It was a day that shook Fort Worth to its core. On March 28, 2000, a twister whipped through the city's downtown district, leaving a trail of destruction that still echoes in the community. The EF-3 tornado, touching down in the vicinity of Castleberry High School at approximately 6:18 p.m., bulldozed its way through the West 7th and downtown areas, according to the Fort Worth Fire Department.

With the tornado on the ground until around 6:24 p.m., the city saw considerable damage spanning across a swath over 4 miles long and 250 yards wide. Not just statistics, the storm's fury was felt by the residents, with 266 homes being damaged and 28 completely obliterated, the Fort Worth Fire Department reported.

The human toll was harrowing. Lives were upended as two individuals succumbed to the tornado's wrath – a man who lost his life after he had warned others to find shelter and a homeless individual who was killed by a collapsing wall. The tornado injured an additional 80 people, with only six requiring hospitalization.

While survivors continue to rebuild, the scars of that fatal day are etched into the city's fabric, both in memory and in physical remnants. Recognizing the importance of preparedness, the National Weather Service, remembering the tornado emergency issued that day, the second ever of its kind, has continued to emphasize alert systems and safety protocols, the department echoes the sentiment, urging the community to stay vigilant. "Stay safe, #fortworth," the Fort Worth Fire Department concludes, a solemn reminder from the first responders who witnessed firsthand the devastation 24 years ago.