The warning issued by Eastern Dallas County in North Central Texas by the National Weather Service stated the situation with utmost clarity: “Meteorologists confirmed a large and dangerous tornado near Hutchins. This is a dangerous situation … seek shelter now!! This is a tornado emergency for Dallas and Hutchins!”
The results? Not unlike what you’d expect: incredible damage. But, fortunately, no reported fatalities.
In Lancaster, south of Dallas, the tornado left a scene of squashed buildings, plywood and debris littered streets and lawns, smashed cars, twisted trees .. and ten people injured – two of them seriously.
The Red Cross estimates 650 homes were damaged. Meanwhile, for nearly 14,000 homes, power was still out on Wednesday, and 500 flights have remained grounded.
One especially poignant scene was when a tornado hit a nursing home.
“Iy wasn’t like a freight train like everybody says it is,” said physical therapist Patti Gilroy, who had helped dozens of seniors to safety. “It sounded like a bomb hit. And we hit the floor, and everybody was praying. It was shocking.”
April is usually the worst month of tornado season, but the danger lasts from March till June, and with an April like this, experts say that “we’re on pace to be above normal,” in expected tornado activity.