Three thousand and ninety-five homes were destroyed and 600 were damaged. This was especially true of the Wichita Falls tornado, whose more than 1-mile-wide path of damage is one of the biggest on record. More than 40 died, and about 1,700 were injured. We left NSSL in Norman, Oklahoma at 10:30 AM to our target of Vernon, TX. When was the last time there was a tornado in Wichita? We were under an extensive rain free updraft area on the southeast side of the storm. Those who were caught in automobiles and trucks made up a high percentage of the fatalities. 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). May 30, 2001 - This tornado was observed at 6:30 pm CST by three people over northern portions of Lake Wichita, or 6 miles southwest of Wichita Falls. WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) . Using spotter and radar reports, Lawton officials sounded the siren system to warn the people of the approaching storm. 25 of the 42 fatalities from the tornado were vehicle related, 16 of which were of people who left their homes to evade the massive tornado. Lawton was as ready as a community could be for the tornado. This followed an earlier warning at 5:08 pm, due to the Rocky Point tornado. We received the following letter from Joel Manes, who was living in Wichita Falls, Texas on April 10, 1979. Rivers and Lakes It then moved into Clay County and changed its appearance to display a multiple-vortex structure. In 1978 Wichita Falls was the host of the first NCAA Division I-AA championship game. Rain was beginning to rotate totally around the funnel at this time and the tornado was producing an audible roar so loud it was hard to communicate. An estimated 20,000 persons were left homeless by this storm. 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 killed 42 Wichita Falls residents and caused over $200 million in damages, leaving 20 percent of the city's population homeless. Here we goa hymn request from Erlene: Great Is His Faithfulness, sung by the Collingsworth Family. Sirens blew as the tornado bore down on Vernon. Caused a total of $449,000 in damage. This was the most spectacular event I had ever witnessed to date. 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. 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). February 20, 2023 (92 years old) View obituary. Homes were unroofed and barns were destroyed. More. Violent weather became more widespread as the afternoon progressed. 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). Burgess, D. W., 1982. The first in a series of tornadoes struck near Foard City shortly after 3 o'clock destroying several rural homes, barns, and farm equipment. On April 10, 1979, a devastating tornado struck Wichita Falls in North Texas. 1964, and another in 1979. 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. StormReady 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. Eddie complained, but kept fighting the wheel. Stability indices indicated the air throughout central. Vehicles (cars, pickups, and trucks) are poor protection and should be avoided during tornado situations in larger cities where travel is congested and tornado escape routes are not readily available and open for use. Still other tornadoes struck the communities of Lockett and Seymour a short time later, killing one inhabitant in Lockett. Most of the deaths were in Wichita Falls and Vernon, Texas, and Lawton, Oklahoma. Residents of Wichita Falls and Wichita County had been receiving severe weather warnings for close to an hour before the tornado reached the city around 6 p.m. NWS 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. As the tornado neared the road it began to shrink in size and slowed a little, aiding our hasty retreat. It was the costliest tornado in history until the F5 Moore-Oklahoma City tornado struck in 1999. . 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. Local Enhanced Radar (Central Oklahoma-KTLX), Local Standard Radar (KTLX-low bandwidth), Local Enhanced Radar (Southwest OK/Western North TX-KFDR), Local Standard Radar (KFDR-low bandwidth), Local Standard Radar (KVNX-low bandwidth), Averages and Records for OKC, Wichita Falls & Lawton, radar-derived storm tops exceeded 50,000 feet and reflectivities were higher than 50 dBZ, a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones, tornado-associated mesocyclone and hook echo in the right rear portion of the echo, its movement toward the stadium and junior high, >many cars in the mall parking lot were blown some distance and stacked on top of each other, Map of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak in North Texas and southern Oklahoma by (Fujita and Wakimoto), Map of Significant Weather Events which occurred between 6 AM CST April 10, 1979 and 6 AM CST April 11, 1979 (Burgess), Tornado Watch Box #67 issued by the National Severe Storms Forecast Center - valid 230 PM to 700 PM CST, April 10, 1979, Storm Track of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Time/Height Profile of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Positions of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 530 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Position of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 600 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Approximate Damage Path of the Wichita Falls Tornado on April 10, 1979 (, Map of the Red River Valley Area of Oklahoma and Texas Showing Communities and Counties Affected by the April 10, 1979 Tornadoes (NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Aviation Weather Apr 8, 2009 #1 NWS OUN has put up a nice page for the 30th anniversary of this monster: . ", 1 The Storm Prediction Center is now located in Norman, Oklahoma When it was all over, an 8 mile swath of the city over a mile wide was . While only on the ground for 35 minutes, the 800-foot-wide twister killed seven people, injured 111, and destroyed 225 homes. Other homes in the area were damaged. We continued to drive east on a dirt road from Mabelle, Texas which is basically an intersection with a couple of old buildings. 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 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. Soon thereafter tornadoes were spotted near Crosby ton and Plainview and golfball size hail fell near Tulia, Afton, and Washburn (High Plains). Mr. Molet continued to take photographs until the wind blew him into his garage. "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. Fortunately, the tornado moved through rural areas and did not affect any housing at this stage. Pat Blacklock, View looking north-northwest from south shore of Lake Wichita at the tornado approaching Wichita Falls, Texas. Also, tornado survivors said that some golf ball size hail fell prior to and immediately after the tornado. While the families and friends of the victims mourned, National Guard troops manned barricades outside devastated neighborhoods and stopped people who tried to enter the area, turning back any without essential business. Nationwide, Current Conditions (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Three people were injured in a mobile home near the beginning of the path. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured by the tornado. A total of 10 people received injuries due to the high winds. The middle supercell, the Harrold-Grandfield storm, produced the longest-track tornado of the outbreak (64 mile path length) at 1555 CST (3:55 PM). Many of the 1,800 injured, however, were in homes. The Ohio National Guard was dispatched to the scene within nine hours to help with rescue work, caring for . This image was taken as the tornado widened and approached our position. About Our Office Several homes and businesses, a mobile home park, a church, and a school were damaged. Local Storm Reports By afternoon, the warm front had lifted to the vicinity of the Red River, and a new low pressure area had formed near Childress. ), March 27, 1939 - This tornado touched down north-northwest of Wichita Falls and moved northeastward into Clay County. A number of people were also killed or injured in the parking lot of Sikes Senter (sic) Mall, also on Kemp Boulevard. Toggle navigation. Norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd. View looking west-northwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at wall cloud on the southwestern edge of the thunderstorm. We 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. The northern supercell, the Vernon-Lawton storm, produced its first tornado at 1505 CST (3:05 PM) south of Crowell, TX. Prior to its touchdown, a funnel was first observed about 10 miles to the west-southwest. The following severe weather account is by Gene Moore. This thunderstorm spawned a tornado with a continuous ground track of almost 60 miles. View obituary. 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. There is no doubt that hundreds of lives were saved by the news media and siren warnings. It is estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. Hazardous Weather Outlook Some of these people attempted to run to their cars from the mall. 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. This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1979, primarily in the United States. Tornado was well documented on film and by NSSL storm researchers. Please try another search. #1. Extensive wind damage to about 100 homes and outbuildings occurred in Burkburnett where two 40-foot smoke stacks were also toppled. On Saturday, June 28, 1924, a deadly F4 tornado struck the Lake Erie shoreline communities of Sandusky and Lorain, Ohio. A total of 2 people were seriously injured along the tornado's path, but most of injuries people received were minor. To date, it is the most damaging tornado in US history. 2 All times in Central Standard Time. See the article in its original context from. Two barns were also destroyed and scattered across a field. April 10, 1979: The worst single tornado in Texas' history hit Wichita Falls. One man was killed at a dairy farm in Dean. 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. 8. ", "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. (Rated F2 by the NWS. The tornado finally ended near Waurika, OK after traveling 47 miles. . Inevitably each year some sector of Texas suffers from the effects of a tornado strike, a blinding snowstorm, a violent hail-bearing thunderstorm, or a raging sand- or dust storm. The tornado moved to the north-northwest during its life before lifting 2 miles from Burkburnett. Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. A few hours earlier that day, another tornado tore through Vernon, killing 10 residents and injuring more than 60 others. 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. Members of the Wichita Falls Repeater Club Weather Spotters manned their pre-planned command post on the NWS Office (WSO) and deployed radio-equipped members to vantage points that assured good observation coverage southwest of the city. If McNiel Junior High had been fully occupied by students and teachers at the time of the tornado, there would have been hundreds of additional casualties and many more deaths. Additional tornadoes were reported across the Southern Plains as well as in the Mississippi River Valley on April 1112. Tornado Database The North Texas town of Wichita Falls has seen three major tornadoesin 1958, 1964, and another in 1979. (1 death) April 10 - Texas, Oklahoma (11 deaths) April 10 - Texas, . All NOAA. We also assessed the protective measures taken by a representative sample of community residents who suffered no major injury in order to estimate the relative risk of injury to people directly in the tornado's path . View looking west-southwest at the approaching tornado from Ligon Coliseum at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. View looking southwest near Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas at the approaching tornado. On the first street of houses to the northeast of Lange's apartment complex, Robert Molet also photographed the approaching tornado (location #3). -11 Wilbarger County, TX. 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 event would put Wichita Falls in the national news and history books, while almost taking it off of the map. Also nearby, about 10 utility poles were snapped near the top with debris falling on fences and other sheet metal buildings. 25 of those deaths were vehicle related. Upper Air Maps During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (location #7). The tornado was also captured on film by Troy Glover from the roof of the Bethania hospital (location #8). Weather Bureau records. In the early afternoon hours, three supercell thunderstorms formed. With surface pressures in the southern High Plains plunging rapidly, a low pressure center formed in the vicinity of Lubbock around noon (Figure 15). Hazardous Weather Outlook The tornado slung mud across the inside of the windshield which made it difficult to drive. Graphical Forecasts Flash Flood Warnings "It was just a regular old day. Each lasted for an hour or more and left a continuous track of ground damage 35 miles or longer. Damage as severe as F4 was found along most of the track across the city. 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! Such a total would mean that between 10% and 20% of the population of the city was displaced by the tornado. The Wichita Falls tornado formed several miles southwest of the city in Archer County, and traveled over mostly open terrain. Two oil storage tanks were blown away and several homes were unroofed near Farm Road 2650 as the tornado approached Wichita Falls. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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. The most active portion of the advancing dry line traversed this sector of the Low Rolling Plains at precisely the time of occurrence of the tornado outbreak (Figure 19). 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. For. The police chief and sheriff later said the approaching storm did not look like a normal twister, but appeared as a thick, dark mass of clouds low to the ground and difficult to see because of the heavy rain, hail, and low cloud base. During this time I was trying to shoot pictures through the window. Two trailers were destroyed, and three homes were damaged. April 17, 1977 - A "freak tornado" moved from east to west across a 2-mile path in the western sections of Wichita Falls. It was spectacular to watch! The intense damage averaged between one quarter and one half of a mile in width. Usually hail is a problem in this position, but we encountered none on this storm. About the Artist: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. The warnings were being broadcast repeatedly by two local TV stations and three local radio stations which were receiving continuously updated information over the emergency hotline connecting them with the Wichita Falls WSO. 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). The passage of a violent tornado through an 8-mile section of a city is an almost unheard-of natural disaster. 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