Tornado and Flash Flood in Texas, June 14, 1997

Severe thunderstorms developed over the western portions of the South Plains during the afternoon of the 14th. A deputy from the Cochran County Sheriff's Office reported a tornado briefly touched down just south of Whiteface. It destroyed a barn, snapped power lines, and toppled a 160-foot section of a 300-foot radio tower. Golfball-sized hail was also reported with this storm by the public and spotters. During the afternoon, nickel-sized hail was also reported by the public in Parmer County just west of Bovina. Golfball-sized hail was reported by a NWS cooperative observer in Lynn County 6 miles north-northeast of Wilson. During the late afternoon, storms producing very strong winds moved into the South Plains from southeast New Mexico. Winds up to 80 mph in Yoakum County damaged numerous roofs and trees. Uprooted trees, overturned dumpsters, and downed power lines were reported at Yoakum County Park. The Yoakum County Golf Course had numerous trees uprooted or snapped off two to three feet from their base along with damage to golf cart sheds. An awning was damaged at a local car dealership in Denver City. Part of the roof of a Denver City business blew away while the roof at the sheriff's office received major damage as well. These high winds moved east across the South Plains and Rolling Plains during the evening. A sheep barn was destroyed in Lamb County west of Littlefield when it was blown 600 feet into an adjacent field. An outbuilding was destroyed in Hockley County near Whitharral. Throughout the evening, there were numerous reports of downed power poles and trees as strong winds affected virtually the entire area.