Man, that was something else. If you were anywhere near the DFW metroplex, you probably didn't get much sleep because the Dallas storm last night was basically a relentless barrage of thunder and those weird, pulsing green flashes of light that make everything feel like a sci-fi movie. It wasn't just a "rainy evening." It was a full-on atmospheric tantrum that left neighborhoods from Plano down to Oak Cliff wondering if their roof was going to hold up.
North Texas is used to big weather, sure. But there was something about the timing and the sheer intensity of the wind gusts—some clocking in over 70 mph—that felt different.
The Dallas storm last night was a literal wake-up call
Let's talk about the sirens.
They went off around 2:00 AM for a lot of folks. That’s the worst time. You’re disoriented, the power is flickering, and your phone is screaming that "emergency alert" tone that sounds like the end of the world. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Fort Worth office, this wasn't just a localized thing; it was a squall line that marched across the state with a chip on its shoulder.
You probably saw the debris this morning. Trees down. Trampolines in places where trampolines definitely shouldn't be. Honestly, the wind was the real story here. While everyone worries about tornadoes—and there were rotations being tracked near Midlothian—the "straight-line winds" are what actually did the heavy lifting in terms of damage.
I saw a massive oak tree split right down the middle in a North Dallas neighborhood. It didn't even look like it had been hit by a gust; it looked like it had been pushed by a giant. This is what meteorologists call a "derecho-lite" scenario sometimes, though the official designation usually requires a much longer path of damage. Whatever you call it, it was loud. And it was destructive.
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Why the power grid is struggling today
Oncor is busy. Like, "don't even bother calling unless your wires are literally sparking on the driveway" busy. As of this morning, tens of thousands of residents are sitting in the dark, and it’s not just because a few branches fell. The Dallas storm last night managed to knock out several key transformers and high-voltage lines.
The humidity is already creeping back up, too. That’s the real kicker. When the AC goes out right after a big storm, North Texas becomes a sauna. If you're looking at the outage map and seeing those big circles of "pending assessment," it basically means the crews haven't even been able to get the bucket trucks into certain alleys because of downed trees blocking the way.
What the radar didn't tell you
Radar is great, but it doesn't capture the sheer vibe of a 3:00 AM wind gust hitting the side of a brick house. Meteorologists like Pete Delkus or the team at FOX4 were tracking the "velocity couplets," which is basically a fancy way of saying they were looking for air spinning in circles. But for most of us, the experience was just a wall of water.
The rain rates were insane. We’re talking two inches of rain in under an hour in some spots. That’s why the flash flooding happened so fast. If you tried to take the service road on I-75 or anywhere near the Trinity River, you likely hit standing water that appeared out of nowhere.
Misconceptions about "Tornado Alley" and these night events
A lot of people think that if they don't see a funnel cloud, they’re safe. That is a dangerous way to think about the Dallas storm last night.
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Straight-line winds can reach 80 to 100 mph. That is EF-1 tornado strength. The only difference is the direction the grass is pointing after the storm passes. If your fence is flat on the ground, it doesn't really matter to your wallet if it was a "twister" or just a very angry breeze.
Another thing: the "cool" air everyone expects after a storm? It didn't really happen this time. Usually, a cold front triggers these, but last night was more about a dry line interaction mixed with a whole lot of Gulf moisture. It stayed muggy. It stayed gross.
Real-world damage and what to look for on your roof
If you’re reading this and you haven't gone outside with a flashlight yet, you might want to do that. But don't just look at the ground. Look at your shingles.
The Dallas storm last night was a hail-maker. Even if you didn't see the "softball-sized" stuff they show on the news, even "pea-sized" or "nickel-sized" hail traveling at 60 mph acts like a tiny hammer. It knocks the granules off your shingles. Once those granules are gone, the sun eats your roof.
Check your gutters. If they’re full of what looks like coffee grounds, that’s your roof's protection washing away. You’ve probably already got "storm chaser" roofers knocking on your door. Be careful with those guys. Some are great, but some are just looking for a quick insurance check before they vanish to the next disaster zone.
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The mess at DFW and Love Field
If you had a flight this morning, God bless you.
The ripple effect from a Dallas storm last night is a logistical nightmare. Planes weren't just delayed; they were out of position. Pilots timed out. Ground crews couldn't be on the tarmac while the lightning was within five miles. It’s a mess that usually takes about 36 to 48 hours to fully untangle.
Actionable steps for the next 24 hours
Don't just sit there waiting for the power to come back on. There are things you need to do right now to make sure you're not getting screwed by insurance or leaving your house vulnerable to the next round of rain.
- Document everything immediately. Take photos of the debris in your yard before you move it. If there's a branch on your car, take ten photos from ten different angles. Insurance companies love to find reasons to say "pre-existing damage." Don't give them the chance.
- Check your attic. This is the one everyone misses. You might not see a leak on your ceiling yet, but water could be pooling on top of your insulation. Grab a flashlight and crawl up there. If it smells damp or you see dark spots on the rafters, you’ve got a problem.
- Clear your storm drains. If you have a street drain near your house, it's probably clogged with leaves and trash from last night. If another cell pops up this afternoon—which is possible—that water has nowhere to go but your garage.
- Verify your food situation. If the power has been out for more than four hours, the stuff in your fridge is starting to enter the "danger zone." Your freezer is usually okay for 24 to 48 hours if you keep the door shut, but that milk? Toss it.
- Watch out for scammers. Only hire contractors with a local physical address. If their truck has out-of-state plates, proceed with extreme caution. Check the Better Business Bureau or, better yet, ask your neighbors who they’ve used for years.
The Dallas storm last night was a reminder that North Texas weather is essentially a contact sport. We survived it, but the cleanup is going to be a multi-day process. Stay off the flooded roads, keep your phone charged, and maybe keep the shoes by the bed tonight just in case the sirens decide to go off again.