Seven tornadoes ripped through Northeast Texas Saturday, April 29, 2017, but most of the Cedar Creek Lake area escaped damage.
Residents of Caney City and Eustace reported damage, but the most severe losses occurred in Canton in Van Zandt County 20 miles away.
Heavy rain, hail and strong winds hammered areas that saw no tornadoes.
The National Weather Service recorded the largest tornado in the North Texas area as an EF-4 with winds in the 166 mph to 200 mph moving from Eustace to Canton. It was estimated to be one-mile wide. An EF-3 tornado with winds up to 165 mph stayed on the ground for 50 miles in Van Zandt and Rains Counties.
The tornadoes were observed between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with the most severe striking between 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Four deaths and more than 50 injuries were recorded with hospitals in the Cedar Creel Lake area as well as Athens and Tyler admitting patients. All of the deaths occurred outside of the Cedar Creek Lake area.
Another storm Wednesday, May 4, brought more rain and hail to Cedar Creek Lake residents.