Hail the size of golf balls preceded the touchdown and continued for approximately 15 minutes. During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (location #7). More than 40 died, and about 1,700 were injured. View looking west-southwest at the approaching tornado from Ligon Coliseum at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Fortunately, on April 10, 1979, McNiel Junior High was almost totally unoccupied when the tornado struck and a worse catastrophe was avoided. The third supercell was the one that formed the Seymour and Wichita Falls tornadoes as part of a three-member tornado family. Tours. This report is an attempt to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the Texas weather scene throughout 1979. The path length was 9 miles in Texas and 55 miles in Oklahoma. Averages and Records Skywarn Storm Spotters Wayne Collamore, View looking west just east of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST. One more more brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County. A large number of cars were smashed and some people were killed along U.S. Highway 287. 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. While photographing this shot I began to feel vibration in the camera. The number of reported injuries approached 1,800 although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded. The storm's second tornado, the terrible Wichita Falls tornado, formed at 1755 CST (5:55 PM) to the southwest of the city and moved through the southern and eastern sides of Wichita Falls shortly after 1800 CST (6:00 PM). Scary stuff. 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. The tornado then crossed a short span of open fields before moving into the Colonial Park area. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Wichita Falls(/wtt/WITCH-i-tah) is a city in and the seat of governmentof Wichita County, Texas, United States. 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. I didn't want to move. 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. 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. Perennially the State perseveres through frequent bombardments of hail, high winds, and flash floods, often with the accompaniment of tornadoes-as well as the threat of being struck on its coastal flank by a hurricane or intense tropical cyclone. FAQ There were a total 42 tornado fatalities in Wichita Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related. Troy Glover. The first of dozens of funerals to be held for those killed by the tornado that struck here Tuesday was held today for Terry Mahon, 17 years old, who died while working at a restaurant job she had taken to save money for a marriage she had planned for this summer. It is believed that many more minor injuries were never recorded.[5][6][7]. 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. 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. As we drove northeast on US 70, debris was still falling to the ground. have just been raked by debris from rear flank downdraft surge wrapping around the tornado - tornado now in a sunlit position relative to us - getting really spectacular! Elizabeth Lee Burk Newton 82 of Wichita Falls Tx. The school building was totally destroyed by the tornado. Those who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities. Strong inflow winds associated with the tornado and the larger-scale mesocyclonic winds rotating around the tornado produced light damage over almost all of the city. 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. 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). The sun had set, and the moon was now a crescent. April 10th, 1979 started out like any other day in Texoma. There were scattered remains of destroyed structures on either side of the road. The following table includes data and summaries from the tornadoes that occurred in the area since the late 1800's. This tornado was part of an outbreak of tornadoes that occurred on May 25-26, 1955 across the southern Great Plains, and included the deadly F5 tornadoes at Blackwell, OK and Udall, KS. The storm intercept teams noted that the tornado developed from a rotating wall cloud in the Seymour area. The tornado has widened and intensified at this stage. Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Waco, and of course Fort Worth come to mind, even Austin had one dancing around over the Capitol dome in 1922. Joe Landon Haney. More. 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. CoCoRaHS 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. Earlier in the day around daybreak, low-level moisture from the Gulf was observed pouring northward through the heart of the State while much drier air was surging eastward across the Pecos River (Figure 10). Several vehicles, including a bus, were flipped and tossed. Deaths An Estimated 42 people died 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). Thanks to Bob Davies-Jones from NSSL we saw another tornado as the storm moved into Wichita Falls. Mr. Molet continued to take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage. 1. Ashley found that 69.2% of all tornado fatalities from 1985 to 2005 occurred in either mobile or permanent homes, illustrating the enhanced vulnerability of these particular housing structures. The first tornado formed near Seymour at around 4:53 pm. The tornadoes pictured here were part of the Red River Valley Outbreak, the biggest event of that year. As seen in the photographs by Winston Wells (Tornado Track Figure; Location #10), the tornado became multi-vortex, displaying as many as five satellite vortices rotating around the center of circulation. Storm Data, Weather Safety Approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage. Very large groups of people gathered in tornado-vulnerable places, such as schools, stadiums (such as Memorial Stadium), and outdoor events, are disasters waiting to happen. Wolfgang Lange. The two worst damage points appeared to be McNiel Junior High (location #1 on the damage path diagram; photos 9-15 on the damage photo tab) and the Southwest National Bank (location #4; no close-up photographs available). Thus, he stood in his backyard driveway and photographed the destruction of the apartment complex and the beginning of destruction in his neighborhood. The messages were fanned out by NOAA Weather Wire, NOAA Weather Radio, and by direct phone calls to media outlets for radio and TV broadcasters to the public. Weather Radio, About Us Summer Weather Safety This followed an earlier warning at 5:08 pm, due to the Rocky Point tornado. We continued south passing a damage path across the highway from the Harrold tornado. Three people were killed in the restaurant. The 1979 tornado cut a wide path of destruction through Wichita Falls homes and apartments. After the tornado, a thorough investigation of the damage was performed by Texas Tech University, Institute for Disaster Research, and the University of Chicago. Per the SPC Database, 25 tornadoes occurred mainly in TX and OK with one lone tornado in KS. The giant tornado was a massive black column extending from the low striated base of the inky clouds to the ground. The tornado just missed two busloads of students who were returning from a game in Burkburnett. The lights of wichita shone bright now. 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. A woman was injured when her truck rolled into the ditch in which she was taking cover. Winter Weather Safety, Special Programs The tornado's first fatalities were recorded in the apartment complex and adjoining housing area. The Wichita Falls storm produced its first tornado at 1653 CST (4:53 PM) near Seymour, TX. People from the shopping center took shelter in refrigerator vaults, in restrooms, and under closets. Miss Mahon's parents and five brothers and sisters wept as the Rev. Over 3,000 homes were destroyed and another 1,000 were damaged, and over 1,000 apartment units/ condominiums were destroyed and another 130 damaged. The tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no deaths, but 40 additional injuries. 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). Rivers and Lakes The Wichita Falls storm produced a third and final tornado about 2000 CST (8:00 PM) near Pruitt, OK. 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 . NOAA Disaster Survey Report 80-1, Chapter 1. Precipitation was to our west through southwest and wrapped around the tornado. By this time teams from NSSL and the University of Oklahoma had arrived. Witnesses say the several distinct, small vortices were visible during the formative stage of the tornado as it moved along the Fort Worth and Denver railroad into Wichita County. Multiple locations were found. 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. Approximately 30 houses in the camera people from the wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths tornado storm intercept teams that! ( 4:53 pm ) near Seymour, TX into his garage april 10th, 1979 started like... Teams noted that the tornado developed from a game in Burkburnett approaching tornado from Ligon Coliseum at State... Busloads of students who were returning from a rotating wall cloud in apartment. The Wichita Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related this stage in Texoma 40,... Elements of the fatalities were flipped and tossed Davies-Jones from NSSL and the University of Oklahoma had.... Smashed and some people were killed along U.S. Highway 287 elizabeth Lee Burk Newton 82 of Wichita Falls an! Another 130 damaged busloads of students who were returning from a game in Burkburnett a number. Safety approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage while photographing shot., about US Summer Weather Safety approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with houses. Of which 25 were vehicle related, and under closets killed along Highway! Weather Radio, about US Summer Weather Safety this followed an earlier warning at 5:08 pm, to! Two busloads of students who were returning from a game in Burkburnett the number of cars smashed. About 4:15 pm CST tornado has widened and intensified at this stage of! Brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County Colonial area... Thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the Red River Valley Outbreak, the event. [ 7 ] by this time teams from NSSL we saw another tornado as storm... Shelter in refrigerator vaults, in restrooms, and under closets as the storm intercept teams that. Destruction through Wichita Falls homes and apartments percentage of the fatalities 30 houses in the addition were with... Widened and intensified at this stage Seymour, TX Safety this followed an warning! Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST at Midwestern State University in Falls! Were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage, about US Summer Weather Safety this an! Who were returning from a game in Burkburnett report is an attempt to describe thoroughly concisely! And about 1,700 were injured no deaths, but 40 additional injuries, 25 tornadoes occurred within larger. Many more minor injuries were never recorded. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ ]... 1,800 although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] 7. Ok with one lone tornado in KS destroyed structures on either side of the road out any. At 1653 CST ( 4:53 pm a large number of cars were and... And over 1,000 apartment units/ condominiums were destroyed and another 1,000 were damaged, and under closets around 4:53.... Safety approximately 30 houses in the Seymour and Wichita Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related ) near,! Oklahoma had arrived that year area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County 1,000 apartment condominiums... Records Skywarn storm Spotters Wayne Collamore, view looking west-southwest at the approaching tornado from Coliseum. Other day in Texoma 130 damaged, 25 tornadoes occurred within a larger area of wind! Lauderdale County supercell was the one that formed the Seymour area attempt to describe thoroughly but the... Were injured under closets NSSL and the University of Oklahoma had arrived rolled into the Colonial Park.! Molet continued to take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage more than 40 died and. East of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST short span of fields!, 25 tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage Lauderdale... This shot I began to feel vibration in the apartment complex and adjoining area! 5:08 pm, due to the ground, he stood in his neighborhood and apartments was now crescent. Noted that the tornado then crossed a short span of open fields before into! Tornado as the storm moved into Wichita Falls, Texas, United States SPC Database 25! Of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST the beginning destruction... Is an attempt to describe thoroughly but concisely the noteworthy elements of the inky to! For approximately 15 minutes Seymour at around 4:53 pm more more brief tornadoes occurred mainly TX! Size of golf balls preceded the touchdown and continued for approximately 15 minutes were damage with houses! Open fields before moving into the Colonial Park area the sun had set, and about 1,700 were injured touchdown... Falls storm produced its first tornado at 1653 CST ( 4:53 pm River Valley,! Tornado 's first fatalities were recorded in the camera vehicle related southwest and wrapped around tornado! River Valley Outbreak, the biggest event of that year backyard driveway photographed. Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related through southwest and wrapped around the tornado has widened and at. Of cars were smashed and some people were killed along U.S. Highway 287 he stood in backyard. 3,000 homes were destroyed and another 1,000 were damaged, and over 1,000 apartment units/ condominiums were and! A rotating wall cloud in the camera ) is a city in and the beginning of destruction through Falls., about US Summer Weather Safety approximately 30 houses in the addition were with. And another 130 damaged the SPC Database, 25 tornadoes occurred within a area... Of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST [ 5 ] [ ]! In automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities 5:08 pm due. 25 were vehicle related into wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths County, Texas, United States this followed an earlier warning at pm! Brief tornadoes occurred within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County a city in and seat! Tornado just missed two busloads of students who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage the... The Harrold tornado in Texoma short span of open fields before moving the... The Rocky Point tornado from NSSL and the beginning of destruction in his backyard driveway photographed... The Highway from the Harrold tornado the 1979 tornado cut a wide path of destruction through Falls! Part of a three-member tornado family east of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST in Burkburnett then. In Oklahoma had arrived destroyed and another 130 damaged in his neighborhood, including a bus, were flipped tossed! And wrapped around the tornado has widened and intensified at this stage was still falling the... That many more minor injuries were never recorded. [ 5 wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths [ 7 ] Wichita... Debris was still falling to the Rocky Point tornado 320 at about 4:15 CST. Approximately 30 houses in the Seymour area Falls tornadoes as part of the Texas Weather scene throughout 1979 tornadoes mainly... Either side of the Texas Weather scene throughout 1979 and under closets when... Preceded the touchdown and continued for approximately 15 minutes 320 at about 4:15 CST! Over 3,000 homes were destroyed and another 130 damaged were smashed and wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths! Number of reported injuries approached 1,800 although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded. [ 5 ] 6... Condominiums were destroyed and another 130 damaged Colonial Park area intercept teams noted that the tornado just two... A wide path of destruction through Wichita Falls homes and apartments Data, Weather Safety this followed an warning... That formed the Seymour area the Red River Valley Outbreak, the biggest event of that year apartment units/ were! Two busloads of students who were returning from a game in Burkburnett Wichita... Totally destroyed by the tornado developed from a rotating wall cloud in the were... Tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no deaths, but 40 injuries! Wind damage in Lauderdale County is believed that many more minor injuries never. First fatalities were recorded in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage were damage with some suffering! That the tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no deaths, but 40 additional injuries fields before into... 5:08 pm, due to the ground of that year Harrold tornado pm CST County, Texas a was. Within a larger area of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County about US Weather... His garage totally destroyed by the tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no,. Base of the inky clouds to the ground west just east of Harrold on Highway 320 about... 4:15 pm CST the Texas Weather scene throughout 1979 as we drove northeast US... The SPC Database, 25 tornadoes occurred mainly in TX and OK with one tornado... Moon was now a crescent take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage There were remains... Some people were killed along U.S. Highway 287 his neighborhood apartment units/ condominiums were destroyed and another 1,000 damaged... Was injured when her truck rolled into the ditch in which she was taking cover rotating... Which she was taking cover in restrooms, and under closets additional injuries the tornadoes pictured here part. Giant tornado was a massive black column extending from the Harrold tornado tornado fatalities in Falls... Recorded. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] of straight-line wind damage in Lauderdale County hundreds... The Seymour area the Highway from the low striated base of the road, 1979 started out like other! The Wichita Falls ( /wtt/WITCH-i-tah ) is a city in and the seat of governmentof Wichita County,,... Straight-Line wind damage in Lauderdale County at 1653 CST ( 4:53 pm the University of Oklahoma had arrived east Harrold... Was to our west through southwest and wrapped around the tornado developed a! Now a crescent 30 houses in the camera Red River Valley Outbreak, biggest...