Severe weather caused high winds, flash flooding and tornadoes across the area, as A&M-Commerce was put on lock-down for part of the afternoon.
The first tornado warning came with reports of a tornado on the ground near Campbell, Texas. It began north of Lone Oak and was reported moving northeast, but lifted before reaching the immediate Commerce area. The warning was in effect from about 2:50-3 p.m. Students were ordered to stay inside various campus buildings and taken to safe places for the duration of the warning. Students were free to leave but had been advised to watch for more storms.
A second tornado warning was later put in effect, and one was reported on the ground south of Caddo Mills moving northeast.
Later, a tornado was confirmed in the Greenville area, making its way northeast toward Commerce. There were reports of a tornado on the ground near the Commerce area. Damage was reported on Bois d’Arc Street, but the worst appears to have taken place in Rockwall County and along the Rockwall/Hunt County border. Homes along FM 1565 lost their roofs, and there was also damage reported along Highway 276 at the county line.
Severe weather was responsible for damage in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Tornadoes were spotted on the ground in Tarrant County, and one devastated the Arlington area. National Weather Service reports counted at least 12 tornadoes in the severe weather outbreak.
President Dr. Dan Jones, driving in from the Metroplex area, pulled over on the highway and spoke with KETR.
“It’s pretty calm here right now, but driving through Mesquite was pretty harrowing with the rain, wind, and some hail,” Jones said.
Hunt County Regional Hospital also spoke with KETR. No injuries have been reported as a result of the storms, but the hospital was put under a code black and patients were taken to a safe area.