The Deadly December 26, 2015 North Texas Tornado Outbreak
On December 26, 2015, a powerful storm system unleashed a rare December tornado outbreak across North and Central Texas, catching many residents off guard during the post-holiday period. The National Weather Service confirmed 12 tornadoes in the region within a 24-hour timeframe, impacting eight counties in the DFW metroplex and beyond.
The outbreak ranks as the deadliest tornado event in North Texas since 1953 (and specifically since the 1957 Dallas tornado in some local records), claiming 13 lives and injuring hundreds more. It also stands out historically as one of the most significant December tornado events in the area, with tornadoes recorded in December in North Texas in only about 13 other years since reliable records began.
The most devastating twister was a violent EF-4 wedge tornado that carved a 13-mile path from Sunnyvale through Garland and Rowlett in Dallas and Rockwall counties. With peak winds estimated at 180 mph and a maximum width of 550 yards, it crossed Interstate 30 near the President George Bush Turnpike, where many of the fatalities occurred—several victims were in vehicles that were lifted and thrown from the highway. The tornado destroyed or severely damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, leaving widespread devastation in suburban neighborhoods.
Here are some striking views of the destruction in Rowlett and Garland:
These images capture the scale of the damage, with homes reduced to slabs and debris scattered across communities.
Other notable tornadoes included an EF-3 that tore through Ovilla and Glenn Heights (destroying homes, churches, and injuring dozens) and an EF-2 in Copeville that claimed additional lives.
The outbreak ranks #4 (or sometimes noted as #3 in some analyses) for the number of confirmed tornadoes in a 24-hour period in North Texas during December, highlighting how unusual and intense the event was for winter.
This tragedy underscored the unpredictability of severe weather even in the off-season, prompting renewed focus on warning systems and preparedness in the DFW area. Recovery efforts rebuilt much of the affected neighborhoods, but the event remains a somber reminder of nature’s power.