Abbott Adds Palo Pinto County to Texas Disaster Declaration After EF3 Tornado

MINERAL WELLS, Texas (Day.News) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday expanded the state's disaster declaration to encompass Palo Pinto County, home to the city of Mineral Wells, following an EF3 tornado that struck Tuesday. The twister, with winds up to 160 mph, ravaged the area west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, joining Lamar, Parker and Wise counties already under the declaration. The expansion unlocks state resources for recovery efforts in a region still reeling from severe storms that spawned at least five tornadoes across North Texas. In Mineral Wells, a close-knit community of about 15,000, families lost homes and workplaces to the storm's fury. A fundraiser organized by local leaders drew residents Saturday to support those hardest hit, highlighting the town's resilient spirit as cleanup continues. Videos from the scene show shattered structures and uprooted trees, with the National Weather Service confirming the EF3 rating based on damage surveys. "Palo Pinto County means so much to so many, and we're united in helping those affected," local officials said at the event. Gov. Abbott's office emphasized the declaration's role in coordinating aid, including potential federal assistance. Texans in impacted areas are directed to the Texas Division of Emergency Management's iSTAT damage survey at damage.tdem.texas.gov and the TDEM Disaster Portal at disaster.texas.gov for resources and updates.