Special weather statement issued for Dallas and three other counties

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a special weather statement at 5:13 p.m. Friday for Tarrant, Dallas, Johnson and Ellis counties, warning of a strong thunderstorm moving through the area.

At 5:13 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Grand Prairie, moving east at 20 mph. Forecasters said additional storms may develop southwest of Grand Prairie toward Duncanville, Mansfield and Midlothian over the following 30 to 45 minutes.

The main hazards are wind gusts up to 50 mph and half-inch hail. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, and minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations in the path include Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Lancaster, Midlothian, Forest Hill, Glenn Heights, Red Oak, Kennedale, Hutchins, Cockrell Hill, Rendon, Wilmer and Ovilla.

Affected highway stretches include Interstate 35E between mile markers 409 and 425, Interstate 20 between mile markers 442 and 471, and Interstate 30 between mile markers 27 and 43.

The weather service advised anyone outdoors to consider seeking shelter inside a building. The storm may intensify, and residents were urged to monitor local radio and television stations for additional information and possible warnings.