wichita falls tornado 1979 deathswichita falls tornado 1979 deaths

Other homes, barns, and outbuildings were 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). Well-built modern houses, in general, offer fairly good protection from tornadoes. Deaths were near normal . 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. At the Iowa Park Fairgrounds, wind damage covered a 4-block area. The twister moved east-northeastward across the northern part of the city, and continued into Clay County before lifting at 6:10 pm CST near the town of Dean. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. In this stage, the tornado did extensive damage just south of Dean and near Byars, destroying a large number of rural homes, but causing no more fatalities, The suffering and destruction caused by the Wichita Falls tornado is nearly inconceivable. 3 Comanche County, OK. 17:05 F3. 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). Multiple locations were found. [19] Severe Thunderstorm Warnings 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. Wichita Falls Buries the First of 44 Tornado Victims, https://www.nytimes.com/1979/04/14/archives/wichita-falls-buries-the-first-of-44-tornado-victims.html. Beyond the shopping mall, the tornado crossed a greenbelt area, skirted Midwestern University on its south side, and severely damaged several more housing additions (Colonial Park, Hursh, Southmoor, Southwinds, and Southern Hills). Approximately 30 houses in the addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage. Tornado F-scale ratings prior to 1950, as well as most tornado data are referenced from Significant Tornadoes, 1680-1991 by T. P. Grazulis. Overall, the outbreak killed 58 people and injured 1,927 others. For the most part, however, rainfall amounts were modest, with only a few points collecting more than 1 inch (Figure 27). ), June 6, 1936 - This tornado moved south into the northeastern edge of Wichita Falls, and was associated with the same parent supercell thunderstorm that produced the earlier tornado near Burkburnett. The width of the F4 damage in the Wichita Falls tornado approached 0.5 miles in the area of Faith Village and Ben Milam Elementary School (location #6). Several other mobile homes in the area sustained minor damage, and homes to the east on Carriage Lane also received minor damage. 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. View looking west-northwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at wall cloud on the southwestern edge of the thunderstorm. Elizabeth Burk Newton. We give still life with tornado and numerous ebook collections from fictions to scientific research in any way. One thousand and sixty-two apartment units and condominiums were demolished and 130 damaged. Norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd. (Colonial Park, Hursh, Southmoor, Southwinds, and Southern Hills) A number of people tried to flee as the tornado moved along US 281 and 287 by driving east on Southwest Parkway. Severe, tornado-producing, thunderstorms erupted along the dry line and moved eastward along and north of the warm front, continuing into the night in central and northeast Oklahoma. Three people were killed in the restaurant. Upper Air Maps 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. Eddie was trying to tell me something; finally with some tugging, he got my attention. Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. 1970s. The tornado then moved east-northeast into the Western hills neighborhood, south of Southwest Parkway. Cool Pictures. 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. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. 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. Several homes and businesses, a mobile home park, a church, and a school were damaged. March 3, 1973 - The Wichita Falls police department reported a small tornado touching down briefly in the vicinity of Midwestern University. Half of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical by city officials. 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. The giant tornado was a massive black column extending from the low striated base of the inky clouds to the ground. As it moved north of Southwest Parkway, the tornado destroyed many homes in both the Western Hills Addition and the Faith Village Addition and severely damaged Ben Milam Elementary School. -56 NWS WFO, Norman, OK. The tornado originated from a weak thunderstorm with a radar top of only 16,000 feet. Please Contact Us. Wichita Falls, Texas, on April 10, 1979. Pat Blacklock, View looking north from south shore of Lake Wichita at the tornado approaching Wichita Falls, Texas. Historic tornado in Wichita KS McConnell AFB 1991. Barns were destroyed and homes sustained roof damage. Evan got up, the moonlight bouncing off his not so wicked blue eyes. Twenty-five of the deaths were. About $15 million of damage occurred as the tornado destroyed homes immediately south of TX State Highway 79, from Wichita Falls into the Dean and Petrolia areas. ), 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. April 10, 1979 by James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. Minor April 20, 1979 . Of the 7 people killed, six occurred in 5 different homes, and one man was killed when his truck was thrown from a road. Along the 5.6-mile-long tornado path, the area of total destruction was 100 to 200 yards wide with lesser damage occurring up to 500 yards in width. Air Quality Pat Blacklock. 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. Cool Photos. Preprints, 12th Conference Severe Local Storms, American Meteorological Society, Boston, 441-443. ), April 24, 1923 - A tornado blew apart five homes 3 miles south-southwest of Burkburnett and 6 oil derricks where also destroyed. Additional tornadoes were reported across the Southern Plains as well as in the Mississippi River Valley on April 1112. The long, slender tornado was milky white in appearance and was accompanied by a loud roar. The injury count for this tornado was 1,740, the most injuries ever recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado. 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). Three houses were destroyed and several others were damaged. We were on our own. Thread starter Rob Satkus; Start date Apr 8, 2009; Forums. 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. Six barns and two homes were destroyed. Minor damage occurred to some fences and the area. Forty-two peoples were killed and over 1700 injured. '", "When the day had ended, the tornadoes had left in their wake a tragically high toll -- 56 dead and 1916 injured. Six cross-country steel transmission towers were destroyed just east of Farm Road 2650. Maximum path length was about 3/4 mile and the width was 50 to 60 yards. One thousand and 62 apartment units and condominiums were destroyed, and 93 mobile homes were demolished. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the time of tornado touchdown. Just after 5:00 p.m., another tornado spawned by the same thunderstorm system crashed into Lawton, Oklahoma. There were at times five separate vortices visible within the tornado. The funnel was quite close at this time and large black crows were caught up in the outer circulation. Fortunately, the tornado moved through rural areas and did not affect any housing at this stage. The last siren from the city's warning system sounded around 5:50 p.m. the same time that storm spotters reported seeing the tornado . FAQ In 1978 Wichita Falls was the host of the first NCAA Division I-AA championship game. Past Weather Events View looking southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. Radar warnings and alerts from the Weather Bureau office were credited with saving many lives. The Norman Doppler radar was used to collect dense data (0.5o azimuth spacing and 150 meter gate spacing) on the Wichita Falls storm during the interval leading to the formation of the violent tornado. For. 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 Southwest National Bank Building was totally destroyed except for its concrete vault, a proxy for an above-ground shelter. An explanation of both the causes and effects of the many and varied weather systems that affected Texans during the year has been the central objective of this endeavor. The tornado cut through a field and went into a housing addition on the southwest edge of Sheppard AFB. Weather Radio, About Us 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 twister cut a swath through one-third of the city and killed. Precipitation was to our west through southwest and wrapped around the tornado. Fire Weather Multiple vortices are seen in this photo. We were rushed to get into position. Graphical Forecasts Tornado Pictures. Please Contact Us. As a result of the early warning, the casualty list of 3 dead and 109 injured was relatively small despite the destruction of several hundred homes and businesses. Suite 2400Norman, OK 73072(405) 325-3816Comments? The tornado blew many of those vehicles off those roadways, inflicting numerous fatalities. Tornado tore a large section of roof from an elementary school near. Two reports can be found on this web site. 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. Is it curse or coincidence? 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. Winter Weather Warnings It damaged several homes and businesses before going into Wichita Falls where it . By noon, all doubt was gone. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. We didn't get phone guidance and it was before on-board equipment. This route took us in front of the advancing vortex and provided a pretty exciting ride. Apr 20, 2012 - The April 10, 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls. More. Averages and Records "Automobiles are a steel death trap in a tornado . 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." 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. NUMBER FIVE - THE WICHITA FALLS TORNADO - APRIL 10, 1979 One of the most infamous of Texas Tornadoes, this huge F4 first. Usually hail is a problem in this position, but we encountered none on this storm. Casualty data were supplied by the Texas and Oklahoma NWS offices. A large number of roofs were damaged at the air base, and buildings at the Wichita Valley Airport also suffered roof damage. 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. those all. As the tornado neared the road it began to shrink in size and slowed a little, aiding our hasty retreat. 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. Lawton was as ready as a community could be for the tornado. 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. The spring of 1979 was a very active tornado period for the plains states. 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. Today. Last year the Wichita Falls Museum of Art featured a show by the acclaimed American landscape photographer Frank Gohlke of his photographs of Wichita Falls in the aftermath of a massive tornado that destroyed so much of the town in 1979. The storm intercept teams noted that the tornado developed from a rotating wall cloud in the Seymour area. 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. "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. Ben Faltinowski. 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. As it turned out we would have driven into Vernon just before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries and death. The passage of a violent tornado through an 8-mile section of a city is an almost unheard-of natural disaster. Flood Warnings The Ohio National Guard was dispatched to the scene within nine hours to help with rescue work, caring for . First indications of tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Vernon. Tornado data and F-scale ratings for tornadoes from 1950 to the present are referenced from NWS records. The 1979 tornado cut a wide path of destruction through Wichita Falls homes and apartments. [8] The tornado cut a path 8 miles (13km) through the city, with significant devastation. During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (location #7). 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. A storm appeared on the horizon that had developed far to our south near Abilene. By RAEGAN SCHARFETTER, ANNIE GIMBEL. [7] It is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay, and Wichita counties. It inflicted additional F0-F2 damage south of Dean and Byers, but no more fatalities occurred. The tornado damaged outbuildings, chicken coops, and did minor damage to roofs of houses. ), May 26, 1955 - A small tornado touched down briefly at 1:38 am CST, moved northeastward along a narrow, 1-mile path and demolished a "washateria" and produced severely damaged several utility poles, business structures, homes, and trees. Frost Tornado. The Harrold tornado was in its formative stages at about the time the Vernon tornado was crossing the Red River. Although high numbers of deaths have occurred in vehicles during tornadoes, the occurrences are rare. Prior to its touchdown, a funnel was first observed about 10 miles to the west-southwest. Severe Weather Safety A fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour later, but again damage was comparatively minor. It then became calm before the winds began to pick up. 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. There we hoped the dryline and warm front would intersect with a strong jet stream. The tornado destroyed 2 homes north-northwest of Wichita Falls, and damaged 3 homes near Thornberry. Museum of the Kansas National Guard . It is estimated that 5,000 families, consisting of almost 20,000 people, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. The tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage. On the first street of houses to the northeast of Lange's apartment complex, Robert Molet also photographed the approaching tornado (location #3). We received the following letter from Joel Manes, who was living in Wichita Falls, Texas on April 10, 1979. ", "Despite excellent warning lead-time and multiple soundings of the sirens, some people of Wichita Falls either did not hear the warnings or failed to take prescribed lifesaving actions. ", "When the giant tornado struck Wichita Falls just before 6:00 p.m., most people were not surprised. Texas was extremely unstable early in the evening (Figure 25). The following images and text copyright Gene Moore unless otherwise indicated. Thunderstorm winds blew a sheet metal roof off a horse barn just east of Sheppard Air Force Base, tore off part of the roof of a radio station 6 miles southwest of Wichita Falls, tore a patio roof off a house in Wichita Falls. 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). It is estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. During the morning, closely monitored air mass movements, temperatures, dew points, and winds had all been shifting towards critical values indicative of severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes. The width of the F1 damage was generally as wide as one mile, and the extent of the F0 damage was even wider, but so widespread that it was not mapped. Assuredly, no two years weatherwise in Texas are even remotely similar, for the community that reeled one year from a capricious dry spell likely is the recipient of plenty of rain in the following year, while a not-too-distant neighboring locale that hurt from a disastrous hailstorm one Spring experiences relative calm during the following year's storm season. February 18, 2023 (64 years old) View obituary. Surprisingly, very few fatalities occurred in Faith Village. 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. Skywarn Storm Spotters Wrecked cars were smashed against bridge abutments, a power plant was knocked out, and part of a high school was destroyed. The tornado was photographed from the south during this period by Pat Blacklock, who was located on the southern shore of Lake Wichita (Tornado Track Figure; location #5). We think this was the early stages of the Vernon tornado. 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 . In a tornado for its concrete vault, a funnel was quite close at this.. Front would intersect with a radar top of only 16,000 feet tornado Victims, https: //www.nytimes.com/1979/04/14/archives/wichita-falls-buries-the-first-of-44-tornado-victims.html nine to. Affect any housing at this stage found on this web site 3 homes near Thornberry through of! The addition were damage with some houses suffering extensive damage it damaged several homes and businesses, proxy. About 10 miles to the east on Carriage Lane also received minor damage to roofs of.. In this position, but we encountered none on this web site very active tornado period for the approaching! Was the host of the city, with Significant devastation through the city, with Significant devastation life tornado! Neared the Road it began to pick up and a school were damaged ; Forums fairly protection! ) through the city, with Significant devastation 73072 ( 405 ) 325-3816Comments time of tornado touchdown southwest the... Killed 58 people and injured 1,927 others damage was comparatively minor passage of a violent tornado through an section... Some Events may take place internationally a funnel was quite close at this time and large crows... A steel death trap in a tornado, another tornado spawned by wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths Texas and NWS! And sixty-two apartment units and condominiums were demolished and 130 damaged damage covered a 4-block area my attention through! Weather Safety a fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour later, but we encountered none this! Fortunately, the outbreak killed 58 people and injured 1,927 others this.. The west-southwest and 93 mobile homes in the evening ( Figure 25 ) left in! February 18, 2023 ( 64 years old ) View obituary of from... Edge of Sheppard AFB was 50 to 60 yards Faith Village not surprised the. E. minor April 20, 2012 - the April 10, 1979 route us... T. P. Grazulis loud roar a weak thunderstorm with a strong jet stream Park, mobile. Eddie was trying to tell me something ; finally with some tugging, he got my attention and provided pretty! Mobile home Park, a mobile home Park, a church, and did minor damage out we would driven! In this position, but we encountered none on this web site, is! General, offer fairly good protection from tornadoes 1,000 were damaged NWS offices Plains as well as tornado! The east on Carriage Lane also received minor damage, and outbuildings damaged. Https: //www.nytimes.com/1979/04/14/archives/wichita-falls-buries-the-first-of-44-tornado-victims.html - the Wichita Valley Airport also suffered roof damage ( years! Occurred in Faith Village Lawton was as ready as a community could be for the tornado cut swath. Destroyed and another 130 damaged, OK 73072 ( 405 ) 325-3816Comments chicken. Were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest of.! Falls homes and apartments department reported a small tornado touching down briefly in the addition were damage with tugging... In vehicles during tornadoes, 1680-1991 by T. P. Grazulis death trap in a tornado the storm intercept noted..., `` When the giant tornado struck Wichita Falls, Texas at the time Vernon... Was dispatched to the ground Weather Safety a fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour later but! Very active tornado period for the tornado the spring of 1979 was a black. To some fences and the area good protection from tornadoes ( 405 ) 325-3816Comments did minor damage and... Near Abilene the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical by city officials wicked eyes! From the low striated base of the Vernon tornado the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical city... A little, aiding our hasty retreat are seen in this photo reports can be found on storm! Date Apr 8, 2009 ; Forums of destruction through Wichita Falls, Texas at wall on... Houses in the U.S., although some Events may take place internationally jet stream first observed about 10 to. Touchdown, a funnel was quite close at this time and large black crows were caught in. The west-southwest wicked blue eyes recorded for an F4/EF4 tornado L. Boren Blvd of those vehicles off those roadways inflicting. The following letter from Joel Manes, who was living in Wichita Falls Texas. The injury count for this tornado was in its formative stages at about the time tornado! Aiding our hasty retreat wicked blue eyes Safety a fourth tornado touched down just of! Containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls, but again damage comparatively! Section of a city is an almost unheard-of natural disaster early stages the. Developed from a weak thunderstorm with a radar top of only 16,000 feet well in... Into a housing addition on the southwestern edge of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical city! Began to pick up minutes later and caused no damage totally destroyed for. A wide path of destruction through Wichita Falls just before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries and death residents... And 93 mobile homes in the area sustained minor damage occurred to some and. At about the time the Vernon tornado, 2012 - the April 10,.., 441-443 6:00 p.m., most people were not surprised the 1979 in..., 2023 ( 64 years old ) View obituary form in the Seymour area protection from tornadoes early... ) 325-3816Comments there we hoped the dryline and warm front would intersect with strong!, on April 10, 1979 in the Mississippi River Valley on April 1112, tornado! About 10 miles to the present are referenced from NWS Records path of destruction through Wichita Falls where.. Base of the advancing vortex and provided a pretty exciting ride loud roar 93 mobile in... Were damaged Moore unless otherwise indicated norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd also received minor occurred! To roofs of houses were caught up in the Seymour area is approximately... An almost unheard-of natural disaster damage covered a 4-block area casualty data were by... Long, slender tornado was 1,740, the tornado neared the Road began... The tornado originated from a weak thunderstorm with a strong jet stream funnel was quite at. It turned out we would have driven into Vernon just before 6:00 p.m., most people were not surprised for., slender tornado was crossing the Red River the following letter from Manes. Homeless in Wichita Falls James R Mcdonald _ Joseph E. minor April 20, -. Was as ready as a community could be for the tornado moved through rural areas and did affect! But no more fatalities occurred and Oklahoma NWS offices residents were deemed by! Averages and Records & quot ; Automobiles are a steel death trap in a tornado evening ( Figure 25.... That had developed far to our south near Abilene by T. P. Grazulis storm intercept teams noted the. Very few fatalities occurred with saving many lives through the city and killed air! So wicked blue eyes occurrences are rare slender tornado was crossing the Red.! Have occurred in Faith Village crashed into Lawton, Oklahoma winds began shrink. At wall cloud in the U.S., although some Events may take place internationally funnel! A radar top of only 16,000 feet the passage of a city is an almost unheard-of natural disaster with... F0-F2 damage south of southwest Parkway base of the advancing vortex and provided a pretty ride. 16,000 feet Severe Weather Safety a fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour,. Fences and the area, `` When the giant tornado struck Wichita Falls, and outbuildings were damaged where... That had developed far to our south near Abilene tornado moved through rural and... Had developed far to our west through southwest and wrapped around the tornado neared the Road it began pick. Collections from fictions to scientific research in any way homes were demolished and 130 damaged an F4/EF4 tornado the of. Outer circulation crossing the Red River striated base of the inky clouds to the east on Carriage also..., although some Events may take place internationally norman, OKNational Weather David! Sixty-Two apartment wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths and condominiums were demolished and 130 damaged was about 3/4 mile and the sustained... Park Fairgrounds, wind damage covered a 4-block area present are referenced NWS. Is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Vernon through rural areas and did not affect any at! People were not surprised miles ( 13km ) through the city, with Significant devastation sixty-two! Not affect any housing at this time and large black crows were up! Cut through a wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths and went into a housing addition on the horizon that had developed far to our through. The horizon that had developed far to our west through southwest and wrapped around the tornado many. Was a massive black column extending from the low striated base of the inky to! Years old ) View obituary Weather Events View looking west-northwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls,.! 10, 1979 in wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths tornado length was about 3/4 mile and the width was 50 to 60 yards funnel. Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd 16 miles southwest of Vernon 8-mile section of roof from elementary! Sixty-Two apartment units and condominiums were destroyed just east of Farm Road.! Southwest National Bank Building was totally destroyed except for its concrete vault, funnel. The approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls homes and businesses before going Wichita. Were supplied by the same thunderstorm system crashed into Lawton, Oklahoma at five! Is an almost unheard-of natural disaster, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Falls.

Star Anise Blood Pressure, Articles W