Amherst, TX Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Amherst is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Amherst is much higher than Texas average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #1515
| Amherst, TX | 0.00 |
| Texas | 0.04 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Amherst, TX | 0.0000 |
| Texas | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #181
| Amherst, TX | 320.91 |
| Texas | 208.58 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,006 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Amherst, TX were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 1 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 35 |
| Dust Storm: | 6 | Flood: | 149 | Hail: | 1,857 | Heat: | 2 | Heavy Snow: | 10 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 3 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 48 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 802 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 2 | Winter Storm: | 10 | Winter Weather: | 24 |
| Other: | 57 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Amherst, TX.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Amherst, TX.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Amherst, TX.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 95 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Amherst, TX.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 3.7 | 1961-06-03 | 3 | 34°07'N / 102°32'W | 33°55'N / 102°10'W | 25.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb |
| 3.9 | 1990-05-29 | 2 | 34°04'N / 102°26'W | 2.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 4.5 | 1980-06-17 | 2 | 33°41'N / 102°35'W | 34°19'N / 102°24'W | 45.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Parmer |
| 6.6 | 1957-04-21 | 4 | 33°50'N / 102°21'W | 34°01'N / 102°23'W | 12.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 6.7 | 1965-10-17 | 3 | 33°55'N / 102°26'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 7.8 | 1966-05-10 | 2 | 33°56'N / 102°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 8.2 | 1967-04-12 | 2 | 33°55'N / 102°20'W | 33°58'N / 102°16'W | 5.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lamb |
| 8.2 | 1969-05-16 | 3 | 33°55'N / 102°30'W | 0.60 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 8.9 | 1971-10-17 | 2 | 34°01'N / 102°25'W | 34°11'N / 102°11'W | 17.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 13.0 | 1969-05-06 | 3 | 34°12'N / 102°24'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 13.3 | 1971-10-17 | 2 | 34°02'N / 102°23'W | 34°19'N / 102°12'W | 22.20 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 14.6 | 1991-05-10 | 3 | 33°52'N / 102°36'W | 33°55'N / 102°39'W | 3.50 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bailey |
| 14.7 | 1991-05-10 | 3 | 33°51'N / 102°35'W | 33°52'N / 102°36'W | 4.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lamb |
| 14.9 | 1991-05-10 | 3 | 33°50'N / 102°34'W | 33°51'N / 102°35'W | 1.00 Mile | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hockley |
| 15.6 | 1971-10-17 | 2 | 34°01'N / 102°25'W | 34°20'N / 102°02'W | 31.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 18.3 | 1965-06-02 | 4 | 33°54'N / 102°09'W | 33°56'N / 102°05'W | 4.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb |
| 18.4 | 2007-04-21 | 2 | 34°03'N / 102°13'W | 34°14'N / 102°03'W | 15.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 1 | 810K | 50K | Lamb |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An outbreak of severe weather impacted much of the central U.S. from Minnesota to Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 21st. The west Texas South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle were affected by a series of significant tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were spawned by a single cyclic supercell thunderstorm that resulted in more than $3.5 million in damages. The most severely impacted communities included Olton (Lamb County) and Tulia (Swisher County). Both of these west Texas towns were impacted by EF-2 tornadoes that destroyed property and injured four people, and more than 14,000 customers were without electrical power throughout the night. The tornado outbreak was caused by a potent storm system that progressed east over the Four Corners region of the western U.S. on the 21st. A potent upper level jet stream spread over the Southern Plains of the U.S., and helped to create a favorable environment for supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes along a dryline that was stretched across west Texas. | |||||||||||
| 18.4 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 33°44'N / 102°20'W | 33°49'N / 102°12'W | 9.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Hockley |
| 18.9 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 34°00'N / 102°05'W | 34°08'N / 102°06'W | 9.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 18.9 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 34°00'N / 102°05'W | 34°08'N / 102°06'W | 9.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 18.9 | 1956-06-17 | 3 | 33°49'N / 102°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 19.1 | 1961-06-03 | 2 | 33°53'N / 102°09'W | 33°52'N / 102°06'W | 3.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley |
| 20.0 | 1969-06-10 | 2 | 33°44'N / 102°19'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |||
| 20.4 | 1989-06-03 | 2 | 34°13'N / 102°42'W | 34°17'N / 102°33'W | 8.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bailey |
| 20.6 | 1971-04-18 | 2 | 34°15'N / 102°40'W | 34°15'N / 102°36'W | 4.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bailey |
| 20.6 | 1971-04-18 | 2 | 34°15'N / 102°40'W | 34°15'N / 102°36'W | 4.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Bailey |
| 20.7 | 1951-07-02 | 2 | 34°11'N / 102°07'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 21.0 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°50'N / 102°03'W | 34°00'N / 102°05'W | 11.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hale |
| 21.0 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°50'N / 102°03'W | 34°00'N / 102°05'W | 11.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hale |
| 21.0 | 1957-04-21 | 4 | 33°36'N / 102°18'W | 33°50'N / 102°21'W | 16.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Hockley |
| 21.1 | 1965-06-09 | 2 | 33°52'N / 102°48'W | 34°10'N / 102°46'W | 20.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Bailey |
| 23.5 | 1965-06-09 | 2 | 33°43'N / 102°46'W | 33°50'N / 102°39'W | 10.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Cochran |
| 23.7 | 1969-10-19 | 2 | 34°15'N / 102°07'W | 1.00 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 24.0 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 33°36'N / 102°36'W | 33°44'N / 102°20'W | 18.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25.0M | 0 | Hockley |
| 24.5 | 1971-10-17 | 2 | 34°11'N / 102°11'W | 34°24'N / 102°07'W | 15.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lamb |
| 26.5 | 1960-04-12 | 3 | 34°21'N / 102°18'W | 34°24'N / 102°14'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 3 | 32 | 250K | 0 | Castro |
| 26.9 | 2007-04-21 | 2 | 34°13'N / 102°05'W | 34°19'N / 102°02'W | 5.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0K | Hale |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An outbreak of severe weather impacted much of the central U.S. from Minnesota to Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 21st. The west Texas South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle were affected by a series of significant tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were spawned by a single cyclic supercell thunderstorm that resulted in more than $3.5 million in damages. The most severely impacted communities included Olton (Lamb County) and Tulia (Swisher County). Both of these west Texas towns were impacted by EF-2 tornadoes that destroyed property and injured four people, and more than 14,000 customers were without electrical power throughout the night. The tornado outbreak was caused by a potent storm system that progressed east over the Four Corners region of the western U.S. on the 21st. A potent upper level jet stream spread over the Southern Plains of the U.S., and helped to create a favorable environment for supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes along a dryline that was stretched across west Texas. | |||||||||||
| 27.6 | 1957-05-24 | 3 | 34°11'N / 102°51'W | 1.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 27.6 | 1971-10-17 | 2 | 34°19'N / 102°12'W | 34°24'N / 102°09'W | 6.40 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Castro |
| 28.0 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°42'N / 102°00'W | 33°50'N / 102°03'W | 9.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lubbock |
| 28.0 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°42'N / 102°00'W | 33°50'N / 102°03'W | 9.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lubbock |
| 28.6 | 1963-06-08 | 2 | 33°36'N / 102°22'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 29.3 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 34°23'N / 102°37'W | 34°27'N / 102°31'W | 7.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Parmer |
| 29.7 | 1992-06-27 | 2 | 34°02'N / 102°56'W | 0.90 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bailey | |
| 29.9 | 1969-05-16 | 2 | 34°25'N / 102°36'W | 0.10 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Parmer | |
| 30.7 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 33°36'N / 102°38'W | 33°36'N / 102°36'W | 2.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 20 | 25.0M | 0 | Cochran |
| 30.8 | 2007-03-23 | 2 | 33°43'N / 102°50'W | 33°44'N / 102°49'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 175K | 0K | Cochran |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The Levelland Fire Department reported a second tornado west-northwest of Morton shortly before 22:30 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey found evidence of a strong tornado that developed west of Morton and crossed Texas Highway 114 as it tracked north-northwestward through north-central Cochran county. The tornado impacted the Star Route Gin, which sustained severe damage including the partial collapse of the structure. Concrete anchors were pulled out of the ground and portions of the steel roof beams were heavily damaged. The tornado continued north-northwestward across Farm to Market Road 596 where the tornado destroyed at least three irrigation systems and snapped more than one dozen utility poles. Damage at the Star Route Gin and the snapped utility poles support an EF-2 rating. No injuries were reported and damage estimates totaled $175,000. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An active round of severe thunderstorms, including damaging tornadoes, affected a large portion of the Southern Plains of the U.S. during the afternoon and evening hours of the 23rd. Supercell thunderstorms with a history of producing deadly tornadoes propagated northeastward from the plains of eastern New Mexico into the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle and the western South Plains of west Texas during the evening hours. As these storms moved eastward across the state line, convective modes transitioned from classic supercells toward mini-bow segments and line-echo-waves. Despite the linear nature of the storms, extreme wind shear resulted in at least five tornadoes across the western South Plains region. Tornadoes were initially observed in the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle and the northwestern South Plains around 20:00 CST. The hardest hit area was the Bovina vicinity in Parmer County, where a weak tornado struck the city resulting in minor structural damage. Severe storms producing widespread wind damage and at least one strong tornado then impacted portions of Cochran, southern Bailey, and Lamb Counties during the late evening hours. Two cotton gins in Cochran County were severely damaged, and power outages were widespread. No injuries were reported during the severe weather outbreak on the 23rd, but property damage estimates totaled more than $400,000. | |||||||||||
| 31.8 | 1965-10-17 | 2 | 33°36'N / 102°10'W | 0.20 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 31.8 | 1991-05-10 | 2 | 34°25'N / 102°40'W | 34°27'N / 102°37'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Parmer |
| 32.5 | 2007-04-21 | 2 | 34°19'N / 102°05'W | 34°25'N / 102°00'W | 8.00 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0K | Castro |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An outbreak of severe weather impacted much of the central U.S. from Minnesota to Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 21st. The west Texas South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle were affected by a series of significant tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were spawned by a single cyclic supercell thunderstorm that resulted in more than $3.5 million in damages. The most severely impacted communities included Olton (Lamb County) and Tulia (Swisher County). Both of these west Texas towns were impacted by EF-2 tornadoes that destroyed property and injured four people, and more than 14,000 customers were without electrical power throughout the night. The tornado outbreak was caused by a potent storm system that progressed east over the Four Corners region of the western U.S. on the 21st. A potent upper level jet stream spread over the Southern Plains of the U.S., and helped to create a favorable environment for supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes along a dryline that was stretched across west Texas. | |||||||||||
| 32.7 | 1966-05-10 | 2 | 34°05'N / 101°51'W | 34°05'N / 101°51'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hale | ||
| 32.8 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 34°00'N / 101°59'W | 34°11'N / 101°43'W | 19.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 47 | 2.5M | 0 | Hale |
| 33.5 | 1965-06-02 | 4 | 33°56'N / 102°05'W | 34°13'N / 101°35'W | 34.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 4 | 76 | 25.0M | 0 | Hale |
| 33.8 | 1998-04-26 | 2 | 34°06'N / 101°50'W | 34°06'N / 101°50'W | 0.30 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 25K | Hale |
| Brief Description: A short-lived but strong (F2) tornado occurred just north of Hale Center. Two people narrowly escaped injury when their home was destroyed (they had sought shelter in a small, interior closet in this ranch-style house). The tornado also heavily damaged a vacant house, barn, hangar, and center-pivot irrigation system. Several large trees were destroyed/uprooted. Damage was investigated by NWS officials just a few hours after it occurred. A round of severe thunderstorms affected the South Plains on the 26th. The most significant storm was the one that hit Hale Center (see above) and caused a lightning fatality and tornado damage. Elsewhere, large hail was reported near Friona, Cone, Aspermont, and Jayton. | |||||||||||
| 35.9 | 1968-05-31 | 2 | 34°18'N / 101°55'W | 34°18'N / 101°52'W | 3.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hale |
| 36.8 | 1980-07-27 | 2 | 34°33'N / 102°18'W | 34°31'N / 102°16'W | 3.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Castro |
| 37.1 | 1967-06-01 | 2 | 33°45'N / 101°51'W | 0.10 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lubbock | |
| 37.9 | 1964-06-11 | 2 | 34°25'N / 101°58'W | 1.00 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 4 | 3K | 0 | Swisher | |
| 38.3 | 1963-06-04 | 2 | 33°43'N / 101°51'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lubbock | |
| 38.3 | 1966-05-28 | 2 | 34°34'N / 102°24'W | 1.50 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Castro | |
| 38.3 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°35'N / 101°50'W | 33°42'N / 102°00'W | 12.60 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lubbock |
| 38.5 | 1987-05-29 | 2 | 33°30'N / 102°02'W | 33°37'N / 102°01'W | 8.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lubbock |
| 38.9 | 1965-06-10 | 2 | 34°11'N / 101°46'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hale | |
| 39.3 | 2007-04-21 | 2 | 34°27'N / 101°59'W | 34°27'N / 101°58'W | 1.00 Mile | 1230 Yards | 0 | 0 | 30K | 0K | Swisher |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An outbreak of severe weather impacted much of the central U.S. from Minnesota to Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 21st. The west Texas South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle were affected by a series of significant tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were spawned by a single cyclic supercell thunderstorm that resulted in more than $3.5 million in damages. The most severely impacted communities included Olton (Lamb County) and Tulia (Swisher County). Both of these west Texas towns were impacted by EF-2 tornadoes that destroyed property and injured four people, and more than 14,000 customers were without electrical power throughout the night. The tornado outbreak was caused by a potent storm system that progressed east over the Four Corners region of the western U.S. on the 21st. A potent upper level jet stream spread over the Southern Plains of the U.S., and helped to create a favorable environment for supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes along a dryline that was stretched across west Texas. | |||||||||||
| 39.4 | 1978-04-08 | 2 | 33°52'N / 101°45'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hale | |
| 39.6 | 1963-05-21 | 3 | 34°17'N / 103°03'W | 34°20'N / 102°58'W | 5.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bailey |
| 39.9 | 1967-03-19 | 2 | 34°32'N / 102°43'W | 0.60 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Parmer | |
| 40.0 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°54'N / 103°06'W | 0.30 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roosevelt | |
| 41.2 | 1963-05-29 | 2 | 33°21'N / 102°17'W | 33°30'N / 102°17'W | 10.30 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Bailey |
| 41.3 | 1963-05-29 | 2 | 33°25'N / 102°29'W | 1.00 Mile | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 41.7 | 1965-06-25 | 2 | 33°59'N / 103°14'W | 33°59'N / 103°03'W | 10.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Roosevelt |
| 42.5 | 1957-05-15 | 2 | 34°11'N / 101°42'W | 2.00 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hale | |
| 42.9 | 1964-06-12 | 2 | 34°23'N / 103°02'W | 34°28'N / 102°55'W | 8.80 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Parmer |
| 42.9 | 1977-05-17 | 2 | 34°12'N / 101°42'W | 0.50 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hale | |
| 43.1 | 1967-06-01 | 2 | 33°36'N / 101°51'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Lubbock | |
| 43.5 | 1973-04-15 | 3 | 34°11'N / 101°45'W | 34°14'N / 101°38'W | 7.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 2 | 26 | 0K | 0 | Hale |
| 43.6 | 1964-06-11 | 2 | 34°23'N / 103°03'W | 34°34'N / 102°49'W | 18.30 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Parmer |
| 43.6 | 1964-06-12 | 2 | 34°23'N / 103°02'W | 2.00 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Parmer | |
| 43.7 | 1992-03-27 | 2 | 34°24'N / 103°02'W | 34°30'N / 102°54'W | 10.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Parmer |
| 44.4 | 1978-04-08 | 2 | 33°48'N / 101°41'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lubbock | |
| 44.9 | 1970-04-17 | 4 | 34°11'N / 101°43'W | 34°19'N / 101°39'W | 10.10 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Floyd |
| 45.0 | 1970-05-11 | 5 | 33°33'N / 101°54'W | 33°36'N / 101°46'W | 8.40 Miles | 1333 Yards | 26 | 500 | 250.0M | 0 | Lubbock |
| 45.3 | 1989-06-06 | 2 | 34°11'N / 101°39'W | 2.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hale | |
| 45.6 | 1971-08-22 | 2 | 34°22'N / 101°46'W | 34°22'N / 101°43'W | 2.70 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Swisher |
| 45.7 | 1955-05-22 | 2 | 33°50'N / 101°50'W | 33°40'N / 101°32'W | 20.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hale |
| 46.0 | 2007-03-23 | 2 | 34°14'N / 103°10'W | 34°18'N / 103°09'W | 4.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 250K | Roosevelt |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Tornado with estimated peak winds of near 120 mph severely damaged the Portales City water well facility on State Road 202 about 5 miles east of Highway 70. The tornado moved north northwest destroying a new dairy before continuing northwest into Curry County. No injuries reported but storm debris briefly trapped a dairy employee. About 190 dairy cows either killed by the event or else sent to immediate slaughter due to injuries. Average width approximately 200 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An unusually early and intense outbreak of severe storms with large hail and tornadoes occurred across east central and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. The average date for isolated first reports of damaging hail over the past 20 years has been March 24th with the location typically confined to far southeast New Mexico. The March 23rd 2007 episode produced a number of large hail events from Roswell to Tucumcari and peaked with multiple tornadoes from near Tatum north to Clovis and northeast of Tucumcari. A tornado at Clovis resulted in the death of two elderly citizens, the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. The episode was characterized by a slow moving upper level low that produced strong speed shear but nearly uniform southerly directional flow aloft across the eastern and southeastern sections of the state. Storms with large hail developed first during early and mid afternoon from near Roswell north to Tucumcari. Towards late afternoon and early evening as storms migrated north northeast they encountered an increasing but shallow easterly surface flow that enhanced low level shear resulting in brief but shallow tornadoes. Multiple small but elevated vortices were observed circulating around well defined wall clouds with occasional spin downs into brief tornadoes. | |||||||||||
| 46.2 | 1960-04-12 | 2 | 34°38'N / 102°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 3 | 3K | 0 | Parmer | |
| 46.2 | 1960-10-11 | 3 | 34°38'N / 102°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Parmer | |
| 46.7 | 1964-06-11 | 2 | 34°24'N / 103°08'W | 34°23'N / 103°03'W | 4.90 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Curry |
| 47.1 | 1980-05-28 | 3 | 34°31'N / 101°56'W | 34°33'N / 101°50'W | 6.10 Miles | 2333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Swisher |
| 48.0 | 1961-05-20 | 2 | 33°19'N / 102°25'W | 0.10 Mile | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Terry | |
| 48.0 | 1971-08-10 | 2 | 34°24'N / 101°43'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Swisher | |
| 48.0 | 1980-05-28 | 2 | 34°30'N / 101°52'W | 34°31'N / 101°47'W | 4.90 Miles | 1667 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Swisher |
| 49.6 | 2007-03-23 | 2 | 34°18'N / 103°10'W | 34°25'N / 103°11'W | 8.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 2 | 33 | 16.5M | 0K | Curry |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado that developed in Roosevelt County continued north northwest into Curry County for about 3.5 miles then tracked north northeast an additional 4.6 miles into southern and east central sections of Clovis. Intensity of the tornado appeared to wane from EF2 120 mph in Roosevelt County to EF1 100 mph as it moved north into Curry County along Highway 70 where damage was limited to power lines and farm irrigation equipment. Intensity increased again to EF2 level 125 mph for a segment extending from about 4 miles south of Clovis northward into southeast Clovis which sustained the heaviest and most consistent damage as indicated by structural damage and downed power poles. The tornado appeared to wane again as it move north over Highway 60/84 just east of the intersection with Highway 70. The tornado track became intermittent north of Highway 60/84 with winds likely less than 85 mph before a final one half mile track of heavier damage and EF2 level winds of 120-125 mph. Average width was estimated at 200 yards. About 500 homes and other facilities sustained at least some damage ranging from complete destruction of mobile homes in southeast Clovis and wall collapse at several businesses along Highway 60/84 to the loss of roof shingles and roof top air conditioning units. Thirty five people suffered treatment injuries including five that required hospitalization. Two elderly citizens died later from injuries sustained during the event making these the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An unusually early and intense outbreak of severe storms with large hail and tornadoes occurred across east central and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. The average date for isolated first reports of damaging hail over the past 20 years has been March 24th with the location typically confined to far southeast New Mexico. The March 23rd 2007 episode produced a number of large hail events from Roswell to Tucumcari and peaked with multiple tornadoes from near Tatum north to Clovis and northeast of Tucumcari. A tornado at Clovis resulted in the death of two elderly citizens, the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. The episode was characterized by a slow moving upper level low that produced strong speed shear but nearly uniform southerly directional flow aloft across the eastern and southeastern sections of the state. Storms with large hail developed first during early and mid afternoon from near Roswell north to Tucumcari. Towards late afternoon and early evening as storms migrated north northeast they encountered an increasing but shallow easterly surface flow that enhanced low level shear resulting in brief but shallow tornadoes. Multiple small but elevated vortices were observed circulating around well defined wall clouds with occasional spin downs into brief tornadoes. | |||||||||||
| 49.8 | 1955-05-22 | 2 | 33°48'N / 101°35'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lubbock | |||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.