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Tornado reported in Mineral Wells damages buildings, causes multiple injuries

A graphic by the National Weather Service showed severe thunderstorms in North Texas, with hail greater than baseballs in some areas.
National Weather Service
A graphic by the National Weather Service showed severe thunderstorms in North Texas, with hail greater than baseballs in some areas.

A severe weather system swept through North Texas Tuesday afternoon, with a reported tornado touching down in Mineral Wells.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado along Highway 180 near Mineral Wells.

Media reports showed extensive damage to houses and buildings.

Mineral Wells officials told Fox 4 a tornado destroyed multiple structures in town.

"In the morning hours we're going to see what we need to do for volunteer support," Mineral Wells Fire Chief Ryan Dunn said.

Dunn told Fox 4 the industrial area suffered major damage and hazards that are across the road, asking people to stay away from the area.

There were numerous reports of exceptionally large hail, ranging from baseball to grapefruit-sized, near Cresson and across Hood, Parker, and Johnson counties.

City officials confirmed with CBS News that the storm caused significant structural damage, particularly within an industrial park and along Highway 180, stretching from Country Club Estates to Lake Mineral Wells State Park.

The wild weather came just days after a tornado-producing thunderstorm left at least two people dead in northern Texas and displaced at least 20 families.

Tuesday's thunderstorms, including at least one unconfirmed tornado, were caused by large storm cells that were drifting southeast from north-central Texas, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with National Weather Service.

The storms continued Tuesday night as they moved across Texas and into Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The storms could produce hail larger than 2 inches, damaging winds and some tornadoes, according to the agency.

In Mineral Wells, where the streets were left littered with fallen trees and other debris, the mayor declared a local state of disaster. The city also instituted a 10 p.m. curfew that will be lifted around daylight as authorities continue to assess the damage, said Tim Denison, the city's police chief.

He said the curfew was to "make sure that we keep people out of the areas and also try to help these victims out, and keep their personal belongings safe."

Officials directed anyone who needed help to the local high school, where the Red Cross was setting up.

Ventamatic, a fans and ventilation manufacturer in Mineral Wells, said its facilities would be closed Wednesday "due to severe damage and ongoing safety hazards — including downed power lines." The company announced on its website that all of its employees had been evacuated before the storms and everyone was safe.

KERA's Alexsis Jones contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 KERA News

KERA News