NWS confirms EF-1 tornado in Gordon area in overnight North Texas storms: Here's what we're seeing

GORDON, Texas — The National Weather Service Fort Worth office confirmed an EF-1 tornado in the Gordon area in southern Palo Pinto County in association with major storms overnight that left significant damage in the area. 

NWS’ Fort Worth office said the tornado was confirmed by a storm survey team, which estimated peak winds at 105 mph. Additional surveys are ongoing, according to NWS. 

Several people were injured due to the storms, safety officials said. 

The storms likely caused major damage to buildings and structures in Gordon, officials said. Particularly hard-hit was Gordon Independent School District’s only school. WFAA crews observed downed lights, a mangled fence and a destroyed building that used to house the high school’s weight training room. 

“Severe weather—likely involving tornado activity—impacted Gordon and surrounding areas in Palo Pinto County, resulting in property damage and several injuries,” Chad Jordan, emergency management coordinator with the Palo Pinto County Office of Emergency Management, said in a statement. 

The damage prompted Gordon ISD to cancel school Monday. The town’s newly remodeled school also sustained damage from flooding, officials said. 

“No school tomorrow,” the district said in a statement. “Our first concern is safety. We are here if you need anything. There is lots of damage in Gordon. We are trying to asses as fast as we can.”

Officials identified other damage in Gordon on Sunday, including downed power lines and damaged downtown buildings. Nearby Santo also saw downed power lines and an overturned trailer on the Interstate.

Four people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries due to the storm, Palo Pinto emergency services said in a social media post. Those taken to hospitals have since been discharged, officials said. 

Most victims were treated for minor injuries on the scene, officials said. 

The damage is widespread across the impacted area, officials said. 

“The Texas Department of Emergency Management will be on scene in the morning to assess the damage,” the post reads. “Everyone should avoid Gordon at the moment and allow emergency officials to manage the scene.”

As the sun rose on Monday morning, more damage became visible in Gordon and other parts of the Metroplex. 

Frisco police confirmed there were no weather-related injuries reported overnight. The extent of the damage in Frisco has not been assessed as of early Monday morning, police said. 

We’ll be tracking the latest damage and reports throughout the day Monday. Check back here for more updates.