The National Weather Service in Fort Worth confirmed that 14 tornados touched down in North Texas on December 13. These tornados ranged in intensity from EF0 to EF2.
This storm system was part of a winter storm system that swept through the western United States, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Four of these tornados were confirmed with EF2 ratings, seven had an EF1 rating, and three were rated as EF0.
EF0 Tornados, the lowest on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, have estimated windspeeds of 40 to 72 miles per hour producing lighter damage. EF2 tornados occur with windspeeds between 113 and 157 miles per hour.
Multiple cities in North Texas were damaged as a result of these storms, including Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Decatur.
Grapevine officials identified about 45 structures that were impacted by the storms. These structures experienced mainly power outages and had no significant damage. A total of 14 homeowners had reported damage to the state of Texas as of December 14.
The Grapevine Police Department added extra patrols and security to impacted businesses in the overnight hours to ensure security to property.
“Oncor reports up to 8,000 customers were without power in the morning, but crews have been making repairs all day, and that number is decreasing each hour,” said Grapevine PD Media Manager Amanda McNew in a press release.
McNew said 3,729 residents were without power as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The tornado affecting this region was confirmed as an EF0.
Police in North Richland Hills reported damage to 20 homes and businesses in North Richland hills. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado with peak winds of 90 miles per hour was the cause of the damage.
The average number of tornados to occur in Texas in 2021 was 123.8.
“In our specific coverage area, which is 46 counties across north and central Texas, we’ve had a total of 32 so far (this year). Looks like we’ll be increasing that total by almost 50% here with this event,” said Matt Stalley with the NWS in Fort Worth in an interview with The Dallas Express.
Weatherford and Poolville damages are to be investigated on December 15.