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Severe Weather Good to know

Tornadoes Are a Real Hazard in Dallas County

Dallas County Home & Property

The National Weather Service Fort Worth office keeps a tornado database for Dallas County that goes back to 1880. Tornadoes can hit any part of the county. The peak season is spring, but bad storms can happen any month of the year.

If you are buying or renting in Dallas County, know your shelter options. Many newer homes do not have basements. Find out where your nearest storm shelter is before a storm threatens. Monitor weather alerts at weather.gov/fwd or through the NWS alerts app. Do not wait until a warning is issued to figure out your plan.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Dallas County

A balanced next shelf: local character first, with practical context close by.

Stories & local character

The Old Red Courthouse Is a Dallas Landmark from 1892

The 1892 Dallas County Courthouse, known as Old Red, was restored and rededicated as a history museum in 2007.

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Practical

Building Near a Creek in the County Needs a Permit

In unincorporated Dallas County, any construction inside a mapped floodplain requires a county floodplain development permit.

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Stories & local character

The Railroad Made Dallas County a Commerce Hub

Two major railroads arrived in the early 1870s, transforming Dallas County from a farm settlement into a regional trade center.

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Good to know

The Trinity River Authority Manages Water Across the Basin

The Trinity River Authority of Texas provides water treatment, flood planning, and basin coordination for municipalities including those in Dallas County.

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Place pages in Dallas County

AddisonBalch SpringsCarrolltonCedar HillCockrell HillCombine

Nearby county shelves

Rockwall (30) Ellis (27) Tarrant (67) Kaufman (20) Collin (49) Denton (48)