Texas, 2002

Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Texas, April 16 to 17, 2002

April 16 to 17, 2002 · NWS FWD · 64 events in 14 counties and zones

42 hail, 12 tornado, 8 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood, 1 lightning, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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
0
Property damage
$307,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
64

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 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 Apr 16, 2:34 PM CST, 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 16, 2:34 PM CST, 56 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
334 PM CDT TUE APR 16 2002

ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING IN THE SOUTHWEST
PORTION OF THE FORECAST AREA ALONG THE 70 DEGREE DEWPOINT
BOUNDARY...AHEAD OF THE DRYLINE. WILL CONTINUE AFTERNOON FORECAST OF
CHANCE POPS OVER THE REGION INTO THIS EVENING. IT WILL ALSO REMAIN
MUGGY THIS WEEK AS DEWPOINTS WILL REMAIN IN THE MID 60S TO LOWER
70S. NORTHERN PLAINS LOW MOVING INTO CANADA SO PRESSURE GRADIENT AND
SURFACE WINDS TO NOT BE QUITE AS STRONG AS MONDAY. WEST-SOUTHWEST
FLOW ALOFT TO CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND AS SHORTWAVES CONTINUE TO
MOVE THROUGH LONGWAVE TROUGH OVER WESTERN U.S. NO FRONTS OR DRYLINE
TO AFFECT THE AREA THROUGH THURSDAY SO WILL CONTINUE THE ABOVE
NORMAL TEMPS AND HUMIDITY. GUSTY WINDS AGAIN THURSDAY WITH NEW
CENTRAL PLAINS LEE SIDE LOW DEVELOPING. NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN CONTINUE
TO BE OVER THE WEEKEND THOUGH THE AVN MODEL RUN THIS MORNING NOW
KEEPS THE FRONT...AND THE HEAVIEST RAIN...ALONG THE RED RIVER. WE/LL
SEE. 82

FCSTID = 82
DFW   69  87  69  88 /  30   0   0   0
ACT   70  89  70  90 /  30   0   0   0

.FWD...
TX...NONE.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 16, 2:33 PM CST, 57 minutes before
TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-171100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR NORTH TEXAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
333 PM CDT TUE APR 16 2002

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER ALL BUT THE
EXTREME EASTERN PART OF NORTH TEXAS TONIGHT. THE RISK AREA IS
GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF A LINE FROM CENTERVILLE...TO
CORSICANA...TO KAUFMAN...TO BONHAM. THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF
GAINESVILLE...SHERMAN...DENISON...GRAHAM...DENTON...GREENVILLE...
EASTLAND...STEPHENVILLE...LAMPASAS...TEMPLE...KILLEEN...WACO...AND
THE DALLAS...FORT WORTH METROPLEX.

THE DRY LINE OVER WEST TEXAS WILL BE THE PRIMARY FOCUS FOR
THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS A WEAK UPPER
LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVES ACROSS THE REGION. AS THE DRY LINE PUSHES
EAST INTO THE WARM...MOIST UNSTABLE AIRMASS OVER NORTH
TEXAS...THUNDERSTORMS WILL QUICKLY DEVELOP.

SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL BECOME SEVERE...WITH LARGE HAIL AND HIGH
WINDS. IN ADDITION...THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF TORNADOES
DEVELOPING IN THE STRONGER ROTATING THUNDERSTORMS.

RESIDENTS OF NORTH TEXAS SHOULD STAY ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING
WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICIALS...AND STORM SPOTTERS CAN EXPECT POSSIBLE
ACTIVATION...BEGINNING AS EARLY AS 400 PM IN THE RISK AREA.

The radar

The Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

42 hail, 12 tornado, 8 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Bosque

When
April 16, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Meridian
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
31.917, -97.650

Hail, Johnson

When
April 16, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Joshua
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.467, -97.383

Thunderstorm Wind, Bosque

When
April 16, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Non-specific wind damage was reported by a radio station in Hillsboro.

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:08 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred at Bryant Irvin Road and Highway 183.

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:10 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred at Hulen Street and Interstate 20.

Hail, Wise

When
April 16, 4:12 PM CST
Where
Wise County, Newark
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
33.000, -97.483

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
April 16, 4:15 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 4 mi S of Midlothian
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.433, -96.983

A barn was unroofed and trees were blown down.

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:20 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred at Trail Lake and Granbury Road.

Hail, Wise

When
April 16, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Wise County, Chico
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.300, -97.817

Hail, Hill

When
April 16, 4:34 PM CST
Where
Hill County, Blum
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.150, -97.400

Hail, Denton

When
April 16, 4:40 PM CST
Where
Denton County, Justin
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
33.083, -97.300

Tornado, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:42 PM CST to 4:45 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Everman
Rating
F0
Path length
1.6 mi
Path width
100 yd
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.633, -97.283

The first tornado developed near the intersection of Noble Road and Hansbarger Road and moved northeast. Damage to fences carports and trees occurred. The tornado moved northeast into the Bonaventure Mobile Home Park, partially unroofing one mobile home, with minor damage to others. The tornado dissipated along Lon Stephenson Road and east of Forest Hill Drive.

Tornado, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:49 PM CST to 4:50 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Rating
F0
Path length
0.6 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

The second tornado developed in southeast Ft Worth near the intersection of Anglin Drive and southeast Loop 820, moved northeast and dissipated between Melinda Road and the old Mansfield Highway. Damage was confined to uprooted trees and minor roof damage.

Tornado, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:52 PM CST to 4:54 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Rating
F0
Path length
0.8 mi
Path width
70 yd
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

The third tornado developed in southeast Fort Worth along Redwood Boulevard north of Collett Little Road, moved northeast across Loop 820 near Sun Valley Drive and dissipated north of Laster Road.Damage was confined to trees and mobile homes.

Hail, Hill

When
April 16, 4:55 PM CST
Where
Hill County, Blum
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates
32.150, -97.400

Tornado, Tarrant

When
April 16, 4:59 PM CST to 5:06 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Rating
F3
Path length
2.1 mi
Path width
80 yd
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

The fourth and most significant tornado of the day developed in east Fort Worth just south of Ramey Avenue east of Loop 820, moved north and dissipated between Forest and Haynie streets, south ofGreenlee Street. Damage occurred to a strip mall, with heavy damage to a duplex. Several homes were partially unroofed, two businesses suffered heavy damage, and roof damage occurred to the sanctuary of a church.

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred near Interstate 30 in east Fort Worth.

Hail, Johnson

When
April 16, 5:07 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 1 mi SE of Cleburne
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.333, -97.383

Hail, Johnson

When
April 16, 5:10 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 1 mi W of Rio Vista
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.233, -97.400

Hail, Johnson

When
April 16, 5:15 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Alvarado
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.400, -97.217

Hail, Cooke

When
April 16, 5:23 PM CST
Where
Cooke County, 1 mi NW of Gainesville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.650, -97.167

Hail, Cooke

When
April 16, 5:23 PM CST
Where
Cooke County, 3 mi NW of Gainesville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.667, -97.183

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 5:29 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Euless
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.833, -97.083

Hail, Dallas

When
April 16, 5:45 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.767, -96.783

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 5:52 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, 3 mi SE of Grapevine
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.900, -97.050

Occurred at DFW Airport observation site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tarrant

When
April 16, 5:52 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, 3 mi SE of Grapevine
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.900, -97.050

Occurred at DFW Airport obs site.

Hail, Dallas

When
April 16, 5:52 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas-Ft Worth Intl
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.900, -97.033

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When
April 16, 5:52 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas-Ft Worth Intl
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.900, -97.033

Hail, Tarrant

When
April 16, 5:55 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Euless
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GOVT OFFICIAL
Coordinates
32.833, -97.083

Occurred at the Center Weather Service Unit.

Tornado, Johnson

When
April 16, 5:56 PM CST to 5:59 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 2 mi NNE of Grandview
Rating
F0
Path length
1.1 mi
Path width
70 yd
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.300, -97.167

The tornado touched down in open country with no known damage.

Hail, Bosque

When
April 16, 6:01 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Hail, Bosque

When
April 16, 6:01 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Hail, Dallas

When
April 16, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.767, -96.783

Occurred at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Highway 119.

Hail, Dallas

When
April 16, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Dallas County, 2 mi S of Dallas Love Fld
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.817, -96.850

Hail, Johnson

When
April 16, 6:07 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Alvarado
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.400, -97.217

Tornado, Johnson

When
April 16, 6:07 PM CST to 6:08 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 4 mi NE of Grandview
Rating
F0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
40 yd
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.300, -97.133

The tornado touched down in open country with no known damage.

Tornado, Johnson

When
April 16, 6:11 PM CST to 6:14 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 5 mi ENE of Grandview
Rating
F0
Path length
1 mi
Path width
100 yd
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.283, -97.117

The tornado touched down in open country with no known damage.

Tornado, Johnson

When
April 16, 6:14 PM CST to 6:16 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, 1 mi NW of Grandview
Rating
F0
Path length
1 mi
Path width
40 yd
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.283, -97.200

The tornado touched down in open country with no known damage.

Hail, Hunt

When
April 16, 6:17 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Greenville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.133, -96.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
April 16, 6:22 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Waxahachie
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.400, -96.850

Roof damage from high winds.

Hail, Hunt

When
April 16, 6:31 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, 2 mi E of Campbell
Measured
2.5 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.150, -95.917

Tornado, Ellis

When
April 16, 6:31 PM CST to 6:38 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 4 mi NW of Maypearl
Rating
F1
Path length
2.3 mi
Path width
200 yd
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.350, -97.067

The first Ellis county tornado touched down on Ozro Road, moved east and dissipated aftercrossing FM 157. Damage to trees, storage buildings, and roofs of homes.

Hail, Ellis

When
April 16, 6:39 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 4 mi S of Midlothian
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.433, -96.983

Tornado, Ellis

When
April 16, 6:50 PM CST to 6:53 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 6 mi NE of Maypearl
Rating
F0
Path length
0.4 mi
Path width
75 yd
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.383, -96.950

The second Ellis county tornado touched down on Hoyt Road just north of Buena Vista Road. The tornado moved northeast causing fence and tree damage before dissipating.

Hail, Ellis

When
April 16, 6:56 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Waxahachie
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.400, -96.850

Tornado, Ellis

When
April 16, 7:01 PM CST to 7:03 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 5 mi S of Waxahachie
Rating
F0
Path length
0.2 mi
Path width
70 yd
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.333, -96.850

This tornado touched down on Interstate 35 near mile marker 394 south of Waxahachie. Two tractor trailers were overturned.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ellis

When
April 16, 7:11 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 6 mi S of Waxahachie
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.317, -96.850

Occurred on Interstate 35. Two 18 wheelers were blown over.

Tornado, Ellis

When
April 16, 7:25 PM CST to 7:27 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 2 mi ESE of Maypearl
Rating
F0
Path length
0.4 mi
Path width
60 yd
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
32.300, -96.983

This tornado touched down in open country with no known damage.

Hail, Cooke

When
April 16, 7:41 PM CST
Where
Cooke County, Gainesville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.633, -97.150

Occurred on Route 922.

Hail, Ellis

When
April 16, 7:58 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 6 mi SE of Ferris
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.467, -96.600

Flash Flood, Ellis

When
April 16, 8:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Waxahachie
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.348, -96.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several streets under water, and barricades were put up.

Lightning, Ellis

When
April 16, 8:02 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, Red Oak
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
32.348, -96.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A barn was destroyed by a lightning-started fire.

Hail, Ellis

When
April 16, 8:06 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 5 mi NE of Ennis
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.383, -96.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Kaufman

When
April 16, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Kaufman County, 13 mi ENE of Kaufman
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.650, -96.117

Flagpole with flag was ripped out of the ground by high winds.

Hail, Bosque

When
April 16, 8:16 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Clifton
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.783, -97.583

Hail, Grayson

When
April 16, 8:32 PM CST
Where
Grayson County, Collinsville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.567, -96.917

Hail, Bosque

When
April 16, 9:40 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Hail, Collin

When
April 16, 11:15 PM CST
Where
Collin County, Blue Ridge
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.300, -96.400

Hail, Hunt

When
April 16, 11:30 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Celeste
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.283, -96.200

Hail, Hunt

When
April 16, 11:45 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Campbell
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.150, -95.950

Hail, Hunt

When
April 16, 11:45 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Greenville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.133, -96.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Hunt

When
April 16, 11:45 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Greenville
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.133, -96.117

Trees were blown onto houses, power lines were blown down, and downed trees were blocking streets.

Hail, Ellis

When
April 17, 6:55 PM CST
Where
Ellis County, 2 mi E of Maypearl
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.317, -96.983

Hail, Hood

When
April 17, 9:45 PM CST
Where
Hood County, 10 mi SE of Granbury
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
32.350, -97.683

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2002Every state in 2002This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2002Warnings in Texas, April 2002

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: 5288305, 5288206, 5288211, 5288117, 5288118, 5288182, 5288306, 5288183, 5288304, 5288184, 5288207, 5288323, 5288324, 5288325, 5288210, 5288412, 5288185, 5288312, 5288208, 5288209, 5288186, 5288313, 5288314, 5288308, 5288187, 5288188, 5288315, 5288316, 5288194, 5288413, 5288189, 5288317, 5288190, 5288318, 5288319, 5288414, 5288415, 5288416, 5288191, 5288321, and more.