Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, October 10 to 13, 2001

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, October 10 to 13, 2001
Start: 2001-10-10T16:24
End: 2001-10-13T00:04
Location: Texas

October 10 to 13, 2001 · NWS FWD · 77 events in 30 counties and zones

Showers and thunderstorms developed across north Texas, mainly in the afternoon and night resulting in widespread severe weather, during the period October 10-13. The most significant event occured during the late afternoon and night of October 12, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved east across north texas producing eight tornadoes, and nearly two million dollars in damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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: 2
Property damage: $2.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 77

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.

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 Oct 10, 1:50 PM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 10, 1:50 PM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
250 PM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

SEVERE THREAT WILL CONTINUE ACROSS ALL OF CWA TONIGHT...WITH THE
GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS THE NORTHWEST HALF OF
THE AREA THIS EVENING AND EARLY TONIGHT.  COLD FRONT WILL BECOME
QUASI STATIONARY ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS THIS EVENING.  THIS WILL
RESULT IN A TRAIN ECHO PATTERN WHERE THE FRONT STOPS...AND A FLASH
FLOOD WATCH MAY BE NECESSARY SOMETIME TONIGHT.  CURRENT THINKING IS
HEAVIEST RAINS WILL BE ACROSS SOUTHEAST COUNTIES.  NEXT SHORT WAVE
IS MUCH STRONGER THAN THE ONE THAT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA
TONIGHT.  AS A RESULT THE FRONT WILL BECOME STATIONARY ACROSS
SOUTHERN ZONES ON THURSDAY WITH A BACKING UPPER FLOW...AND WITH THE
UPPER FLOW BECOMING STRONG SOUTHWEST LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND EARLY
FRIDAY STRONG ISENTROPIC LIFT WILL OCCUR ACROSS FRONT WITH
INCREASING CLOUDS AND AN INCREASING CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY
AFTERNOON INTO EARLY SATURDAY.

FCSTID = 59
DFW   62  74  60  77 / 100  40   0  20
ACT   65  78  62  77 /  80  70  30  20

.FWD...NONE.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 10, 10:57 AM CST, 5 hours 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
921 PM CDT SUN SEP 23 2001

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ...COUNTY LOCATION....

0445 PM    3 SSW GRANBURY            TX   WIND DAMAGE
09/23/01   HOOD                           HAM RADIO TOWER DOWN 2.7
                                          MILES SSW OF
                                          INTERSECTION OF SH 144
                                          AND SH 51. TREE LIMBS OF 3
                                          TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER
                                          DOWN ALSO. DIME TO
                                          NICKEL SIZE HAIL
                                          COVERED THE GROUND.

Local storm report, Oct 10, 10:59 AM CST, 5 hours 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1159 AM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ...COUNTY LOCATION....

1148 AM    4 SW OLNEY                TX   1.00 INCH HAIL
10/10/01   YOUNG                          REPORTED BY OLNEY
                                          POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Special weather statement, Oct 10, 11:08 AM CST, 5 hours 16 minutes before

TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-102100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1208 PM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF NORTH TEXAS...GENERALLY WEST OF A
LINE FROM GAINESVILLE...TO DALLAS...TO LAMPASAS. THIS MODERATE RISK
AREA INCLUDES THE CITIES OF GRAHAM...DENTON...EASTLAND...
CLEBURNE...GOLDTHWAITE...MERIDIAN...DALLAS...AND FORT WORTH.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER OVER THE REMAINDER OF NORTH
TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO NORTH TEXAS...ALONG WITH AN UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCE AND DAYTIME HEATING...WILL PRODUCE SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF NORTH TEXAS EARLY THIS
AFTERNOON. THESE STORMS WILL MOVE EAST DURING THE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING HOURS...BEFORE THE FRONT BECOMES STATIONARY IN THE EASTERN
PART OF THE REGION TONIGHT.

THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING IS
HAIL...HIGH WINDS...LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY RAIN...ALONG WITH THE
POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED TORNADOES.  LATER TONIGHT AS THE FRONT SLOWS
DOWN...HEAVY RAIN WILL BECOME THE PRIMARY THREAT OVER NORTH
TEXAS...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF A TEMPLE...TO CANTON LINE.

ON FRIDAY...THERE APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OVER NORTH TEXAS.

Special weather statement, Oct 10, 12:11 PM CST, 4 hours 13 minutes before

TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-102100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1208 PM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF NORTH TEXAS...GENERALLY WEST OF A
LINE FROM GAINESVILLE...TO DALLAS...TO LAMPASAS. THIS MODERATE RISK
AREA INCLUDES THE CITIES OF GRAHAM...DENTON...EASTLAND...
CLEBURNE...GOLDTHWAITE...MERIDIAN...DALLAS...AND FORT WORTH.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER OVER THE REMAINDER OF NORTH
TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO NORTH TEXAS...ALONG WITH AN UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCE AND DAYTIME HEATING...WILL PRODUCE SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE WESTERN PORTIONS OF NORTH TEXAS EARLY THIS
AFTERNOON. THESE STORMS WILL MOVE EAST DURING THE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING HOURS...BEFORE THE FRONT BECOMES STATIONARY IN THE EASTERN
PART OF THE REGION TONIGHT.

THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING IS
HAIL...HIGH WINDS...LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY RAIN...ALONG WITH THE
POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED TORNADOES.  LATER TONIGHT AS THE FRONT SLOWS
DOWN...HEAVY RAIN WILL BECOME THE PRIMARY THREAT OVER NORTH
TEXAS...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF A TEMPLE...TO CANTON LINE.

ON FRIDAY...THERE APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OVER NORTH TEXAS.

Local storm report, Oct 10, 12:59 PM CST, 3 hours 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
159 PM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1148 AM    4 SW OLNEY                TX   1 INCH HAIL
10/10/01   YOUNG                          REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

Special weather statement, Oct 10, 3:00 PM CST, 1 hour 24 minutes before

TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-110300-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
400 PM CDT WED OCT 10 2001

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THIS
EVENING OVER THE NORTHWESTERN HALF OF NORTH TEXAS...GENERALLY
NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM PARIS...TO DALLAS...TO LAMPASAS. THIS
MODERATE RISK AREA INCLUDES THE CITIES OF GRAHAM...DENTON...
SHERMAN...EASTLAND...CLEBURNE...GOLDTHWAITE...MERIDIAN...AND THE
DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER OVER THE REMAINDER OF NORTH
TEXAS TONIGHT.

A COLD FRONT...EXTENDING ALONG A MCALESTER OKLAHOMA...TO WICHITA
FALLS...TO LUBBOCK LINE LATE THIS AFTERNOON...WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE
SOUTH TONIGHT...PROVIDING THE FORCING MECHANISM FOR WIDESPREAD
THUNDERSTORMS.  WITH HELP FROM AN APPROACHING UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCE...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED GIVEN THE
FAVORABLE COMBINATION OF INSTABILITY AND WIND SHEAR.  LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS ARE THE LIKELY THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH THE
EVENING.  ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE WITHIN THE CURRENT
ENVIRONMENT.

AS THE FRONT SLOWS DOWN LATER TONIGHT...HEAVY RAIN WILL BECOME THE
PRIMARY THREAT OVER NORTH TEXAS...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF A TEMPLE...TO
CANTON LINE.

ON FRIDAY...THERE APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OVER NORTH TEXAS.

64

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

35 hail, 30 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stephens

When: October 10, 4:24 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, Eolian
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.150, -95.850

Two trees were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Palo Pinto

When: October 10, 5:08 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto County, Strawn
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.483, -96.983

Hail, Fannin

When: October 10, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Fannin County, Trenton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 33.083, -96.967

Hail, Parker

When: October 10, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Parker County, 1 mi S of Weatherford
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.400, -96.850

Hail, Parker

When: October 10, 6:13 PM CST
Where: Parker County, Weatherford
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.778, -97.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Golfball size hail damaged 250 cars and 250 houses.

Hail, Tarrant

When: October 10, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, North Richland Hills
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 33.133, -96.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Lamar

When: October 10, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lamar County, Paris
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates: 30.983, -96.650

Power poles and trees were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Jack

When: October 10, 8:31 PM CST to 8:45 PM CST
Where: Jack County, Bartons Chapel
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 31.900, -98.700

Golfball size hail covered the ground.

Hail, Stephens

When: October 10, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, Crystal Falls
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.233, -97.750

Hail, Jack

When: October 10, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Jack County, Perrin
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 33.200, -98.000

Hail, Wise

When: October 10, 9:05 PM CST
Where: Wise County, Boonsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.233, -97.750

Hail, Wise

When: October 10, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Wise County, 1 mi SW of Bridgeport
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 31.617, -97.450

Sheriffs office vehicle had windshield damage from large hail.

Hail, Young

When: October 10, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Young County, 3 mi NE of Eliasville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.767, -96.733

Hail, Denton

When: October 10, 10:03 PM CST to 10:08 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 1 mi S of Krum
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 31.633, -97.483

Hail, Denton

When: October 10, 10:05 PM CST
Where: Denton County, Denton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.950, -96.717

Hail, Denton

When: October 10, 10:26 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 3 mi S of Aubrey
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.617, -95.700

Hail, Denton

When: October 10, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 2 mi S of Aubrey
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 31.550, -97.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Collin

When: October 10, 10:51 PM CST
Where: Collin County, Celina
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.483, -95.767

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Young

When: October 11, 1:33 AM CST
Where: Young County, Graham
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.200, -96.617

Hail, Jack

When: October 11, 1:48 AM CST
Where: Jack County, 4 mi S of Bryson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.500, -96.617

Hail, Palo Pinto

When: October 12, 4:24 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto County, 1 mi S of Possum Kingdom Lake
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.233, -97.383

Occurred one mile south of the dam.

Thunderstorm Wind, Comanche

When: October 12, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 5 mi W of Comanche
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 33.150, -97.650

Hail, Palo Pinto

When: October 12, 4:26 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto County, 3 mi SE of Possum Kingdom Lake
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.700, -97.150

Occurred three miles southeast of the dam.

Hail, Comanche

When: October 12, 4:34 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, Sidney
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.117, -96.933

Hail, Palo Pinto

When: October 12, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto County, 5 mi NW of Graford
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 32.333, -96.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Palo Pinto

When: October 12, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto County, 2 mi NW of Graford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.083, -96.833

Hail, Mills

When: October 12, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Mills County, Priddy
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 32.433, -96.667

Hail, Jack

When: October 12, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Jack County, Wizard Wells
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.233, -97.600

Hail, Hamilton

When: October 12, 6:12 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Hico
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 30.617, -97.200

Hail, Jack

When: October 12, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Jack County, 4 mi N of Perrin
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.433, -96.667

Thunderstorm Wind, Jack

When: October 12, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Jack County, Vineyard
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.983, -96.333

Hail, Hamilton

When: October 12, 6:48 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Hamilton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 31.705, -98.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Wise

When: October 12, 6:50 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where: Wise County, Paradise
Rating: F2
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 33.483, -97.183

The first tornado touched down in southwest Paradise at the intersection of School House Road and Sunflower. Initial damage was spotty, with damage to trees, mobile homes, and outbuildings. The tornado strengthened as it moved northeast into the downtown area, with the peak F2 intensity along Main Street. The roof of the firehouse was completely removed and thrown several hundred yards. Some bricks on the exterior walls of the firehouse were removed. A woman in the firehouse received a head injury from flying debris, and was treated at a local hospital. A water tower was blown over across the street from the firehouse. Numerous trees along Main Street were either sheared off or uprooted. The tornado crossed Highway114, flipping over a tractor trailer and causing tree damage at an orchard.

Tornado, Wise

When: October 12, 7:00 PM CST to 7:18 PM CST
Where: Wise County, Decatur
Rating: F2
Path length: 9 mi
Path width: 590 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 33.483, -97.183

The second Wise county tornado touched down on the southwest side of Decatur, with initial damage to trees and a large storage shed. The tornado strengthened as it moved east northeast into the Lipsey Subdivision. Several homes sustained roof damage and numerous trees were blown down or snapped off. One large home on Garland Street was rendered uninhabitable, as most of the roof was blown off and two exterior walls were destroyed. The occupant escaped with minor injuries. The tornado crossed Highway 51, blowing down numerous trees, power lines, and utility poles. A large portion of the roof of the Church of Christ building was removed and blown into a tree about one mile away. The Wise County Regional Hospital had some windows broken. As the tornado crossed Highway 287, it weakened doing sporadic F0 damage to trees in a residential area just south of downtown. The tornado reintensified just east of downtown near the intersection if Business Highway 81 and Old Denton Road, where a 10,000 square foot storage building was destroyed. The tornado continued moving northeast, severely damaging three homes. Two four inch diameter posts from a gazebo were thrown 1/4 of a mile and driven one foot into the ground. The tornado crossed Highway 380, heavily damaging a ranch, then moved into a heavily wooded area blowing down hundreds of trees before dissipating. Damage occurred to 50 homes,at least 8 businesses, and 2 churches.

Hail, Somervell

When: October 12, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Somervell County, Glen Rose
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 30.650, -97.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Somervell

When: October 12, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Somervell County, Glen Rose
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.150, -96.900

Trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Collin

When: October 12, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Collin County, 5 mi S of Frisco
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.267, -96.983

Power lines were blown down between Highway 121 and Frisco. One mobile home was unroofed and several others damaged. One carport was destroyed and several homes were damaged by blown down trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: October 12, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Rio Vista
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.250, -96.983

Large tree limbs were blown onto FM 1220 by high winds.

Hail, Fannin

When: October 12, 7:42 PM CST
Where: Fannin County, Bonham
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 31.667, -98.517

Hail, Cooke

When: October 12, 7:43 PM CST to 7:46 PM CST
Where: Cooke County, 1 mi W of Valley View
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.750, -97.350

Thunderstorm Wind, Cooke

When: October 12, 7:43 PM CST to 7:44 PM CST
Where: Cooke County, 1 mi W of Valley View
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.639, -97.213 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: October 12, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, 3 mi SW of Arlington
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.217, -97.150

Large tree limbs were blown off trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: October 12, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Midlothian
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 31.683, -97.450

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Tornado, Bosque

When: October 12, 7:54 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Bosque County, 5 mi SW of Valley Mills
Rating: F1
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 33.083, -98.067

The initial touchdown was near the Mosheim community. The tornado moved east northeast for 1.5 miles before dissipating. One mobile home was destroyed, several buildings had roof damage, and trees were uprooted.

Tornado, McLennan

When: October 12, 7:58 PM CST to 8:08 PM CST
Where: McLennan County, 10 mi N of Crawford
Rating: F2
Path length: 4.2 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 32.950, -98.267

The first tornado to hit the county touched down 2.5 miles southwest of Valley Mills, then moved east northeast and dissipated 1.5 miles east of Valley Mills. The most significant damage was to a frame house near the beginning of the damage path. There was also damage to house roofs and mobile homes along Cap Fiske Road, Highway 317, and near Highway 6 on the southern edge of Valley Mills.

Tornado, Bosque

When: October 12, 8:00 PM CST to 8:05 PM CST
Where: Bosque County, 2 mi W of Valley Mills
Rating: F0
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 33.167, -97.983

The second tornado to hit the county touched down 1.5 miles west of Valley Mills and moved east northeast for two miles before dissipating 0.5 miles north of Valley Mills. The damage was confined to trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Denton

When: October 12, 8:14 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 5 mi NE of Lewisville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.100, -98.600

An 18 wheeler was blown over by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: October 12, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Richardson
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.433, -96.350

A football stadium was damaged by high winds.

Tornado, Denton

When: October 12, 8:20 PM CST to 8:25 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 4 mi E of Little Elm
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.167, -97.150

A short lived tornado destroyed a barn and uprooted some trees.

Hail, Grayson

When: October 12, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Grayson County, Howe
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.067, -98.233

Thunderstorm Wind, Collin

When: October 12, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Collin County, Mc Kinney
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.833, -97.250

Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When: October 12, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 31.950, -98.733

Trees were uprooted by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: October 12, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 3 mi E of Dallas
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.033, -98.067

Power lines were blown down 3 miles east of Love Field.

Hail, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Waxahachie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 31.600, -97.550

Flash Flood, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Waxahachie
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 33.583, -96.183

Numerous roads were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hill

When: October 12, 8:38 PM CST
Where: Hill County, Itasca
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.483, -96.983

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 5 mi S of Waxahachie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 33.117, -98.383

Hail, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:42 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Palmer
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.983, -98.717

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Midlothian
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.983, -98.317

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Palmer
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 32.667, -99.017

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Flash Flood, Ellis

When: October 12, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, Red Oak
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 31.650, -97.517

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockwall

When: October 12, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Rockwall County, Royse City
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.317, -96.783

Power poles were blown down by high winds.

Tornado, McLennan

When: October 12, 8:57 PM CST to 9:12 PM CST
Where: McLennan County, 5 mi SW of West
Rating: F2
Path length: 6.2 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 31.983, -98.033

The second McLennan county tornado touched down just southwest of Tokio then moved east northeast and dissipated 1.3 miles east of West. Homes, a church, and several businesses were damaged in Tokio. After moving through Tokio, the tornado moved along FM 1858, causing heavy damage to wood-frame structures, mobile homes, storage buildings, and minor damage to several brick homes. As the tornado moved across the extreme southern edge of West, several homes and storage buildings were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Denton

When: October 12, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Denton County, 5 mi S of Little Elm
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 31.750, -97.167

At least 60 homes were damaged by thunderstorm winds. Trees and powerlines were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bosque

When: October 12, 9:04 PM CST
Where: Bosque County, 1 mi S of Valley Mills
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.767, -97.800

Several homes were damaged and trees and powerlines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLennan

When: October 12, 9:04 PM CST
Where: McLennan County, 6 mi N of Crawford
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.750, -97.800

Several homes were damaged, and trees and powerlines were blown down.

Tornado, Hill

When: October 12, 9:15 PM CST to 9:20 PM CST
Where: Hill County, 6 mi SE of Abbott
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.7 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 31.700, -98.117

A tornado touched down 2 miles northwest of Birome and moved east northeast 0.7 of a mile before dissipating. The damage path was mostly across open country, but heavy damage occurred to a mobile home and a barn.

Hail, Hunt

When: October 12, 9:27 PM CST
Where: Hunt County, Greenville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 31.817, -97.017

Thunderstorm Wind, Delta

When: October 12, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Delta County, Ben Franklin
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.067, -97.867

A storage shed was unroofed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLennan

When: October 12, 9:50 PM CST
Where: McLennan County, Waco
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.200, -97.783

Fences were blown down by high winds.

Hail, Lamar

When: October 12, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Lamar County, Brookston
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.550, -98.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: October 12, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, Cumby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.900, -98.900

Large tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When: October 12, 11:12 PM CST
Where: Milam County, Thorndale
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.650, -95.533

Wind damage was reported by law enforcement officials.

Flash Flood, Navarro

When: October 12, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Navarro County, Blooming Grove
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.883, -98.500

Flooding was reported on Highway 22 between Frost and Blooming Grove.

Flash Flood, Hill

When: October 12, 11:35 PM CST
Where: Hill County, 6 mi SE of Hillsboro
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.867, -98.467

Widespread flooding was reported between Hillsboro, Abbot, and Malone.

Thunderstorm Wind, Robertson

When: October 12, 11:40 PM CST
Where: Robertson County, Calvert
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.250, -97.250

Large tree limbs were blown off trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When: October 13, 12:04 AM CST
Where: Milam County, Rockdale
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.786, -96.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and power lines were blown down all over town. There was secondary damage from trees falling on houses and cars.

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

Every storm in Texas in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 2001 Warnings in Texas, October 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: 5271694, 5271771, 5271707, 5271773, 5271772, 5271706, 5271691, 5271705, 5271703, 5271704, 5271702, 5271701, 5271695, 5271700, 5271698, 5271699, 5271692, 5271693, 5271697, 5271696, 5271690, 5271575, 5271689, 5271688, 5271687, 5271683, 5271686, 5271027, 5271682, 5271685, 5271684, 5271681, 5270804, 5270803, 5271025, 5271026, 5270911, 5271013, 5270905, 5271679, and more.