Thunderstorm Wind, Hidalgo
- When
- May 16, 2:02 AM CST to 2:20 AM CST
- Where
- Hidalgo County, 6.37 mi N of Lindsay Gardens to 1.74 mi ENE of Edinburg Yard
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $125,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 26.370, -98.339
A microburst descending from a potent severe thunderstorm first produced damage just north of Alton, at a mobile home park near the intersection of Moorefield (Farm to Market Road 681) and Monte Cristo (Farm to Market Road 1925). In this neighborhood, at least six mobile homes were overturned by the winds, generally along and near the intersecion of 9 1/2 Mile Road and Inspiration Road. Just to the northeast, in the Las Ca as colonia along and north of Monte Cristo, the combination of a pulse microburst striking a number of very poorly constructed homes led to the destruction of 14 mainly trailer-type residences, near the intersection of Monte Cristo (Farm to Market Road 1925) and Farm to Market (FM) 681.
In a number of cases, the residences were completely demolished. A total of 13 persons sustained minor injuries requiring transport to local hospitals. By mid afternoon on the 16th, all were released. While the majority of injuries were minor, in one instance, a 3 year old girl had to be rescued from a pile of rubble that was once an unanchored trailer home. In addition to the building damage, at least eight wooden telephone poles were pulled down.
The damage track continued to the east southeast, generally along and north of FM 1925, at least to the intersection of FM 1925 and Federal Highway 281, twelve miles away. The vast majority of damage beyond the Las Ca as neighborhood was hundreds of downed limbs from mesquite trees. Based on assessment from an NWS survey team, peak winds were between 65 and 70 mph, with the highest values likely where the telephone poles were pulled down in the Las Canas colonia, and again in the mesquite stand about two miles east.
Based on radar signatures, it is possible that winds of 60 mph or greater continued into rural locations of eastern Hidalgo County, north of Edcouch and Elsa.