The National Weather Service in Amarillo has confirmed at least seven tornadoes touched down in the Texas Panhandle during Saturday’s severe weather outbreak.
The strongest, an EF2, touched down four miles west of Happy in Randall County and was on the ground for 34 minutes when it ended five miles west of Palo Duro Canyon at 4 p.m.
This tornado dropped several electrical transmission lines with power poles snapped along the path. Several homes sustained significant roof damage. One home lost large sections of roof decking material and this together with a collapsed cell phone tower led to an EF2 rating. Eventually, this tornado led to a second tornado that was on the ground for five minutes before being absorbed by the original tornado.
An EF1 hit Palo Duro Canyon when it touched down three miles west-northwest of the Canyon in Randall County. It was on the ground briefly with the EF2 before the latter dissipated.
NWS Amarillo’s report states, “This tornado was narrow initially as it damaged campgrounds around the rim of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. One cabin sustained EF1 damage as its roof was completely removed. A porch likely caught the wind and aided in the damage to the roof, which is why this tornado was not rated higher.”
“Several travel trailers were flipped and one was destroyed at another campground, but none of these trailers were anchored. Minor damage occurred to weaker structures at the state park entrance and there was notable tree damage as well. The tornado crossed the canyon and grew large on the east side, but remained in very rural country, damaging power poles and a few out buildings. It also pushed over a semi before it dissipated just north of Highway 287.”
Two other tornadoes touched down, one southwest of Groom was on the ground for nine minutes and was 800 miles wide and the other was on the ground for three minutes and was 50 yards wide. Neither caused any damage.
Later in the afternoon, a pair of EF0 tornadoes touched down near Clarendon, Howardwick and Lake Greenbelt.
The first was on the ground for a minute and was 50 yards wide. It touched down at 5:51 p.m. one mile west of Clarendon but was a rain-wrapped tornado and produced damage to several homes, trees and sheds. About 10 homes suffered shingle damage.
The second touched down at 6:26 p.m., was 1,000 yards wide and was on the ground for 10 minutes.
It occurred one mile south-southwest of Greenbelt Lake. NWS Amarillo reports, “(the tornado) crossed the lake and then moved near Howardwick, damaging several trees on a golf course. At least one power pole suffered damage, breaking the wood near the ground. Across the street, an old metal building had sheet metal damage and other debris.”
For a full break-down of the tornadoes from Saturday, visit this link, https://bit.ly/30MElRW.
