North Texas Tornado Outbreak - April 25, 2026
On the night of Saturday, April 25, 2026, an EF-2 tornado tore through Runaway Bay in Wise County, and an EF-1 tornado struck Springtown in Parker County. Two lives were lost. Six neighbors were injured. Dozens of families lost their homes.
Our hearts and prayers are with the families grieving loved ones, with the neighbors who lost everything, and with every first responder, utility worker, and volunteer who showed up in the dark to help. North Texas - we are with you.
When you are ready - not before - we are here to walk you through your insurance claim. There is no rush, no pressure, and no charge to talk. If your home, ranch, business, or vehicle was damaged in the April 25 outbreak, we represent policyholders - not insurance companies.
Free review · No fee unless we recover · Contingency capped at 10% under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102
What Happened on April 25, 2026
A long-lived supercell tracked across Wise and Parker counties on the evening of April 25, 2026, producing two confirmed tornadoes within roughly an hour of each other. The first - and the deadliest - touched down in Runaway Bay at approximately 9:03 p.m. as an EF-2 tornado with estimated peak winds of 130-135 mph. The tornado stayed on the ground for roughly four minutes and traveled about 1.4 miles, but the damage in that short window was catastrophic.
In Runaway Bay, a two-story home lost its roof and the exterior walls of its second floor. Two single-wide manufactured homes were completely destroyed. A second home in the neighborhood lost nearly all of its roofing. Dozens of utility poles - at least 64, per Oncor - were knocked down, leaving live power lines across roadways and large parts of the community without electricity for days. One resident lost their life in Wise County. Six others were taken to hospitals. The Red Cross and local agencies opened shelters as roughly twenty families were displaced.
In Springtown, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds near 105 mph, with the heaviest damage near Cimmarron Trail and Jasper Creek Road. Manufactured homes were heavily damaged. Single-family homes lost portions of their roofs and garage doors. A second fatality in Parker County was attributed to rear-flank downdraft (RFD) winds rather than to the tornado itself - but the loss is no less real for the family who lost a loved one to that storm.
The same supercell complex produced large hail (around 1.5 inches) and damaging straight-line winds across Arlington, Duncanville, and Fort Worth, leaving roof damage, vehicle damage, and broken glass across portions of the DFW Metroplex even where no tornado touched down.
News Coverage & Official Reports
The facts on this page are drawn from National Weather Service damage surveys and on-the-ground reporting by North Texas news teams. Direct links so you can read the original coverage.
Types of Damage from EF-1 and EF-2 Tornadoes
A tornado rarely damages just one thing. The wind, the pressure differential, and the debris field each do separate work, and a thorough claim has to account for all three.
Roof Loss & Uplift
Partial or complete roof failure from uplift forces. Even when a roof appears intact, decking nails can be pulled, ridge caps lifted, and underlayment compromised. A "ground level looks fine" inspection is rarely sufficient.
Debris Impact & Penetration
Wind-driven debris punches through siding, roofing, windows, garage doors, and exterior walls. Each penetration is a water-entry point and often requires structural repair, not just patching.
Manufactured / Mobile Home Total Loss
Manufactured homes are particularly vulnerable. Several of the homes in Wise and Parker counties were total losses. Manufactured-home policy forms differ from stick-built homeowner forms - dwelling valuation, contents, and ALE all need careful review.
Structural Racking & Frame Damage
Tornado winds can rack a structure out of plumb without obvious exterior collapse. Doors that no longer close, drywall cracks at corners, and visible movement at sole plates indicate frame damage that requires structural assessment.
Downed Power, Service Mast & Meter
Oncor reported 64+ poles down. Damaged electrical service masts, weatherheads, and meter bases are typically the homeowner's responsibility - not the utility's - and are covered under the dwelling policy.
Vehicles, RVs & Boats
Personal vehicles damaged by debris or overturned by wind are typically covered under comprehensive auto coverage (a separate policy). RVs, boats, and trailers may be on the auto policy, the homeowner policy, or a separate inland-marine form depending on how they are scheduled.
Personal Property & Contents
Furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, tools, firearms, jewelry, and irreplaceable items must be inventoried with photographs, receipts where possible, and replacement cost research. Personal property is paid under Coverage C, often at actual cash value first with replacement-cost holdback released as items are replaced.
Other Structures (Coverage B)
Detached garages, fencing, outbuildings, sheds, gazebos, pergolas, and pool enclosures fall under a separate dwelling sublimit. After a tornado, fencing alone can be a five-figure exposure that is missed if not separately scoped.
Loss of Use / ALE Coverage
If your home is uninhabitable, your policy typically pays the increase in your normal living expenses - hotel, rental housing, meals, pet boarding, mileage. Limits and time periods vary; document everything from day one.
What to Do Right Now
If you are safe, your loved ones are accounted for, and you have a place to stay tonight - the rest can wait until tomorrow. When you are ready to start on the claim, here is the order of operations.
- 1
Take care of people first
Get medical care. Call loved ones. Find shelter. Eat. Sleep if you can. The insurance claim will wait. The Red Cross, FEMA (if a disaster declaration is issued), and local recovery resources are there for the immediate needs - we will help you find them.
- 2
Photograph everything before any cleanup
Hundreds of photos and videos. Every damaged surface, every damaged item, every angle. Wide shots and close-ups. Walk through with narration if you can. Once debris is hauled away, the evidence goes with it - and a thorough photographic record on day one can be worth tens of thousands of dollars on the claim.
- 3
File the loss with your carrier - factually
Give your policy number, the date of loss (April 25, 2026), and a factual description of what happened. Do not speculate on causation. Request the claim number, the assigned adjuster's name, and the inspection date in writing. Request an ALE / loss-of-use advance the same day if your home is uninhabitable - most carriers will issue one within days when requested correctly.
- 4
Make only emergency repairs (and save every receipt)
Tarp a breached roof. Board up broken windows. Stop further water intrusion. Save every receipt and photograph the temporary repair before and after. Do NOT make permanent repairs until your claim is fully scoped and settled.
- 5
Do NOT sign an Assignment of Benefits or "Direction to Pay"
Door-knocking contractors will be at your home within hours. Many are legitimate. Some are not. Signing an AOB or DTP transfers control of your insurance benefits before your claim is documented and can permanently limit your options. In Texas, the only paid third parties authorized to negotiate your insurance claim on your behalf are licensed public adjusters and licensed attorneys - a contractor is not.
- 6
Call DCS before the carrier's adjuster arrives
We attend the inspection, document damage the carrier adjuster may miss, capture measurements with calibrated tools, and make sure the scope leaving your property reflects what the storm actually did. The 15-minute call is free, and there is no fee unless we recover funds.
Tornado Claim Coverage Essentials
Tornado claims involve more moving pieces than most policyholders realize. These are the coverage parts and policy mechanics that drive the actual settlement amount on a North Texas tornado claim.
Wind vs. Water Separation
Standard Texas homeowner policies cover wind damage. Flood damage is excluded and requires a separate NFIP flood policy. After a tornado, water can enter through a wind-breached envelope (covered) or from rising surface water (excluded under the wind policy). The cause-of-loss attribution drives whether each line item is paid. We document the wind-breach origin of each water-damaged area to keep covered losses from being miscategorized.
ALE / Loss of Use Coverage
If your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss, your policy pays the increase in your normal living expenses - typically capped at 20-30% of dwelling coverage and limited to 12-24 months. This includes hotel or rental, meals above your grocery baseline, pet boarding, laundry, mileage, and storage. Most carriers will issue an ALE advance within days of a properly-filed request. Keep every receipt and a daily log.
Total Loss vs. Partial Loss
A total loss is paid up to the dwelling coverage limit (subject to deductible). Texas does not have a statutory "valued policy law" the way Florida does for many perils, so the contract terms control. A partial-loss claim is paid based on actual repair scope. The classification matters because the documentation, depreciation, and rebuild path differ. A claim that looks like a 60-70% loss is often economically a total loss when code upgrades and matching are included - a determination we make case by case.
Code Upgrade ("Ordinance or Law") Coverage
When you rebuild after a covered loss, current building codes apply - which often means electrical, structural, energy, and accessibility upgrades that the original construction did not require. Code-upgrade coverage (Ordinance or Law) reimburses these costs, typically up to 10% of the dwelling limit unless additional coverage was purchased. On a total-loss rebuild, code upgrades alone can run into five figures.
Debris Removal Limits
Most policies include debris-removal coverage at roughly 5% of the dwelling limit, paid as part of or in addition to the dwelling limit depending on the form. After a tornado, debris removal is a real five-figure cost. Document the debris before removal and save every haul-off receipt.
ACV vs. RCV and the Replacement-Cost Holdback
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay the full cost to replace damaged property with new property of like kind and quality. Most carriers pay actual cash value (ACV - replacement cost minus depreciation) first, then release the recoverable depreciation only after repairs are completed and invoiced. Some policyholders never claim the recoverable-depreciation holdback because they do not know it exists. We track holdbacks on every claim.
Uniform Appearance & Preloss Condition (Texas Is Not a "Matching State")
Texas does not have a statutory matching law. Unlike states such as Florida (Fla. Stat. §626.9744) and Iowa, the Texas Legislature has not enacted a statute requiring carriers to match undamaged portions of a continuous surface. The Texas Department of Insurance has not issued a binding rule mandating matching either. The argument has to be made through your policy's own language - not through a state matching statute that does not exist.
When part of a continuous surface (siding, roofing, flooring, brick) is damaged, replacing only the damaged section often produces a visible mismatch. We argue uniformity through the specific policy provisions your form actually contains - typically:
- "Like kind and quality" - the Loss Settlement provision in most replacement-cost policies requires materials of like kind and quality, which a visibly mismatched panel or shingle is not.
- "Uniform appearance" - some Texas policy forms include explicit uniform-appearance language; where present, it is a direct argument for matching the continuous surface.
- "Preloss condition" - the restoration standard in most homeowner policies is to return the property to the condition it was in before the loss. A patchwork roof or wall is not preloss condition.
Some Texas policies have explicit matching exclusions or endorsements that limit this argument; some do not. Outcomes vary by policy form, the scope of the loss, and the specific damage pattern. We read your policy, identify which provisions support the uniformity argument and which exclusions limit it, and prepare the supplement accordingly.
Texas Insurance Code Framework for Tornado Claims
What we do, and where the attorney line is.
As a Texas-licensed public adjusting firm under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102, we read and apply your policy in the ordinary course of adjusting your claim - coverage parts, exclusions, endorsements, deductible structure, ALE, code-upgrade, matching, and the appraisal clause. That is core PA work and we do it every day. We are not attorneys. We do not provide legal opinions, do not draft demand letters or pre-suit notices, and do not handle litigation. If a dispute moves toward litigation - or involves statutory remedies under Chapter 541 or 542, or Chapter 542A pre-suit notice questions - we coordinate with your attorney on those questions.
Prompt Payment of Claims Act (Chapter 542)
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 sets statutory timelines for carriers handling property claims: acknowledgment of notice, document requests, accept/deny decisions, and payment of accepted claims. The statute also addresses statutory interest and attorney fee exposure when deadlines are missed. We track Chapter 542 deadlines on every claim and document carrier conduct against them. Pursuing statutory remedies under Chapter 542 - bringing an action for interest and attorney fees - is an attorney role; we will hand off to your counsel if your claim heads in that direction.
Appraisal Clause
Most standard Texas property insurance policies contain an appraisal provision: when there is a dispute about the amount of loss (with coverage not in dispute), either party can demand appraisal. Each side picks an appraiser, the two appraisers select a neutral umpire, and a written award is issued. We read your policy's appraisal clause, evaluate whether your dispute is amount-of-loss vs. coverage, and recommend whether and when to invoke. If the dispute is a pure coverage question - "no covered damage exists" - that is generally outside the appraisal lane and is an attorney conversation. See our Insurance Appraisal Guide.
Public Adjuster Regulation (Chapter 4102) - What We Are Authorized To Do
Texas public adjusters are licensed and regulated under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102. We are authorized to inspect, document, evaluate, and negotiate property insurance claims on behalf of policyholders - including reading and applying your policy in the course of that work. Fees are contingent and capped by statute at 10% of recovery. We are not attorneys. We do not provide legal opinions, do not draft demand letters or pre-suit notices, and do not represent clients in litigation. When a claim involves litigation, statutory remedies under the Insurance Code, or Chapter 542A notice questions, we coordinate with your counsel.
Chapter 542A - Weather-Related Pre-Suit Notice (For Transparency)
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542A (HB 1774, 2017) governs pre-suit notice and other procedural matters for weather-related property insurance lawsuits in Texas. The Chapter 542A notice itself, and any decision to file suit, are firmly attorney roles - not PA roles. We surface Chapter 542A here so every North Texas policyholder is aware the litigation pathway has its own procedural framework. If your dispute is heading toward litigation, talk to a licensed Texas attorney about the Chapter 542A notice and related questions.
Many tornado disputes are resolved well short of litigation through documentation, supplement, and (where applicable) appraisal - the public adjuster lane. If your dispute appears to be heading toward litigation, we will tell you that directly and recommend an experienced Texas property-insurance attorney.
Educational Information - Not Legal Advice
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only. Dependable Claims Specialists is a licensed public adjusting firm - not a law firm. Public adjusters help policyholders inspect, document, evaluate, and negotiate property insurance claims, which includes reading and applying your policy in the ordinary course of adjusting (coverage parts, exclusions, endorsements, scope). We do not practice law and we do not provide legal advice. For legal opinions, demand letters, Chapter 542A pre-suit notices, statutory remedies under the Insurance Code, or litigation, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Texas public adjusters operate under TX Ins. Code Chapter 4102; Florida public adjusters operate under FL Statute §626.854.
North Texas Communities We Serve
DCS represents policyholders across every county affected by the April 25 outbreak and the broader DFW Metroplex.
Dependable Claims Specialists is licensed to represent policyholders in every county in Texas - Wise, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Johnson, Cooke, Montague, Jack, Palo Pinto, Hood, Erath, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions North Texas families are asking us this week.
My home is unlivable after the April 25 tornado. Will insurance pay for somewhere to stay?+
My home was destroyed. How does a "total loss" claim work in Texas?+
I need to clear debris off my property before I can rebuild. Is that covered?+
A roofer or contractor knocked on my door yesterday and asked me to sign paperwork. Should I?+
What is the difference between a public adjuster and FEMA?+
How much does a public adjuster cost in Texas?+
How long do I have to file a tornado damage claim from the April 25 storm?+
Will filing a claim raise my premium?+
I have a manufactured home that was destroyed. Do my coverages work the same way?+
Do I need a contractor or a public adjuster first?+
Related Resources
Texas Tornado Damage Claims
Statewide guide to tornado claims: documentation, ALE, total-loss handling, and policy mechanics.
Storm & Wind Claims
Wind-vs-water separation, hidden envelope damage, code upgrades.
Insurance Appraisal Guide
The 8-step appraisal process for resolving amount-of-loss disputes in Texas.
What Is a Public Insurance Adjuster?
The three types of adjusters, fee structure (10% cap in Texas), and when to hire one.
All Texas Storm Events
Recent storm events DCS is representing claims for across Texas.
Underpaid Claims
First-pass offers are often 40-60% below the true cost to restore. How we fix that.
When You Are Ready, We Are Here.
Free claim review. No upfront cost. No fee unless we recover. Take the time you need - the call will be the same tomorrow as it is today. Licensed Texas firm #3134924. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
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