The Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979. . This huge F4 first touched down about 3 miles northeast of Holliday. The tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no deaths, but 40 additional injuries. On April 10, 1979, a huge F4 tornado touched down just outside of Wichita Falls. Damage also occurred to machinery, homes, and outbuildings. Please Contact Us. Earlier on the same day, several tornadoes hit farther west. Several strong to violent tornadoes touched down throughout the region that day. -56 NWS WFO, Norman, OK. The tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage. It is believed that many more minor injuries were never recorded.[5][6][7]. The highly unsettled atmosphere out ahead of the advancing dry air is illustrated by the sounding taken at Stephenville just as the gargantuan tornado was hitting Wichita Falls; the lowest 300 mb of the atmosphere was highly convectively unstable (Figure 24). 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. By noon, all doubt was gone. Tornado data and F-scale ratings for tornadoes from 1950 to the present are referenced from NWS records. He shot these images one handed while driving down a dirt road. By afternoon, the warm front had lifted to the vicinity of the Red River, and a new low pressure area had formed near Childress. This followed an earlier warning at 5:08 pm, due to the Rocky Point tornado. Hazardous Weather Outlook Several deaths in the Vernon tornado occurred because persons were caucht in autcmobiles that were tossed They survived! While the leading edge of the moist, tropical air had already surged northward across the Red River, giving Wichita Falls a vigorous southeasterly wind and a climbing dew point (Figure 16), the advancing edge of much drier, continental air swept eastward out of the High Plains and undercut the less dense and more moist tropical air. 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. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. We received the following letter from Joel Manes, who was living in Wichita Falls, Texas on April 10, 1979. ", "The three main storms in the Red River Valley outbreak were giant tornadoes. To avoid getting trapped, it's been my policy to avoid blasted cities when ever possible. Aug 23, 2005 163 3 0 58 Norman Ok www.chasestories.com. Barns were destroyed and homes sustained roof damage. A detailed mapping of each house and public/commercial building in the city led to the construction of an F-scale map. Some of these people attempted to run to their cars from the mall. There we hoped the dryline and warm front would intersect with a strong jet stream. It then moved into Clay County and changed its appearance to display a multiple-vortex structure. 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. Local Climate Data CoCoRaHS Jeanine V. Wolff. Small buildings were damaged or destroyed, and roofs, signs, oil field derricks and tanks were damaged. 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. Wichita Falls, Texas, on April 10, 1979. Forty-two people were killed outright by the storm, while 3 others died of heart attacks. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred, but 13 people were treated for minor injuries, mostly as a result of flying glass. 5) The Wichita Falls Tornado - April 10, 1979. Then the supercell spawned one that killed three people in Lawton, Oklahoma. In slightly more than 10 minutes, the tornado passed across the southern tip of the city leaving 11 dead, more than 60 injured, and several hundred homes destroyed or damaged. 1979-04-10 Wichita Falls. National Weather Service A mattress fell beside the vehicle and I looked out to see a woman standing in what appeared to be a junk yard. Watch. 45 people died in the Wichita Falls tornado. About 65 people attended the funeral. As we drove northeast on US 70, debris was still falling to the ground. Apr 8, 2009 #1 NWS OUN has put up a nice page for the 30th anniversary of this monster: . |. Overall, the outbreak killed 58 people and injured 1,927 others. View looking west-southwest at the approaching tornado from Ligon Coliseum at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. 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). 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. Soon thereafter tornadoes were spotted near Crosby ton and Plainview and golfball size hail fell near Tulia, Afton, and Washburn (High Plains). Past Weather Events The following table includes data and summaries from the tornadoes that occurred in the area since the late 1800's. Miss Mahon's parents and five brothers and sisters wept as the Rev. 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). 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. After the tornado, a thorough investigation of the damage was performed by Texas Tech University, Institute for Disaster Research, and the University of Chicago. Skywarn Storm Spotters It was spectacular to watch! 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. Severe weather warnings had been in effect for Wichita County and Wichita Falls for almost an hour. Fortunately, its long path on the ground was mostly over open farmland so that it caused relatively few casualties and small total property damage. Fortunately, on April 10, 1979, McNiel Junior High was almost totally unoccupied when the tornado struck and a worse catastrophe was avoided. I had a good full frame shot of the suction spots rotating about the base of the funnel. April 26, 1962 - This tornado initially touched down at 10:45 pmCST on the Sheppard Access Road near Sheppard AFB, damaging several cars, and destroying a a 100 x 30 foot metal building at a motor company. Current Hazards Hazardous Weather Outlook The Ohio National Guard was dispatched to the scene within nine hours to help with rescue work, caring for . All but one of the 12 large glass windows in the tower were blown out, and control tower personnel had only abandoned their tower posts 4 minutes before. Winter Weather Warnings Flash Flood Warnings StormReady Property damages to both civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $15 million. First indications of tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Vernon. Wolfgang Lange, View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the time of tornado touchdown. Caused over $300,000 in damage to homes, barns, and a rock crushing plant. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. By RAEGAN SCHARFETTER, ANNIE GIMBEL. For the most part, however, rainfall amounts were modest, with only a few points collecting more than 1 inch (Figure 27). A fourth tornado touched down just outside of Seymour an hour later, but again damage was comparatively minor. More Observations No fatalities or injuries occurred. One mobile home was completely destroyed on Bobby Point Road, prompting an F1 rating. The funnel was quite close at this time and large black crows were caught up in the outer circulation. Tornado Warnings, Climate and Past Weather Stability indices indicated the air throughout central. 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 . View looking southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. US Dept of Commerce It is estimated that 5,000 families, consisting of almost 20,000 people, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. 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). A few hours earlier that day, another tornado tore through Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60 others. Aviation Weather Does Wichita Texas get tornadoes? The intense damage averaged between one quarter and one half of a mile in width. By the end of the day we had seen four tornadoes, Thalia, Vernon (although not well), Lake Kemp, and Seymour. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Deaths An Estimated 42 people died Daily Weather History The twister did level a number of telephone poles along Highway 283, before dissipating just east of 283 near Maybelle. There were a total 42 tornado fatalities in Wichita Falls, of which 25 were vehicle related. This image was taken as the tornado widened and approached our position. 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. Special Weather Statements May 23, 1888 - A tornado moved northeastward and passed 6 miles west of Wichita Falls during the evening of May 23, 1888. Eight persons were killed outside, 4 were killed in homes or apartments, and 4 others died in public buildings. Local Minor damage occurred to some fences and the area. 10. ), 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. Further eastward, most houses in the Faith Village Addition were destroyed, and Ben Milam Elementary School was severely damaged (location #6). Museum of the Kansas National Guard . This information is part of Stamboom Vermeij by Truus Vermeij on Genealogy Online. The Wichita Falls tornado of April 10, 1979 was one of thirteen tornadoes which rampaged across parts of north Texas and Oklahoma that "Terrible Tuesday." This over one mile-wide beast. The NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1, "The Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979" is available, and a synopsis and discussion of the event by Don Burgess can also be perused from this site. 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. . Wildfire Safety Forecasters at the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City1 had to decide only how soon tornadoes would develop and how large an area would be threatened. Note that the 50 dBZ core was no longer evident. Three barns were destroyed as well. The tornado was preceded by strong winds, and then followed at once by heavy rain and hail, which covered a 200-square mile area. This most damaging tornado in Texas history was not finished, however. The inner hallways would have been the only relatively safe shelter in the building. Cool Pictures. 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 . The publication was written and prepared by George W. Bomar of Weather Modification & Technology Section of the Texas Department of Water Resources. 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). The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979 Location Help Wintry and Cold Conditions Continue Across Much of the U.S. Widespread downburst winds and hail brought damages of $200,000 to the town of Iowa Park alone. 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! The large Wichita Falls F4 tornado moving through town. July 21, 1961 - A small, weak tornado touched down briefly in the eastern part of Wichita Falls, about 3 miles from the airport. Numbers for 1979 were similar to that of 1980. Weather Radio, About Us CoCoRaHS The giant tornado was a massive black column extending from the low striated base of the inky clouds to the ground. Further to the northeast we could see a very large tornado with reddish suction spots rotating about the circulation. The twister cut a swath through one-third of the city and killed. Pat Blacklock, View looking northwest from south shore of Lake Wichita at the tornado approaching Wichita Falls, Texas. Apr 20, 2012 - The April 10, 1979 tornado in Wichita Falls. Two trailers were destroyed, and three homes were damaged. Meanwhile, strong gusty winds associated with the eastward progression of an intensifying upper atmospheric storm out of New Mexico made travel hazardous in. This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1979, primarily in the United States. Air Quality The tornado exited Texas about 4 miles east of Byers, uprooting over 200 trees along the Red River. Major damage in the. Three people were killed in the restaurant. Eddie was trying to tell me something; finally with some tugging, he got my attention. No fatalities or injuries occurred. 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). 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. Graphical Forecasts Lawton had been alerted by Tornado Watch #67 and had received a tornado warning issued by WSFO Oklahoma City. 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