Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Texas, April 10, 1997

Severe weather broke out across the South Plains of West Texas during the afternoon and evening of the 10th. A band of storms moved across the area bringing large hail to many counties. Ahead of the band, however, an isolated tornadic supercell moved from Lynn County northeast across Crosby and Dickens Counties. One of its tornadoes struck a lone, double-wide mobile home about one-half mile west of White River Lake (or about 6 miles NNE of Kalgary) in Crosby County, killing one 78 year-old male and injuring a 73 year-old female. The couple was preparing to leave for shelter just as the tornado struck. It totally demolished the structure and damaged a vehicle. This same cell had caused tornadoes in southern and eastern Lynn County earlier (as reported by chasers and spotters), and proceeded to cause other tornadoes in Dickens and eastern Crosby Counties (as reported by spotters and local law enforcement). Near Afton (Dickens Co.), a trailer was damaged, the roof of a cotton gin was ripped off, and a chimney collapsed due to a tornado.At almost the same time as the White River Lake tornado, severe winds caused damage to the Liberty Acres community just northeast of Lubbock International Airport. Several houses were damaged (one severely) and several mobile homes were damaged (one severely), too. The winds also knocked down four utility poles and a few trees (one of which damaged a car). Although some people believed this storm was a tornado, a damage survey by researchers from Texas Tech's wind engineering group, as well as one by NWS officials, proved inconclusive.Minutes before the storm damaged Liberty Acres, it dropped golfball-size hail over west parts of the City of Lubbock, damaging 3,000 to 4,000 homes as well as a few thousand vehicles. Damages from the hail were estimated at more than $30 million.A tornado west of Plainview uprooted trees and damaged two barns.Note: The tornado description below was added in 2005 after the report was relayed to the NWS as a result of other requests. As the report is delayed, there is no F-rating assigned an no damage amounts have been reported. The tornado report is included for the integrity of the database and climatological research.A tornado was reported approximately 2 miles to the northwest of Canyon Valley around 9 pm. A residence was completely destroyed and was located 1/2 mile north of County Road 238. The tornado is reportedly separate from the White River Lake tornado described above. Debris from the home was scattered up to 6 miles from the residence and cedar trees where uprooted and large sandstone rocks were moved. The debris path was reported to be an estimated 1/2 mile wide with utility poles snapped and carried four to five hundred yards south of the house. A very heavy and anchored deer stand was blown over and damaged 1/2 mile north of the house.