25 Years Later: The Day a Tornado Shredded Fort Worth’s Downtown

A Disaster Etched in Memory

March 28, 2000, was a day Fort Worth would never forget. A monstrous F3 tornado, packing winds up to 200 mph, tore through the heart of the city, leaving a trail of destruction that stunned residents and reshaped the skyline forever.

Chaos in the Streets

The twister struck without mercy, collapsing buildings, hurling debris like missiles, and injuring over 100 people. Miraculously, only two lives were lost, but the scars—both physical and emotional—lingered for years.

• Destroyed Landmarks: The Bank One Tower, now known as Burnett Plaza, suffered catastrophic damage.
• Economic Impact: Over $500 million in damages crippled businesses and infrastructure.
• Heroic Responses: First responders worked tirelessly amid flying glass and twisted metal.

Lessons Learned

The disaster forced Fort Worth to rethink its emergency protocols. Today, advanced warning systems and stricter building codes aim to prevent a repeat of that fateful afternoon.

What Do You Think?

• Was Fort Worth’s recovery fast enough, or did rebuilding take too long?
• Should cities in Tornado Alley invest more in underground shelters?
• Do you believe modern warning systems are reliable, or do they still fail too often?
• Controversial: Should high-rises in tornado-prone areas be banned?