Tornado Rips 3-Mile Path Through Mineral Wells: Homes Destroyed, Curfew Issued, Red Cross on Scene

A destructive tornado tore through the North Texas city of Mineral Wells on the evening of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, leaving a wide path of structural damage, displacing families, and injuring several residents. City officials swiftly declared a local state of disaster and implemented a nightly curfew as first responders worked through the night to assess the damage and ensure public safety.

Tornado Confirmed by the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service Fort Worth office issued a Tornado Warning for southern Parker County and confirmed a tornado located near Mineral Wells, tracking toward the city at approximately 25 mph. The twister struck around 5 p.m. CDT, carving a path that stretched roughly three miles through the northeast side of town — from Country Club Estates to the National Vietnam War Museum along Highway 180.

NWS Fort Worth forecasters were dispatched Wednesday to survey the damage and determine the tornado's official rating on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. No preliminary rating had been publicly released as of Wednesday morning.

Buildings Destroyed, Industrial Area Hit Hard