IRVING, Texas – An EF-1 tornado struck the Dallas suburb of Irving on the morning of March 4, 2025, as severe storms swept across parts of the South. The storm brought maximum wind gusts of 110 mph, causing extensive damage to buildings, particularly at the Tree Country Apartments, where every apartment building suffered roof damage.
Nearby, the Irving Police Family Advocacy Center lost half its roof and suffered damage to second-story balconies. The aftermath left approximately 350 residents displaced according to reports from FOX 4 Dallas. The tornado also uprooted trees, resulting in power outages for over 6,000 residents across the city.
“It’s like a war zone,” said local resident Mike Amir, as he surveyed the damage. Fortunately, there were no major injuries reported following the incident. The tornado was part of an extensive severe weather outbreak affecting the southern Plains and Southeast.
Dallas experienced wind gusts exceeding 70 mph earlier in the day, leading to nearly 300,000 power outages across Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton counties just after 6 a.m. The National Weather Service confirmed the EF-1 tornado, noting its path caused significant destruction along N. O’Connor Road and W. Pioneer Drive.
De Zavala Middle School, located nearby, was closed after being deemed unsafe due to downed power lines and gas leaks. The school’s closure marked one of the several precautions taken by local authorities; other students were also released early from several schools across the district. The Georgia Farrow Recreation Center was opened as a temporary shelter for residents needing safe refuge.
The storm's ferocity was felt throughout the area. Witnesses described frightening conditions, including Justin Hershberger, who hid with his family in their bathtub. “All of a sudden you could hear it pick up getting louder and louder; the trees were almost at 90-degree angles.” When the storm passed, he peeked outside to find debris littered everywhere, and his home’s attic partially ripped open.
Further damages were reported throughout North Texas, showing the pervasive impact of the storm. Utility poles snapped, fences were blown over, and several homes sustained roof damage. Nearby, at Far North Dallas, wind gusts of 75-80 mph knocked down trees and power lines, setting one house ablaze when the pole fell onto it. The family residing there narrowly escaped unharmed.
Reports from Haltom City highlighted similar distressing tales. Here, trees collapsed onto homes, crushing the roofs and wrecking interiors. Valeria Nelson recalled the panic she felt when she heard the noise, initially mistaking it for lightning. Fortunately, she and her husband got out safely, though much of their home was damaged.
The violence of the weather extended beyond Irving. Across the region, severe winds led to multiple road accidents, with traffic reports indicating at least seven incidents involving overturned 18-wheelers just Tuesday morning. The chaos didn't end there, as a warehouse partially collapsed at the Benjamin Moore paint facility in Lewisville. Eyewitness accounts relayed how the storm caused debris to fill the parking lot.
Parker County was not spared either, with reports confirming four RVs overturned. While only one minor injury was reported, it illustrated the storm's unpredictable nature. Witness Colton Hudson described encountering another resident atop her overturned camper, highlighting the swift and dangerous circumstances.
Extending its effects, the storm provoked heightened wildfire risks across Texas, with pre-existing dry conditions exacerbated by wind gusts. The Texas A&M Forest Service warned of extreme fire weather across the western and southern regions of the state. By late Tuesday evening, firefighters were responding to at least 13 active wildfires ignited by embers and downed power lines.
From flight cancellations to uprooted trees, the ripple effects continued. At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport alone, over 600 flights were canceled, with hundreds more delayed due to the severe weather. Local reports confirmed sustained winds and gusts of up to 50 mph kept grounded flights and disrupted nearly all operations.
Another local concern emerged during festivities. Many celebrations associated with Mardi Gras were scaled back or adjusted as powerful winds appeared threatening, leading the police to set curfews for parade routes. This year, the celebrations faced additional challenges under severe weather advisories.
Looking forward, the National Weather Service planned to conduct damage assessments on March 5 to determine the full extent of the destruction, including inspections for additional tornado activity in surrounding counties. The severe storms' strength and unpredictability have attracted both concern and attention across the state, exposing vulnerabilities and prompting calls for community preparedness.
Prominent officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have initiated emergency resource deployments, preparing the region for the possibility of continued storms and fire risks. The urban areas affected by severe winds and tornadoes have become focal points not just for immediate response, but also for upcoming safety evaluations amid forecasts of hazardous weather conditions persisting.
Overall, North Texas faced significant challenges due to this extensive storm system. With more than 200,000 customers without power as of Tuesday evening and widespread devastation across the affected areas, residents remained vigilant as the storm system moved. The National Weather Service warns of potential risks for additional tornadic activity as the severe weather system progresses eastward with probable impacts expected well beyond Texas.