North Texas Remembers The March 2000 Tornadoes 

Release Date: March 25, 2005
Release Number: R6-05-051

In the late afternoon of March 28, 2000, an atmospheric disturbance over Tarrant County led to a tornado warning. Large hail and rain soon followed and by 6:10 p.m. a rotation was spotted near Mecham Field. By the end of the day, severe weather and tornadoes had killed five people and injured 48. Property damage in Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie was estimated at $500 million. The severe weather and tornadoes of March 28 led to a federal disaster declaration one week later.

“We encourage all north Texas residents to take steps to prepare now for the significant disaster risks we face. Know your risks, develop a family disaster plan and compile a disaster supply kit. These simple steps help families prepare and bring peace of mind in the process,” said Gary Jones, FEMA Acting Regional Director. “The storms of March 2000 reminded all of us that tornado damage is not limited to rural or sparsely populated areas.”

The federal disaster declaration of April 7, 2000, authorized temporary housing, disaster unemployment and grants for uninsured losses, as well as Small Business Administration disaster loans. State and federal assistance totaled more than $8 million.

The United States averages more than 800 tornadoes annually, with 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. FEMA’s website www.fema.gov/hazards/tornadoes offers tornado risk and preparedness information.

Emergency response organizations will remember the March 28, 2000 storms and discuss current disaster risks in a press briefing in March 28, 2005. The briefing will begin at 10 a.m. at the Cash America International Building, 1600 West 7th Street, Fort Worth.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 25-Mar-2005 15:10:49