Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows. Chevron right
Recovery teams, displaced residents in Texas face brutal heat. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

71°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

71°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

Video shows 'smokenado' whirling through out-of-control Texas wildfire

Strong winds and destructive fires made for a terrifying combination in the mountains of the Lone Star State. Meanwhile, officials in Dallas marked a grim milestone amid the ongoing heat and streak of dry weather.

By Wyatt Loy, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Jul 22, 2022 2:32 PM EDT | Updated Jul 25, 2022 5:25 AM EDT

Copied

This fire whirl was seen in Somervell County, Texas, on July 18, as firefighters worked to suppress the Chalk Mountain Fire.

Near the town of Glen Rose, Texas, about 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, firefighters and volunteers have worked tirelessly since Monday to contain the Chalk Mountain fire. As the smoke billowed into the air this week and met with strong winds, it swirled around in a "smokenado" -- or smoke tornado -- which was captured on video.

As of Sunday morning, the fire was just 20 percent contained, according to the interagency fire management system Inciweb. More than 15 homes were destroyed, local news station FOX4 reported, and at least five were damaged. After tripling in size in less than 24 hours, the fire scorched more than nine square miles of land and was declared a state emergency.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

  •  Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

"It’s a new distinction on the fire as of last night. That allows Texas A&M Forest Service to bring in more resources and they’re able to pay other crews to come in from across the country," Cyndi Smith, with Erath County Emergency Management, told FOX4.

Many people and animals, mostly livestock, have been displaced and relocated to a nearby expo center-turned-emergency shelter, according to officials.

The Chalk Mountain fire is in Somervell County, in north-central Texas. One hundred percent of the county is in an exceptional drought. (U.S. Drought Monitor)

Twenty percent of Texas is experiencing exceptional drought -- the most extreme category of drought -- according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The entire area of Somervell County, where the fire is burning, is under exceptional drought conditions.

So far this July, the Fort Worth area is over 6 degrees Fahrenheit above its monthly average temperature, said AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert.

"As of July 24, the high temperature in Fort Worth has topped out at or above 100 degrees in all but four days of the month: July 1-2 and July 14-15," Gilbert said. "The city does typically report high temperatures in the middle 90s at this time of year, but the level to which temperatures have exceeded this amount is concerning."

Dallas, Texas, has gone almost 50 days straight without any measurable rainfall, the seventh-longest stretch on record.

On Thursday, Dallas reported its first heat-related death of the year, according to a press release from Dallas County Health and Human Services. Health officials said the victim was a 66-year-old woman with underlying health conditions.

"We are very saddened to report our first heat-related death this season," said Dr. Philip Huang, director of DCHHS. "We are experiencing extreme heat this season, and this again reminds us how important it is to take every possible precaution. Hydrate constantly and limit your time outdoors to protect against the intense heat."

The daily highs in Dallas have been in the triple digits for almost three straight weeks; there hasn't been a below-90 day since June 4. On top of that, the city is nearing 50 consecutive days without measurable rainfall. Looking at the week ahead, the stretch of hot weather is set to continue, with highs in the 90s to low 100s for the foreseeable future.

Read more:

Toddler found dead in parked car amid Florida heat
Doorbell camera captures scary moment in extreme heat for UPS driver
5 ways people stayed cool before air conditioning was invented

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows

Jul. 10, 2025
Severe Weather

Rounds of severe storms to rattle, drench central US

Jul. 11, 2025
video

Abandoned cars submerged by severe flooding in North Carolina

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Texas Hill Country recovery, cleanup teams to face brutal July weather

42 minutes ago

Weather News

State inspection before floods found Camp Mystic had emergency plan

22 hours ago

Weather News

Deadly flash flooding devastates wildfire-scarred New Mexico town

10 hours ago

Astronomy

1st full moon of summer to rise Thursday night

1 day ago

Weather News

Most Texas flood victims face devastation without flood insurance

20 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

How can families handle new anxieties around summer camp?

16 hours ago

AccuWeather Ready

Floodwater rising in your house? Do this

2 days ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

16 hours ago

Weather News

Earthquake swarm detected at Mount Rainier, biggest since 2009

21 hours ago

Weather News

The US has a plan to breed millions of flies and drop them from planes

16 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News Video shows 'smokenado' whirling through out-of-control Texas wildfire
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...