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May 12--Thunderstorms that swept into North Texas on Wednesday afternoon created havoc at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and knocked out power to thousands of customers. Damage was reported in several locations, with Wise County hit the hardest.
Winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph overturned several recreational vehicles at the Smith RV Center on U.S. 287 in Decatur and uprooted trees, according to the Wise County Sheriff's Department. The night before, strong winds blew down signs at Braum's and Taco Bell in Decatur.
As thunderstorms kicked up mid-afternoon Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a "ground stop" to flights coming into D/FW Airport for 21/2 hours.
More than 40 flights were diverted, airport spokesman David Magana said, and delays ran from 15 minutes to more than an hour, he said. Concessionaires were asked to remain open late for delayed passengers.
In Arlington, the Texas Rangers game was called off in the fourth inning because of the rain.
About 18,000 North Texas customers were without power as of 9 p.m., Oncor spokeswoman Cristi Ramon said.
"These storms have been unreal," Ramon said.
According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, 1.01 inches of rain fell Wednesday at D/FW Airport, well short of the record 1.49 inches, set in 1994. Even with 3.75 inches so far in May, rainfall for the year -- 8.8 inches -- is still well below normal, which is 12.3 inches.
Meteorologist Matt Mosier said storms developed along a dry line in parts of Fort Worth, Weatherford and Mineral Wells north of Interstate 20 and west of Interstate 35W.
High temperatures, which reached 92 degrees on Monday, fell quickly once the front moved through Wednesday afternoon and should stay down through the weekend.
Saturday's forecast calls for a high in the lower 70s and a low in the mid-50s, and Sunday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid-70s.
Staff writer Andrea Ahles contributed to this report.
Chance Welch, 817-390-7684
Marty Sabota, 817-390-7367
