Texas, 2001

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, May 4 to 6, 2001

May 4 to 6, 2001 · NWS FWD · 91 events in 25 counties and zones

May 4, 5, and 6th Episode NarrativeNorthwesterly flow set up over the region. Numerous disturbances moved through the northwest flow and touched off thunderstorms.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
3
Property damage
$5.3 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
91

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS FWD wrote it up.

May 4, 5, and 6th Episode NarrativeNorthwesterly flow set up over the region. Numerous disturbances moved through the northwest flow and touched off thunderstorms. Some storms became severe and numerous reports of wind, rain, and hail were received. In Mansfield, in southern Tarrant County, an F1 tornado was observed and caused damage to many homes and structures. Additional tornadoes were observed in Johnson and Bosque Counties. Over the course of the next few days most locations received at least some rain...but amounts varied depending on location. Additional upper level disturbances resulted in more thunderstorms over the course of the weekend as well.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fort Worth, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 4, 2:50 PM CST, 1 hour 45 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 2:50 PM CST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
350 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2001

BANDS OF THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ON OUR WRN DOORSTEP WITH
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE CNTRL ZONES.  THESE
ORGANIZED STORMS WILL GRADUALY SLIDE EAST AS A MID-LEVEL SHORTWAVE
TRACKS ACROSS N TX.  SINCE STORM MOTIONS SHOULD BE GENERALLY TO THE
NORTH...EXPECT HEAVY RAINFALL TO OCCUR THROUGH AT LEAST THE EVENING
HOURS WEST OF INTERSTATE 35.  HIGH FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE VALUES
SUGGEST THAT THESE COUNTIES CAN HANDLE RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3
INCHES.  WELL HOLD OFF ON A FLASH FLOOD WATCH THOUGH SOME ISOLATED
RUNOFF PROBLEMS MAY OCCUR OVER THE EXTREME WRN ZONES.  AS THE LOW
LEVEL BOUNDARIES EDGE EAST...THE CNTRL ZONES MAY SEE A GREATER
CONCENTRATION OF STORMS ON SATURDAY/SATURDAY NIGHT.  A FLASH FLOOD
WATCH MAY BE NEEDED THEN.  ADEQUATE SHEAR AND STRONG UPDRAFTS COULD
RESULT IN SOME LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

COLD FRONT SLIDES THROUGH N TX ON MONDAY...PUSHING MOIST AIR EAST.
EXPECT COOLER TEMPERATURES TO PERSIST TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.  SLY
FLOW WILL BEGIN TO MODIFY THE AIRMASS ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AS GULF
MOISTURE RETURNS.

64

DFW 66/76/66/79 +873
ACT 68/79/68/81 8663

.FWD...NONE.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 4, 11:10 AM CST, 5 hours 25 minutes before
TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-042100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1210 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2001

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON
AND TONIGHT FOR THE WESTERN TWO THIRDS OF NORTH TEXAS.  THE SLIGHT
RISK AREA IS ALONG AND WEST OF A SHERMAN...TO CORSICANA...TO HEARNE
LINE.  THIS INCLUDES BOWIE...GAINESVILLE...EASTLAND...JACKSBORO...
MINERAL WELLS...STEPHENVILLE...HILLSBORO...WACO...TEMPLE...KILLEEN...
AND THE DALLAS FORT WORTH METROPLEX.

A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW OVER NORTHERN ARIZONA THIS AFTERNOON...WILL
MOVE SLOWLY EAST THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...WHILE AN UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCE OVER NORTHERN MEXICO WILL TRACK NORTHEAST ACROSS NORTH
TEXAS. A VERY MOIST AIRMASS IS ALREADY IN PLACE.  ALTHOUGH MOST OF
THE REGION HAD BEEN OVERCAST THIS MORNING...BREAKS WERE STARTING TO
DEVELOP IN THE WESTERN PART OF NORTH TEXAS AT MIDDAY.  THESE BREAKS
IN THE CLOUDS...WILL ALLOW HEATING...WHICH WILL AID THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THESE STORMS COULD
PRODUCE LARGE HAIL. THESE STORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN...WHICH
MAY CAUSE ISOLATED PROBLEMS WITH RUNOFF.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS...AND
STORM SPOTTER GROUPS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION AS EARLY AS
4 PM...WEST OF A BOWIE...TO GATESVILLE LINE.  ACTIVATION MAY BE
NECESSARY ELSEWHERE AFTER 6 PM.

58
Special weather statement, May 4, 2:00 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes before
TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-042300-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
300 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2001

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON
AND TONIGHT FOR THE WESTERN HALF OF NORTH TEXAS.  THE SLIGHT RISK
AREA IS GENERALLY WEST OF A SHERMAN...DALLAS...WACO LINE. THIS
INCLUDES BOWIE...GAINESVILLE...EASTLAND...JACKSBORO...MINERAL
WELLS...STEPHENVILLE...HILLSBORO...AND TEMPLE.

A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE AREA WEST OF A GAINESVILLE...
DECATUR...COMANCHE LINE...UNTIL 800 PM.

THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DEVELOPED THIS AFTERNOON IN THE MOIST UNSTABLE AIR
FROM WICHITA FALLS TO SAN ANGELO...AND AHEAD OF A DRY LINE FROM SAN
ANGELO TO DEL RIO. UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT IS MARGINAL...BUT THE LOW
LEVEL CONVERGENT FLOW IS FAVORABLE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP IN
LINES. THIS WILL ENHANCE THE HEAVY RAIN THREAT OVER THE AREA
TONIGHT...AS SEVERAL STORMS MAY MOVE OVER THE SAME AREAS.

WHILE THE LOW LEVEL WINDS ARE STRONG...THERE IS NOT MUCH TURNING OF
THE WIND WITH HEIGHT...WHICH MAY LIMIT THE TORNADO THREAT. ALSO...
SINCE INSTABILITY IS MARGINAL...THE HAIL THREAT IS ALSO LOW. THUS...
THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER HAZARD WILL BE ISOLATED DAMAGING WIND AND
HEAVY RAIN.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS...AND
STORM SPOTTER GROUPS FROM BOWIE TO GRAHAM TO EASTLAND SHOULD BE
PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION AFTER 4 PM. ACTIVATION MAY BE NECESSARY
AFTER 600 PM WEST OF A GAINESVILLE...WEATHERFORD...COMANCHE LINE...
AND AFTER 800 PM WEST OF A SHERMAN...FORT WORTH...LAMPASAS LINE.

03

The radar

The Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:33 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

44 hail, 35 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Denton

When
May 4, 4:35 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Denton
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.183, -97.183

Wind damaged trees and a barn.

Hail, Mills

When
May 4, 4:35 PM CST
Where
Mills County, Priddy
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
POST OFFICE
Coordinates
30.867, -97.133

Hail, Mills

When
May 4, 6:35 PM CST
Where
Mills County, Priddy
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
31.383, -97.133

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When
May 4, 7:20 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 3 mi SW of Covington
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
32.283, -96.650

A number of large trees were blown down, windows were blown out, outbuildings damaged, and fences were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When
May 4, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 5 mi E of Covington
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
31.991, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind damaged several houses.

Tornado, Johnson

When
May 4, 7:42 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 1 mi NE of Cleburne
Rating
F1
Path length
0.3 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
30.850, -97.000

A tornado touched down 1 mile northeast of Cleburne and moved northeast for three tenths of a mile before lifting. A mobile home was destroyed and trees were blown down on county road 810.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When
May 4, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Parker
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
31.467, -97.717

A house was destroyed by high winds.

Tornado, Tarrant

When
May 4, 8:43 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Mansfield
Rating
F1
Path length
8 mi
Path width
150 yd
Injuries
2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
31.383, -97.217

The tornado first touched down in southwest Mansfield near the Tarrant-Johnson County line on Sentry street. The tornado moved northeast across Mansfield, exiting the city near Laura Elizabeth Trail and continued moving northeast across the extreme southeast part of Arlington. The tornado moved into southwest Grand Prairie near highway 360 and New York Avenue and dissipated near the intersection of Lake Ridge Parkway and Lynn street. Two minor injuries were reported. In Mansfield 16 businesses were damaged. 113 homes were damaged, 27 with moderate to heavy damage. In Grand Prairie, 61 homes were damaged, 10 with moderate to heavy damage. The tornado tracked across undeveloped land in Arlington, so no damage occurred there.

Tornado, Johnson

When
May 4, 8:45 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 2 mi SE of Alvarado
Rating
F1
Path length
2.8 mi
Path width
50 yd
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
31.467, -97.117

A tornado touched down 2 miles southeast of Alvarado and moved northeast 2.8 miles then lifting 3 miles east of Alvarado. One person sustained head injuries from flying debris. Two mobile homes were destroyed and one heavily damaged, a house was unroofed, a workshop was destroyed, and numerous trees and power lines were blown down

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
May 4, 9:15 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Ovilla
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
31.617, -98.233

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
May 4, 9:15 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Italy
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
31.300, -96.900

Power poles were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When
May 4, 9:20 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Duncanville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.383, -97.133

Trees were blown onto power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
May 4, 9:30 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Boyce
Measured
58 kt (67 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
32.000, -97.133

A large tree was split in half by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When
May 5, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, Shive
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
30.933, -97.533

Power lines were blown down by high thunderstorm winds.

Hail, Bosque

When
May 5, 2:24 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.233, -96.500

Tornado, Bosque

When
May 5, 3:05 PM CST to 3:08 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, 1 mi SW of Kopperl
Rating
F0
Path length
1.7 mi
Path width
75 yd
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.383, -96.733

A tornado downed numerous trees in the community and caused minor roof damage. A mobile home was damaged northeast of town.

Hail, Bosque

When
May 5, 3:10 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, 2 mi NE of Meridian
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
31.433, -97.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Coryell

When
May 5, 3:12 PM CST
Where
Coryell County, Gatesville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.067, -97.467

Numerous trees were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When
May 5, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 2 mi S of Blum
Measured
58 kt (67 mph)
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.183, -96.883

Thunderstorms winds damaged trees two miles south and three miles southeast of Blum.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coryell

When
May 5, 3:18 PM CST
Where
Coryell County, 3 mi NE of Gatesville
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
30.917, -97.550

A veterinary clinic was heavily damaged by high winds.

Hail, Coryell

When
May 5, 3:18 PM CST
Where
Coryell County, 3 mi NE of Gatesville
Measured
1 in hail
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.017, -96.733

A car was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When
May 5, 3:45 PM CST
Where
Hill County, Hillsboro
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
31.100, -97.917

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Navarro

When
May 5, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Navarro County, Rice
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
31.083, -97.733

High wind report estimated by general public.

Hail, Denton

When
May 5, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Bartonville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.000, -96.733

Hail, McLennan

When
May 5, 4:55 PM CST
Where
McLennan County, Levi
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.133, -97.767

Thunderstorm Wind, McLennan

When
May 5, 5:00 PM CST
Where
McLennan County, Levi
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
31.133, -97.733

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Hail, McLennan

When
May 5, 5:05 PM CST
Where
McLennan County, Robinson
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.552, -97.202 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, McLennan

When
May 5, 5:08 PM CST
Where
McLennan County, Lorena
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.133, -97.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
May 5, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Bardwell Lake
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
31.083, -97.950

Power poles were blown down near the lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Falls

When
May 5, 6:50 PM CST
Where
Falls County, Marlin
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
31.083, -98.000

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.

Flash Flood, Denton

When
May 5, 11:30 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Little Elm
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.050, -97.200

A bridge on County Road 720 was submerged near Little Elm.

Flash Flood, Tarrant

When
May 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Keller
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.033, -97.133

Street flooding was reported north of Farm Market 1709.

Flash Flood, Denton

When
May 6, 12:45 AM CST
Where
Denton County, 5 mi E of Denton
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.750, -96.550

A bridge on County Road 720 was submerged near Little Elm.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When
May 6, 1:25 AM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.467, -97.717

Water was over Northwest Highway at Hillcrest and Northwest Highway and Denton.

Flash Flood, Collin

When
May 6, 1:28 AM CST
Where
Collin County, Mc Kinney
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.083, -97.133

Water was over Highway 75 at Parkview.

Hail, Palo Pinto

When
May 6, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Palo Pinto County, 10 mi SW of Palo Pinto
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.250, -97.283

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Killeen
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.717, -95.800

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 3:16 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 7 mi W of Killeen
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.038, -97.478 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 3:25 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 2 mi W of Killeen
Measured
4.5 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.133, -96.933

Hail, Coryell

When
May 6, 3:25 PM CST
Where
Coryell County, 2 mi S of Copperas Cove
Measured
4.5 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.083, -97.133

Hail, Lampasas

When
May 6, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Lampasas County, Kempner
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.567, -97.133

Windows were broken out at Allen Estates.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Ding Dong
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.133, -97.917

A house was unroofed by high winds.

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 3:35 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Killeen
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.267, -97.183

Hail, Lampasas

When
May 6, 3:35 PM CST
Where
Lampasas County, 3 mi E of Kempner
Measured
2.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.583, -96.950

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 3:54 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 3 mi S of Killeen
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.433, -97.117

Hail, Wise

When
May 6, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Wise County, Alvord
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.533, -96.883

Hail, Denton

When
May 6, 4:11 PM CST
Where
Denton County, 6 mi NE of Lewisville
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.750, -96.550

The hail fell in The Colony.

Tornado, Bell

When
May 6, 4:12 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 2 mi SE of Killeen
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
10 yd
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.150, -97.300

A brief tornado was reported in Harker Heights. No damage reports were received.

Hail, Hill

When
May 6, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 5 mi NW of Hillsboro
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.950, -96.717

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Nolanville
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.550, -98.667

Hail, Hill

When
May 6, 4:40 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 2 mi N of Hillsboro
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.950, -96.817

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 4:54 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Belton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.533, -96.883

Reported by the emergency manager.

Tornado, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 1 mi SW of Salado
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
10 yd
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
32.233, -97.150

The walls of a house bowed in and the roof was lifted off and moved six inches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Salado
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.150, -96.967

A large tree was blown down onto an SUV.

Hail, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Belton
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.450, -98.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Belton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.367, -96.150

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Salado
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
32.933, -96.450

A porch was blown down by high winds.

Flash Flood, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 3 mi SE of Killeen
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.367, -97.683

Flooding resulted in high water rescues and major damage to one street in Harker Heights.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Bell County, 3 mi SE of Killeen
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.067, -97.500

Trees were blown down by high winds at Harker Heights.

Hail, Mills

When
May 6, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Mills County, Mullin
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.567, -97.133

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:20 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Sparks
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.833, -96.450

A house was unroofed by high winds.

Hail, Johnson

When
May 6, 5:25 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Grandview
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.350, -97.400

Hail, Johnson

When
May 6, 5:26 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Venus
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.933, -96.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Bell

When
May 6, 5:30 PM CST
Where
Bell County, Rogers
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.667, -98.417

Power lines and trees were blown down.

Hail, Hill

When
May 6, 5:35 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 5 mi N of Itasca
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
31.133, -97.733

Hail, Ellis

When
May 6, 5:45 PM CST to 5:47 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Ovilla
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
33.800, -95.517

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When
May 6, 5:46 PM CST to 5:50 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Richardson
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
30.933, -97.533

Three inch diameter trees were uprooted by high winds.

Hail, Dallas

When
May 6, 5:57 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Cedar Hill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
31.067, -97.467

Hail, Denton

When
May 6, 5:58 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Little Elm
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
30.967, -97.767

Hail, Tarrant

When
May 6, 5:58 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Mansfield
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
31.067, -97.467

Hail, Dallas

When
May 6, 5:58 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Addison
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
30.933, -97.333

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When
May 6, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Leon County, Jewett
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.650, -96.900

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When
May 6, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Milam County, Buckholts
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
30.786, -96.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Denton

When
May 6, 6:02 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Bartonville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
31.083, -97.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When
May 6, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Milam County, 2 mi W of Cameron
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
30.786, -96.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A carport was blown 250 yards by high winds. Trees were also blown down.

Hail, Mills

When
May 6, 6:20 PM CST
Where
Mills County, Goldthwaite
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.667, -98.517

Hail, Collin

When
May 6, 6:22 PM CST
Where
Collin County, 1 mi W of Plano
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
30.933, -97.233

Hail, Grayson

When
May 6, 6:40 PM CST
Where
Grayson County, Denison
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
31.100, -97.700

Hail, Collin

When
May 6, 6:43 PM CST
Where
Collin County, 1 mi SW of Plano
Measured
3 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
33.188, -96.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Grayson

When
May 6, 6:45 PM CST to 7:02 PM CST
Where
Grayson County, Denison
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.900, -96.567

Hail, Collin

When
May 6, 7:00 PM CST
Where
Collin County, Allen
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.117, -97.717

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When
May 6, 7:20 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Cleburne
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.100, -96.683

Highway signs were damaged by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockwall

When
May 6, 7:25 PM CST
Where
Rockwall County, 1 mi W of Rockwall
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.783, -96.933

Continuous power flashes from high winds.

Hail, Dallas

When
May 6, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Rowlett
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.117, -97.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockwall

When
May 6, 7:40 PM CST
Where
Rockwall County, Rockwall
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Lamar

When
May 6, 7:48 PM CST
Where
Lamar County, Powderly
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.750, -96.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockwall

When
May 6, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Rockwall County, Heath
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.933, -97.633

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fannin

When
May 6, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Fannin County, Monkstown
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.217, -97.150

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Lamar

When
May 6, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Lamar County, Tigertown
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.367, -97.383

Thunderstorm Wind, Kaufman

When
May 6, 8:23 PM CST
Where
Kaufman County, Forney
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.667, -98.517

A transformer was blown down.

Hail, Coryell

When
May 6, 8:53 PM CST
Where
Coryell County, Copperas Cove
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.383, -97.200

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2001Every state in 2001This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2001Warnings in Texas, May 2001

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5245695, 5245696, 5245785, 5245793, 5245794, 5245697, 5245789, 5245784, 5245783, 5245790, 5245792, 5245786, 5245791, 5245875, 5245787, 5244574, 5245788, 5245873, 5244575, 5245874, 5245895, 5245876, 5245872, 5245896, 5245799, 5245800, 5245797, 5245798, 5245878, 5245877, 5245879, 5245880, 5245897, 5245881, 5245882, 5244572, 5245979, 5245883, 5245884, 5245890, and more.