Texas, 2002

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, March 29 to 30, 2002

March 29 to 30, 2002 · NWS FWD · 62 events in 24 counties and zones

38 hail, 10 tornado, 9 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 1 lightning, 1 heavy rain, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 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
$2.4 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
62

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 Mar 29, 10:35 PM CST, 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 29, 10:35 PM CST, 15 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED FOR PUBLIC
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1035 PM CST FRI MAR 29 2002

AVIATION DISCUSSION...
FRONTAL BOUNDARY EXTENDS FROM SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA...TO JUST NORTH
OF KTKI...TO KAFW...TO KSEP...TO KBWD AS OF 23Z. THIS FRONT SEEMS TO
HAVE NEARLY STALLED...WITH THREE HOUR PRESSURE CHANGES TO THE NORTH
OF THE FRONT LOOKING ONLY SLIGHTLY BETTER TO THE SOUTH OF THE FRONT.
THE FRONT SHOULD SINK SLIGHTLY FARTHER SOUTH TONIGHT...AND MOVE
THROUGH FTW/DFW/DAL BEFORE STALLING OVERNIGHT.  SHOULD SEE CEILINGS
DECREASE...TO MVFR AROUND 09Z...AND TO IFR LEVELS 12-15Z. SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS CURRENTLY OVER THE EDWARDS PLATEAU EAST INTO THE
BIG COUNTRY...WILL SPREAD EAST OVERNIGHT...AND WE SHOULD SEE SOME
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS IN THE METROPLEX BEFORE 09Z.  58

UPDATED ZONES TO REFLECT  SLOWER MOVEMENT OF FRONT.  RAISED MIN
TEMPERATURES TONIGHT AND MAX TEMPERATURES SATURDAY.  59

.FWD...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR SATURDAY FOR ZONES
TXZ91>095...TXZ100>107...TXZ115>123...TXZ129>135...TXZ141...TXZ144>
146.

The radar

The Dallas/Ft Worth radar (KFWS), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 hail, 10 tornado, 9 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 1 lightning, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Palo Pinto

When
March 29, 10:50 PM CST
Where
Palo Pinto County, 10 mi N of Mineral Wells
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.950, -98.100

Hail, Jack

When
March 29, 11:10 PM CST
Where
Jack County, Gibtown
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
33.033, -97.950

Hail, Eastland

When
March 29, 11:15 PM CST to 11:17 PM CST
Where
Eastland County, Cisco
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
32.383, -98.967

Hail, Wise

When
March 29, 11:27 PM CST
Where
Wise County, 5 mi S of Bridgeport
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates
33.150, -97.767

Hail, Eastland

When
March 29, 11:40 PM CST
Where
Eastland County, Eastland
Measured
2.75 in hail
Property damage
$2.0 million
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.400, -98.817

Widespread damage occurred across Eastland. The worst damage was in the east and south parts of town. Roof damage occurred to at least 150 homes. There were numerous reports of broken windows and damage to cars. Some locals claim this was the worse hailstorm in Eastland in 50 years.

Hail, Palo Pinto

When
March 30, 12:00 AM CST to 12:15 AM CST
Where
Palo Pinto County, 1 mi SW of Gordon
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.533, -98.383

Hail, Erath

When
March 30, 12:30 AM CST
Where
Erath County, Thurber
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.500, -98.417

Hail covered Interstate 20 stopping traffic.

Hail, Palo Pinto

When
March 30, 12:38 AM CST
Where
Palo Pinto County, 15 mi S of Mineral Wells
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
32.583, -98.100

Occurred 4 miles west of Lipan.

Hail, Parker

When
March 30, 12:55 AM CST
Where
Parker County, Dennis
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.617, -97.917

Hail, Parker

When
March 30, 1:27 AM CST
Where
Parker County, 6 mi S of Weatherford
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.683, -97.800

Hail, Parker

When
March 30, 1:33 AM CST
Where
Parker County, 7 mi SE of Weatherford
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.700, -97.717

Occurred at Anetta.

Hail, Parker

When
March 30, 1:35 AM CST to 1:48 AM CST
Where
Parker County, Aledo
Measured
3 in hail
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
32.700, -97.600

Golfball to larger than baseball size hail was reported with a spotter reporting a broken windshield.

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 2:10 AM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred in the hospital district in southwest Ft Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 2:21 AM CST to 10:10 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred in east Ft Worth.

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 2:24 AM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Ft Worth
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
32.750, -97.350

Occurred at the Forecast Office in north Ft Worth.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When
March 30, 3:35 AM CST
Where
Dallas County, Mesquite
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Streets were flooded in Mesquite.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When
March 30, 3:35 AM CST
Where
Dallas County, Dallas
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three streets were closed in Dallas due to high water.

Flash Flood, Dallas

When
March 30, 4:07 AM CST
Where
Dallas County, Mesquite
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.767, -96.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Streets were flooded and cars were stalled.

Lightning, Ellis

When
March 30, 4:28 AM CST
Where
Ellis County, 2 mi NE of Ovilla
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
32.348, -96.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When
March 30, 11:52 AM CST
Where
Milam County, Buckholts
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
30.867, -97.133

Hail, Milam

When
March 30, 12:20 PM CST
Where
Milam County, Cameron
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
30.850, -96.967

Thunderstorm Wind, Milam

When
March 30, 12:20 PM CST
Where
Milam County, Cameron
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
30.850, -96.967

Thunderstorm Wind, Falls

When
March 30, 12:20 PM CST
Where
Falls County, Marlin
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
31.300, -96.900

A large barn was blown down and large trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLennan

When
March 30, 12:45 PM CST
Where
McLennan County, Waco
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.550, -97.150

Large tree limbs were blown down.

Tornado, Falls

When
March 30, 12:51 PM CST to 12:53 PM CST
Where
Falls County, 4 mi NE of Reagan
Rating
F0
Path length
0.7 mi
Path width
75 yd
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.250, -96.733

Damage was mostly to trees and a shed.

Heavy Rain, Hill

When
March 30, 12:55 PM CST
Where
Hill County, 7 mi SW of Hillsboro
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.991, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water was 8 inches deep on highway 22.

Hail, Falls

When
March 30, 12:59 PM CST
Where
Falls County, Reagan
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.217, -96.783

Tornado, Limestone

When
March 30, 1:21 PM CST to 1:35 PM CST
Where
Limestone County, 1 mi SE of Thornton
Rating
F2
Path length
7 mi
Path width
440 yd
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.400, -96.583

This tornado first touched down just west of farm road 2749 about .5 mile southeast of Thornton. Two houses were damaged, one mobile home destroyed and a mobile home unroofed. The tornado moved northeast damaging a barn, then moved into the Davis Prairie community damaging several houses, some mobile homes, and numerous outbuildings. The tornado moved northeast and weakened before dissipating 2.4 miles south of the Box Church community.

Tornado, Limestone

When
March 30, 1:55 PM CST to 1:59 PM CST
Where
Limestone County, 2 mi W of Personville
Rating
F0
Path length
2.5 mi
Path width
30 yd
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.500, -96.367

A shed roof was blown off, the antenna was blown off a house, and numerous trees were blown down. The tornado moved northeast into rural Freestone County 1.5 miles north of Personville.

Tornado, Freestone

When
March 30, 1:59 PM CST to 2:01 PM CST
Where
Freestone County, 5 mi SW of Teague
Rating
F0
Path length
1 mi
Path width
30 yd
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.567, -96.333

This tornado is a continuation of the Personville tornado in Limestone county. It moved northeast into rural Freestone county for approximately one mile, downing some trees before dissipating.

Thunderstorm Wind, Freestone

When
March 30, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Freestone County, Teague
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.617, -96.283

Cars were blown off roads by high winds.

Hail, Comanche

When
March 30, 2:51 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, Comanche
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.900, -98.617

Occurred on the east side of town.

Hail, Robertson

When
March 30, 2:58 PM CST
Where
Robertson County, Franklin
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
31.033, -96.483

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When
March 30, 3:04 PM CST
Where
Leon County, Centerville
Property damage
$500
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.250, -95.983

A storage building was blown over by high winds.

Hail, Comanche

When
March 30, 3:06 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, 4 mi S of Comanche
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.850, -98.617

Hail, Erath

When
March 30, 3:17 PM CST
Where
Erath County, 2 mi SW of Dublin
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.067, -98.350

Hail, Hamilton

When
March 30, 3:26 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, Carlton
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.917, -98.167

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When
March 30, 3:30 PM CST
Where
Leon County, Marquez
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.233, -96.267

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When
March 30, 3:45 PM CST
Where
Leon County, Flo
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
STORM CHASER
Coordinates
31.483, -95.950

Extensive tree damage near Flo.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When
March 30, 3:48 PM CST
Where
Leon County, Jewett
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.367, -96.150

Trees were blown down by high winds.

Tornado, Hamilton

When
March 30, 3:52 PM CST to 3:54 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, 1 mi W of Carlton
Rating
F0
Path length
1.2 mi
Path width
40 yd
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.917, -98.183

Minor damage was done to a dairy.

Hail, Hunt

When
March 30, 3:55 PM CST
Where
Hunt County, Quinlan
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.900, -96.133

Tornado, Eastland

When
March 30, 3:59 PM CST to 4:04 PM CST
Where
Eastland County, 4 mi N of Rising Star
Rating
F1
Path length
1 mi
Path width
100 yd
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.150, -98.967

Three barns were destroyed.

Hail, Hamilton

When
March 30, 4:04 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, Hico
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
STORM CHASER
Coordinates
31.983, -98.033

Tornado, Hamilton

When
March 30, 4:05 PM CST to 4:10 PM CST
Where
Hamilton County, 1 mi SW of Hico
Rating
F0
Path length
2.5 mi
Path width
100 yd
Property damage
$75,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.983, -98.033

Most of the damage was to trees. One tree fell on a house. Approximately five metal roofs were partially peeled back. A few house roofs lost shingles. Minor damage was done to the high school, and minor damage was done to outbuildings, sheds, and trees for one half mile northeast of the high school beforethe tornado dissipated.

Hail, Eastland

When
March 30, 4:07 PM CST
Where
Eastland County, 6 mi W of Carbon
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.267, -98.933

Tornado, Eastland

When
March 30, 4:10 PM CST to 4:11 PM CST
Where
Eastland County, 6 mi NW of Rising Star
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
30 yd
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.167, -99.033

This was a brief touchdown with no apparent damage.

Hail, Erath

When
March 30, 4:19 PM CST
Where
Erath County, 3 mi E of Dublin
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.083, -98.283

Tornado, Erath

When
March 30, 4:20 PM CST to 4:21 PM CST
Where
Erath County, 2 mi S of Chalk Mtn
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
30 yd
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
32.133, -97.917

This was a brief touchdown with no apparent damage.

Hail, Anderson

When
March 30, 4:24 PM CST
Where
Anderson County, Elkhart
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
31.617, -95.583

Tornado, Anderson

When
March 30, 4:24 PM CST
Where
Anderson County, 1 mi E of Elkhart
Rating
F0
Path length
0.1 mi
Path width
30 yd
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
31.617, -95.567

This was a brief touchdown with no apparent damage.

Hail, Bosque

When
March 30, 4:39 PM CST
Where
Bosque County, Walnut Spgs
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
32.067, -97.750

Hail, Hood

When
March 30, 5:35 PM CST
Where
Hood County, Acton
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.450, -97.700

Hail, Hood

When
March 30, 5:35 PM CST
Where
Hood County, Cresson
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.533, -97.633

Occurred just east of town.

Hail, Johnson

When
March 30, 5:52 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Cleburne
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.350, -97.400

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:05 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Crowley
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.583, -97.317

Occurred just west of town.

Hail, Johnson

When
March 30, 6:09 PM CST
Where
Johnson County, Burleson
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.533, -97.317

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:15 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Arlington
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
32.733, -97.117

Occurred on south side of town.

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:24 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Rendon
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.583, -97.233

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:32 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Mansfield
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.567, -97.133

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:41 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Dalworthington
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.700, -97.117

Hail, Tarrant

When
March 30, 6:52 PM CST
Where
Tarrant County, Arlington
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates
32.733, -97.117

Occurred on east side of town.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

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, March 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: 5284444, 5284442, 5284440, 5284441, 5284443, 5284689, 5284547, 5284545, 5284546, 5284548, 5284549, 5284550, 5284551, 5284552, 5284553, 5284554, 5284555, 5284556, 5284691, 5284679, 5284681, 5284682, 5284683, 5284557, 5284692, 5284558, 5284559, 5284693, 5284694, 5284695, 5284570, 5284560, 5284685, 5284561, 5284562, 5284564, 5284563, 5284565, 5284690, 5284571, and more.