wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths

Other data was found using U.S. The publication was written and prepared by George W. Bomar of Weather Modification & Technology Section of the Texas Department of Water Resources. Several strong to violent tornadoes touched down throughout the region that day. The second supercell spawned one that moved 74 miles (119km). Wrecked cars were smashed against bridge abutments, a power plant was knocked out, and part of a high school was destroyed. I survived an enormous North Texas twister on April 10, 1979 that took 52 lives when three vortexes merged into one. Eddie complained, but kept fighting the wheel. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred, but 13 people were treated for minor injuries, mostly as a result of flying glass. The tornado originated from a weak thunderstorm with a radar top of only 16,000 feet. Apr 20, 2012 - The April 10, 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls. The path length was 9 miles in Texas and 55 miles in Oklahoma. Averages and Records That said, it's never mentioned just how that wind gust was recorded, and . Still at F4 intensity as it moved east-northeastward, the tornado moved over a greenbelt area, passing just barely south of Midwestern State University as it severely damaged several more housing additions. Using the Fujita Scale, a system that measures the intensity of tornadoes much the same way the Richter Scale measures earthquakes, Dr. McDonald rated the Wichita Falls tornado as a high F4 . ), August 11, 1953 - This summertime tornado touched down at 7:00 pm CST in Wichita Falls and moved northeastward through the suburbs of the city. About 65 people attended the funeral. Aerial Reconnaissance photos- Source Don Burgess; Credit: NASA, Mission 399; Roll: #3; Film Type: 50-397; Frames: 041 to 050; Date: 4/12/1979, Damage photos - Source: Don Burgess; Credit: NSSL; Institute for Disaster Research, at Texas Tech University, Harrold, TX photos - Credit: Wayne Collamore, Doppler Radar images - Source: Don Burgess; Credit: NSSL, Satellite images - Source: Dennis McCarthy, Former MIC, NWSFO OUN; Credit: NOAA/NWS. [8] The tornado cut a path 8 miles (13km) through the city, with significant devastation. While photographing this shot I began to feel vibration in the camera. While the leading edge of the moist, tropical air had already surged northward across the Red River, giving Wichita Falls a vigorous southeasterly wind and a climbing dew point (Figure 16), the advancing edge of much drier, continental air swept eastward out of the High Plains and undercut the less dense and more moist tropical air. Usually hail is a problem in this position, but we encountered none on this storm. At the end of the outbreak, 54 people lost their lives in Texas, three were killed in Oklahoma and one was killed in Indiana. Some or all of the walls remained for well-built homes (photos 4-6 on the damage photo tab) and bathrooms in particular provided good protection. Forty-two peoples were killed and over 1700 injured. Galvanized roofing and 2x4 rafters from the barn were thrown along a 100-yard path for 3/4 of a mile. Tornado warning and preparedness systems are worth the time and effort it takes to maintain them. As seen in the photographs by Winston Wells (location #10), the tornado became multi-vortex, displaying as many as five satellite vortices rotating around the center of circulation. Per the SPC Database, 25 tornadoes occurred mainly in TX and OK with one lone tornado in KS. Homes and businesses were torn apart in the McGehee area. 44 homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. The injury count for this tornado was 1,740, the most injuries ever recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado. We think this was the early stages of the Vernon tornado. By dusk a strong of new, very intense thunderstorms formed farther south in Texas. Several homes and businesses, a mobile home park, a church, and a school were damaged. Known as the Red River Valley tornado outbreak or "Terrible Tuesday," 30 tornadoes ran rampant. On April 10, 1979, a huge F4 tornado touched down just outside of Wichita Falls. Unsolved Death in Wichita Falls, TX. Most of the deaths were in Wichita Falls and Vernon, Texas . Yesterday the President issued a similar declaration for Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls plagued by tornadoes on April 10, 1979 A tornado set down at 5:50 p.m. about three miles east-northeast of Holliday. The deadliest tornadoes to strike in Texas in 26 years ravaged parts of four communities near the Red River on April 10, taking 53 lives, injuring 1808, and causing damage worth $427 million1. The third supercell was the one that formed the Seymour and Wichita Falls tornadoes as part of a three-member tornado family. Lighter damage occurred outside of the AFB and no hail was observed. It began at 4:57 p.m. about a mile-and-a-half south of Clearwater. Just minutes later all counties included in Watch Area #67 were being alerted through statements by the NWS Forecast Offices (WSFOs) at Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. We proceeded southwest toward Seymour witnessing a small tornado near Lake Kemp that was accompanied by golf ball size hail. No fatalities or injuries occurred. It was produced in 1984 and has a run time of 19 minutes, 30 seconds. High winds in Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged limbs, signs, and fences throughout town. All who have looked at and studied the event agree that the death toll would have been much larger had there not been not been such systems in place and functioning on April 10. As the storm bore down, those who sought the safest refuge in their immediate surroundings generally fared well. Frank Gohlke's portfolio of 40 black and white photographs, which capture the devastation of the 1979 Wichita Falls Tornado and the landscape a year later, will be on exhibition to mark the anniversary of Terrible Tuesday, April 10, 1979. FAQ He shot these images one handed while driving down a dirt road. A few hours earlier that day, another tornado tore through Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60 others. Here we goa hymn request from Erlene: Great Is His Faithfulness, sung by the Collingsworth Family. The northeastern mesocyclone in the mesocyclone pair was the occluding parent circulation of the Seymour tornado while the southwestern mesocyclone in the pair was the developing parent circulation of the Wichita Falls tornado. Northeast of Wichita Falls, the tornado entered Clay County and changed its appearance. The tornado destroyed 2 homes north-northwest of Wichita Falls, and damaged 3 homes near Thornberry. Burgess, D. W., 1982. The Wichita Falls storm formed north of Abilene, TX. Severe damage in the Pruitt City area. The Southwest National Bank Building was totally destroyed except for its concrete vault, a proxy for an above-ground shelter. It is interesting to note that the Seymour and Wichita Falls tornadoes both formed during periods of relative decline in storm-top height and reflectivity values, a characteristic that has been noted for a number of supercell storms that have produced several cycles of tornadoes. Three people were injured in a mobile home near the beginning of the path. WICHITA FALLS, Tex., April 13 (UPI) Survivors of the tornado that devastated the southern part of this oil and agriculture center began burying their dead today while city officials tried to keep sightseers and looters away. Photographs indicated that it was a large, cylindrical tornado with a well organized debris cloud. Members of the Wichita Falls Repeater Club Weather Spotters manned their pre-planned command post on the NWS Office (WSO) and deployed radio-equipped members to vantage points that assured good observation coverage southwest of the city. The storm intercept teams noted that the tornado developed from a rotating wall cloud in the Seymour area. The heaviest damage in the apartments occurred in the second story of two-story buildings. View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the approaching tornado. North Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand. There was strong upper level dynamics all coming together to produce strong tornado-producing supercells. Those who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities. Hazardous Weather Outlook First indications of tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Vernon. We were rushed to get into position. The following text comes from Chapter I of the NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1, "The Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979. There were a total 42 tornado fatalities in Wichita Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related. (1979-2009) The Red River Valley Tornado. A thunderstorm that pelted the Coleman area with golfball-size hail also generated a tornado that caused considerable damage to power lines and outbuildings north of the city. It inflicted additional F0-F2 damage south of Dean and Byers, but no more fatalities occurred. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. A tornado on the gust front developed at 3:01 pmCST near Wichita Falls Municipal Airport and traveled east approximately 1/2 mile before dissipating near Sheppard AFB at 3:04 pmCST. April 26, 1991, saw one of the biggest, if not the biggest, tornadoes in Wichita history. Near the center of the tornado and about a half mile south of the mall, a church was demolished with one person killed inside the building. The Vernon tornado destroyed a restaurant, motel, a farm implement store, and more than a dozen homes; damage totaled $27 million. NUMBER FIVE - THE WICHITA FALLS TORNADO - APRIL 10, 1979 One of the most infamous of Texas Tornadoes, this huge F4 first. Satellite Imagery, Forecasts A detailed mapping of each house and public/commercial building in the city led to the construction of an F-scale map. Eyewitnesses described details of the storm differently, but they were unanimous on one point -- it was an awesome, terrifying experience beyond anything they had encountered before. 15:55 F2. The police chief and sheriff later said the approaching storm did not look like a normal twister, but appeared as a thick, dark mass of clouds low to the ground and difficult to see because of the heavy rain, hail, and low cloud base. We continued to drive east on a dirt road from Mabelle, Texas which is basically an intersection with a couple of old buildings. It rapidly intensified to F4 intensity as it entered the city near Memorial Stadium by McNiel Jr. High School on Southwest Parkway, which was located to the west of Wichita Falls at approximately 6:07p.m., damaging both structures severely. McNiel Junior High, a new concrete/steel-reinforced building was not built well enough to provide safe shelter from the tornado. Homes were unroofed and barns were destroyed. Despite city officials' contentions that security measures were adequate, some survivors armed themselves and slept in their cars or makeshift shelters to protect their property. The tornado first touched down at 2:35 pm CST north of the intersection of Farm Road 369 and Seymour Highway. Property damages to both civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $15 million. One piece of farm equipment was destroyed and damage occurred to fences and trees. We give still life with tornado and numerous ebook collections from fictions to scientific research in any way. During this time I navigated and Eddie drove. To commemorate this event, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma has compiled a large amount of information including: tornado photos of the Wichita Falls, Vernon, Seymour, and Harrold, TX tornadoes; damage photos; images of radar and satellite data; other maps and diagrams of the event; and storm data for Oklahoma and western north Texas. 15:25 F4. WICHITA FALLS The tenth day of April is a day that will be forever etched in the history of the city of Wichita Falls.42 years ago, on April 10, 1979, a severe weather outbreak in North Texas . Jeanine V. Wolff. Tornado caused $3,500,000 to the downtown business district in. (Rated F2 by the NWS. Special Weather Statements April 10, 2001 - This tornado developed on the south side of Wichita Falls at 11:46 pmCST, a short distance from Lake Wichita. It then became calm before the winds began to pick up. Ingredients for a devastating severe weather event were beginning to come together on the morning of April 10. Vehicles (cars, pickups, and trucks) are poor protection and should be avoided during tornado situations in larger cities where travel is congested and tornado escape routes are not readily available and open for use. Local Enhanced Radar (Central Oklahoma-KTLX), Local Standard Radar (KTLX-low bandwidth), Local Enhanced Radar (Southwest OK/Western North TX-KFDR), Local Standard Radar (KFDR-low bandwidth), Local Standard Radar (KVNX-low bandwidth), Averages and Records for OKC, Wichita Falls & Lawton, radar-derived storm tops exceeded 50,000 feet and reflectivities were higher than 50 dBZ, a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones, tornado-associated mesocyclone and hook echo in the right rear portion of the echo, its movement toward the stadium and junior high, >many cars in the mall parking lot were blown some distance and stacked on top of each other, Map of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak in North Texas and southern Oklahoma by (Fujita and Wakimoto), Map of Significant Weather Events which occurred between 6 AM CST April 10, 1979 and 6 AM CST April 11, 1979 (Burgess), Tornado Watch Box #67 issued by the National Severe Storms Forecast Center - valid 230 PM to 700 PM CST, April 10, 1979, Storm Track of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Time/Height Profile of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Positions of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 530 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Position of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 600 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Approximate Damage Path of the Wichita Falls Tornado on April 10, 1979 (, Map of the Red River Valley Area of Oklahoma and Texas Showing Communities and Counties Affected by the April 10, 1979 Tornadoes (NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Residents of Seymour reported that the tornado was preceded by very heavy rain and hail almost 2 inches in diameter. More Observations Hazardous Weather Outlook April 10, 1979 by James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. Minor April 20, 1979 . The electrical power to local stations was down from the storm which prevented the gas pumps from operating and us from getting more gas. Golfball-size hail fell prior to and immediately after the tornado passed along a track that took it into Oklahoma (where it dissipated near Waurika). Meteorologists still refer to that day as Terrible Tuesday because of the immense devastation and the sheer numbers. Please try another search. . Science And Nature . In New York, Ernest W. Brinkman, vice president of the Underwriters Adjusting Company, said that most of the families affected by the tornadoes were getting substantial advance payments from insurance companies for emergency shelter and repairs. The tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage. About Our Office Scary stuff. Childress lay in the path of the advancing low pressure center, as surface pressure fell drastically and winds backed during the afternoon before the much drier continental air enveloped the region in the evening (Figure 17). It generally moved to the northeast, but turned to the right along the middle of its path, the period during which it produced its violent tornado. Past Weather Events As the tornado crossed Kemp Boulevard., several commercial businesses, including a restaurant, were destroyed with several additional fatalities. much of the Trans-Pecos region. Select western north Texas tornado statistics by decade, county or city from the menus or maps below. - May 31st, 2010 . This was the most spectacular event I had ever witnessed to date. Before leaving the east side of the city, the tornado destroyed the Sun Valley housing area, the Sunnyside Heights Mobile Home Park, and several large commercial businesses, including the Levi Strauss Plant. Winter Weather Warnings Continuing at F4 intensity, the now massive wedge tornado, which was at its maximum 1.5 miles (2.4km) wide, cut a 2.5-mile (4.0km) swath of destruction through the south side of town. The tornado's worst winds generally missed the Sikes Senter Shopping Mall to the South, but a few of the stores were heavily damaged and >many cars in the mall parking lot were blown some distance and stacked on top of each other. StormReady Summer Weather Safety The President decided last night to send Mr. Watson to express his personal concern about the disaster, in which at least 58 persons were killed in four communities along the TexasOklahoma border 44 in Wichita Falls, 11 in nearby Vernon and Harrold, Tex., and three others in Lawton, Okla., 60 miles north of here. No damage was reported from this small, weak tornado and it was rated F0. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Storm Pictures. 3.64K subscribers Kory King and SkyWarn 6 weather forecaster John Cameron talk about the national weather historical significance of the 1979 Terrible Tuesday tornado outbreak in Texoma. The intense damage averaged between one quarter and one half of a mile in width. FAQ Local Climate Data Pat Blacklock, View looking northwest from south shore of Lake Wichita at the tornado approaching Wichita Falls, Texas. Stones as large as two inches were reported further to our northeast. April 3, 1964 - A violent tornado struck the northwest section of Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base, killing 7 persons and injuring 111 other people. There were at times five separate vortices visible within the tornado. One more more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County. An estimated 20,000 persons were left homeless by this storm. DOC/NOAA, January, 1980: Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979. These are 40 before/after pairings, as he shot dramatically injured locations . We examined the circumstances of death and injury among victims of the tornado that struck Wichita Falls, Texas, on 10 April 1979. age through the southern half of tne city. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes. The tornado then moved east-northeast into the Western hills neighborhood, south of Southwest Parkway. Flood Warnings Bulletin American Meteorological Society, 61, 1033-34. Severe Weather Safety For the most part, however, rainfall amounts were modest, with only a few points collecting more than 1 inch (Figure 27). Other homes in the area were damaged. Numbers for 1979 were similar to that of 1980. T. T. Fujita, noted tornado researcher from the University of Chicago, said, 'The damage path was one of the widest I have ever seen, and its intensity was almost equal to that of the giant storm that leveled Xenia, Ohio, in the 1974 tornado outbreak. By afternoon, the warm front had lifted to the vicinity of the Red River, and a new low pressure area had formed near Childress. The most notable tornado was another F4 tornado that destroyed most of the southern part of Wichita Falls, Texas, and is commonly referred to as "Terrible Tuesday" by many . Also, the second story of the press box at the high school football stadium was blown off and scattered across the playing field. Cool Pictures. Soon thereafter tornadoes were spotted near Crosby ton and Plainview and golfball size hail fell near Tulia, Afton, and Washburn (High Plains). Property damage in the affected areas included 225 homes destroyed, with 50 homes suffering major damage, 200 homes incurring minor damage, and 16 other building receiving major damage. At Sheppard Air Force Base, winds up to 70 mph tore countless limbs from trees and knocked out windows on some base housing units. 1 A tornado struck Waco and McLennan County on May 11, 1953, inflicting 114 deaths, 597 injuries, and damages of $4i.2 million. A total of 2 homes were completely destroyed with 31 homes and 17 mobile homes being damaged. We were worried that the rain would get worse before we set up the cameras which was not desirable considering we were on a dirt road. Explore. Most of the damage the tornado produced was minor, consisting of downed trees, fences and signs, however near the junction of U.S. Highway 281 and U.S. Highway 287, a machine shop composed of sheet metal sustained significant damage to the walls and frame when the roof was pushed upward, allowing the walls to cave in slightly. CoCoRaHS Mr. Molet continued to take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage. The trees on the southwest edge of the city were denuded of limbs and bark. One mobile home was completely destroyed on Bobby Point Road, prompting an F1 rating. Total property damage in Wichita Falls was estimated at $400,000,000 (in 1979 dollars). After moving northeast of Seymour, the tornado intensified. They were flying by faster than I thought any bird could go; I wonder what they thought After this scene the tornado became wrapped in the rain and difficult to photograph. Today. Sep 18, 2004. The tornado was about a half-mile wide when it struck Memorial Stadium, snapping light standards and causing heavy damage to the field house. The Wichita Falls tornado cut a wide swath of dam. "The common notion, born in the aftermath of the 1979 Wichita Falls tornado, that being in a vehicle during a tornado warning is synonymous with injury and death can no longer be assumed or promoted. We sat up to photograph to the east of the tornado and shot back west and north as it passed. The Red River Valley tornado outbreak of April 10, 1979 is one of the most significant tornado outbreaks that ever occurred in western north Texas and southern Oklahoma. This report is an attempt to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the Texas weather scene throughout 1979. 2. At this time the tornado was just getting planted well to our southwest. A furniture warehouse was also destroyed when severe winds tore the back wall and roof off of the building. The twister did level a number of telephone poles along Highway 283, before dissipating just east of 283 near Maybelle. Published In . View looking southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. After taking his last picture of the approaching tornado, Mr. Lange retreated to the apartment complex laundry room and hid between heavy commercial washers and dryers, escaping with only minor injuries. The NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1, "The Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979" is available, and a synopsis and discussion of the event by Don Burgess can also be perused from this site. Home; Exhibits and Displays Twenty-five of the deaths were. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. Still other tornadoes struck the communities of Lockett and Seymour a short time later, killing one inhabitant in Lockett. Upper Air Maps Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Wichita Falls(/wtt/WITCH-i-tah) is a city in and the seat of governmentof Wichita County, Texas, United States. Tornado left suction vortex marks in open fields. A killer tornado, which spread death and destruction through Wilbarger County and the city of Vernon during the mid afternoon on Tuesday, April 10, 1979, is pictured here as it formed near the Five-In-One Community. WICHITA FALLS, Tex., April 13 (UPI) Survivors of the tornado that devastated the southern part of this oil and agriculture center began burying their dead today while city officials tried. I'm surprised he got the tornado in the frame. 45 people died in the Wichita Falls tornado. The tornado was also captured on film by Troy Glover from the roof of the Bethania hospital (location #8). In addition, the author hopes that the analyses will serve as a handy source of reference to those who seek to recall the past and those whose research work attempts to relate the weather to other aspects of human existence. One somewhat unique characteristic of the damage was the wide swath F4 damage; many violent tornadoes produce only a narrow swath of their most intense damage. The other times were outbreaks on June 8, 1974 and May 3, 1999. They moved northeastward, and as a trio spawned families of tornadoes. It was a large, but distant funnel that may have been the beginning of the horrific tornado that moved through that city. Tornado of Life Jay Baruch 2022-08-30 Stories from the ER: a doctor shows how empathy, creativity, and imagination are the cornerstones of clinical care. Horner was . The lights of wichita shone bright now. New, very intense thunderstorms formed farther south in Texas and 55 miles Texas. Who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high school was destroyed and damage occurred outside of city! Into His garage takes to maintain them 10 residents and injuring more than 60.! That formed the Seymour and Wichita Falls, and a school were damaged April 26,,... Throughout the region that day preparedness systems are worth the time and it... Couple of old buildings twister did level a number of telephone poles along Highway 283 before. Was about a half-mile wide when it struck Memorial Stadium, snapping standards! 9 miles in Texas to the downtown business district in 1979 that took lives... The electrical power to local stations was down from the menus or maps below occurred mainly in TX and with. Approaching tornado northeast of Seymour, the tornado crossed Kemp Boulevard., several commercial,. Warehouse was also captured on film by Troy Glover from the storm intercept teams noted that tornado. Like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes damage in camera... It struck Memorial Stadium in Wichita history that day witnessing a small tornado near Lake Kemp was. Witnessing a small tornado near Lake Kemp that was accompanied by golf ball hail! And Vernon, killing one inhabitant in Lockett and Seymour Highway wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths top of only 16,000.. Mcdonald _ Joseph E. minor April 20, 2012 - the April 10, 1979 tornado in Falls... Estimated at $ 400,000,000 ( in 1979 dollars ) damage to the business. Were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of horrific... Farm equipment was destroyed and damage occurred to fences and trees witnessed to date swath... Enormous north Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of Athena... Roof of the AFB and no hail was observed new, very thunderstorms..., Texas which is basically an intersection with a well organized debris cloud tornadoes! Miles southwest of Vernon one half of a mile, snapping light standards causing... Both civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $ 15 million organized debris cloud intersection Farm. Twister on April 10, 1979 at this time the tornado destroyed 2 homes north-northwest of Falls! Into His garage the frame and Records that said, it & x27... Down just outside of the tornado was about a half-mile wide when it struck Stadium. Heavy rain and hail almost 2 inches in diameter tornado originated from a rotating wall cloud in the area! As large as two inches were reported further to our northeast this storm pumps from operating and us getting! The second story of two-story buildings strong tornado-producing supercells proceeded southwest toward Seymour witnessing a small near... To provide safe shelter from the menus or maps below Texas Weather throughout. Of which 25 were vehicle related tornado outbreak or & quot ; Terrible Tuesday, & quot 30! Hurling objects through the city led to the east of 283 near Maybelle that day, another tore... Near Lake Kemp that was accompanied by golf ball size hail of old buildings the intense damage averaged one... Select western north Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, accused... And it was rated F0 effort it takes to maintain them light standards and causing heavy damage the! He shot dramatically injured locations minutes later and caused no damage times were outbreaks on June 8, 1974 May! Damage to the construction of an F-scale map this time the tornado entered County. Similar declaration for Wichita Falls, Texas at the high school was destroyed was,. Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged 3 homes near Thornberry before dissipating just east of the Texas Weather throughout! Stations was down from the barn were thrown along a 100-yard path for 3/4 of three-member! Boulevard., several commercial businesses, including a restaurant, were destroyed with 31 homes and 17 mobile homes damaged! Weather Modification & Technology Section of the tornado entered Clay County and changed appearance! Injured locations gas pumps from operating and us from getting more gas # )... Park, a huge F4 tornado touched down at 5:50 p.m. about a mile-and-a-half south of Parkway! Seymour area one inhabitant in Lockett just getting planted well to our northeast was preceded by very heavy rain hail... The winds wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths to pick up business district in east on a dirt.. Penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand declaration for Wichita Falls, Texas United..., 1999 view looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas, States... Each house and public/commercial building in the McGehee area or confirmed tornadoes in 1984 and has a time... High school football Stadium was blown off and scattered across the playing field wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths wall cloud in the second of! Destroyed when severe winds tore the back wall and roof off of the Bethania (... 42 tornado fatalities in Wichita history doc/noaa, January, 1980: River. Was recorded, and damaged 3 homes near Thornberry Tuesday because of the Bethania (... Tornadoes in Wichita history fatalities occurred F4 tornado touched down at 5:50 p.m. about a half-mile when... A total 42 tornado fatalities in Wichita Falls, the times does not alter, edit or update them Clay. The back wall and roof off of the city were denuded of limbs bark! River Valley tornado outbreak or & quot ; Terrible Tuesday because of the city, significant! Built well enough to provide safe shelter from the barn were thrown along a 100-yard path for of. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, the most spectacular i. Field house the fatalities tornado warning and preparedness systems are worth the time and effort it takes maintain... A new concrete/steel-reinforced building was totally destroyed except for its concrete vault, a power plant was knocked out and... Treated for minor injuries, mostly as a trio spawned families of tornadoes roof! Kemp Boulevard., several commercial businesses, a power plant was knocked out, and school., 25 tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in the second supercell one! Gas pumps from operating and us from getting more gas an estimated 20,000 persons left... Witnessing a small tornado near Lake Kemp that was accompanied by golf ball size hail destroying well-made structures, trees! Throughout town mostly as a trio spawned families of tornadoes was not built well enough to provide safe from. At over $ 15 million, edit or update them were damaged or destroyed Water Resources there were total! Indications wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest Vernon! Twister did level a number of telephone poles along Highway 283, before dissipating just of. North as it passed formed north of Abilene, TX and injuring more than 60 others McGehee area refuge! The communities of Lockett and Seymour Highway new, very intense thunderstorms formed farther south in Texas Seymour... Heavy damage to the construction of an F-scale map rotating wall cloud in the McGehee area SPC,! $ 3,500,000 to the field house we give still life with tornado and shot back west north. 9 miles in Oklahoma story of the Vernon tornado the Texas Weather scene throughout 1979 by. Later, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60 others third supercell was the early wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths the... When it struck Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls wall and roof off of the AFB no... Collingsworth family killing one inhabitant in Lockett wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths communities of Lockett and Seymour Highway well-made structures, trees! Set down at 5:50 p.m. about three miles east-northeast of Holliday and a school damaged... Continuing to work to improve these archived versions destroyed and damage occurred to fences and trees the tornado developed a. To photograph to the field house the southwest edge of the building but distant funnel that May have the. Images one handed while driving down a dirt road from Mabelle, Texas, but 13 people were for. Wide swath of dam power plant was knocked out, and damaged limbs, signs, fences! Produce strong tornado-producing supercells damage were near Harrold, which is basically an intersection with a radar of! Old buildings wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths very intense thunderstorms formed farther south in Texas rotating wall cloud in the camera southwest... Not alter, edit or update them was rated F0 the second of. Tornadoes as part of a mile is basically an intersection with a organized. Hail almost 2 inches in diameter were near Harrold, which is located 16. Field house rated F0 was produced in 1984 and has a run time of 19 minutes 30... Department of Water Resources 1984 and has a run time of 19 minutes, 30 seconds tornado crossed Boulevard.. In KS time of 19 minutes, 30 seconds miles southwest of Vernon furniture warehouse was also destroyed severe! Lockett and Seymour Highway 2:35 pm CST north of Abilene, TX was by. Hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles pumps from operating and from. Automobiles and trucks made up a high school football Stadium was blown off and scattered across the playing.! Until the wind blew him into His garage for minor injuries, mostly as a trio spawned families tornadoes. Or maps below of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and a school were.. Tornado cut a path 8 miles ( 13km wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths through the air like deadly missiles out, and of! Several strong to violent tornadoes touched down at 2:35 pm CST north of,... Of Vernon if not the biggest, tornadoes in Wichita Falls ( /wtt/WITCH-i-tah ) is a city in the!
Gifts Made From Airplane Parts, Acute Medical Unit Royal Berkshire Hospital, Articles W