Twister leaves three hurt in Arlington

ARLINGTON — A tornado swept through parts of this city, damaging several apartment complexes and other buildings, displacing 75 families and causing minor injuries to three people, officials said Wednesday.

The Arlington Fire Department said the storm, which passed through the city about 9 p.m. Tuesday, caused the collapse of three apartment complexes, two commercial buildings, a church and a home.

Gas leaks and downed power lines at various locations also were reported.

About 75 families were displaced by the damage at the apartment complexes and the American Red Cross of North Texas said it was providing them with emergency shelter.

Maria Macias, who lives in one of the damaged complexes, told the Fort Worth Star-telegram that she was making banana pies when the loud thunder started.

“Then the roof came off,” she said, and rain poured into her family’s apartment.

“We also don’t have any cars,” Macias said, pointing to two vehicles in the complex parking lot that were damaged. “God took care of us.”

Three people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, the Fire Department said.

A National Weather Service survey team determined the damage was caused by an EF-2 tornado with wind peaks of about 115 mph.

The survey team still was determining the length and width of the tornado’s path.

Large hail and strong winds also were reported in Oklahoma, but there were no widespread reports of damage.

In the South, tornadoes and severe storms are not uncommon in the late fall and early winter.

“We could get a tornado any month of the year here,” meteorologist Jason Dunn told the newspaper.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., says more severe thunderstorms are possible throughout the week in parts of the South and Midwest.

afternoon.

“Not only are we serving our clients that are in need of a meal,” Benton, youth engagement manager said, “but we’re also getting our kids engaged.”

Raul Jimenez III said a saying by the family’s patriarch exemplifies what’s important on the most thankful day of the year.

“My grandfather would say we come into this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing,” he said. “It’s what we do in between that counts.”

Photos by Tom Fox / Associated Press An Arlington street crewman cleans up debris from the Mirage Apartments complex.

A woman looks through the hole in her fence as she inspects the damage in her yard following the storm.

Tom Reel / Staff photographer Mariana Vela hoists bags of popcorn as the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving team loads dinners.