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Multiple homes and businesses were damaged and families were
displaced in Mineral Wells, a small city about 45 miles (72
kilometers) west of Fort Worth. Two people were taken to the
hospital and others with minor injuries were treated at the
scene, according to Ryan Dunn, the city’s fire chief. There were
no immediate reports of fatalities or people missing.
Dunn warned people to stay out of an industrial area where
there’s “major damage and major hazards that are all across the
roads.”
The wild weather came just days after a tornado-producing
thunderstorm left at least two people dead in northern Texas and
displaced at least 20 families.
Tuesday's thunderstorms, including at least one unconfirmed
tornado, were caused by large storm cells that were drifting
southeast from north-central Texas, said Brian Hurley, a
meteorologist with National Weather Service.
The storms continued Tuesday night as they moved across Texas
and into Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the National
Weather Service. The storms could produce hail larger than 2
inches (5 centimeters), damaging winds and some tornadoes,
according to the agency.
In Mineral Wells, where the streets were left littered with
fallen trees and other debris, the mayor declared a local state
of disaster. The city also instituted a 10 p.m. curfew that will
be lifted around daylight as authorities continue to assess the
damage, said Tim Denison, the city’s police chief.
He said the curfew was to “make sure that we keep people out of
the areas and also try to help these victims out, and keep their
personal belongings safe.”
Officials directed anyone who needed help to the local high
school, where the Red Cross was setting up.
Ventamatic, a fans and ventilation manufacturer in Mineral
Wells, said its facilities would be closed Wednesday “due to
severe damage and ongoing safety hazards — including downed
power lines.” The company announced on its website that all of
its employees had been evacuated before the storms and everyone
was safe.
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