By TY A. ALLISON / The Dallas Morning News
Strong thunderstorms hit Dallas, Collin and Tarrant counties Wednesday night, producing heavy lightning, 70 mph wind gusts and nickel-size hail in parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Authorities blamed several house fires on lightning, and high winds damaged roofs and downed power lines.
Wylie officials said firefighters were battling a house fire in the 400 block of Pleasant Run Road. At least two other house fires were reported in Wylie, officials said.
Power outages affecting about 60,000 customers were reported in Dallas and Collin counties, including northern Dallas, Farmers Branch, Plano and McKinney.
Carol Peters, a spokeswoman for TXU Electric Delivery, said crews were working to restore power as soon as possible.
"Once the storm moves through the area, we'll begin automatic [power] switching," she said. "After that, we'll deploy crews where we need repairs. We have the ability to move power around areas that are damaged."
The storms formed along a cold front that is expected to bring significantly lower temperatures to the area, said Pete Delkus, a meteorologist for WFAA-TV (Channel 8). After Wednesday's high of 104 degrees at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the forecast calls for highs in the mid- to upper 70s with clouds and wind gusts this morning.
Wind damage was reported in some areas. Trees and power lines were blown down in Rowlett, where wind gusts up to 70 mph were recorded. Some homes and businesses in areas, including Denton County, were damaged by winds and falling trees.
Dallas Love Field reported gusts of more than 50 mph. The airport had recorded 0.08 inches of rain by 10:30 p.m. East Dallas, Mesquite and Garland also received rain, said Daniel Huckaby, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. D/FW Airport had reported 0.4 inches of rain.
LOUIS DeLUCA / Dallas Morning News
Storms moved over North Texas on Wednesday night, darkening the sky over Fair Park in Dallas. Lightning, wind gusts up to 70 mph and nickel-sized hail hit parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.