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We were watching the weather reports because of a huge grass fire that was on the edge of Midland and neighborhoods being evacuated, 1st son and family came to our house because the fire was close and smoke infiltrating their home, when we saw the tornadoes in Dallas and then heard about some in Kansas not far from 2nd son and his family. Niece in Ft. Worth I haven't heard from yet.

I'm exhausted from concern for my family members and don't know if I can sleep tonight.

There was never a touchdown anywhere near DFW airport that I know of — plenty of rotations that didn’t hit the ground, though. I live about a mile or so from DFW’s south entrance (I can be there in less than 5 minutes, even with stopping at the lights).

When the weather started, my wife and I were in the SMU area. When we left, hail started coming down and we hi-tailed it to North Park mall where they have a parking garage. Stayed there for about an hour and 15 minutes until most of what was left was just rain and lightning. We drove back to Irving around 10 — northwest highway to 183 if you are familiar with that area — and while there were some power outages, it wasn’t significant. A few tree leaves, but no limbs, were in the street and yard in our neighborhood and power was on, though it was off in some apartment complexes near our home.

Now, when we arrived, a new cell was coming over us with significant rain, some hail, and a prolific light show. Never did lose power, though we had maybe one or two little blips. As far as I could tell, my house DID lose power for a short time sometime this evening, but I’m not sure when. Not long enough for my computer to go down — ~5-10 minutes with UPS.

As far as I know, there was minimal property damage in the Fort Worth area and probably plenty of cars messed up. Roofs will need to be replaced from the hail (I was hoping mine might get in line, but that’s doubtful). Other than that, minimal damage that I have heard of, but we’ll know more tomorrow. Definitely not Joplin by ANY stretch of the imagination, but the longest weather night around here in 5-7 years.

From 5 News in Fort Smith:
http://www.5newsonline.com/news/5live/

They are reporting that Denning, Arkansas has been hit with severe damage. Also damage in Etna.

If you have loved ones in the Denning/Etna/Greenwood area (the little Greenwood, not the big one) you need to check in on them.