May 20, 2025

Tornado Outbreak Causes Significant Damage in Gordon, Texas

News Summary

A severe tornado outbreak has impacted North Texas, with Gordon suffering the most damage. The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes, including an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph, causing extensive destruction, power outages, and school closures. Recovery efforts are underway as community members join to assist those affected.

Gordon, Texas – Tornado Outbreak Causes Significant Damage

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a series of tornadoes touched down in North Texas on Sunday, May 18, 2025, with the hardest-hit area being the city of Gordon in southern Palo Pinto County. An EF-1 tornado, with estimated peak winds of up to 105 mph, wreaked havoc on the community, damaging homes and causing power outages.

In total, seven tornadoes were reported across North Texas during this weather outbreak. Besides the EF-1 tornado in Gordon, another EF-1 was confirmed in Mingus, Palo Pinto County. Four EF-0 tornadoes were also documented, with locations including Morton Valley in Eastland County and two sites near Santo. One EF-U tornado, where the intensity could not be assessed, was reported southeast of Santo. These tornadic activities primarily affected areas approximately 65 miles west of Fort Worth.

As the severe weather approached, the National Weather Service had issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings throughout North Texas. The impact on local governments was swift, as both the Gordon Independent School District (ISD) and Santo ISD closed their doors due to the damage incurred in their respective areas. Gordon ISD announced that classes would remain canceled for the remainder of the week.

Damage assessments revealed that 36 buildings in Gordon suffered damage, with five categorized as sustaining major damage and one completely destroyed. The school district reported extensive damage to its only school, including flooding in recently remodeled areas. The Gordon ISD football field and track area saw significant debris and damage in the aftermath of the tornado.

Efforts to restore power are ongoing, with over 1,200 customers affected by outages due to tornado damage. By the afternoon following the storm, approximately 60% of power had been restored in Gordon. Community members have been actively participating in recovery efforts, helping to clear debris and providing assistance to families who were affected by the tornadoes.

Additionally, the storm resulted in multiple cases of storm-related damage throughout the region. In Flower Mound, downed power lines ignited a fire in a backyard. Residents reported downed power lines, damaged structures, and an overturned 18-wheeler on Interstate 20 near Santo. Four individuals suffered injuries during the storm and were treated at a local hospital; all have since been released.

Videos captured during the storm showed funnel clouds forming near Santo, although they did not touch down. Some areas of North Texas experienced baseball-sized hail, further contributing to storm damage and complicating cleanup efforts.

In response to the significant impact on the community, Gordon ISD has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting tornado relief efforts for affected families. The local chapter of the Red Cross has also mobilized to assist those displaced by the tornadoes, providing necessary support and resources.

The quick response from first responders and community members underscores a collective effort focused on recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of this natural disaster. As the community begins to assess the full extent of the damage, recovery efforts are expected to be a long-term endeavor requiring ongoing support and vigilance.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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