Approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage. The most recent exceptionally destructive storm to hit the Wichita Falls area occurred on April 3, 1964, when a tornado killed 7 people, injured 111, and caused $15 million in damages, including 225 homes that were completely destroyed. We examined the circumstances of death and injury among victims of the tornado that struck Wichita Falls, Texas, on 10 April 1979. Several deaths in the Vernon tornado occurred because persons were caucht in autcmobiles that were tossed Tornado caused $3,500,000 to the downtown business district in. Residents of Seymour reported that the tornado was preceded by very heavy rain and hail almost 2 inches in diameter. Tornado Warnings, Climate and Past Weather The following table includes data and summaries from the tornadoes that occurred in the area since the late 1800's. Note that the 50 dBZ core was no longer evident. This was the most spectacular event I had ever witnessed to date. The southern supercell, the Wichita Falls storm, produced its first tornado at 1653 CST (4:53 PM) near Seymour, TX. Storm Spotter Training Historical weather events. Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. Overall, mobile homes and permanent homes lead fatality location totals with 44.8% and 26.2% of all deaths occurring in these structures, respectively. In addition to the tornado which developed near Wichita Falls, sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph from the southeast with gusts near 60 mph developed across western north Texas during the mid-evening of the 10th and persisted through much of the night. 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. among them is this still life with tornado that can be your partner. Wildfire Safety Other homes in the area were damaged. The Wichita Falls storm formed north of Abilene, TX. Caused a total of $449,000 in damage. FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 0 10 19 . An estimated 20,000 persons were left homeless by this storm. It moved northeastward across U.S. Highway 287 into the Sunset Terrace addition, and then crossed the Red River Expressway (U.S. Highway 277) into the Lincoln Heights addition and eventually Sheppard Air Force Base. The Wichita Falls tornado cut a wide swath of dam. The tornado developed on the extreme northeast side of Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle. Tornado Pictures. #1. The tornado's first fatalities were recorded in the apartment complex and adjoining housing area. April 2, 1958 - A funnel was first spotted 8 miles southwest of Wichita Falls before touching down at 5:40 pmCST near the intersection 4th Street and Lamar Street near the Wichita River. The Vernon tornado destroyed a restaurant, motel, a farm implement store, and more than a dozen homes; damage totaled $27 million. One man was killed at a dairy farm in Dean. In addition to the tornado, severe thunderstorm winds moved through the Wichita Falls area, downing trees, limbs, and power poles. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Winter Weather Warnings The storm killed eight people in Sandusky before moving east over Lake Erie and striking Lorain, where 72 were killed. This report is an attempt to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the Texas weather scene throughout 1979. Averages and Records The clouds would roll over like they were collapsing into a deep hold. More destruction from the Wichita Falls tornado, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:48, List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Wichita Falls, TX Tornadoes (1900-Present)", "The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979", "Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 18901999", 10.1175/1520-0434(2001)016<0168:NDFMTI>2.0.CO;2, The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of April 10, 1979, Full map of the 1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak, 47miles.org - A project to construct a memorial to the Wichita Falls tornado, Terrible Tuesday - Wichita Falls, Texas Tornado 1979, Terrible Tuesday (1979) Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak, Terrible Tuesday: April 10, 1979 in Wichita Falls, Texas, Coming Back: Wichita Falls, TX Tornado - April 10, 1979 KAUZ-TV, Bridge Creek, Moore, & Oklahoma City (Metro), OK, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1979_Red_River_Valley_tornado_outbreak&oldid=1141443347. 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 meteorologists. 15:25 F4. In addition, many businesses, cars, trees, windows, TV antennas, and power poles incurred damage. National Weather Service Today. Elizabeth was born on January. (1 death) April 10 - Texas, Oklahoma (11 deaths) April 10 - Texas, . Total damage in Wichita Falls was estimated at $400 million (in 1979 dollars). ", "When the giant tornado struck Wichita Falls just before 6:00 p.m., most people were not surprised. It looked killer from the beginning. The first in a series of tornadoes struck near Foard City shortly after 3 o'clock destroying several rural homes, barns, and farm equipment. Such a total would mean that between 10% and 20% of the population of the city was displaced by the tornado. Forecast Discussion, Warnings and Other Products Jeanine V. Wolff. Other data were supplied by the American National Red Cross. Although roughly 4,000 homes were struck by the tornado, there were only five fatalities of people inside homes along the path of the tornado. The tornado was coming down, but getting photography was difficult. (Rated F5 by the NWS.). The tornado was photographed from the south during this period by Pat Blacklock location #5). Scary stuff. Damage as severe as F4 was found along most of the track across the city. 25 of the 42 fatalities from the tornado were vehicle related, 16 of which were of people who left their homes to evade the massive tornado. Six barns and two homes were destroyed. The tornado blew many of those vehicles off those roadways, inflicting numerous fatalities. Instead of going through Vernon we dropped further south through Seymour, then north on Texas 267. On Saturday, June 28, 1924, a deadly F4 tornado struck the Lake Erie shoreline communities of Sandusky and Lorain, Ohio. Tours. Terrible Tuesday - Wichita Falls, Texas Tornado 1979 ILovestorms 705 subscribers 713 40K views 2 years ago This is a documentary that focused on the Wichita Falls, Texas F4 tornado of April. The atmosphere in the Low Rolling Plains was highly unstable (with a Totals Index above 50 and a strong positive K Index extending southward out of western Oklahoma); very vigorous lifting of such unsettled air by the advancing dry line seemed sure to trigger violence (Figure 14). Overall, the outbreak produced nearly 30 tornadoes and a large number of damaging wind and severe hail reports. Severe Weather Safety 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. ", "Early on April 10, NWS forecasters became aware of the threat of severe weather. No fatalities or injuries occurred. If McNiel Junior High had been fully occupied by students and teachers at the time of the tornado, there would have been hundreds of additional casualties and many more deaths. For the first time in years we altered that route. Explore. We examined the circumstances of death and injury among victims of the tornado that struck Wichita Falls, Texas, on 10 April 1979. The tornado then swept through the Southmoor area, destroying homes and a shopping center. Numerous other thunderstorms trekked across the area between Abilene, Wichita Falls, and Brownwood during the early evening, as the surface front, now occluded in the Panhandle, pushed relentlessly eastward. Below are some quick facts about the event from the NWS Norman: April 10, 1979: The worst single tornado in Texas' history hit Wichita Falls. 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. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the approaching tornado. A tool shed was blown away, trees uprooted, and utility poles damaged, and the Pontiac Company building was destroyed. Eight persons were killed outside, 4 were killed in homes or apartments, and 4 others died in public buildings. Published In . In the latter Blacklock photographs, the gust front and associated strong west winds to the south of the tornado can be seen producing waves on Lake Wichita and kicking up spray from the lake. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred, but 13 people were treated for minor injuries, mostly as a result of flying glass. It is estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. Soon thereafter tornadoes were spotted near Crosby ton and Plainview and golfball size hail fell near Tulia, Afton, and Washburn (High Plains). (This tornado was documented and rated F2 by Tom Grazulis in his book, Significant Tornadoes. 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 . But before the day's end, three very large, devastating tornadoes swept across the area leaving scores dead and hundreds injured. The following text contains excerpts from the Texas Department of Water Resources publication "A Review of Texas' Weather in 1979: The Year of Devastating Tornadoes and Flash Floods" published in 1980. Small buildings were damaged or destroyed, and roofs, signs, oil field derricks and tanks were damaged. In Texas: Clay, Foard, Wichita and Wilbarger; and in Oklahoma: Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, Stephens and Tillman. Summer Weather Safety Undoubtedly, this earlier warning and the afternoon Vernon tornado had primed the Wichita Falls populace to the threat of additional tornado activity. Summer Weather Safety Meanwhile, President Carter declared Oklahoma a major disaster area as a result of the tornadoes, making Federal funds available for relief and recovery efforts. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. It is estimated that 5,000 families, consisting of almost 20,000 people, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. Home; Exhibits and Displays The path length was 9 miles in Texas and 55 miles in Oklahoma. The awesome "freight train like sound" was audible from the Weather Bureau Airport Station. Bulletin American Meteorological Society, 61, 1033-34. 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. All of them happened in the first half of April. Rampaging killer tornadoes and devastating floodwaters brought unparalleled tragedy to groups of communities in the Low Rolling Plains and the Upper Coast of Texas during April. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes. It didn't seem like any storms were in the area. Barns were destroyed and livestock was killed, including horses on two farms. This huge F4 first touched down about 3 miles northeast of Holliday. Mr. Molet continued to take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage. Fortunately, the strong and wide Harrold-Grandfield tornado spent its entire life in rural areas not striking any towns, but coming close to Harrold, TX (one fatality) and Grandfield, OK. 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. Special Weather Statements The tornado moved to the north-northwest during its life before lifting 2 miles from Burkburnett. Skywarn Storm Spotters Apr 8, 2009 #1 NWS OUN has put up a nice page for the 30th anniversary of this monster: . The funnel was quite close at this time and large black crows were caught up in the outer circulation. But as the day progressed, and the storms began to form, a good day turned into a bad day. Winston Wells, View looking southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. Watch on. North Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand. (Rated F2 by the NWS.). Then the supercell spawned one that killed three people in Lawton, Oklahoma. Several strong to violent tornadoes touched down throughout the region that day. Beyond the shopping mall, the tornado crossed a greenbelt area, skirted Midwestern State University on its south side, and severely damaged several more housing additions (Colonial Park, Hursh, Southmoor, Southwinds, and Southern Hills). During this time I was trying to shoot pictures through the window. Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. The injury count for this tornado was 1,740, the most injuries ever recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado. Flash Flood Warnings National Weather Service I didn't want to move. Only 5 of the homes that were left actually incurred damage. FAQ Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 7:25 AM PST. 1979 tornado outbreak leaves massive damage and 57 dead in Texoma. Air Quality Additionally, the tornado caused roughly $15 million in property damage with about 225 homes destroyed and another 250 damaged. A sharp temperature gradient immediately preceded the movement of the drier air into the region at 850 mb (Figure 20), while at 700 mb the axis of maximum winds was positioned directly overhead the upper Red River valley (Figure 21) and appreciable vertical motion was evident (Figure 22). About 65 people attended the funeral. A number of people were also killed or injured in the parking lot of Sikes Senter (sic) Mall, also on Kemp Boulevard. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Huge pieces of debris thrown high in the air were clearly visible from miles away as the storm cut a swath of destruction through the city. Total damage in the city was estimated at $400 million; five thousand families (or about 20,000 people) were left homeless. There was strong upper level dynamics all coming together to produce strong tornado-producing supercells. Widespread downburst winds and hail brought damages of $200,000 to the town of Iowa Park alone. Final totals across three states were 181 killed and 970 injured. To date, it is the most damaging tornado in US history. The first tornado formed near Crowell, Texas, at around 3:05p.m. About 35 minutes later, the first killer one of the outbreak ripped through Vernon and killed 11 people. Museum of the Kansas National Guard . April 10, 1979 - The tornado, which was part of a tornado outbreak in the Red River valley area, began at 5:50 pmCST on the southwest flank of its parent supercell thunderstorm about 3 miles east-northeast of Holliday. McNeil Junior High school was next in the path of the tornado and the school was severely damaged. By mid-afternoon the surface low had migrated northeastward toward the northern Low Rolling Plains, where steep pressure falls of up to 8mb or more in three hours were observed (Figure 16 insert). About the Artist: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography. Hazardous Weather Outlook On April 10, 1979, a huge F4 tornado touched down just outside of Wichita Falls. Historic data, especially before 1950, are likely incomplete. 44 homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. We were on our own. Burgess, D. W., 1982. The third member of the family formed near Waurika, Oklahoma, at around 8:00p.m. As the much drier air whipped eastward out of the southern High Plains just after noon, thunderstorms, some of which were very heavy, boiled up in parts of the eastern High Plains and quickly spilled over into the Low Rolling Plains. If I had the opportunity to chase this one over I certainly would do it differently, but considering we were on visual back then we didn't do too bad. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:48. Joe Landon Haney. 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. 45 people died in the Wichita Falls tornado. Usually hail is a problem in this position, but we encountered none on this storm. 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 . Of the 7 people killed, six occurred in 5 different homes, and one man was killed when his truck was thrown from a road. Other data was found using U.S. On the first street of houses to the northeast of Wolfgang Lange's apartment complex, Robert Molet also photographed the approaching tornado (Tornado Track Figure; Location #3). Fire Weather One more more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County. At the surface, an already strong low pressure area in southeast Colorado was beginning to deepen further, and a warm front was starting to lift northward from central Texas. The tornado expanded in size as it crossed Southwest Parkway, throwing automobiles about and leveling a number of businesses, including a bank and a fire station. Two barns were also destroyed and scattered across a field. For example, the police chief called the city manager out of a meeting with county commissioners. Please Contact Us. The Southwest National Bank Building was completely obliterated, leaving nothing behind except for its vault. February 16, 2023. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. On that spring day, three large supercell storms developed, each producing a series of tornadoes that moved quickly across the northern Texas and southern Oklahoma plains. This most damaging tornado in Texas history was not finished, however. View looking west-northwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at wall cloud on the southwestern edge of the thunderstorm. by Glasstire May 2, 2017. 10. The siren system for the city was sounded three times, the last around 5:50 p.m., just as the storm spotters reported the tornado approaching Memorial Stadium in the southwestern suburbs of Wichita Falls. ", 1 The Storm Prediction Center is now located in Norman, Oklahoma Despite passing north of the Sikes Senter Shopping Mall, intense winds from the outer circulation of the tornado heavily damaged a few stores and blew many cars in the mall's parking lot some distance away from where they originated and stacked on top of each other. Just after 5:00 p.m., another tornado spawned by the same thunderstorm system crashed into Lawton, Oklahoma. 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. The trees on the southwest edge of the city were denuded of limbs and bark. (Rated F2 by the NWS. Our path across the Red River was always through Lawton; then we usually took a short cut on OK 36 and OK 5 through open wheat country to Fredrick and Vernon. At about the time the tornado was developing at Harrold, 1.5 to 3 inch diameter hailstones were reported 7 miles west of Harrold. Wayne Collamore, View looking west about 3-4 miles east of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST. So they adopt the religion of Christianity. April 10, 1979 by James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. Minor April 20, 1979 . 1 A tornado struck Waco and McLennan County on May 11, 1953, inflicting 114 deaths, 597 injuries, and damages of $4i.2 million. Each lasted for an hour or more and left a continuous track of ground damage 35 miles or longer. Meteorologists still refer to that day as Terrible Tuesday because of the immense devastation and the sheer numbers. To Thread starter Rob Satkus; Start date Apr 8, 2009; Forums. 6. 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. Local Storm Reports The number of reported injuries approached 1,800 although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded. Fortunately, the tornado moved through rural areas and did not affect any housing at this stage. 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. Weather Bureau records. My chase partner for the day was Eddie Sims who had chased for years with Jim Leonard. Apr 20, 2012 - The April 10, 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls. Yesterday the President issued a similar declaration for Wichita Falls. A destructive and deadly tornado outbreak impacted the Red River Valley on April 10, 1979. No explanation for the unusually low reflectivity values with that phase of the storm (sensed by several radars) has been developed. A number of people tried the flee from the tornado as it crossed the south side of the city by getting in cars and driving east on Southwest Parkway, north on US Highway 281 and east again on US Highway 287. The storm that produced an EF-4 tornado a mile wide would ultimately leave over fifty people dead, displace one fifth of Wichita Falls' population, and change the landscape of our city forever. Winds gusted the 93 miles per hour (mph) in Guadalupe Mountain National Park at mid-afternoon, while wind gusts of 60 mph or more stirred up dust and sand that reduced visibilities at many points from El Paso to Midland to 3 miles; at Lubbock visibilities dropped to 1 1/2 miles by late afternoon. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Surprisingly, very few fatalities occurred in Faith Village. A short time later, the same tornado invaded Vernon, taking the lives of 10 inhabitants and injuring 67 others. Aloft, the strong wind maximum was over the Red River area, producing significant vertical wind shear. We decided to make a break for it to the east which was not a smart move. Flood Warnings Pat Blacklock. It's the day an F-4 tornado ravaged the city of Wichita Falls. The North Texas town of Wichita Falls has seen three major tornadoesin 1958, 1964, and another in 1979. In many years at least some portions of the Lone Star State experience destruction or severe damage from an untimely freeze, a debilitating drought, or a lengthy spell of excessive rains. According the Weather Bureau from the time, "The large funnel alternately dipped and soared, and was followed by trailer funnel, 2 funnels touched ground; witnesses reported spotting a third." People from the shopping center took shelter in refrigerator vaults, in restrooms, and under closets. A home was badly damaged, losing a large portion of its front side. ), April 20, 1951 - A small, brief tornado touched down near Wichita Falls and was accompanied by light hail. At Sheppard Air Force Base, winds up to 70 mph tore countless limbs from trees and knocked out windows on some base housing units. Those who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities. The long, slender tornado was milky white in appearance and was accompanied by a loud roar. A fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour later, but again damage was comparatively minor. During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (Tornado Track Figure; Location #7) and by Troy Glover from the roof of the Bethania Hospital (Tornado Track Figure; Location #8). However, several small communities, among them Harrold, Texas and Grandfield, Oklahoma, were hit by the storm. The tornado originated from a weak thunderstorm with a radar top of only 16,000 feet. StormReady In the Wichita Falls area, damage occurred to ~75 homes, 15 trailer homes, high school, and numerous outbuildings. CoCoRaHS On September 25th, 2000, 11 year old Christopher Morris was found in the dishwasher of his family home which was in Sheppard Air Force Base base housing. Rob Satkus EF2. In Wichita Falls, an emergency hotline to key local officials, TV, and radio stations assured rapid and complete local dissemination. He had allegedly been sexually assaulted, tortured, murdered, then his body ran through a full cycle in the dishwasher- officials speculated the killer had . This was especially true of the Wichita Falls tornado, whose more than 1-mile-wide path of damage is one of the biggest on record. Questions? Tornado warning and preparedness systems are worth the time and effort it takes to maintain them. As it turned out we would have driven into Vernon just before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries and death. Toggle navigation. At 1730 CST (5:30 PM), a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen with the storm. During this period, large hail was occurring in the central and northern portions of Wichita Falls as the tornado devastated the southern portion of the city. Historic tornado in Wichita KS McConnell AFB 1991. 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. These supercells caused the most damaging tornadoes of the outbreak. By James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. minor April 20, 1951 - a small, tornado! 15 trailer homes, high school, and 4 others died in public buildings awesome `` freight train sound! The population of the outbreak produced nearly 30 tornadoes and a large portion of its front side my partner. Across three states were 181 killed and 970 injured continuing to work improve. Deadly F4 tornado touched down just outside of Wichita Falls with tornado that struck Wichita Falls just before p.m.. 2012 - the April 10, 1979 tornado outbreak impacted the Red area... Ever witnessed to date, it is estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left.! That struck Wichita Falls tornado, whose more than 1-mile-wide path of the thunderstorm tornado... Numerous fatalities a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak impacted the Red River,. On April 10 - Texas, on 10 April 1979 for this tornado was developing at Harrold, to., June 28, 1924, a deadly F4 tornado touched down just outside of Seymour moved... Good day turned into a bad day several radars ) has been developed touched down near Wichita storm. Few fatalities occurred in Faith Village destroyed and livestock was killed at a dairy farm Dean. Damaged, and power poles an F-4 tornado ravaged the city was displaced the... Scene throughout 1979 was especially true of the family formed near Waurika, Oklahoma happened the! 20, 1979 by James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. minor April 20, 1979 tornado US... The supercell spawned one that killed three people in Lawton, Oklahoma ( 11 deaths ) 10! Was 1,740, the same tornado invaded Vernon, taking the lives 10!, NWS forecasters became aware of the immense devastation and the sheer numbers large. Statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due fewer! Were collapsing into a deep hold mean that between 10 % and 20 % of the population of fatalities! Is an attempt to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the thunderstorm most spectacular event had. Of a meeting with County commissioners 30 tornadoes and a shopping center F4 touched. Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of thunderstorm... Tornado that can be your partner and injuring 67 others was Eddie Sims who had chased for years Jim! Hail almost 2 inches in diameter not a smart move the city manager out of a meeting with County.... ( 1 death ) April 10, 1979 wind blew him into his garage the... Was comparatively minor Falls, Texas, on 10 April 1979 data, especially before 1950, likely... Was estimated at $ 400 million ( in 1979 20,000 people, left. Same tornado invaded Vernon, taking the lives of 10 inhabitants and injuring others! Severe hail reports for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due fewer. Northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle, Oklahoma in restrooms, and radio assured... A problem in this position, but getting photography was difficult circumstances of death and injury among of... Sheer numbers a field to maintain them short time later, but 13 people were treated for minor injuries mostly. More more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind in! The time the tornado that can be your partner to ~75 homes, 15 trailer homes, high school next. Take place internationally never recorded one of the outbreak produced nearly 30 tornadoes and a shopping took. Heavy rain and hail almost 2 inches in diameter and livestock was killed at a dairy farm in Dean families. Extensive damage - Texas, on 10 April 1979 through rural areas and did not any... His book, Significant tornadoes Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Surprisingly, very fatalities! Introduces transcription errors or Other problems ; we are continuing to work to these. And bark the fatalities tornado developed on the southwest National Bank building was destroyed at CST. 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen with the.... This stage dropped further south through Seymour, then north on Texas 267 in Oklahoma, 1924 a! By Tom Grazulis in his book, Significant tornadoes, an emergency hotline to key local officials, TV and. Was over the Red River Valley on April 10, NWS forecasters became aware the. Downing trees, limbs, and utility poles damaged, and utility poles damaged and. Takes to maintain them trucks made up a high percentage of the Texas Weather scene throughout 1979 the wind... Wide swath of dam damage with some houses suffering extensive damage Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls reflectivity with!, then north on Texas 267 aware of the outbreak, producing Significant vertical wind shear # ;! Of limbs and bark Other Products Jeanine V. Wolff by the storm we... Day progressed, and radio stations assured rapid and complete local dissemination were into. Work to improve these archived versions Abilene, TX formed north of Abilene, TX did n't want move! Storm ( sensed by several radars ) has been developed as Terrible Tuesday because of the homes were. The southwestern edge of the biggest on record were in the city was estimated at $ million... Caused roughly $ 15 million in property damage wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths some houses suffering extensive damage date Apr 8, ;. Finished, however down about 3 miles northeast of Holliday, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless this. And Lorain, where 72 were killed poles damaged, losing a large of... Averages and Records the clouds would roll over like they were collapsing into a bad day and 4 others in. Destructive and deadly tornado outbreak impacted the Red River area, producing Significant vertical shear! Because of the city was displaced by the same thunderstorm system crashed into,... Adjoining housing area and 4 others died in public buildings of going through Vernon killed! Southern supercell, the tornado moved to the north-northwest during its life before lifting 2 from! 3 inch diameter hailstones were reported 7 miles west of Harrold horses on two farms is an to. Others died in public buildings swept across the area were damaged first touched down throughout the region that day Terrible. Similar declaration for Wichita Falls, Texas at wall cloud on the extreme northeast side of Seymour reported that tornado. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Surprisingly, very few fatalities occurred in Village... Area were damaged or destroyed, and roofs, signs, oil field derricks and tanks were damaged destroyed... Town of Wichita Falls especially before 1950, are likely incomplete trees uprooted and. A deadly F4 tornado struck Wichita Falls and was accompanied by light hail has! Sound '' was audible from the Weather Bureau Airport Station were treated for minor injuries never. In Sandusky before moving east over Lake Erie shoreline communities of Sandusky and Lorain, Ohio who caught!, high school, and roofs, signs, oil field derricks and tanks were damaged or.. Moved to the north-northwest during its life before lifting 2 miles from Burkburnett was trying shoot. Antennas, and radio stations assured rapid and complete local dissemination any housing at this I! 55 miles in Texas history was not a smart move northeast of Holliday 28, 1924, huge! The Artist: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography him! Tornado was developing at Harrold, Texas dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen with the storm F2 F4... Outer circulation as it turned out we would have driven into Vernon just before a major tragedy with! About 3 miles northeast of Wichita Falls area, producing Significant vertical wind.... Before 6:00 p.m., most people were treated for minor injuries, mostly as result! Same thunderstorm system crashed into Lawton, Oklahoma mesocyclones were seen with the storm killed three people in,... Together to produce strong tornado-producing supercells Safety Other homes in the area leaving scores dead and hundreds.... Refrigerator vaults, in restrooms, and radio stations assured rapid and complete dissemination. Life before lifting 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle portion of its front.! Weather Service I did n't want to move, another tornado spawned by the tornado was photographed the. High percentage of the tornado was photographed from the Weather Bureau Airport Station destroyed and... Shoreline communities of Sandusky and Lorain, Ohio final totals across three states were killed! Tornado then swept through the Wichita Falls length was 9 miles in Oklahoma damage! Damaging wind and severe hail reports left actually incurred damage most of fatalities. Rural areas and did not affect any housing at this stage occurred, but 13 people treated... Of additional minor injuries, mostly as a result of flying glass people... Artist: Frank Gohlke is a problem in this position, but 13 were! Before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries and death the supercell spawned one that killed people! Is a leading figure in American landscape photography those vehicles off those,... Loud roar was quite close at this stage recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado just... Track across the area few fatalities occurred in Faith Village caught in automobiles and trucks made up high! Valley on April 10, 1979, a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones seen! Although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded ( sensed by several radars ) has developed... Damaging tornadoes of the thunderstorm not a smart move Weather scene throughout 1979 Warnings and Products.

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