Weather News

Violent storms rip across Dallas downing trees and knocking out power

A violent storm swept through Dallas on May 28.

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Strong storms with damaging winds and hail pummeled north Texas on May 28, with widespread power outages reported Dallas and Fort Worth, where an oppressive, early-season heat wave added to the misery.

Nearly 800,000 customers lacked electricity Tuesday, including close to 390,000 in Dallas County, according to PowerOutage.us.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a disaster declaration, stating that it could be days until power is restored for a significant amount of Oncor customers.

"As the current estimate is that this will be a multi day power outage for a significant number of Oncor customers, I have instructed the civil Dallas DA to prepare a declaration of disaster for my signature," Jenkins tweeted.

Oncor said it has crews responding to outages but did not give an estimate for when power is expected to be restored.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport recorded a wind gust of 77 mph early Tuesday as power outages in the region started to climb. Power went out at about 6 am.

East Dallas downed trees Two downed Bradford pear trees off Gus Thomasson Road in Casa View.Teresa Gubbins

The east side of Dallas was especially hard hit, but trees, fences, and even roofs were damaged in neighborhoods from downtown to North Dallas to Irving, where residents reported 90 mph winds.

Greenville Avenue still had power but residential neighborhoods east of Greenville Avenue did not. Every coffeehouse, from the White Rock Coffee on Northwest Highway to the Starbucks on Greenville Ave to Well Grounded on Garland Road was jammed.

The storm in Dallas followed a May 25 tornado that swept through Collin County, hitting towns such as Celina and Valley View.

Late May is the peak of tornado season, but the recent storms have been exceptionally violent, producing very strong tornadoes, said Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University.

“Over the weekend, we’ve had a lot of hot and humid air, a lot of gasoline, a lot of fuel for these storms. And we’ve had a really strong jet stream as well. That jet stream has been aiding in providing the wind shear necessary for these types of tornadoes,” Gensini said.

Harold Brooks, a senior scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, said a persistent pattern of warm, moist air is to blame for the string of tornadoes over the past two months. That air is at the northern edge of a heat dome bringing temperatures typically seen at the height of summer to late May.

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Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

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