Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, June 16, 1997

Severe thunderstorm winds downed power lines and blew a railroad car off its tracks.

Severe thunderstorm winds gusted up to 70 mph at the Wilbarger County Airport just north of Vernon. In town, trees and limbs throughout Vernon were damaged or blown down.

Severe thunderstorm winds uprooted trees and snapped tree limbs throughout Quanah. Sustained winds of 55 mph with peak gusts to 60 mph were measured at the Quanah Fire Department. Also, a pickup truck was flipped over by the severe winds west of town.

Severe thunderstorm winds uprooted numerous trees and scattered limbs and debris across much of Knox City. Vinyl siding was blown off of one side of a house, and a sign was blown off of the top of a business in downtown.

A roof was blown off a pizza restaurant.

A roof was blown off a vacant building and onto Highway 25. Utility poles were also downed in the area.

Numerous trees were damaged or uprooted throughout Electra. Wind damage was also reported to roofs, outbuildings, and fences across town.

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). One mobile home was completely destroyed on Bobby Point Road, prompting an F1 rating. Several other mobile homes in the area sustained minor damage, and homes to the east on Carriage Lane also received minor damage. Maximum path length was about 3/4 mile and the width was 50 to 60 yards.

Severe thunderstorm winds moved through the Wichita Falls area, downing trees, limbs, and power poles. One tree near a house fell onto a power line, causing an electrical surge that set the kitchen of the house on fire. A furniture warehouse was also destroyed when severe winds tore the back wall and roof off of the building. At Sheppard Air Force Base, winds up to 70 mph tore countless limbs from trees and knocked out windows on some base housing units.

Severe thunderstorm winds in Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged limbs, signs, and fences throughout town. Also, the second story of the press box at the high school football stadium was blown off and scattered across the playing field.

measured at Sheppard Air Force Base

A damage survey conducted by a National Weather Service meteorologist revealed a 6.5 mile tornado track across northern Clay County. The tornado began around 20:50 CST about 6 miles southwest of Charlie, TX, moved northeast, and lifted about 2 miles north of Charlie. Downed power poles and several trees on Ratt Road marked the beginning of the damage, with increasing damage through a pecan grove along Highway 171. Damage to a barn and over 1000 trees in the grove was rated at F1. Farther northeast along the track of the tornado, two homes and at least 3 barns/garages also sustained F1 damage along Linville and T-Bone Roads. The roof of a house on T-Bone Road was completely blown off, probably because the garage door had been left open. The heaviest damage from this tornado was along a three mile path from the pecan grove on Highway 171 to the houses on Linville and T-Bone Roads. Path width ranged from 50 to 100 yards.

measured at Sheppard Air Force Base

Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph blew tree limbs down on power lines.

Two trees were uprooted by severe winds, one of which landed on a car.