Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 27, 2004

The first supercell began to produce severe weather near 6 pm in Comstock. The combination of large hail and damaging winds broke windows in nearly every home and vehicle in Comstock. In addition, the hail caused widespread minor roof damage. One house had major roof damage. As this supercell thunderstorm began to move to the east-northeast...a second supercell thunderstorm formed to its southwest and began to move toward the city of Del Rio.

The second supercell storm struck near 635 pm to the northwest of Del Rio near the Los Campos subdivision. This is west of US 90 and south of Amistad Dam. Spotters reported that rain and hail struck first, followed by high winds. Hail varied in size with some as large as softballs and with winds estimated at over 70 mph. Damage in this part of Del Rio was the worst in the area, consisting of broken windows, dented home exteriors, torn roofs, damaged fences, large trees limbs blown down, trees knocked over, vehicles dented with broken windshields, and livestock injured and killed. In spite of the considerable damage, the amount of damage in dollars will still likely be less than the massive hailstorm suffered by Del Rio in April of 2002.

Shortly after the severe winds and hail, the first and most powerful of several tornadoes struck. It was observed by the Val Verde County Emergency Manager as it touched down near 640 pm south of Amistad Lake along Holdup Pass, approximately one mile south of US 90. The tornado, rated F1on the Fujita scale, was about 100 yards wide. It first moved eastward destroying the roof of a home and tossing the debris over one-quarter mile along its path. Occupants of the home had found shelter in their interior closet and were uninjured in spite of considerable damage to the home and the surrounding area. After tracking eastward for one mile the tornado turned 45 degrees to the right and tracked along mostly open country for almost 3 more miles. Along the route it tore down power poles, leveled vegetation, damaged roofs and broke windows. It then lifted and dissipated

The storm system continued to track to the east-southeast, moving over the city of Del Rio. The Del Rio Emergency Manager reported being in his vehicle on F Street (US 90) as a small vortex formed just in front of him. He reported that winds were quite strong, but that little moisture or debris was being blown around. This would have been a small, developing F0 of minimal strength that he reported dissipated within a minute or so. Based on the 40 mph movement of the storm, the time would have been around 6:47 pm.

The next tornado report was received from Laughlin Air Force Base, where the 709 pm observation noted a tornado. This small F0 formed west of the Air Base and track eastward...but dissipated quickly as it approached the Base. No damage was indicated.

Laughlin AFB reported a second tornado overhead at 718 pm. Again, this F0 was small and short-lived as it tracked toward the east. No damage was indicated.

Two more touchdowns were reported after this. The Val Verde County Sheriff, an Amateur Radio Operator and trained Skywarn spotter, was approaching Del Rio from the east when he spotted the first of two small tornadoes touching down just east of Sycamore Creek in Kinney County near the Val Verde County line. It was a small F0 and was short-lived. Time of occurrence would have been around 730 pm. No damage was indicated.

Shortly afterward, the Val Verde County Sheriff saw a second small F0 tornado touch down just east of Sycamore Creek. It was also short-lived. The time of occurrence for it would have been around 731 pm. Again, no damage was indicated.