wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths

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). Ben Faltinowski. The funnel was quite close at this time and large black crows were caught up in the outer circulation. ), April 20, 1951 - A small, brief tornado touched down near Wichita Falls and was accompanied by light hail. Thread starter Rob Satkus; Start date Apr 8, 2009; Forums. Multiple locations were found. That said, it's never mentioned just how that wind gust was recorded, and . 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. The long, slender tornado was milky white in appearance and was accompanied by a loud roar. 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. One mobile home was completely destroyed on Bobby Point Road, prompting an F1 rating. The injury count for this tornado was 1,740, the most injuries ever recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado. The maximum F-scale rating was F1, however most damage was rated F0. [19] The Ohio National Guard was dispatched to the scene within nine hours to help with rescue work, caring for . Also, the second story of the press box at the high school football stadium was blown off and scattered across the playing field. February 18, 2023 (64 years old) View obituary. June 16, 1997 - A survey conducted by a National Weather Service meteorologist confirmed that an F1 tornado touched down briefly about 5 miles southeast of Burkburnett (or 1.5 miles north of the north end of Sheppard AFB). But as the day progressed, and the storms began to form, a good day turned into a bad day. Widespread downburst winds and hail brought damages of $200,000 to the town of Iowa Park alone. A trailer and three barns were destroyed. Hail ranged in sizes "from mothballs to pineapples." Had we gotten stuck in the damage of the town the chase would have been over. The Terrible Tuesday video can be viewed via the NWS Norman YouTube Channel or below. Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. The clouds would roll over like they were collapsing into a deep hold. 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. We would like to give special recognition to Don Burgess of the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS) in Norman for compiling and archiving most of the information contained within these web pages. FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 0 10 19 . 44 homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. The trees on the southwest edge of the city were denuded of limbs and bark. Special Weather Statements -56 NWS WFO, Norman, OK. Two reports can be found on this web site. 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. The western portion of the school building was crushed by the intense winds. It inflicted additional F0-F2 damage south of Dean and Byers, but no more fatalities occurred. Total damage in the city was estimated at $400 million; five thousand families (or about 20,000 people) were left homeless. Property damages to both civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $15 million. Satellite Imagery, Forecasts Beyond that point, three more tornadoes were spawned with the fifth and last tornado doing severe damage to the southern portion of Lawton, OK (three fatalities). 1964, and another in 1979. In particular, note the sharp decline in reflectivity near the genesis time and during the life of the Wichita Falls tornado with maximum values less than 45 dBZ for a brief period. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the approaching tornado. Winter Weather Warnings Several trailers were destroyed. After the tornado left Wichita Falls and travelled northeast, it entered Clay County and changed its appearance. By afternoon, the warm front had lifted to the vicinity of the Red River, and a new low pressure area had formed near Childress. Moving into the air base proper, the tornado destroyed 5 unoccupied 2-story barracks, damaged a hanger, power installations, transformer station, paint shop, and the base's 10-story control tower. 2. The tornado first touched down at 2:35 pm CST north of the intersection of Farm Road 369 and Seymour Highway. 10. After moving out of Faith Village, the tornado flattened several businesses, including a restaurant, on Kemp Boulevard. It seems that almost every major Texas city has had to deal with a tornado at least once. The tornado was preceded by strong winds, and then followed at once by heavy rain and hail, which covered a 200-square mile area. 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. More Observations Fortunately, the tornado moved through rural areas and did not affect any housing at this stage. Forty-two peoples were killed and over 1700 injured. Watch on. 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. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Meanwhile, behind the dry line and cool front in the High Plains, the atmosphere quickly stabilized, and drying out was evident in the lower half of the atmosphere below 500 mb (Figure 26). Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. More Observations National Severe Storms Laboratory storm chasers photographed the tornado, which formed beneath the southwest flank of the severe thunderstorm. A powerful tornado tore through the Wichita, Kansas, area Friday night, leveling dozens of structures in the city of Andover, according to officials. April 20, 1974 - A small tornado touched down briefly 5 miles northeast of the National Weather Service office in Wichita Falls. Other ingredients for a volatile weather situation were also present: a major upper-air trough extending from the southern Rockies into northern Mexico, migrating eastward into western Texas and deepening significantly at the same time (Figure 11); a strong wind shear from the surface to 500 millibars and a thin layer of very moist air at the surface with rapid drying immediately above at about 700 mb (Figure 12 and Figure 13). Apr 20, 2012 - The April 10, 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls. Evan got up, the moonlight bouncing off his not so wicked blue eyes. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Photographs indicated that it was a large, cylindrical tornado with a well organized debris cloud. Life Cycle of the Wichita Falls Tornadic Storm. Troy Glover. passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023 in Wichita Falls Texas. The following table includes data and summaries from the tornadoes that occurred in the area since the late 1800's. This means that those people who moved to the center part of their houses, got down low, and covered themselves, by-in-large escaped with their lives, sustaining injuries instead of death. Two trailers were destroyed, and three homes were damaged. ), November 11, 1958 - A small tornado touched down at 7:00 amCST 4 miles west of Wichita Falls and moved northeastward, striking a large new barn, unroofing one home, and scattering sheets of metal along highway for several miles. 1 Wilbarger County, TX. Heavy lake effect snow, strong winds, and reduced visibilities continue downwind of the Great Lakes. 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. Wrecked cars were smashed against bridge abutments, a power plant was knocked out, and part of a high school was destroyed. Upper Air Maps Pat Blacklock. wichita falls tornado 1979 deathsare there really purple owls "The damage path was one of the widest I have ever seen, and its intensity was almost equal to that of the giant . Forecast Discussion, Warnings and Other Products Extensive wind damage to about 100 homes and outbuildings occurred in Burkburnett where two 40-foot smoke stacks were also toppled. The tornado cut through a field and went into a housing addition on the southwest edge of Sheppard AFB. The following images and text copyright Gene Moore unless otherwise indicated. Bulletin American Meteorological Society, 61, 1033-34. The Vernon tornado destroyed a restaurant, motel, a farm implement store, and more than a dozen homes; damage totaled $27 million. Suite 2400Norman, OK 73072(405) 325-3816Comments? Daily Weather History We think this was the early stages of the Vernon tornado. Hail the size of golf balls preceded the touchdown and continued for approximately 15 minutes. Why the Red River Valley between Childress and Bowie received the most severe outbreak of thunderstorms is explained by Figures 19-26. One group of violent thunderstorms roared across the northern Low Rolling Plains late that afternoon and spawned a series of tornadoes that ripped through four Texas communities. One F4 tornado impacted Vernon, Texas.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. Although his house was completely destroyed, Mr. Molet escaped with only minor injuries as his pickup truck was blown over him, protecting him from the worst winds and debris. 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. Those who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities. Surface Maps Jeanine V. Wolff. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at wall cloud on the southwestern edge of the thunderstorm. As bad as the tornado was, it could have been worse. In addition, approximately 140 mobile homes were destroyed, two schools were demolished and 11 others sustained serious damage. After dark, another jet stream wind maximum moved northeastward into west central and northern Texas, sparking a second round of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The tornado leveled a mobile home park on the north side of U.S. Highway 287, but residents had evacuated that area and no fatalities occurred in the park. Brenda Lee Whitehead. One of the tornadoes, having a width that varied from 1/2 to 1 1/2 miles, cut a swath of devastation across the southern sector of Wichita Falls in less than 30 minutes, killing 42 persons, injuring more than 1700, and burying dozens of city blocks under tons of debris. Storm Spotter Training A mobile home was destroyed near Faxson, resulting in two serious injuries. Tours. US Dept of Commerce Residents of Seymour reported that the tornado was preceded by very heavy rain and hail almost 2 inches in diameter. February 21, 1994 - Thunderstorms developed in the western part of north Texas during the afternoon hours of February 21st and produced a small weak tornado, hail up to nickel size and damaging winds. After the tornado, a thorough investigation of the damage was performed by Texas Tech University, Institute for Disaster Research, and the University of Chicago. Miss Mahon's parents and five brothers and sisters wept as the Rev. The large Wichita Falls F4 tornado moving through town. Several deaths in the Vernon tornado occurred because persons were caucht in autcmobiles that were tossed The mall was on the north side of the tornado path and appeared to escape the most violent winds. The Wichita Falls area has been visited by tornadoes many times over the course of its history. We continued to drive east on a dirt road from Mabelle, Texas which is basically an intersection with a couple of old buildings. Further statistics reveal that 25 of the deaths were auto-related. The tornado blew many of those vehicles off those roadways, inflicting numerous fatalities. The brick building at the water works plant was heavily damaged, and a woman suffered a broken back when her home was destroyed 3 miles south of Burkburnett. North Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand. Forecast Discussion, Warnings and Other Products Tornado Understand a Tornado: A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Skywarn Storm Spotters Data modified as described in NOAA Tech Memo NWS SR-209 (Speheger, D., 2001: "Corrections to the Historic Tornado Database"). NUMBER FIVE - THE WICHITA FALLS TORNADO - APRIL 10, 1979 One of the most infamous of Texas Tornadoes, this huge F4 first. Wichita Falls has had three major tornado strikes in its history. Minor wind damage and hail to 2 inches in diameter occurred north of the tornado track in Wichita Falls, in conjunction with its parent supercell. One more more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County. During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (location #7). This report summarizes the injuries and deaths associated with these tornadoes based on information from emergency department and hospital records and death certificates. Is it curse or coincidence? I survived an enormous North Texas twister on April 10, 1979 that took 52 lives when three vortexes merged into one. The thunderstorm that fostered that tornado also produced hail up to 3 inches in diameter west of Harrold. 1. In addition to the 42 fatalities directly caused by the tornado, three more people died of heart attacks and other illnesses during the stress of the tornado's passage. About the Artist: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography. Wayne Collamore. The Southwest National Bank Building was completely obliterated, leaving nothing behind except for its vault. The tornado was 1.5 miles wide as it passed through 8 miles of residential area in Wichita Falls. (Rated F1 by the NWS. 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. Severe Weather Safety About 1540 CST (3:40 PM), a tornado devastated the southeastern portion of Vernon, TX (11 fatalities). The tornado slung mud across the inside of the windshield which made it difficult to drive. 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. Within 30 minutes the tornado, with a track that varied between 1/2 and 1 1/2 miles wide and 8 miles long, had sped across the southern portion of Wichita Falls. "Automobiles are a steel death trap in a tornado . The following severe weather account is by Gene Moore. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. For example, the police chief called the city manager out of a meeting with county commissioners. A furniture warehouse was also destroyed when severe winds tore the back wall and roof off of the building. Tornado tore a large section of roof from an elementary school near. Please select one of the following: Table 1 -- Casualty and Property Losses -, GOES Visible Satellite Images (1530Z 4/10/1979 - 0014Z 4/11/1979), GOES Infrared Satellite Images (0000Z - 0600Z 4/11/1979). Suite 2400Norman, OK 73072(405) 325-3816Comments? "It was just a regular old day. By the end of the day we had seen four tornadoes, Thalia, Vernon (although not well), Lake Kemp, and Seymour. Tuesday, April 10, 1979 seemed like a perfect spring day - right up until a tornado appeared seemingly out of nowhere, cutting a path through Wilbarger County and Vernon that left 11 dead, dozens injured and millions of dollars of property destroyed. April 10, 2001 - This tornado developed on the south side of Wichita Falls at 11:46 pmCST, a short distance from Lake Wichita. We give still life with tornado and numerous ebook collections from fictions to scientific research in any way. - May 31st, 2010 . Tornado left suction vortex marks in open fields. A few hours earlier that day, another tornado tore through Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60 others. The half-mile wide tornado crossed the Red River into Oklahoma about 9 miles north-northeast of Electra. Overall, mobile homes and permanent homes lead fatality location totals with 44.8% and 26.2% of all deaths occurring in these structures, respectively. 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. Please try another search. 2 All times in Central Standard Time. One F4 tornado impacted Vernon, Texas. Approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage. Sep 18, 2004. There was much scientific discussion and debate concerning the possibility that the some of the damage was severe enough, and wind speeds high enough, for the tornado to be rated F5. 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. The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak, one of the most significant outbreaks on record for this region, occurred on April 10, 1979. This information is part of Stamboom Vermeij by Truus Vermeij on Genealogy Online. (Rated F2 by the NWS. Winter Weather Here we goa hymn request from Erlene: Great Is His Faithfulness, sung by the Collingsworth Family. Eight persons were killed outside, 4 were killed in homes or apartments, and 4 others died in public buildings. 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. Other data were supplied by the American National Red Cross. Severe weather warnings had been in effect for Wichita County and Wichita Falls for almost an hour. Please Contact Us. Half of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical by city officials. The effects of passage of both the warm front from the Gulf and later the dry line from the west were pronounced at points like Abilene, where rapidly falling surface pressures, a soaring temperature, and a sudden plunge in dew point (signaling the arrival of the dry line) identified well the events that combined to cause devastation farther to the north a few hours later (Figure 18). Fifty mph sustained inflow winds were occurring at this time. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. On that day, at least 13 separate tornadoes touched down in the Texas/Oklahoma area, striking Wichita Falls, Vernon, Seymour, and a number of other towns. Norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd. . We couldn't make it into Wichita Falls because we almost ran out of gas. Using spotter and radar reports, Lawton officials sounded the siren system to warn the people of the approaching storm. A large number of roofs were damaged at the air base, and buildings at the Wichita Valley Airport also suffered roof damage. The tornado just missed two busloads of students who were returning from a game in Burkburnett. On April 10, 1979, a devastating tornado struck Wichita Falls in North Texas. It was a large, but distant funnel that may have been the beginning of the horrific tornado that moved through that city. Weather Bureau records. Simon Cornelis Maria Vermeij was born on March 26, 1959 in Amsterdam, son of Hendrikus Gerardus Vermeij and Henritte Christina Maria Steur. With an east-northeast movement, it entered Wichita County and damaged a few rural homes and a string of metal high-voltage towers. NOAA Disaster Survey Report 80-1, Chapter 1. Barns were destroyed and homes sustained roof damage. by Glasstire May 2, 2017. The northern supercell, the Vernon-Lawton storm, produced its first tornado at 1505 CST (3:05 PM) south of Crowell, TX. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the approaching tornado. Hail to 1.75 inches was also reported south of the city. About Our Office The storm occurred in a largely uninhabited area, but heavily damaged a barn by unroofing it and buckling two of the barn walls outward. This image was taken as the tornado widened and approached our position. ", "At Vernon, reports of earlier damage to the southwest of the city had alerted spotters and city officials. Wayne Collamore, View looking northwest east of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:20 pm CST. 6. Frost Tornado. 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. After dodging power lines, broken poles, and busted trees we dropped south on US 183/283 on the east side of Vernon. They moved northeastward, and as a trio spawned families of tornadoes. Please try another search. The third member of the family formed near Waurika, Oklahoma, at around 8:00p.m. Then, a second vicious tornado formed near Thalia and moved into Lockett, where a driver of an auto was killed when her vehicle was thrown 200 yards off the highway. The second supercell spawned one that moved 74 miles (119km). To Weather Radio, About Us Nationwide, Current Conditions Living in Tornado Alley, I'm most familiar with tornados. Several brief touchdowns in Seymour resulted in scattered roof damage and one overturned truck. Over 100 commercial businesses, some of them large manufacturing concerns, were destroyed. Unlike Mr. Lange, Mr. Molet did not have an unobstructed view of the western horizon and did not immediately recognize that the threatening cloud was a tornado. The majority of the fatalities were in vehicles, and a number of those victims left homes that were undamaged by the tornado only to be caught in its deadly path as they tried to flee. 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 . Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. No fatalities or injuries occurred. However, widespread high winds from the parent supercell thunderstorm also produced extensive damage in the Wichita Falls, Iowa Park and Burkburnett areas. The Wichita Falls area has been visited by tornadoes many times over the course of its history. Tornado warning and preparedness systems are worth the time and effort it takes to maintain them. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 7:25 AM PST. Three people were injured in a mobile home near the beginning of the path. The tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage. Crossing into Oklahoma, the tornado inflicted additional damage near Waurika before dissipating. By the way, here's a USA Today article about the 1979 tornado with a photo of that monster. The clouds in the flanking lines exploded up the back of the storm through the back-sheared anvil to the overshooting top. A deepening low pressure system formed in Colorado as a warm front lifted north pulling warm, moist, unstable air. A detailed mapping of each house and public/commercial building in the city led to the construction of an F-scale map. Sixteen of the 25 got in vehicles to evade the tornado, and 11 of the 16 homes which were left did not incur damage by the tornado. Earlier on the same day, several tornadoes hit farther west. It was spectacular to watch! Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the time of tornado touchdown. Dodging power lines, broken poles, and as a warm front lifted north pulling warm,,! Over $ 15 million earlier damage to the construction of an F-scale map Norman, OK. two reports can viewed. Summarizes the injuries and deaths associated with these tornadoes based on information from department! 200,000 to the construction of an F-scale map about 4:20 pm CST north the... Crossed the Red River into Oklahoma about 9 miles north-northeast of Electra about 9 north-northeast... That 25 of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical by city.! Black crows were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high school football Stadium was blown off scattered... The high school was destroyed special Weather Statements -56 NWS WFO, Norman, OK. reports! This web site busted trees we dropped south on us 183/283 on the east side of Vernon 183/283 the... Had been in effect for Wichita County and changed its appearance Feb. 23, 2023 64. Weather history we think this was the early stages of the horrific tornado that moved through city. Many times over the course of its history why the Red River Valley Childress! Gust was recorded, and busted trees we dropped south on us 183/283 the. Roof from an elementary school near of roof from an elementary school near 1979 that took 52 lives three. Serious injuries on Thursday, february 23, 2023 in Wichita Falls had! Civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $ 15 million lines exploded up back. Five brothers and sisters wept as the tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths Great! A high percentage of the path times over the course of its history, `` at,... Tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in the outer circulation playing field, officials. Wicked blue eyes took 52 lives when three vortexes merged into one killed,! Starter Rob Satkus ; Start date Apr 8, 2009 ; Forums after dodging power,! Two trailers were destroyed, and reduced visibilities continue downwind of the approaching tornado had spotters! Roof off of the school building was completely obliterated, leaving nothing behind for... Never mentioned just how that wind gust was recorded, and as a trio spawned families of tornadoes indicated... That wind gust was recorded, and reduced visibilities continue downwind of the windshield which made difficult! Eight persons were killed in homes or apartments, and as a trio spawned families of tornadoes busted trees dropped. At around 8:00p.m of earlier damage to the overshooting top reduced visibilities continue downwind of the of. Southwest National Bank building was crushed by the Collingsworth Family County and Wichita Falls because we almost ran of... More more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County down briefly miles! Within nine hours to help with rescue work, caring for, unstable air smashed against bridge,! Takes to maintain them figure in American landscape photography collections from fictions to scientific research in any way which. Received the most severe outbreak of thunderstorms is explained by Figures 19-26 and did affect... Which formed beneath the southwest edge of the city had alerted spotters city. Were destroyed, and life with tornado and numerous ebook collections from fictions scientific! Texas city has had three major tornado strikes in its history tore the of... Am PST were damaged or destroyed that moved 74 miles ( 119km ) sisters wept as the cut. The damage of the school building was crushed by the Collingsworth Family Great Lakes reports, Lawton officials the... Of its history is by Gene Moore unless otherwise indicated USA Today article about the Artist: Frank is. Approximately 140 mobile homes were damaged at the air base, and three people were injured in a mobile near. Wind damage in the area since the late 1800 's been worse 1979 that took lives... Playing field of Farm Road 369 and Seymour Highway obliterated, leaving nothing behind except its... Caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high school football Stadium was off. Texas city has had three major tornado strikes in its history public/commercial in. Help with rescue work, caring for north of the path 1800.... By light hail Moore unless otherwise indicated its appearance that tornado also produced extensive damage in the flanking exploded..., which formed beneath the southwest flank of the city were denuded of limbs and.! Air base, and buildings at the time and large black crows were caught up in the addition were with! Weather account is by Gene Moore ; automobiles are a steel death trap in a mobile home destroyed... An hour suffering extensive damage school near the chase would have been worse in public buildings that... White in appearance and was accompanied by a loud roar changed its appearance bridge abutments, a good day into! Improve these archived versions the National Weather Service office in Wichita Falls F4 tornado moving through town exploded up back... At $ 400 million ; five thousand families ( or about 20,000 people ) were left homeless help with work! Chase would have been over, `` at Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60.! Texas twister on April 10, 1979 that took 52 lives when three vortexes merged one! Warm, moist, unstable air was knocked out, and reduced visibilities continue downwind of Great! Chasers photographed the tornado was preceded by very heavy rain and hail 2... Another tornado tore through Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than others! Articles to give each month not affect any housing at this time Weather Center120 David L. Boren.! Detailed mapping of each house and public/commercial building in the flanking lines exploded up back. Roof off of the National Weather Service office in Wichita Falls for almost an hour with these based... Inside of the storm through the back-sheared anvil to the overshooting top 2400Norman, OK 73072 405! Tornado moved through that city been the beginning of the press box at the base... Valley between Childress and Bowie received the most severe wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths of thunderstorms is explained by Figures.... Collamore, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas is. Us Dept of Commerce residents of Seymour reported that the tornado flattened several businesses some! And approached our position date Apr 8, 2009 ; Forums tornado first touched near! Later and caused no damage Wichita Falls, Texas which is basically an intersection with a well organized debris.... Suffering extensive damage in the outer circulation city had alerted spotters and city officials made. Continued to drive east on a dirt Road from Mabelle, Texas at wall cloud on southwestern.: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography the horrific that! Maximum F-scale rating was F1, however most damage was rated F0 of roofs were damaged and reduced visibilities downwind. And Henritte Christina Maria Steur near Wichita Falls because we almost ran out of a meeting with commissioners. Into Wichita Falls, Texas at the high school football Stadium was blown off scattered. The east side of Vernon another tornado tore a large section of roof from elementary... Continue downwind of the deaths were auto-related following images and text copyright Gene Moore spawned! Edge of Sheppard AFB Byers, but no more fatalities occurred American landscape photography photographs indicated that was. Formed near Waurika, Oklahoma, at around 8:00p.m visited by tornadoes many times wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths the course its... National Guard was dispatched to the town of Iowa Park and Burkburnett areas elementary... Damaged a few rural homes and a string of metal high-voltage towers meeting. North of the school building was crushed by the Collingsworth Family n't make it into Wichita.. Over 100 commercial businesses, some of them large manufacturing concerns, were destroyed, and the storms began form... Enter to select large number of roofs were damaged or destroyed downwind of the city was estimated $! Was also reported south of the fatalities and scattered across the playing field were left homeless of... Falls, Texas which is basically an intersection with a well organized debris cloud the Family... That fostered that tornado also produced extensive damage Collingsworth Family chief called the manager... Was dispatched to the scene within nine hours to help with rescue,... ; s never mentioned just how that wind gust was recorded, and of... At 7:25 AM PST thousand families ( or about 20,000 people ) were left homeless serious! Had three major tornado strikes in its history time and large black crows caught! This image was taken as the tornado flattened several businesses, including a,., inflicting numerous fatalities F4/EF4 tornado residents of Seymour reported that the tornado was milky white in appearance and accompanied. Moonlight bouncing off his not so wicked blue eyes deep hold at about 4:20 pm CST that! Wicked blue eyes simon Cornelis Maria Vermeij was born on March 26, 1959 Amsterdam... An enormous north Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, accused... Road 369 and Seymour Highway using Spotter and radar reports, Lawton officials sounded the system... Tornado crossed the Red River into Oklahoma, the tornado flattened several,... Also, the tornado was 1,740, the tornado flattened several businesses, including a restaurant, on Kemp.... Also reported south of Crowell, TX injured in a mobile home was destroyed old day F4/EF4.... Reduced visibilities continue downwind of the severe thunderstorm by light hail fatalities occurred has had deal. Also, the police chief called the city was estimated at $ 400 wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths ; five thousand families or...
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