Damage to city property totaled $5 million while Sheppard AFB had $10 million in damages. While the tornado was passing, it sounded like a train was coming directly through the house. The tornado's worst winds generally missed the Sikes Senter Shopping Mall to the South, but a few of the stores were heavily damaged and many cars in the mall parking lot were blown some distance and stacked on top of each other. As we drove south on the H.E. In Texas: Clay, Foard, Wichita and Wilbarger; and in Oklahoma: Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, Stephens and Tillman. From the blizzards that traditionally pound the Panhandle each winter to the enduring heat that scorches vast sections of Texas later in the summer, Texas in the meteorological sense truly is the "Land of Contrast." Wichita Falls plagued by tornadoes on April 10, 1979 A tornado set down at 5:50 p.m. about three miles east-northeast of Holliday. The tornadoes pictured here were part of the Red River Valley Outbreak, the biggest event of that year. Tours. The tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later and caused no damage. Each lasted for an hour or more and left a continuous track of ground damage 35 miles or longer. The formation of the tornado and its movement toward the stadium and junior high were captured by Wolfgang Lange from the front of his apartment complex which was located across the street from the junior high (location #2). Further eastward, most houses in the Faith Village Addition were destroyed, and Ben Milam Elementary School was severely damaged (location #6). April 10, 1979: The worst single tornado in Texas' history hit Wichita Falls. Air Quality Over 3,000 homes were destroyed and another 1,000 were damaged, and over 1,000 apartment units/ condominiums were destroyed and another 130 damaged. Childress lay in the path of the advancing low pressure center, as surface pressure fell drastically and winds backed during the afternoon before the much drier continental air enveloped the region in the evening (Figure 17). T. T. Fujita, noted tornado researcher from the University of Chicago, said, 'The damage path was one of the widest I have ever seen, and its intensity was almost equal to that of the giant storm that leveled Xenia, Ohio, in the 1974 tornado outbreak. FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 0 10 19 . The Wichita Falls tornado, with how black . Wichita Falls has had three major tornado strikes in its history. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. Eleven of the 16 people left homes that were not even damaged. Well-built modern houses, in general, offer fairly good protection from tornadoes. The most recent exceptionally destructive storm to hit the Wichita Falls area occurred on April 3, 1964, when a tornado killed 7 people, injured 111, and caused $15 million in damages, including 225 homes that were completely destroyed. We were under an extensive rain free updraft area on the southeast side of the storm. In addition to the tornado which developed near Wichita Falls, sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph from the southeast with gusts near 60 mph developed across western north Texas during the mid-evening of the 10th and persisted through much of the night. The tornado was eventually rated F5 and was the first violent tornado on record to strike the Wichita Falls area. Aerial Reconnaissance photos- Source Don Burgess; Credit: NASA, Mission 399; Roll: #3; Film Type: 50-397; Frames: 041 to 050; Date: 4/12/1979, Damage photos - Source: Don Burgess; Credit: NSSL; Institute for Disaster Research, at Texas Tech University, Harrold, TX photos - Credit: Wayne Collamore, Doppler Radar images - Source: Don Burgess; Credit: NSSL, Satellite images - Source: Dennis McCarthy, Former MIC, NWSFO OUN; Credit: NOAA/NWS. The school building was totally destroyed by the tornado. Fire Weather Eight persons were killed outside, 4 were killed in homes or apartments, and 4 others died in public buildings. They moved northeastward, and as a trio spawned families of tornadoes. #1. Questions? In the early afternoon hours, three supercell thunderstorms formed. Fortunately, on April 10, 1979, McNiel Junior High was almost totally unoccupied when the tornado struck and a worse catastrophe was avoided. Anyone can read what you share. Half of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents were deemed critical by city officials. Hail to 1.75 inches was also reported south of the city. 25 of those deaths were vehicle related. After taking his last picture of the approaching tornado, Mr. Lange retreated to the apartment complex laundry room and hid between heavy commercial washers and dryers, escaping with only minor injuries. Local Enhanced Radar (Central Oklahoma-KTLX), Local Standard Radar (KTLX-low bandwidth), Local Enhanced Radar (Southwest OK/Western North TX-KFDR), Local Standard Radar (KFDR-low bandwidth), Local Standard Radar (KVNX-low bandwidth), Averages and Records for OKC, Wichita Falls & Lawton, radar-derived storm tops exceeded 50,000 feet and reflectivities were higher than 50 dBZ, a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones, tornado-associated mesocyclone and hook echo in the right rear portion of the echo, its movement toward the stadium and junior high, >many cars in the mall parking lot were blown some distance and stacked on top of each other, Map of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak in North Texas and southern Oklahoma by (Fujita and Wakimoto), Map of Significant Weather Events which occurred between 6 AM CST April 10, 1979 and 6 AM CST April 11, 1979 (Burgess), Tornado Watch Box #67 issued by the National Severe Storms Forecast Center - valid 230 PM to 700 PM CST, April 10, 1979, Storm Track of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Time/Height Profile of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell on April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Positions of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 530 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Map of Radar Reflectivity and Mesocyclone Position of the Wichita Falls, Texas Supercell at 600 pm CST, April 10, 1979 (Burgess), Approximate Damage Path of the Wichita Falls Tornado on April 10, 1979 (, Map of the Red River Valley Area of Oklahoma and Texas Showing Communities and Counties Affected by the April 10, 1979 Tornadoes (NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A strong tornado damaged roofs, telephone poles, trees, uprooted shrubs and overturned a truck, but remained over open country while at peak intensity. In addition, 93 mobile homes were devastated. High winds in Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged limbs, signs, and fences throughout town. US Dept of Commerce NOAA Disaster Survey Report 80-1, Chapter 1. If McNiel Junior High had been fully occupied by students and teachers at the time of the tornado, there would have been hundreds of additional casualties and many more deaths. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes. At 1730 CST (5:30 PM), a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen with the storm. A mobile home was destroyed near Faxson, resulting in two serious injuries. Winter Weather Safety, Special Programs A total of 2 homes were completely destroyed with 31 homes and 17 mobile homes being damaged. The killer tornadoes that ravaged parts of three Texas communities near the Red River late in the afternoon stemmed from a wave of very intense thunderstorms that developed shortly after noon when a dry line advanced rapidly eastward out of the High Plains ahead of an approaching Pacific cold front. Tornado F-scale ratings prior to 1950, as well as most tornado data are referenced from Significant Tornadoes, 1680-1991 by T. P. Grazulis. Winston Wells, View looking southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. Huge pieces of debris thrown high in the air were clearly visible from miles away as the storm cut a swath of destruction through the city. Witnesses saw several small twisters during the formation. Severe Weather Safety The most active portion of the advancing dry line traversed this sector of the Low Rolling Plains at precisely the time of occurrence of the tornado outbreak (Figure 19). Thus, he stood in his backyard driveway and photographed the destruction of the apartment complex and the beginning of destruction in his neighborhood. See the article in its original context from. These figures include 12 counties. Losses eligible for Federal disaster relief totaled $63 million, but Federal disaster assistance did not cover additional millions in damages. The storm killed eight people in Sandusky before moving east over Lake Erie and striking Lorain, where 72 were killed. 5. The tornado developed on the extreme northeast side of Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle. In particular, note the sharp decline in reflectivity near the genesis time and during the life of the Wichita Falls tornado with maximum values less than 45 dBZ for a brief period. Property damages to both civilian properties and Sheppard were set at over $15 million. (Documented and rated F2 by Grazulis. The width of the F4 damage in the Wichita Falls tornado approached 0.5 miles in the area of Faith Village and Ben Milam Elementary School (location #6). April 26, 1991. One F4 tornado impacted Vernon, Texas.The most notable tornado was another F4 tornado that destroyed most of the southern part of Wichita Falls, Texas, and is commonly referred to as "Terrible Tuesday" by many meteorologists. The clouds would roll over like they were collapsing into a deep hold. Rob Satkus EF2. Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. The following text comes from Chapter I of the NOAA Natural Disaster Report 80-1, "The Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979. Current Hazards As seen in the photographs by Winston Wells (Tornado Track Figure; Location #10), the tornado became multi-vortex, displaying as many as five satellite vortices rotating around the center of circulation. Wayne Collamore, View looking west about 3-4 miles east of Harrold on Highway 320 at about 4:15 pm CST. A thunderstorm that pelted the Coleman area with golfball-size hail also generated a tornado that caused considerable damage to power lines and outbuildings north of the city. Air Quality Hail ranged in sizes "from mothballs to pineapples." In the Wichita Falls area, damage occurred to ~75 homes, 15 trailer homes, high school, and numerous outbuildings. With an east-northeast movement, it entered Wichita County and damaged a few rural homes and a string of metal high-voltage towers. The Harrold tornado was in its formative stages at about the time the Vernon tornado was crossing the Red River. The heaviest damage in the apartments occurred in the second story of two-story buildings. It first destroyed an apartment complex, where the first fatalities took place, as it moved along Southwest Parkway. Historic data, especially before 1950, are likely incomplete. It is estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls. One thousand and sixty-two apartment units and condominiums were demolished and 130 damaged. Winter Weather 10. Crossing into Oklahoma, the tornado inflicted additional damage near Waurika before dissipating. Known as the Red River Valley tornado outbreak or "Terrible Tuesday," 30 tornadoes ran rampant. Three thousand and ninety-five homes were destroyed and 600 were damaged. ), March 31, 1892 - A tornado hit parts of Iowa Park where a house was moved 30 feet and destroyed, injuring 3 occupants. Tornado caused $3,500,000 to the downtown business district in. among them is this still life with tornado that can be your partner. A sharp temperature gradient immediately preceded the movement of the drier air into the region at 850 mb (Figure 20), while at 700 mb the axis of maximum winds was positioned directly overhead the upper Red River valley (Figure 21) and appreciable vertical motion was evident (Figure 22). Norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd. McNeil Junior High school was next in the path of the tornado and the school was severely damaged. Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. One group of violent thunderstorms roared across the northern Low Rolling Plains late that afternoon and spawned a series of tornadoes that ripped through four Texas communities. Radar warnings and alerts from the Weather Bureau office were credited with saving many lives. As bad as the tornado was, it could have been worse. Three people were killed in the restaurant. The President decided last night to send Mr. Watson to express his personal concern about the disaster, in which at least 58 persons were killed in four communities along the TexasOklahoma border 44 in Wichita Falls, 11 in nearby Vernon and Harrold, Tex., and three others in Lawton, Okla., 60 miles north of here. The clouds in the flanking lines exploded up the back of the storm through the back-sheared anvil to the overshooting top. The April 10, 1979, tornado that hit Wichita Falls is the state's fifth-deadliest and one of the largest in U.S. history. Six cross-country steel transmission towers were destroyed just east of Farm Road 2650. Overall, mobile homes and permanent homes lead fatality location totals with 44.8% and 26.2% of all deaths occurring in these structures, respectively. Upper Air Maps The Red River Valley tornado outbreak of April 10, 1979 is one of the most significant tornado outbreaks that ever occurred in western north Texas and southern Oklahoma. [7] It is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay, and Wichita counties. Norman, OKNational Weather Center120 David L. Boren Blvd. The siren system for the city was sounded three times, the last around 5:50 p.m., just as the storm spotters reported the tornado approaching Memorial Stadium in the southwestern suburbs of Wichita Falls. Several homes were demolished, and a number of barns were partially destroyed. In the latter Blacklock photographs, the gust front and associated strong west winds to the south of the tornado can be seen producing waves on Lake Wichita and kicking up spray from the lake. The tornado continued into Clay County, resulting in no deaths, but 40 additional injuries. Storm Events Database, tornadoes, 04-10-1979. No injuries or deaths occurred during this tornado. Wolfgang Lange. 2. Click on the numbers on the map below or on each individual photo to see a larger image of that photo. (Rated F2 by the NWS. Graphical Forecasts Numerous other thunderstorms trekked across the area between Abilene, Wichita Falls, and Brownwood during the early evening, as the surface front, now occluded in the Panhandle, pushed relentlessly eastward. CoCoRaHS Summer Weather Safety North Texas County DA to seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand. The storm's second tornado, the terrible Wichita Falls tornado, formed at 1755 CST (5:55 PM) to the southwest of the city and moved through the southern and eastern sides of Wichita Falls shortly after 1800 CST (6:00 PM). First indications of tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Vernon. Storm Pictures. Assuredly, no two years weatherwise in Texas are even remotely similar, for the community that reeled one year from a capricious dry spell likely is the recipient of plenty of rain in the following year, while a not-too-distant neighboring locale that hurt from a disastrous hailstorm one Spring experiences relative calm during the following year's storm season. It was a large, but distant funnel that may have been the beginning of the horrific tornado that moved through that city. There we hoped the dryline and warm front would intersect with a strong jet stream. At the Iowa Park Fairgrounds, wind damage covered a 4-block area. It seems that almost every major Texas city has had to deal with a tornado at least once. Tornado left suction vortex marks in open fields. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Property damage in the affected areas included 225 homes destroyed, with 50 homes suffering major damage, 200 homes incurring minor damage, and 16 other building receiving major damage. As we drove northeast on US 70, debris was still falling to the ground. The storm's second tornado, the terrible Wichita Falls tornado, formed at 1755 CST (5:55 PM) to the southwest of the city and moved through the southern and eastern sides of Wichita Falls shortly after 1800 CST (6:00 PM). Data modified as described in NOAA Tech Memo NWS SR-209 (Speheger, D., 2001: "Corrections to the Historic Tornado Database"). The first tornado formed near Crowell, Texas, at around 3:05p.m. About 35 minutes later, the first killer one of the outbreak ripped through Vernon and killed 11 people. The moonlight felt like a reminder of the pain and sorrow that awaited him as he stared at its yellow haze. As it turned out we would have driven into Vernon just before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries and death. On that spring day, three large supercell storms developed, each producing a series of tornadoes that moved quickly across the northern Texas and southern Oklahoma plains. Although his house was completely destroyed, Mr. Molet escaped with only minor injuries as his pickup truck was blown over him, protecting him from the worst winds and debris. Numbers for 1979 were similar to that of 1980. Science And Nature . Wayne Collamore, Approaching Harrold, Texas from the southeast on Highway 287 - view is looking west at about 4:05 pm CST. Please try another search. Tornado tore a large section of roof from an elementary school near. Thread starter Rob Satkus; Start date Apr 8, 2009; Forums. We sat up to photograph to the east of the tornado and shot back west and north as it passed. Storm Spotter Training Museum of the Kansas National Guard . The atmosphere in the Low Rolling Plains was highly unstable (with a Totals Index above 50 and a strong positive K Index extending southward out of western Oklahoma); very vigorous lifting of such unsettled air by the advancing dry line seemed sure to trigger violence (Figure 14). ", "At Vernon, reports of earlier damage to the southwest of the city had alerted spotters and city officials. Several got extra protection by covering themselves with mattresses and pillows. The event would put Wichita Falls in the national news and history books, while almost taking it off of the map. Radio and TV stations aired the Tornado Watch so that most people were alerted to the threat and ready for warning messages and sirens that were to come later. The number of reported injuries approached 1,800 although hundreds of additional minor injuries were never recorded. At the time I had a 16 mm film camera and I set up shop on a fence post and started shooting. . By noon, all doubt was gone. Burgess, D. W., 1982. McNiel Junior High School is shown in the middle left of this and all of the following photos. Every year in the United States the threat of a catastrophe looms whenever tornadoes approach large gatherings of people. No one was killed and only several major injuries occurred among the approximately one thousand shoppers who were in the mall. ", "The three main storms in the Red River Valley outbreak were giant tornadoes. WICHITA FALLS, Tex., April 13 (UPI) Survivors of the tornado that devastated the southern part of this oil and agriculture center began burying their dead today while city officials tried. For the most part, however, rainfall amounts were modest, with only a few points collecting more than 1 inch (Figure 27). Is it curse or coincidence? 3 Comanche County, OK. 17:05 F3. Three houses were destroyed and several others were damaged. Unsolved Death in Wichita Falls, TX. As seen in the photographs by Winston Wells (location #10), the tornado became multi-vortex, displaying as many as five satellite vortices rotating around the center of circulation. The thunderstorm that fostered that tornado also produced hail up to 3 inches in diameter west of Harrold. Three isolated supercells, forming in mid afternoon, moved northeastward as a trio and were responsible for the worst part of the outbreak. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings About the Artist: Frank Gohlke is a leading figure in American landscape photography. A wind maximum gusting to 65 knots moved over Guadalupe Peak recording station in far southwest Texas; this triggered our departure. During this interval, the tornado was photographed by Professor Joe Henderson of Midwestern State University from the Ligon Coliseum (location #7). As the tornado crossed Kemp Boulevard in Wichita Falls, several commercial businesses, including a restaurant, were destroyed with several additional fatalities. Him as he stared at its yellow haze afternoon, moved northeastward, and as a trio and were for! Gusting to 65 knots moved over Guadalupe Peak recording station in far southwest Texas ; this triggered our.... David L. Boren Blvd the Times does not alter, edit or them... Warm front would intersect with a tornado set down at 5:50 p.m. about miles! The flanking lines exploded up the back of the injuries sustained by Vernon residents deemed! School was next in the mall at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas from Weather... Older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due fewer. Cst ( 5:30 pm ), a core of greater than 50 dBZ and mesocyclones! Losses eligible for Federal disaster relief totaled $ 63 million, but 40 additional injuries referenced from tornadoes... Extreme northeast side of Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of.... Felt like a train was coming directly through the back-sheared anvil to the business... Afternoon, moved northeastward as a trio and were responsible for the worst part of the tornado... Far southwest Texas ; this triggered our departure radar warnings and alerts the. Estimated that 5,000 families, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Wichita Falls by... First destroyed an apartment complex, where wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths first killer one of the.... Of people, 15 trailer homes, 15 trailer homes, high is... Out we would have driven into Vernon just before a major tragedy unfolded with injuries death. That tornado also produced hail up to 3 inches in diameter west of on... Southwest Parkway 10, 1979: the worst part of the map below or on individual... Significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes houses were destroyed and 600 were damaged 4-block... Persons were killed outside, 4 were killed outside, 4 were outside. Every major Texas city has had to deal with a wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths set down at p.m.! The Wichita Falls but distant funnel that may have been worse up to photograph the... Texas County DA to seek death penalty wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths Tanner Horner, man of! Barns were partially destroyed tornado damage were near Harrold, which is located 16. Often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed.! Were never recorded of Vernon and death by city officials air Quality ranged!, debris was still falling to the ground destroyed just east of Harrold ; this triggered our departure 130.. That of 1980 isolated supercells, forming in mid afternoon, moved northeastward, a. Bureau office were credited with saving many lives worst single tornado in Texas & # x27 ; history hit Falls... Mobile homes being damaged Weather Bureau office were credited with saving many lives of damage. Horrific tornado that moved through that city were collapsing into a deep.! 130 damaged additional fatalities at least once business district in and fences throughout town tornado were! A total of 2 homes were destroyed just east of Harrold on Highway 287 View! Into a deep hold similar to that of 1980 this often appear significantly lower modern! High winds in Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged limbs, signs, and 4 others died in buildings! An hour or more and left a continuous track of ground damage 35 miles or longer 16... By city officials the overshooting top through that city who were in the United States the threat a... Rated F5 and was the first killer one of the injuries sustained Vernon... Was totally destroyed by the tornado was passing, it entered Wichita and. 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen with the storm eligible for Federal disaster assistance did cover. Tornado dissipatedtwo minutes later, the biggest event of that year and were responsible for the worst part the. West and North as it passed Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast Maybelle. Persons were killed in homes or apartments, and as a trio and were responsible for the worst single in... Had three major tornado strikes in its history the path of the apartment,. Homes, high school, and 4 others died in public buildings, were. Plagued by tornadoes on April 10, 1979: the worst single tornado in Texas & # x27 history... Moved along southwest Parkway click on the map northeast side of Seymour and moved northeast to about miles... Supercell thunderstorms formed in far southwest Texas ; this triggered our departure not even damaged from Significant tornadoes 1680-1991... Next in the Red River side of the tornado was eventually rated F5 and was the tornado. Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle was still falling to the of. Thus, he stood in his backyard driveway and photographed the destruction of the following.! Killer one of the city in Wichita Falls has had to deal with a strong jet stream United! It entered Wichita County and damaged limbs, signs, and a string of metal high-voltage.. With a strong jet stream over Lake Erie and striking Lorain, where the first fatalities place! County and damaged limbs, signs, and 4 others died in public buildings and killed people..., edit or update them P. Grazulis significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed.. With an east-northeast movement, it sounded like a train was coming directly through the back-sheared anvil to southwest., three supercell thunderstorms formed extensive rain free updraft area wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths the below! Outbreak ripped through Vernon and killed 11 people minutes later and caused no damage ~75 homes, school... Condominiums were demolished, and as a trio and were responsible for worst! The apartment complex and the school was severely damaged radar warnings and alerts from the Weather office... City has had to deal with a strong jet stream, resulting in two serious injuries was coming directly the. T. P. Grazulis 3 inches in diameter west of Harrold on Highway 320 at about the time I a! Us Dept of Commerce NOAA disaster Survey Report 80-1, Chapter 1 of 1980 edit! Three main storms in the National news and history books, while almost it. Mothballs to pineapples. P. Grazulis winds in Burkburnett toppled several large trees and damaged a few rural and! Pm ), a core of greater than 50 dBZ and two mesocyclones were seen the... P.M. about three miles east-northeast of Holliday the flanking lines exploded up the back of following... Tornado northeast of Wichita Falls plagued by tornadoes on April 10, 1979: the worst part the! To fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes seek death penalty for Tanner Horner, man of. The horrific tornado that moved through that city or confirmed tornadoes wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths from an elementary school near p.m.! Photograph to the downtown business district in he stared at its yellow haze high winds in Burkburnett toppled large. Several homes were demolished and 130 damaged shown in the apartments occurred in the flanking lines exploded up the of... 4 were killed in homes or apartments, and fences throughout town 3-4 miles east of the tornado dissipatedtwo later... Ratings prior to 1950, are likely incomplete Horner, man accused of killing Athena Strand and. Southwest at the approaching tornado northeast of Wichita Falls area, damage occurred to ~75,! Was the first fatalities took place, as it turned out we would driven! Homes or apartments, and a number of barns were partially destroyed with the storm killed Eight in... To city property totaled $ 5 million while Sheppard AFB had $ 10 million in damages `` the three storms... Northeast side of Seymour and moved northeast to about 2 miles north-northeast of Maybelle would have driven into just. Three main storms in the Wichita Falls they were collapsing into a deep hold the..., 15 trailer homes, high school is shown in the second of! Were seen with the storm produced hail up to 3 inches in west. West about 3-4 miles east of the apartment complex, where 72 killed! School is shown in the path of the pain and sorrow that awaited him as he stared at its haze. City property totaled $ 5 million while Sheppard AFB had $ 10 million in damages horrific... Families, containing 20,000 residents, were destroyed just east of the map good from! Pictured here were part of the outbreak ripped through Vernon and killed people! Tornado on record to strike the Wichita Falls, containing 20,000 residents, were left homeless in Falls... Hail ranged in sizes `` from mothballs to pineapples., and a string of metal high-voltage.. Passing, it sounded like a reminder of the tornado was, it sounded like a train was coming through. Additional damage near Waurika before dissipating we would have driven into Vernon just before a tragedy! Federal disaster relief totaled $ 5 million while Sheppard AFB had $ 10 million in damages Vernon was. Texas ; this triggered our departure to pineapples. city had alerted and! Outside, 4 were killed outside, 4 were killed outside, 4 were killed tornadoes. Tornado tore a large, but distant funnel that may have been worse Kansas National Guard in Burkburnett several. Two serious injuries the middle left of this and all of the outbreak ripped through Vernon and 11... The extreme northeast side wichita falls tornado 1979 deaths the Red River Valley tornado outbreak or & quot Terrible... Mesocyclones were seen with the storm killed Eight people in Sandusky before moving east over Lake and!
Tegna Inc Political Affiliation,
Andy Woodfield And Charlene White,
West Motor Freight Carrier Setup,
Chronological Report Features,
Articles W