Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, April 21, 2007

Many reports of large hail were received as a supercell thunderstorm evolved from a complex of high-based convection over Lamb County during the early evening of the 21st. Quarter size hail was initially reported at 17:20 CST in Sudan, and then in nearby Amherst by 17:25 CST. The reported hail sizes increased as the storm continued to intensify and track northeastward. By 18:01 CST golf ball size hail was reported in Olton. Young cotton crops in the affected area sustained minor damage. This storm ultimately produced a family of significant tornadoes.

A weak tornado developed over open fields in southwestern Lamb County just west of Littlefield. The tornado remained south of U.S. Highway 84 and was photographed by at least two storm chasers. The tornado appeared as a slowly rotating dust whirl with no evidence of a visible condensation funnel. No reports of damage were received. This was the first in a family of five tornadoes that were observed in association with this cyclic supercell storm.

A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured. |The development of this significant tornado was witnessed by storm chasers between Fieldton and Otlon at 17:57 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey team noted that the first damages to occur as a result of the tornado included five medium voltage power poles downed just east of the intersection of Farm to Market Road 168 and County Road 162. Just east of this location, the tops of five power poles were blown off to the north and two center pivot irrigation systems were overturned. One irrigation system was blown toward the west and another toward the northeast. |Farther to the northeast along the tornado's path, along County Road 152 just east of Farm to Market Road 168, two power poles were sheared off above the ground. At this location, a historic multi-story house that was originally constructed in 1913 suffered severe roof damage. A portion of the roof was blown off of the structure toward the southeast. The owners of the home were within days of completing a two year-long renovation. In addition, the skirting was removed from a mobile home across the street from the historic home. Several outbuildings near the residence also sustained minor damage.|The tornado continued northeastward and destroyed several more center pivot irrigation systems and snapped utility poles three to five feet above the ground along County Road 321. The tornado's damage path was measured at seven-tenths of a mile wide in this area. |As the tornadic circulation crossed U.S. Highway 70 two miles east of Olton, four homes were heavily damaged. Two well-built brick structures suffered total roof losses. The resident of one home, and elderly woman, suffered minor injuries while seeking shelter under a kitchen table. A number of light-weight medal structures were destroyed, along with three vehicles and several pieces of farm equipment. One family pet, a dog, was killed at one of the residences. |The tornado killed an unknown number of live-stock as it continued northeast of U.S. Highway 70. The damaging tornado crossed the Lamb and Hale County line at 18:10 CST.|The damages sustained by two of the well-built single-family residences, light-weight medal structures, and numerous utility poles support an EF-2 rating. Winds were estimated between 110 and 120 mph.|

A swath of very large hail up to the size of baseballs began in the Olton vicinity, and damaged roofs, windows and vehicles east of Olton along U.S. Highway 70. Several storm chasers received damage to their vehicles near the Lamb and Hale County line as they observed a developing tornado to their southwest. In addition, moderate agricultural losses were caused by damage to young cotton crops.

The swath of very large hail that began near Olton continued along with the parent supercell into extreme western Hale County west of Halfway. Several storm chasers received damage to their vehicles near the Lamb and Hale County line as they observed a developing tornado to their southwest. In addition, some agricultural losses were attributed to hail-damaged cotton crops.

Skywarn spotters and storm chasers continued to encounter large hail up to the size of golf balls from near the Lamb and Hale County line along U.S. Highway 70, and then north of Halfway. Minor damage to young cotton crops also was reported.

A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured.|The large tornado tracked across northwestern Hale County between 18:10 and 18:18 CST. Local newspaper reports indicate that the most notable damage along the tornado's path in northwestern Hale County occurred to numerous center pivot irrigation systems. At least ten irrigation systems were reportedly destroyed in fields west and northwest of Halfway.|Damage caused by the tornado east of Olton (Lamb County) supported an EF-2 rating with winds estimated between 110 and 120 mph.|

A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured.|The large tornado caused damage to center pivot irrigation systems and utility lines as it tracked over southeastern Castro County between 18:18 and 18:33 CST. Local newspapers reported that numerous irrigation systems were destroyed, and utility poles were downed along Texas Highway 194 and Farm to Market Road 145 southeast and east of Hart.|Damage caused by the tornado east of Olton (Lamb County) supported an EF-2 rating with winds estimated between 110 and 120 mph.

A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured.|The tornado was in the final stages of its life cycle as it crossed into extreme southwestern Swisher County at 18:33 CST. Storm chasers documented an extended rope-out phase before the tornado finally dissipated over cotton fields in southwestern Swisher County at 18:36 CST. |Reports in local newspapers indicated that at least one center pivot irrigation system was heavily damaged west of Kress.|Damage caused by the tornado east of Olton (Lamb County) supported an EF-2 rating with winds estimated between 110 and 120 mph.

Skywarn spotters reported very large hail up to the size of tennis balls along Interstate 27 just north-northwest of Tulia. Several vehicles traveling along the interstate were damaged. Also, minor agricultural damage was sustained by young cotton crops.

Skywarn spotters reported golf ball size hail west of Olton along U.S. Highway 70. Minor damage to young cotton crops was reported.

A strong tornado delivered a crippling impact on the local economy of Tulia, Texas, when it devastated industrial and residential sections of the small community of 5,000 residents around 19:00 CST on the 21st. A two block wide swath of damage paralleled U.S. Highway 87 in west Tulia for fifteen blocks. Three persons were treated at area hospitals for injuries, almost thirty homes sustained damage or were destroyed along with twenty businesses, and approximately five hundred people were displaced or made homeless.|Local officials and newspaper accounts indicated that several of the businesses that were heavily damaged during the tornado served as staples to the Tulia economy prior to the storm. U.S. President George W. Bush declared Swisher County a federal disaster area on May 1, 2007. |This destructive tornado developed near a power plant at the intersection of Broadway Street and U.S. Highway 87 in west Tulia at 18:57 CST. The tornado moved north and caused extensive damage to a local supermarket at the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and |Sixth Street. A large portion of the roof was removed on the east side of the structure, and one exterior wall collapsed inward. Smaller sections of two additional exterior walls additionally collapsed. |A local auto dealership, located near the supermarket, also sustained a large amount of structural and inventory damage. Forty-one vehicles were damaged by flying debris, and a motor home on the property was overturned. A large overhead door on the east side of the structure's show room failed, resulting in the failure of the west wall. A large storage container was blown into the southwest corner of the building and caused the partial collapse of the roof.|Several large metal industrial-style buildings sustained major damage due to the failure of large overhead doors and buckling of roof purlins on the south side of the buildings. One such structure collapsed onto a collection of classic cars, and resulted in a $250,000 loss. |Two storm chasers escaped injuries when they were struck by the tornado along the industrial stretch of U.S. Highway 87. Their vehicle was blown into a brick building, and then a tractor-trailer was blown broadside against the chase vehicle.|Damage also was observed to the north and northeast of the industrial area, with severe damage in residential areas including a mobile home community between Eighth and Ninth Streets just west of Highland Elementary School. Five mobile homes were damaged, with two others completely destroyed. |The most significant residential damage occurred in a subdivision along Northwest Ninth Street through Northwest Eleventh Street. Across this area, a number of homes suffered roof losses. Roofs were totally removed from at least two single-family homes on Tenth Street near Airport Road, with partial exterior wall collapses also noted. |The tornado dissipated near the Tulia Municipal Airport at 19:01 CST.|Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University, and engineers from numerous private and governmental agencies surveyed the Tulia damage. All indications suggest that the maximum winds with the Tulia tornado were between 125 and 135 mph. This makes the Tulia tornado an EF-2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale for tornado intensity. The total economic loss is estimated at $2.0 million.|

Meteorologists from the National Severe Storms Laboratory reported three inch diameter hail along Interstate 27 north-northwest of Tulia. Very large hail in the Tulia area resulted in damage to vehicles traveling along Interstate 27. In addition, minor damage to young cotton crops was reported.

A National Weather Service cooperative observer reported quarter size hail in Hart.

The fourth tornado in the Olton-Edmonson-Tulia family occurred in north-central Swisher County. The tornado reportedly appeared visually as a large cone-shaped tornado that persisted for five minutes as it impacted mainly rural areas northeast of Tulia and west of Vigo Park. One large barn was heavily damaged by the tornado in the vicinity of Farm to Market Road 2698/146.

Storm chasers, including a meteorologist from the National Weather Service Warning Decision Training Branch, observed a large tornado that moved east-northeast just south of the Swisher and Armstrong County line approximately fifteen miles east of Happy. The tornado remained over open country and no damage was reported.

A severe thunderstorm wind gust of 64 mph was measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet near Floydada. No damage was reported.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Ralls recorded a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 66 mph. No damage was reported.