Many of you may have been awakened by the Tornado Warning in western Dallas/eastern Tarrant Counties early Sunday morning. The tornado sirens sounded across the warned area, and even in my area near the Grapevine/Southlake border. Fortunately the tornado in Irving dissipated as it moved north-northwest toward the residential areas of Carrollton.
As it turns out, the warning was a “good” warning (i.e., a warning that verified), because two tornadoes formed within the warned area after the warning was issued. The warning was issued at 2:27 am, seven minutes before tornadoes formed in Dallas and Irving (they formed at approximately the same time…2:34 am…from two distinct circulations).
Damage Survey Findings
The following is a paraphrased summary from the NWS damage survey.
→ Dallas/Farmers Branch Tornado
The first tornado began in the City of Dallas with damage to trees and power lines occurring near the intersection of Walnut Hill and Marsh. This tornado continued to the north-northwest and crossed over the LBJ Freeway at Josey Lane and moved into Farmers Branch, where an apartment complex suffered roof damage. Most of the damage in Dallas was EF-0, but the damage increased as the tornado moved into Farmers Branch. Some of the most notable damage in Farmers Branch included roof damage to a number of warehouse buildings near the intersection of Valwood Parkway and I-35E before dissipating near the Tommy Standridge Stadium Park (just inside the Carrollton City limits by about 1,000 feet).
Dallas/Farmers Branch Rating Details
Date: May 24, 2015
Start: 2:34 am 8 miles NNW of Dallas
End: 2:39a m 1 mile NW of Farmers Branch
Rating: EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind: 100-105 MPH
Path Length /Statute/: 5.1 Miles
Path Width /Maximum/: 200 Yards
No Injuries/Fatalities
→ Irving Tornado
The Irving tornado occurred roughly at the same time as the Dallas/Farmers Branch tornado, but was slightly stronger. This tornado produced extensive damage to trees, power lines, and businesses in the vicinity of Highway 114 and Macarthur. This tornado began just north of a golf course in Las Colinas and traveled northwest for slightly over a mile. The most extensive damage occurred to buildings on North Macarthur Blvd between Corporate Drive and West Walnut Hill Lane.
Irving Tornado Path Rating Details
Date: May 24, 2015
Start: 2:34 am 2 miles N of Irving
End: 2:36 am 3 miles N of Irving
Rating: EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind: 100-105 MPH
Path Length /Statute/: 1.1 Miles
Path Width /Maximum/: 300 Yards
No Injuries/Fatalities
What is the Enhanced-Fujita Tornado Scale?
I am asked this question often so I wanted to post the scale here for you to refer to:
| Rating | Strength Classification | Wind Speeds |
| EF-0 | Weak | 65 to 85 MPH |
| EF-1 | Weak | 86 to 110 MPH |
| EF-2 | Strong | 111 to 135 MPH |
| EF-3 | Strong | 136 to 165 MPH |
| EF-4 | Violent | 166 to 200 MPH |
| EF-5 | Violent | Greater than 200 MPH |
