Severe thunderstorms that moved through North Texas on Sunday evening brought significant hail and resulted in multiple injuries from lightning.
The most notable lightning report occurred at Mustang Park, near Benbrook, where 14 people were injured. The Cresson Volunteer Fire Department responded to the incident, according to a social media post, and said lightning struck a shade tent that the group was sheltered under.
Twelve people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and two were taken to the hospital “as a precaution,” the post said. A tree and a vehicle were also affected by the lightning strike.
The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office also shared another possible lightning injury in Parker County, where one person reportedly sustained severe injuries after being struck by lightning in Hudson Oaks.
Parker County Emergency Services District 1 Fire Chief Stephen Watson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the incident.
Tarrant County and its neighbors also experienced sizable hail, with many reports of hail 2-3 inches in diameter. The frozen precipitation was most prevalent from about 7-9 p.m., according to weather service reports.
The weather service’s national office said that no place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area, but it had a few lightning safety tips if you’re caught outside without shelter (a car can provide some shelter with the windows closed). They include:
- Avoid elevated surfaces, like hilltops or mountain ridges
- Never shelter under an isolated tree
- Immediately get out of and away from bodies of water
- Stay away from objects that can conduct electricity, like metal structures and power lines