Home News Weather Overnight EF-1 tornado causes damage in Lewisville

A roofing company works on the damage at Edward Jones Investments on Valley Parkway hours after an early morning storm on March 29. (Photo by Christina Ulsh)

Overnight EF-1 tornado causes damage in Lewisville

March 29, 2017

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Trees limbs, fallen fences, broken glass and building parts were strewn across areas of central Lewisville on an otherwise sunny morning.

The play area and trees at the Austin Kent Ellis Park on Old Orchard was damaged by Wednesday's storm. (Photo by Christina Ulsh) — The play area and trees at the Austin Kent Ellis Park on Old Orchard were damaged by Wednesday’s storm. (Photo by Christina Ulsh)

A strong thunderstorm rolled through Lewisville in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 29. A tornado warning was issued for an area of Denton County just west of Lewisville at 2:13 a.m. That warning had expired without being issued for Lewisville but the National Weather Service determined Wednesday afternoon that it was a weak EF-1 tornado.

National Weather Service damage summary for Wednesday morning's severe weather. — National Weather Service damage summary for Wednesday morning’s severe weather.

Strong wind gusts from 40 to 50 mph were reported around that time by storm spotters. The NWS determined winds peaked at 85 to 90 mph and the tornado lasted from 3:31 to 3:33 a.m. The tornado started in Southwest Lewisville and made its way to Northwest Lewisville in that time.

A window at the Lewisville Public Library is shattered after an early morning storm Wednesday. (Photo by Christina Ulsh)

A narrow band of damage and debris began around Fox Avenue and Boxwood Drive, with debris traveling as far northeast as Interstate 35E. About a dozen homes were damaged, three of which lost substantial amounts of roof material and decking.

Businesses in the area as well as the Lewisville municipal annex were also damaged.

There were no reported injuries and no rescue calls, according to the City of Lewisville.

According to information provided by the National Weather Service, the city’s spotter network and public safety personnel, there were no observed conditions meeting the criteria for Outdoor Warning System activation, Emergency Manager Josh Roberts relayed in an email regarding the lack of tornado sirens. The strong winds that hit at approximately 3:30 a.m. were sudden and not predicted by weather watchers.

Three furniture moving trucks in the parking lot of Old Orchard Village East strip mall were pushed over by the heavy winds of Wednesday morning's storm. (Photo by Christina Ulsh) — Three furniture moving trucks in the parking lot of Old Orchard Village East strip mall were pushed over by the heavy winds of Wednesday morning’s storm. (Photo by Christina Ulsh)

Some areas of central Lewisville do not have power but Lewisville ISD schools do. While service resumed at 10 a.m., the DCTA A-train was not running prior due to debris on the tracks.

The city website says MARTY, the mobile city hall, will be at Lowe’s, 1051 N. Stemmons Freeway Wednesday at 1 p.m. with information on building permits and contractor registration.

The city is also planning a special collection for storm debris.

Those missing pets should contact Lewisville Animal Services at 972-219-3478 to see if their animals are at the shelter on 995 E. Valley Ridge. Usual service charges will be waived, the city site says.

After a storm around 2 a.m. on March 29, many trees were stripped of boughs and foliage, with at least one tree being uprooted on Sylvan Creek. (Photo by Christina Ulsh)

Here’s a video shot by YouTube user BasehuntersChasing:

In the video, they talk of seeing a tornado, but we can’t make out any funnel in the footage.

Update: This story has been updated to include photos of the damage, detail of affected areas and footage of the storm. It also has been updated with information from the National Weather Service.