Responding to the April 2026 North Texas Tornadoes
On April 25, a series of severe storms brought tornadoes to Springtown (rated EF1) and Runaway Bay (rated EF2). Both towns sustained significant home damage and saw loss of life. Governor Greg Abbott has declared both Parker and Wise Counties eligible for disaster support. Across the two towns, roughly four dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed, with dozens more affected by roof damage and downed trees.
On April 28, a late-afternoon tornado touched down on the northeast side of Mineral Wells in Palo Pinto County. The Horizon Texas Disaster Response Team is actively assessing the situation and will share more details as they become available.
How You Can Help
Give. Your gift supports immediate relief and long-term tornado recovery across Wise, Palo Pinto and Parker Counties.
Once these needs are met, the funds will become available for future disasters.
Volunteer in Springtown. Springtown is actively welcoming volunteers. The volunteer reception center is located at the Justice of the Peace/Constable Office, 1024 E Hwy 199, Springtown.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How the HTC Is Responding
In Springtown, Rev. Terre McGill, pastor of First UMC Springtown, quickly opened her church as a Red Cross shelter and began meeting immediate, on-the-ground needs, coordinating closely with county and state emergency management from the start.
In Runaway Bay, where there is no local UMC congregation, Beau Taft — director of the nearby UMC Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center — has stepped in as our community liaison. He helped organize a Monday evening meal that fed roughly 75 residents, allowing displaced families to eat together without leaving their neighborhood.
In Mineral Wells, our team will be visiting the affected area alongside Rev. Beate Hall, pastor of the local UMC congregation, to assess needs. We are exploring whether long-term recovery efforts there can be coordinated with our existing work in nearby Gordon.
This page will continue to be updated with news and opportunities for support. Last updated April 30, 2026.