The spring thunderstorm that produced a large amount of hail Wednesday night also produced a confirmed tornado near Haslet.
The tornado – a small EF-0 with a narrow swath – didn't spend that much time on the ground but was there long enough to cause significant damage in an area near U.S. Highway 287 and Blue Mound Road in northern Tarrant County, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado was generated as a line of thunderstorms developed along a cold front and dry line just after 9 p.m. The NWS reports a number of homes had damage to roofs, awnings and fences in the affected area.
"We're always getting tornado warnings, but until you see the damage first-hand, it's quite an eye-opener," remarked Dave Brannon, manager of a storage facility that was in the tornado's crosshairs. "It's been a long night!"
Officials with the NWS said the weak tornado had peak wind speeds between 65 mph and 75 mph, though EF-0's can reach wind speeds of up to 85 mph. The tornado was on the ground for six-tenths of a mile with an 80 yard swath.
"I would hate to see an EF-4, wouldn't you," Brannon said. "Or even an EF-1."
The twister tore the roof of storage buildings and tossed a trailer on top of a boat.
"It kind of just swirled everything around like a kid playing with toy trucks," Brannon said, looking at the damage left behind.
The NWS issued the Tornado Warning at 9:01 p.m. and the tornado was believed to be on the ground at 9:06 p.m.
About five minutes away in Haslet, The Destiny Center church had storm repairs underway, but not to fix damage from Wednesday night's storm.
"No," said Pastor Scott Russell. "This is from a storm we believe was last April or last May."
It took ten months to get insurance sorted out and repairs underway, he said. There's a lesson in that for anyone just starting to assess damage from the last storm.
"Have patience," said Russell. "You've got to just face the elements and hope for the best most of the time."
The squall line Wednesday also produced a lot of hail, most being pea or marble-sized through there were some reports of golf ball-sized hail as the storm pushed east into Collin County.
No fatalities or injuries were reported.
NBC 5's Noelle Walker contributed to this report.
