2015 Garland–Rowlett tornado

EF4 tornado in suburbs of Dallas, Texas infobox 1/1 300 2015 Garland tornado over highway.jpg December 26-28 2015 Garland and Rowlett, TX EF4 Tornado Damage captured on 1-25-2016 by Volkan Yuksel DSC06368.JPG 300 Top: The 2015 Garland tornado that would kill 10, as seen looming over a highway. A power flash is visible to the left. Bottom: EF3 damage to homes in Rowlett. 16 minutes December 26, 2015, 6:46 p.m. CST (UTC–06:00) December 26, 2015, 7:02 p.m. CST (UTC–06:00) atl 180 mph km/h on EF4 10 468 2015 $26.8 million (2015 USD) Dallas and Rockwall County, Texas December 2015 North American storm complex and Tornadoes of 2015 On the night of December 26, 2015, a violent EF4 tornado struck the Dallas suburbs of Sunnyvale, Garland, and Rowlett, located in Texas. It caused $20–26 million (2015 USD) in damages, killed 10 people, making it the deadliest tornado in the United States in 2015, and injured 468 others. This was the third tornado to be rated an EF4 in the United States that year and the fourth such tornado worldwide. The tornado first touched down at 6:46 p.m. CST and slowly began to intensify in strength while approaching Sunnyvale. As the tornado moved into Garland, it became violent, inflicting heavy damage on structures and vehicles. As the tornado crossed a highway, it struck a turnpike, where nine people who were sheltering in their vehicles were killed. Another man was killed when his house collapsed before the tornado lifted at 7:02 p.m., in Rockwall County. The tornado was the deadliest tornado ever to hit in the month of December in Texas, and one of the deadliest December tornadoes to hit the United States on record, alongside the 1953 Vicksburg, Mississippi tornado, the 1957 Gorham-Murphysboro, Illinois tornado, the 2000 Tuscaloosa tornado, the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado, and the 2015 Holly Springs-Ashland tornado that had occurred just three days before this event. Meteorological Synopsis December 2015 North American storm complex#Meteorological history thumb|Tornado Outlook on December 26, 2015|left|274x274px Prior to December 26th, 2015, the atmosphere was potent, with a strong upper-level trough throughout much of the Central and Southern Plains, accompanied by a large low-pressure area that crossed into the area from Mexico, resulting in a strong upper-level low that drew moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, with high dew points of 60 to 70 degrees. In the morning of December 26th, strong, low-level shear was recorded at 50 kts, as well as a looping 1 km hodograph that resulted in storm-relative helicity values upwards of 300 m2/s2. Additionally, MUCAPE values of 1793 J/kg created a capping inversion that somewhat limited tornado potential. By noon, the previous capping inversion had completely disappeared due to an increase in MUCAPE values to 2878 J/kg as a result of drastic increase in moisture from the gulf. In addition, hodographs continued to show a high probability for discrete supercells, and light cloud coverage in areas heated the ground in areas, further increasing instability.Timothy Marshall 2016 Damage survey of the North Texas Tornadoes: 26 December 2015 https://ams.confex.com/ams/28SLS/webprogram/Manuscript/Paper300382/2016-NTXpaperV3.pdf Haag Engineering Co., NOAA/NWS The National Weather Service, who had noted a growing potential for severe weather as early as December 23rd, issued an enhanced risk for much of Northern Texas on the 23rd, with a 10% chance of tornadoes stretching from the Texas-Oklahoma border to portions of Central Texas. At 12:35 p.m., the NWS issued a tornado watch for Dallas County and the surrounding counties. By 1:43 p.m. supercells began to produce their first tornadoes, with the supercell that formed the Garland tornado forming by 4:50 p.m. The supercell would produce a few tornadoes, including one near the exurb of Waxahachie, before drastically increasing in intensity and becoming dominant around 6:40 p.m., producing the EF4 in Garland 6 minutes later. Tornado summary The tornado first touched down on December 26, 2015, at 6:46 p.m. CST, on East Tripp Road north of US 80 west of Sunnyvale in Dallas County. The tornado produced minor roof damage to two homes in this area, and a power pole was knocked down near the tornado's initial touchdown point. The National Weather Service determined that the damage in this area was consistent with an EF0-strength tornado. Heading in a northeastward direction, the tornado began to slowly widen as it moved through mainly empty lots, although some EF0 damage occurred. After crossing Hearthstone Drive, the tornado rapidly strengthened to EF2 intensity. Several homes suffered severe roof and exterior wall damage, including some homes that were partially unroofed, vehicles were damaged, fences were knocked down, and trees were snapped.US Department of Commerce NOAA 12/26/15 North TX Tornado Outbreak https://www.weather.gov/fwd/dec26tornadoes www.weather.gov National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 3 August 2024 EN-US The tornado then weakened to EF1 intensity as it crossed Eagles Crest Drive, continuing to inflict roof damage to homes and damaging trees. The tornado then crossed Town East Boulevard and moved through unpopulated fields and wooded areas. There were few damage indicators in this area and an EF0 rating was given along this portion of the track. After crossing Barnes Bridge Road, the tornado rapidly intensified to EF2 strength and struck the Plantation Place Dallas RV Park. Several RVs were severely damaged, including some that were flipped and others that were obliterated, including at least one destroyed RV that was thrown into a pond in the park. Vehicles were tossed and trees were damaged in the area as well. The tornado then entered the southeastern part of Garland and further intensified to EF3 strength briefly on Christina Lane. Several homes suffered extensive damage with roofs partially or completely removed and exterior walls damaged or knocked down.Today U. S. A. EF4 tornado on Dec. 26, 2015 18:46 PM CST https://data.usatoday.com/tornado-archive/united-states/606471/ 2024-07-27 USA Today en One unanchored home was swept off its foundation, while another saw more than half of the structure collapse. Vehicles were thrown and damaged, including a pickup truck that had its bed partially lifted off its axle and a box truck that was knocked over, a light pole was bent to the ground, and more trees and fences were damaged or knocked down. The tornado then weakened but remained strong as it continued northeastward at EF2 strength as it passed through residential areas. Many homes suffered severe roof and exterior wall damage, including some homes that were partially to completely unroofed and/or had exterior walls knocked down, and trees were damaged or snapped.https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/606471 Texas Event Report: EF4 Tornado National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth, Texas National Climatic Data Center May 1, 2016 2015 As the tornado crossed Bobtown Road, it rapidly intensified and became violent, moving through another residential area at EF4 intensity. Many homes in this area were heavily damaged or completely destroyed, including at least one home that was flattened on Crestpoint Lane.ArcGIS Web Application https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/StormDamage/DamageViewer/ 2024-07-27 apps.dat.noaa.gov After crossing Kelso Lane, the tornado weakened slightly, but remained intense as it continued through residential areas at EF3 intensity. More homes were heavily damaged or destroyed with roofs removed and some to all exterior walls knocked down; some homes also had multiple interior walls knocked down. At least one home had a pickup truck thrown into it and some homes were partially swept away as well, although they were either unanchored or poorly anchored to their foundations, precluding a higher rating.thumb|253x253px|A traffic camera video of the tornado moving over a highway in southern GarlandThe tornado then became violent again and reached EF4 intensity as it struck an apartment complex after crossing Locust Grove Road. Several single- or multi-story apartment buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed with upper and lower floor walls knocked down and roofs removed. One apartment building was completely flattened, a storage facility next to the complex was completely destroyed, and trees and power poles were snapped. All the apartment buildings left standing after the tornado struck were later condemned and torn down.Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8556606,-96.5564941,3a,75y,128.37h,88.44t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4gJmqOGUqVUOD_q40I8Zag!2e0!5s20161001T000000!7i13312!8i6656?coh=205409&entry=ttu Google Maps 4 August 2024 en The tornado then became deadly as it struck the I-30 and President George Bush Turnpike interchange. It tossed several vehicles and towed trailers off the elevated bridge ramps and into the traffic below. Nine people, including a one-year-old, were killed in this area.Montgomery David Southall Ashley 2015-12-27 Tornadoes Leave Paths of Rubble and 11 Dead in the Dallas Area https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/28/us/dallas-tornadoes-storms-sweep-south.html 2024-07-28 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331Marshall Tim Fox Mark Cavanaugh Dennis August 1, 2016 Tornado crossing Interstate 30 in Garland, Texas illuminated by a power flash. View looks east. Cars were tossed from the highway killing 10 people. Image courtesy of Scott Peake. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326988404 July 28, 2024 ResearchGate It also knocked down highway signs, bent and destroyed at least one large light pole that illuminated the interchange, and snapped trees. The tornado was rapidly weakening as it crossed through the interchange and it struck another RV park at EF1 intensity after crossing it, damaging trees and RVs in the area. Beyond the RV park, the tornado continued northeastward and moved over Lake Ray Hubbard; because it struck no damage indicators on the lake, this segment was rated EF0. Upon coming ashore in the eastern part of Rowlett, the tornado reached EF3 intensity as it struck another neighborhood. Homes suffered extensive damage with roofs partially to completely removed and exterior walls knocked down. At least one home was completely flattened, at least one car was flipped, and trees were damaged or snapped. The tornado then continued northeastward through residential areas at EF2 intensity, continuing to partially to completely unroof and knock down the exterior walls of homes with others suffering moderate roof damage, and snapping trees and power poles. The tornado then regained EF3 intensity again on Channel Drive, where a home was mostly destroyed, a car was flipped, and more trees were snapped. The tornado retained EF3 intensity as it continued northeastward, heavily damaging or destroying more homes, including some that were flattened, and snapping or uprooting trees. It also struck a mobile home park, rolling and destroying multiple mobile homes. An elderly man would die in Rowlett after his home collapsed on him.2016-12-21 Husband Of Woman Killed In Tornado Reflects 1 Year Later - CBS Texas https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/husband-of-woman-killed-in-tornado-reflects-one-year-later/ 2024-07-28 www.cbsnews.com en-US The tornado then began a rapid weakening trend after it crossed Lake Bend Drive and approached SH-66, dropping to EF0 intensity by the time it reached and crossed SH-66 as it moved into Rockwall County. The tornado continued to cause EF0 damage before moving back out over Lake Ray Hubbard. The tornado then narrowed and dissipated over the lake at 7:02 pm CST, ending its 13.04 mi km mid -journey. The tornado was on the ground for 13 minutes and had a peak width of 550 yd m. In all, 10 people were killed, 468 others were injured, and the damage caused was estimated to be $20–26 million (2015 USD). Aftermath The supercell that produced this EF4 tornado had first produced an EF3 tornado that injured 46 people in the Ovilla and Red Oak areas. The EF4 tornado was the strongest, deadliest, and first fatal tornado ever recorded in Dallas County during the month of December since modern records began in 1950. After the violent tornado had lifted, the same storm produced an EF2 tornado that killed two people and injured 119 others in and around Copeville.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth, Texas Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/606480 National Climatic Data Center 2015 May 1, 2016 After producing an EF1 tornado near Farmersville after the Copeville tornado, the storm would produce one final EF1 tornado that killed an infant and injured two other people near Blue Ridge before weakening and dissipating.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth, Texas Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/606483 National Climatic Data Center 2015 May 1, 2016 In Dallas County, more than 600 homes and businesses were either severely damaged or destroyed. As many as 50,000 power outages were caused by the tornado and associated storm.Staff DallasNews com 2015-12-26 'Total devastation': Nine tornadoes confirmed; storms leave 11 dead, hundreds without homes https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2015/12/26/total-devastation-nine-tornadoes-confirmed-storms-leave-11-dead-hundreds-without-homes/ 2026-06-26 Dallas News en A total of 10 people died as a direct result of the tornado, nine of which occurred on the President George Bush Turnpike and I-30 where people were inside of vehicles.2015-12-29 North Texas tornado victims identified https://www.fox4news.com/news/north-texas-tornado-victims-identified 2024-10-11 FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth en-US The ages of the victims here ranged from 1 to 77 years of age. One 77-year-old male was also killed in Rowlett while sheltering in a home.Associated Press 2015-12-27 Dallas area tornadoes leave 11 dead and dozens injured https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/27/dallas-tornadoes-deaths-injuries-storms-southeast 2024-07-28 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 Many whose homes were destroyed by the tornado took shelter in gas stations and 41 took shelter in the Gale Fields Recreation Center.Staff DallasNews com 2015-12-26 'Total devastation': Nine tornadoes confirmed; storms leave 11 dead, hundreds without homes https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2015/12/26/total-devastation-nine-tornadoes-confirmed-storms-leave-11-dead-hundreds-without-homes/ 2026-06-26 Dallas News en Following the tornado, first responder efforts were hampered by rain, wind and cold. 2015-12-26 At Least 11 People Killed in North TX Storms: Police https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/severe-storms-leave-damage-in-north-texas/172406/ 2026-06-26 NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth en-US Multiple organizations, including the Salvation Army and Humanity First arrived to provide food, clothing and shelter to those affected.Garland Tornado https://humanityfirstusa.org/portfolio/garland-tornado/ 2026-06-26 Humanity First USA en-USSalvation Army Response Efforts Continue Following Texas Tornadoes https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/articles/2015/12/30/salvation-army-response-efforts-continue-following-texas-tornadoes 2026-06-26 disaster.salvationarmyusa.org President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in the state of Texas, sending federal funding to the affected counties, as well as providing cheaper housing and repairs to anyone who lost their home or suffered damage as a result of the tornado.2015-06-01 President Obama Signs Texas Disaster Declaration https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/06/01/president-obama-signs-texas-disaster-declaration 2026-06-26 whitehouse.gov en Gregg Abott delivered his prayers and emphasized his support for those impacted. The city enacted a 24-hour curfew to keep roads clear to aid with search-and-rescue operations. As a result of the tornado, preparedness and safety significantly improved, with new sirens and a new operations center being installed.Adriana Alba December 26, 2023 Eight years later: Remembering the tragedy of the I-30 bridge tornado https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/eight-years-later-remembering-the-tragedy-i-30-bridge-tornado-rowlett-garland/287-21d958ac-10c2-4308-90ce-efecd9e8a994 live June 25, 2026 ABC In 2023, tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis unofficially rated the tornado EF3 and stated the maximum width of the tornado was 400 yd m.Grazulis Thomas P. Thomas P. Grazulis Significant Tornadoes 1974–2022 2023 The Tornado Project St. Johnsbury, Vermont 978-1-879362-01-7 535 See also Weather of 2015 2015 Rochelle–Fairdale tornado – another EF4 tornado that struck Illinois earlier the same year List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019) Tornado outbreak of May 7–9, 1927 – Also spawned an F4 tornado in Garland References Bibliography Marshall Timothy P. Fox Mark Huffman Melissa Cavanaugh Dennis August 1, 2016 Damage survey of the North Texas Tornadoes: December 26, 2015 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326988404 Texas Tech University July 27, 2024 ResearchGate Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes 12-26 Category:Tornadoes in Texas Storm complex,12 Category:December 2015 in the United States Category:Tornadoes in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex