.

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Wind gusts to 61 mph were recorded at Decatur High School. Numerous reports of trees and power lines blown down, storage buildings damaged, and damage to roofs. A mobile home was blown over just north of town, and south of town an 18 wheeler was blown off highway 287.

Strong west and northwest winds occurred behind a cold front associated with a powerful low pressure system. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported across north Texas which resulted in numerous delayed flights and some damage in Wise County.