On the night of December 26, 2015, a violent EF4 tornado struck the Dallas suburbs of Sunnyvale, Garland, and Rowlett.

It caused $20–26 million (2015 USD) in damages, killed 10 people, making it the deadliest tornado in the United States in 2015, and injured 468 others.

The tornado first touched down at 6:46 p.m. CST, on East Tripp Road north of US 80 west of Sunnyvale in Dallas County.

Heading in a northeastward direction, the tornado began to slowly widen as it moved through mainly empty lots, although some EF0 damage occurred.

[3] After crossing Barnes Bridge Road, the tornado rapidly intensified to EF2 strength and struck the Plantation Place Dallas RV Park.

The tornado then weakened but remained strong as it continued northeastward at EF2 strength as it passed through residential areas.

[2][4] As the tornado crossed Bobtown Road, it rapidly intensified and became violent, moving through another residential area at EF4 intensity.

[3] The tornado then became violent again and reached EF4 intensity as it struck an apartment complex after crossing Locust Grove Road.

Several single- or multi-story apartment buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed with upper and lower floor walls knocked down and roofs removed.

[3][6][7] It also knocked down highway signs, bent and destroyed at least one large light pole that illuminated the interchange, and snapped trees.

Homes suffered extensive damage with roofs partially to completely removed and exterior walls knocked down.

[2] The tornado then regained EF3 intensity again on Channel Drive, where a home was mostly destroyed, a car was flipped, and more trees were snapped.

[3][2] The tornado retained EF3 intensity as it continued northeastward, heavily damaging or destroying more homes, including some that were flattened and snapping or uprooting trees.