1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak

Severe weather event in April 1979 May 2025 June 2024 1979 Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak map.jpg 300 Map of tornadoes across the Red River valley on April 10, 1979 Ted Fujita's map of the Red Rivery Valley tornadoes on April 10 along with associated ratings along their damage paths. April 10–12, 1979 atl 58 F4 1979 61 1,976 440000000 ≳ Texas, Oklahoma (Red River Valley), Midwestern United States, Southern United States Tornadoes of 1979 On Tuesday, April 10, 1979, a widespread and destructive outbreak of severe weather impacted areas near the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. Thunderstorms developed over West and North Central Texas during the day within highly unstable atmospheric conditions following the northward surge of warm and moist air into the region, producing large hail, strong winds, and multiple tornadoes. At least 22 tornadoes were documented on April 10, of which two were assigned an F4 rating on the Fujita scale; four of the tornadoes caused fatalities. Hardest hit were the communities of Vernon, Texas; Lawton, Oklahoma; and Wichita Falls, Texas, which were all impacted by strong tornadoes. The F4 Vernon tornado struck southern and eastern parts of the city at approximately 4:45 p.m. CST, destroying several residential blocks and killing 11 people. An F3 tornado spun up in Lawton at 5:05 p.m. CST,CST In 1979, Daylight saving time in the United States began on the last Sunday of April. Thus, the tornado outbreak fell outside the daylight saving period. The beginning of daylight saving time was moved to the first Sunday in April starting in 1987.Daylight Saving Time https://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/daylight_time Astronomical Applications Department United States Navy June 10, 2024 destroying 167 buildings and killing 3 people. The most significant tornado of the day was an F4 tornado that began east-northeast of Holliday, Texas, at around 5:50 p.m. CST and moved east-northeast into Wichita Falls, taking a 8 mi course through densely populated areas of the city and destroying over two thousand homes across several neighborhoods. The tornado spanned as wide as 1.5 mi across during its passage through the city, with the most severe damage occurring within a 0.5 mi on wide swath. At least 45 people were killed within the city and nearly 1,800 people were injured, ranking the tornado among the deadliest in Texas history. A majority of the fatalities occurred as the tornado mangled and tossed vehicles. The damage wrought by the Wichita Falls tornado was unprecedented, with the $400 million ($1.865B in 2025 dollars) damage toll making it the costliest tornado on record at the time. The severe weather event was widely observed by scientific instruments due to its serendipitous occurrence during a NASA field campaign. Later studies referred to the tornado outbreak as the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak, and in the areas affected the day came to be known as Terrible Tuesday. The same weather system associated with the tornado outbreak produced additional thunderstorms and tornadoes on April 11, particularly in Arkansas. While tornadic activity was more widespread on April 11 compared to April 10 far fewer casualties occurred. The weather system also produced intense rainfall over Mississippi and Alabama that culminated in the 1979 Easter flood, the worst disaster to befall Jackson, Mississippi in over a century.Hederman T.M. The Great Flood: 1979 1979 Hederman Brothers 7 Meteorological synopsis Preceding the event thumb|GOES-3 satellite image showing storms over the Red River Valley on the evening of April 10|alt=Grayscale satellite image of storms On April 9, a strong upper-tropospheric trough was located over the western United States. At roughly 40000 ft above the surface, a powerful jet stream extended from the eastern Pacific to South Texas.NOAA 1980a 8–9 Although a cold front moving south during the day brought substantially cooler conditions to Oklahoma, it quickly weakened over Texas.Purdom Weaver 1982 467 Warm and moist air remained over South Texas ahead of the disturbances.NOAA 1980a 8–9 Meteorological computer models using data collected at 6 p.m. CST April 9 suggested that severe weather was possible the next day for parts of Oklahoma and Texas but did not as indicate as clearly the possibility of a tornado outbreak.NOAA 1980a 8 The upper-tropospheric trough moved slower than modeling projected and by 6:00 a.m. CST April 10 had become oriented north-northeast to south-southwest, a characteristically negative tilt associated with many severe weather outbreaks.NOAA 1980a 9 An occluded front stretched from a quickly intensifying low-pressure area in Colorado into the Texas Panhandle,Purdom Weaver 1982 467Williams et al. 1980 4 representing one area conducive to storm development.Purdom Weaver 1982 468 A wide expanse of stratus clouds covered much of Central Texas during the morning hours as a result of a stable airmass over the area.Purdom Weaver 1982 467 However, strong southerly winds closer to the surface brought moisture northward from South Texas, concurrent with a rapid increase in atmospheric instability over North Texas.NOAA 1980a 9 Due to the presence of directional wind shear, the winds over the Red River Valley brought moist air from the south closer to the surface, and drier air from the west further aloft, enhancing convective instability.Moore Fuelberg 1981 1578–1579Ferretti Einaudi Uccellini 1988 139 The leading edge of the northward surge of moisture was marked by an ill-defined warm front.Purdom Weaver 1982 467 Dew points across the region increased by around 10 – 15 F-change to near 60 F.NOAA 1980a 18 A line of thunderstorms developed over North Texas on the morning of April 10 in response to the surge of warm air, with small hail up to 1 in diameter associated with some of the storms.NOAA 1980a 18Purdom Weaver 1982 468 Within the nearby jet stream, an area of locally intense windsa jet streakmoved towards the northeast towards the expanding unstable airmass over north-central Texas. The passage of this core of intense winds aloft induced strong southwesterly winds closer to the surface over eastern New Mexico and West Texas, leading to widespread blowing dust.NOAA 1980a 18 Wind gusts exceeded 60 mph across West Texas and reached as high as 93 mph at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.Bomar George W. Excerpts from A Review of Texas' Weather in 1979: The Year of Devastating Tornadoes and Flash Floods https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19790410 The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979 National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma June 5, 2024 Norman, Oklahoma The dew point at Marfa, Texas, was 10 F compared to dew points near 70 F over central Texas.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 26 This surge of dry air, moving towards the east-northeast at roughly 30 knot mph km/h, marked another potential region for storm development.Purdom Weaver 1982 468 A second area of thunderstorms began to quickly intensify along the leading edge of this dry line and along the occluded front between Amarillo, Texas, and Plainview, Texas.NOAA 1980a 18Purdom Weaver 1982 468 Hail up to 1.5 in in diameter was reported in association with these storms, as well as a tornado east of Plainview at around 1:38 p.m. CST that caused no damage. A third area of thunderstorms, albeit short-lived, developed west of Abilene, Texas, along the western edge of a small region of high pressure.Purdom Weaver 1982 468 While several of the morning's storms moved towards stable conditions and were poised to eventually weaken, particularly conducive conditions for intense thunderstorm development materialized near Lubbock, Texas, at the intersection of the surging dry line, the warm front, and the western edge of the high pressure region.Purdom Weaver 1982 468 thumb|A tornado watch was issued for parts of southwestern Oklahoma and northern Texas on the afternoon of April 10.|alt=Map outlining the tornado watch region By the afternoon of April 10, both the warm front and the region of strong winds associated with the jet stream had reached the Red River area, resulting in stronger wind shear. A low-pressure area had also developed in the vicinity of Childress, Texas at around 1–2 p.m. CST, and would serve as a focusing mechanism for converging moisture over the Red River Valley.Burgess Don Synopsis and Discussion of the 10 April 1979 Tornado Outbreak https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19790410 The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979 National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma June 5, 2024 Norman, OklahomaHoman Vincent 1983 1122 The National Severe Storms Forecasting Center (NSSFC) issued a tornado watch at 1:55 p.m. CST on April 10 for a 30000 mi2 on area encompassing parts of southwestern Oklahoma and north-central Texas. The watch statement highlighted the potential for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds within the watch area.NOAA 1980a 1 Within the risk region, the air pressure fell by 6 – 8 mbar inHg in three hours; such drastic pressure falls can precede tornado outbreaks.Ostby Wilson 1980 33 Strong convergence of moisture was also observed in the areas where storms eventually formed.Moore Murray 1982 20–21 Tornado outbreak alt=Photograph of a dark funnel cloud|left|thumb|The Seymour tornado The arrival of the jet streak contributed to the conversion of the atmospheric instability accumulating near the Red River into thunderstorm formation.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 26 Just before the onset of the tornado outbreak, a low level jet with winds of 20 m/s mph km/h materialized over north-central Texas in response to the approach of the jet streak higher aloft, accelerating the transport of heat and moisture northward into the Red River Valley.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 31 Thunderstorms developed near Lubbock and moved east-northeastward into a region of high potential instability near the Red River, becoming the strongest thunderstorms of the day. In particular, three isolated supercell thunderstorms caused the majority of the severe weather during the afternoon and evening of April 10;Purdom Weaver 1982 469 all developed in the localized area of supportive conditions near the frontal intersection. The first thunderstorm formed around 1:00 p.m. CST spawned five tornadoes between 3:05 p.m. CST and 5:15 p.m. CST, including an F4-rated tornado that struck Vernon, Texas, and an F3-rated tornado that struck Lawton, Oklahoma. The second thunderstorm formed around 2:30 p.m. CST, while the third formed around 4:30 p.m. CST.Purdom Weaver 1982 469 The second supercell produced a tornado that began at 3:55 p.m. and took 64 mi long trackthe longest track of any tornado during the eventthrough primarily rural areas near Harrold, Texas and Grandfield, Oklahoma. The most damaging tornado, associated with the third supercell, began at around 5:55 p.m. CST and struck Wichita Falls, Texas.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 22 These storms persisted into nighttime over central and eastern Oklahoma. The breakout of severe weather and tornadoes associated with the thunderstorms near the Red River during the afternoon and evening of April 10 was collectively termed the "Red River Valley outbreak" or the "Red River Valley tornado outbreak" by scientists studying the event.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1033Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 22Moore Fuelberg 1981 1577 At least 12 tornadoes occurred within 75 km flip of Wichita Falls in a single two-hour period.Williams et al. 1980 37 The last tornado that occurred in the Red River Valley occurred around 8:00 p.m. CST in connection with the third supercell near Pruitt City, Oklahoma.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 39 The thunderstorms that produced the tornadoes in the Red River Valley continued into Arkansas and southern Missouri during the overnight hours but did not produce severe weather.Jedlovec Fuelberg 1981 39 thumb|150px|Tornadic damage in Lawton The arrival of a second and weaker region of strong winds within the nearby jet stream led to the development of severe thunderstorms, including some tornadoes, farther south over west-central and northern Texas during the overnight hours.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1033Moore Fuelberg 1981 1587 These tornadoes caused extensive damage in rural areas and some injuries.Moore Fuelberg 1981 1577 Like the severe event earlier in the day along the Red River, the development of these storms was aided by a localized area of low pressure that developed near Abilene at around 7:20 p.m. CST.Homan Vincent 1983 1122 Additional storms also persisted over the Midwestern United States into the morning of April 11.Moore Fuelberg 1981 1587 The broader weather system that produced the severe weather on April 10 continued eastward towards the Mississippi River Valley the next day and intensified. April 11 ultimately proved to be a more active day for severe weather, with Arkansas experiencing most of the day's tornadoes; however, fewer casualties resulted from the tornadoes compared to the previous day.Ostby Wilson 1980 33 The 27 tornadoes that were ultimately documented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Arkansas during April 1979 set a new monthly record high for the state.NOAA 1979d 57 Heavy rains over Mississippi and Alabama associated with the same weather system on April 11–13 led to extensive flooding along the banks of the Pearl River and Tombigbee River. Rainfall totals reached 10 – 20 in, with the flood near Jackson, Mississippi, being representative of a 1 in 500-year or 1 in 100-year flood event.NOAA 1980b viNWS Jackson 2016 5 Confirmed tornadoes NWS offices in Texas and Oklahoma reported 56 fatalities from the tornadoes on April 10, with 53 in Texas and 3 in Oklahoma across a combined 12 counties. Another 1,916 people were injured, of which 256 were hospitalized. The American Red Cross reported 2,934 homes destroyed with another 3,263 damaged.NOAA 1980a 6 April 10 featured the most damaging tornado outbreak since the 1974 Super Outbreak.Ostby Wilson 1980 32 Four tornadoes caused fatalities that day.Negri 1982 1152 The NWS characterized the tornado outbreak as "one of the most significant tornado outbreaks that ever occurred in western north Texas and southern Oklahoma."Barber Katy 45 years ago, the Red River Valley tornado outbreak struck Texas, Oklahoma https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/red-river-valley-tornado-outbreak-19395686.php June 11, 2024 San Antonio Express-News Hearst Newspapers April 10, 2024 San Antonio, Texas The atmospheric environment surrounding the April 10 severe weather outbreak and the thunderstorms that eventually formed were closely observed as part of the Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment (SESAME), a scientific field campaign aimed at studying severe weather. As part of SESAME, an extensive survey of affected areas was undertaken following the event, including interviews of civil defense directors and ground and aerial surveys of tornado paths. Damage along the paths of 12 of the tornadoes on April 10 were rated with the Fujita scale by Ted Fujita and Roger Wakimoto based on observations from a low-flying Cessna aircraft on April 12–13, with a presumed ±1 margin of error.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1033 + Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of April 10–12, 1979 DatelocaldateTotalF-scale ratingDeathsInjuries F?  F0  F1  F2  F3  F4  F5  April 10251469320601,922 April 1132411115100154 April 121000100000 Total58551725420611,976 April 10 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, April 10, 1979"localdate" All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado began; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord. CoordinatesCoord All starting coordinates are based on the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Storm Events database and may not reflect contemporary analyses.Time (UTC)time-sd Times as listed in Storm Data unless otherwise noted.NOAA 1979aNOAA 1979bNOAA 1979cPath lengthlength-sd Path lengths as listed in Storm Data unless otherwise noted.NOAA 1979aNOAA 1979bNOAA 1979cWidthWidth Widths as listed in Storm Data unless otherwise noted.NOAA 1979aNOAA 1979bNOAA 1979c The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.Agee and Childs 2014 1494 F0SE of CrosbytonCrosbyTX38.65 -101.23 Crosbyton (April 10, F0)1979-04-10T19:08 19:082 mi km on ondata-ncei Datum from Storm Events.50 yd m on ondata-ncei A tornado occurred over open country southeast of Crosbyton, causing no damage.[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Crosby County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130754 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 1, 2024NOAA 1979a 18 F?E of PlainviewHaleTX34.20 -101.68 Plainview (April 10, F?)1979-04-10T19:38 19:38 A tornado occurred over open country east of Plainview. Storm Events does not assign a rating for this tornado.[Event Report for Tornado in Crosby County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130757 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 1, 2024 F2S of Foard City to SE of Crowell to near RaylandFoardTX34.20 -101.68 Foard City (April 10, F2)1979-04-10T21:05 21:05–21:2823 mi km on on150 yd m on on A significant tornado moved across Foard County, destroying, unroofing, or otherwise damaging homes.Grazulis 1990 601 The tornado also destroyed barns, telephone poles, and farm equipment. Total property damage was estimated by the NOAA at $50,000–$500,000. One person was injured.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Foard County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130759 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 1, 2024 F4N of Thalia, TX to Vernon, TX to E of Davidson, OKFoard (TX), Wilbarger (TX), Tillman (OK)TX, OK34.03 -99.47 Thalia (April 10, F4)1979-04-10T21:20 21:20–22:0037 mi km on on880 yd m on on 11 deaths, See section on this tornado – There were 67 injuries.NOAA 1979b 21Grazulis 1990 601 F0E of CrowellFoardTX33.98 -99.53 Crowell (April 10, F0)1979-04-10T21:20 21:202.5 mi km on on100 yd m on on A tornado caused damage near the intersection of US 70 and FM 267.[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Foard County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130760 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 5, 2024NOAA 1979c 7 F2Harrold, TX to Grandfield, OK to Pumpkin Center, OKWilbarger (TX), Wichita (TX), Tillman (OK), Cotton (OK), Comanche (OK), Stephens (OK)TX, OK34.08 -99.03 Harrold (April 10, F2)1979-04-10T21:55 21:55–23:25Fujita-time Datum from contemporary analysis by Ron Alberty, Donald Burgess, and Ted Fujita.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 103464 mi km on on1056 yd m on on 1 death A tornado began in the Harrold area, moving across US 287 and crossing into Wichita County, where it inflicted light rural damage.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Wilbarger County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130763 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 2, 2024NOAA 1979a 16 One person was killed while sheltering beneath a semi-trailer on US-287.Grazulis 1990 601–602 After tracking for 9 mi over Texas, the tornado crossed the Red River into Oklahoma at around 4:10 p.m. CST.NOAA 1979a 16NOAA 1979b 21 While the tornado remained at F0 intensity over Texas, it began strengthening after crossing the river.Fujita 1979 2 The tornado intensified over Oklahoma and was near its maximum intensity when it reached the Grandfield airport at around 4:30 p.m. CST. It caused considerable damage at the airport, destroying eight planes and damaging another. Twelve homes in the Grandfield area were either damaged or destroyed, including four mobile homes. Three people were injured in the Grandfield area, including one seriously.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado crossed SH-5 west of Walters, Oklahoma, as a slightly weaker F1 tornado.NOAA 1979b 21Fujita 1979 2 Five homes were destroyed and four others were damaged northwest of Walters.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado then reintensified and produced a second region of F2-intensity damage 12 mi southeast of Lawton as it approached Hulen and Pumpkin Center.NOAA 1979b 21Fujita 1979 2 Around Pumpkin Center, 13 homes were destroyed; some of the homes were impacted by a tornado a year prior. Additional homes were damaged along SH-7.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado was the longest-tracked tornado of both the tornado outbreak and of the entirety of 1979 in the United States. Five people were injured.NOAA 1979d 59 A 3 mi on wide swath of wind damage, with an intensity equivalent to an F0–F1 tornado, extended past the end of the tornado path and impacted the Marlow area.Fujita 1979 2 F2S of HollisterTillmanOK34.35 -98.90 Hollister (April 10, F2)1979-04-10T23:05 22:05–22:1511 mi km on on120 yd m on on The thunderstorm that produced the earlier tornado that struck Vernon, Texas, produced another tornado that began 1 mi south of Hollister.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado destroyed three houses and damaged others. One person was injured.Grazulis 1990 601 F1SW of FaxonComancheOK34.47 -98.62 Faxon (April 10, F1)1979-04-10T22:35 22:359 mi km on on100 yd m on on A tornado spun up 2 mi southwest of Faxon, destroying a mobile home and injuring one person. Two others were injured following the destruction of a second mobile home. Additional homes were damaged. Three people were injured.NOAA 1979b 21 Thomas P. Grazulis assessed the tornado as causing F2 damage while Fujita and Wakimoto graded only as high as F1-intensity damage north of Faxon.Grazulis 1990 601Fujita 1979 1 F2NW of Seymour to NNE of MabelleBaylorTX33.62 -99.30 Seymour (April 10, F2)1979-04-10T22:49 22:49–23:1211 mi km on on300 yd m on on A tornado touched down intermittently in the Seymour area, leading to scattered roof damage. The tornado strengthened as it moved northeast away from Seymour and into rural areas.NOAA 1979a 16 Most of the tornado path was over open country, impacting various outbuildings.Edwards Roger Public Domain Tornado Images https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/torscans.htm Storm Prediction Center June 11, 2024 Norman, Oklahoma Telephone poles were downed by the tornado along US 283.NOAA 1979a 16 The tornado was targeted by the University of Oklahoma's Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979, which was intended to supplement the concurrent SESAME field campaign through visual observation and documentation of severe storms. Footage was captured of the Seymour tornado's developmental and mature stages. The intercept team conducted a survey of the tornado path, documenting a segment of denuded tree branch that was lodged 18 cm into the ground and mesquite pulled from the ground by the tornado.Bluestein 1980 564–565 The thunderstorm that produced the Seymour tornado later spawned the violent tornado that hit Wichita Falls.NOAA 1979a 16 F3LawtonComancheOK34.57 -98.42 Lawton (April 10, F3)1979-04-10T23:05 23:054 mi km on on170 yd m on on 3 deaths A tornado warning was first posted for southern Comanche County, at 4:15 p.m. CST, with tornado sirens activated in Lawton, shortly thereafter.NOAA 1980a 25 A tornado began roughly 0.5 mi north of the Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport terminal building at 5:05 p.m. CST and moved into Lawton, impacting areas near the intersection between 2nd Street and Lee Boulevard.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado's path curved gradually to the east thereafter,NOAA 1979b 21 cutting across the H. E. Bailey Turnpike. There, the tornado reached its maximum intensity as an upper-end F3 tornado. It then moved erratically before dissipating.Fujita 1979 1 Three people were killed by the tornado and 100 others were injured. The tornado damaged 449 structures, of which 116 were destroyed.NOAA 1979b 21 The damage toll reached $9 million.Grazulis 1990 602 F1WSW of Iowa ParkWichitaTX33.90 -98.80 Iowa Park (April 10, F1)1979-04-10T23:08 23:08 A narrow and brief tornado occurred near Rocky Point, causing no damage.NOAA 1979a 16 F4ENE of Holliday, TX to Wichita Falls, TX to NNE of Waurika, OKArcher (TX), Wichita (TX), Clay (TX), Jefferson (OK)TX, OK33.82 -98.65 Holliday (April 10, F4)1979-04-10T23:50 23:50–01:0047 mi km on on1320 yd m on onGrazulis 1990 603 ≥45 deaths See article on this tornado – There were 1,740 injuries. F1Wichita FallsWichitaTX33.90 -98.50 Wichita Falls (April 10, F1)1979-04-11T00:00 00:002 mi km on on50 yd m on on A small tornado caused intermittent damage in northwestern Wichita Falls while the primary Wichita Falls tornado was impacting southern parts of the city. Witnesses described the tornado as bearing a small funnel cloud without condensation reaching the surface. Several structures were damaged, including a home and several outbuildings. A drive-in theater screen was also downed by the tornado. The damage was initially assessed as being caused by straight-line thunderstorm winds.NOAA 1979c 7[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Wichita County, Texas] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10130769 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 5, 2024 F2N of Purcell, OklahomaClevelandOK35.10 -97.37 Purcell (April 10, F2)1979-04-11T00:40 00:402 mi km on on37 yd m on on A tornado damaged two barns 6 mi north of Purcell.NOAA 1979b 21 F2SW of PraguePottawatomie, LincolnOK35.42 -97.75 Prague (April 10, F2)1979-04-11T00:45 00:453 mi km on on100 yd m on on A tornado moved across the Prague, Oklahoma, area, destroying two mobile homes and damaging another three homes. One person in a mobile home was injured.NOAA 1979b 21 F2NobleClevelandOK35.10 -97.40 Noble (April 10, F2)1979-04-11T00:50 00:501.5 mi km on on40 yd m on on A mobile home was razed by a tornado near Noble.NOAA 1979b 21 F1SE of HaysEllisKS38.87 -99.32 Hays (April 10, F1)1979-04-11T01:30 01:300.5 mi km on on65 yd m on on A tornado damaged several buildings in southeastern Hays, including 20 mobile homes. The tornado inflicted minor injuries on two people upon overturning their mobile home.NOAA 1979a 8 F3NW of Ringling to Pruitt City to NE of Ratliff CityCarterOK34.35 -97.60 Ringling (April 10, F3)1979-04-11T01:30 01:55–02:2016 mi km on on170 yd m on on The tornado began 9 mi northeast of Ringling and was on the ground intermittently as it moved north-northeast. The tornado moved through Pruitt City at around 8:05 p.m. CST, destroying or damaging 44 homes and at least five cars.NOAA 1979b 21 F0W of MaudPottawatomieOK34.10 -96.82 Maud (April 10, F0)1979-04-11T02:05 02:05 One of two small simultaneous tornadoes that occurred near Maud.NOAA 1979b 22 F0N of MaudPottawatomieOK34.12 -96.80 Maud (April 10, F0)1979-04-11T02:05 02:05 One of two small simultaneous tornadoes that occurred near Maud.NOAA 1979b 22 F2NE of Ballinger to W of NoviceRunnels, ColemanTX31.97 -99.80 Ballinger (April 10, F2)1979-04-11T03:00 03:0020.5 mi km on on1320 yd m on on A large tornado moved across largely open country, destroying some barns.NOAA 1979a 17Grazulis 1990 603 The width of the damage varied between 0.5 mi and 1 mi wide. Several homes were also damaged by the tornado.NOAA 1979b 8 F3ESE of Ballinger to NNE of ColemanRunnels, ColemanTX31.70 -99.75 Ballinger (April 10, F3)1979-04-11T03:30 03:30–04:1025 mi km on on440 yd m on on A tornado spun up 12 mi east-southeast of Ballinger, causing significant damage to buildings and power lines. The tornado crossed US 67 roughly 5 mi west of Valera, blowing a car off the road and damaging a nearby house.NOAA 1979a 17 The tornado's impacts were especially prominent north of Coleman.Grazulis 1990 603 Buildings were damaged near Hords Creek Lake and Lake Scarborough. Barns were destroyed and trees were uprooted along US 283 about 5 mi north of Coleman. The damage toll inflicted by the tornado was approximately $565,000 and one person was injured.NOAA 1979a 17 F1ESE of ComancheComancheTX31.87 -98.52 Comanche (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T05:50 05:50 A brief tornado destroyed a barn east-southeast of Comanche.NOAA 1979a 17 F2N of Energy to W of HicoComanche, HamiltonTX31.75 -98.37 Energy (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T05:50 05:50–06:3022 mi km on on200 yd m on on A tornado damaged trees and roofs near Energy and Lamkin in Comanche County. The tornado moved into Hamilton County, damaging roofs and trees in southeastern Carlton. Barns and farm homes were damaged to the north-northeast. Three people were injured.NOAA 1979a 17 F1W of Mineral WellsPalo PintoTX32.80 -98.12 Mineral Wells (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T05:56 05:56–06:00 A brief tornado caused no damage west of Mineral Wells.NOAA 1979a 17 April 11 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, April 11, 1979"localdate"F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord. CoordinatesCoordTime (UTC)time-sdPath lengthlength-sdWidthWidth F1AllenPontotocOK34.90 -96.40 Allen (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T06:01 06:013 mi km on on50 yd m on on A tornado impacted Allen. The most severe damage was inflicted to two buildings at a lumber yard. A window was blown out of the Allen city hall. Several trees were also uprooted.NOAA 1979b 22 F2KingstonMarshallOK34.03 -96.75 Kingston (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T07:05 07:05 A mobile home and three barns were destroyed near Kingston at around 1:10 a.m. CST.NOAA 1979b 22 F1W of ShermanGraysonTX33.63 -96.73 Sherman (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T08:06 08:06 A thunderstorm produced several funnel clouds in Grayson County. One developed into a brief tornado that caused no damage west of Sherman.NOAA 1979a 17 F?SW of MuskogeeMuskogeeOK35.70 -95.60 Muskogee (April 11, F?)1979-04-11T10:00 10:00 A tornado caused no damage after spinning up 15 mi southwest of Muskogee.NOAA 1979b 22 F2Hattieville to WonderviewConwayAR35.27 -92.80 Hattieville (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T13:10 13:104.5 mi km on on200 yd m on on Six barns and two homes were destroyed by a tornado that tracked east-northeastward from Hattieville to Wonderview. Another four barns, two homes, and some outbuildings were damaged. The damage toll amounted to $110,000.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Conway County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 07:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982398 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F1W of FoxStoneAR35.78 -92.30 Fox (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T14:42 14:42–14:558.5 mi km on on150 yd m on on A tornado began 0.25 mi west of Fox and tracked towards the northeast, destroying or damaging chicken houses and outbuildings before dissipating 4 mi west of Mountain View. The damage toll reached $185,000.[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Stone County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 08:42 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982399 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2Blue Mountain to Prairie GroveWashingtonAR35.83 -94.348 Blue Mountain (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T16:02 16:0211 mi km on on200 yd m on on The Center Point community 2.5 mi south of Prairie Grove was hit hardest by the tornado. Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. Three people in a mobile home at Center Point were injured; another person was injured in Blue Mountain. The tornado inflicted $175,000 in damage.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Washington, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 10:02 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982400 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2NW of Athens to Martin's MillHenderson, Van ZandtTX32.25 -95.90 Athens (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T16:07 16:07–16:3014 mi km on on150 yd m on on Within Henderson County, Texas, the tornado downed power lines and uprooted trees across a 10 mi path, cutting power to the community of Bethel. The tornado also inflicted minor damage to homes in rural areas. The tornado proceeded to track across 4 mi of Van Zandt County, before lifting.NOAA 1979b 18[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Henderson County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 10:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10131851 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Van Zandt County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 10:20 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10131853 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2Sulphur SpringsHopkinsTX33.12 -95.60 Sulphur Springs (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T16:12 16:12–16:208 mi km on on150 yd m on on Five to six homes on the southern side of Sulphur Springs, sustained minor damage. A Rockwell International manufacturing plant in the city incurred $100,000 in damage when it was unroofed. The tornado proceeded to damage homes, farms, and outbuildings northeast of Sulphur Springs. A mobile home was flipped over by the tornado in Mahoney.NOAA 1979b 18 F2+N of Eagletown, OK to Grannis, AR to SE of Mena, ARMcCurtain (OK), Polk (AR), Sevier (AR)OK, AR34.00 -94.60 Eagletown (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T16:15 16:15data-ncei40 mi km on on440 yd m on on Within Oklahoma, three people were injured when their mobile home was destroyed by the tornado.NOAA 1979b 22 The tornado crossed into Arkansas west of DeQueen Lake at 11:31 a.m. CST and impacted Grannis and Wickes. In Grannis, 25 homes and an elementary school were destroyed. Another 12 homes and a poultry plant were damaged.NOAA 1979a 4 All 17 of the injuries documented in Arkansas from the tornado occurred in Grannis; four of the injuries were to elementary school students at the elementary school.Grazulis 1990 604 The tornado destroyed three homes in Wickes and significantly damaged another four homes. The damage toll amounted to approximately $1.75 million.NOAA 1979a 4[Event Report for F2 Tornado in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, at 1979-04-11 11:15 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10108834 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Sevier County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:31 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982404 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Polk County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:39 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982405 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 Grazulis assessed the tornado as reaching F3 intensity.Grazulis 1990 604 F1HainesvilleWoodTX32.72 -95.37 Hainesville (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T17:02 17:02 A brief tornado occurred in Hainesville, without causing damage.NOAA 1979b 18[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Wood County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 11:02 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10131854 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F?W of HurleyStoneMO36.93 -93.53 Hurley (April 11, F?)1979-04-11T17:30 17:3050 yd m on on A brief tornado occurred over open country west of Hurley.[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Stone County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:30 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056240 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2W of RosstonNevadaAR33.60 -93.37 Rosston (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T20:10 20:100.5 mi km on on200 yd m on on Three homes were destroyed; others sustained minor damage.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Nevada County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 14:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982408 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2SW of GuyFaulknerAR35.30 -92.37 Guy (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T20:15 20:153 mi km on on440 yd m on on A tornado impacted a cemetery and utility lines and inflicted heavy damage on several buildings, resulting in $190,000 in damage.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Faulkner County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 14:15 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982409 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2East End to ENE of LonokeSaline, Pulaski, LonokeAR34.55 -92.33 East End (April 11, F2)1979-04-11T21:00 21:0041 mi km on on200 yd m on on The tornado destroyed several mobile homes and damaged outbuildings and farm machinery. East End and southeastern Pulaski County experienced the worst impacts. The tornado caused approximately $1.15 million in damage across three counties, with the bulk of the damage occurring in Pulaski and Saline counties.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Saline County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982411 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Pulaski County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982412 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lonoke County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:40 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982414 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1HomerClaiborneLA32.78 -93.08 Homer (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T21:00 21:002 mi km on on100 yd m on on Southern and eastern sections of Homer were impacted by a tornado, resulting in $75,000 in damage. Five homes were damaged, and a lumber yard was unroofed.[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10033337 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F3SW of Cabool to Houston to E of LickingDouglas, TexasMO37.02 -92.12 Cabool (April 11, F3)1979-04-11T21:00 21:0036 mi km on on400 yd m on on The tornado began just within Douglas County southwest of Cabool. In southern Cabool, grain bins and buildings at the Ballew Feed Center were badly damaged. Many other farm buildings were either damaged or destroyed southwest of Cabool. The tornado briefly lifted as it passed over Cabool, but began to cause damage again in the northeastern part of the town. The tornado struck the Cabool airport, flattening four hangars and heavily damaging the other two. Two airplanes were wrecked at the airport. A nearby apartment building was destroyed by the tornado. Six people were injured when their vehicles were blown off of US 63. Along the highway, 49 buildings were damaged or overturned; another three people were injured in this area. Power outages related to the tornado continued into April 13 for much of Texas County. In total, nine people were injured.[Event Report for F3 Tornado in Douglas County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056244 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024[Event Report for F3 Tornado in Texas County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:05 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056246 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 The damage toll was approximately $2 million.Grazulis 1990 604 F?W of BakersfieldOzarkMO36.50 -92.20 Bakersfield (April 11, F?)1979-04-11T21:15 21:153 mi km on on100 yd m on on A tornado began near Route 101 along the border between Arkansas and Missouri, damaging a metal building and two farms. The tornado moved northeast towards areas west of Bakersfield, damaging or destroying several homes and uprooting trees. Two people were injured by the tornado.[Event Report for Tornado in Ozark County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:15 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056247 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1N of LevantThomasKS39.57 -101.20 Levant (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T21:00 21:0033 yd m on on A brief tornado occurred over open country without causing damage.NOAA 1979a 8[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Phillips County, Kansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10021669 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1Mammoth SpringFultonAR36.50 -91.55 Mammoth Spring (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T21:45 21:450.5 mi km on on100 yd m on on Several buildings were damaged or destroyed, as were trees and power lines. The damage toll exceeded $20,000.[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Fulton County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:45 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982416 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1W of BeebeWhiteAR35.07 -91.93 Beebe (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T21:50 21:506 mi km on on100 yd m on on Several homes were unroofed and outbuildings and farms were damaged.NOAA 1979a 4[Event Report for F1 Tornado in White County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:50 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982418 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2NE of CrossettAshleyAR33.15 -91.95 Crossett (April 11), F21979-04-11T22:10 22:109.5 mi km on on200 yd m on on The business district of Hamburg was impacted by a tornado, resulting in $3.5 million in damage. The tornado was the second to strike Hamburg in three days.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Ashley County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 16:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982424 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2Clear SpringsLawrenceAR36.12 -91.15 Clear Springs (April 11, F21979-04-11T22:10 22:102 mi km on on200 yd m on on A rock crushing plant in the Clear Springs community 3 mi west of Black Rock was damaged by a tornado. Railroad cars with crushed rock were also badly damaged. The cost of damage topped $300,000.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lawrence County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 16:35 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9982426 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F2MasonvilleDeshaAR33.58 -91.40 Masonville (April 11, F21979-04-11T22:10 22:103 mi km on on100 yd m on on McGehee was hardest hit by the tornado. Several homes and businesses were either destroyed or suffered considerable damage. The damage toll amounted to about $449,000.NOAA 1979a 5[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Desha County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 17:15 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9983499 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1N of TopekaShawneeKS39.10 -95.73 Topeka (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T23:00 23:003.5 mi km on on30 yd m on on A tornado caused damage intermittently along a path north of Topeka, beginning west of Rochester Road near Northwest 35th Street and ending towards the east-northeast near Northwest 62nd Street. Homes, trees, and utility lines were damaged.NOAA 1979a 8 Two mobile homes were flipped by the tornado;Tornado Strikes Near Topeka https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-parsons-sun/149255453/ Newspapers.com June 13, 2024 The Parsons Sun 255 April 12, 1979 Parsons, Kansas 1 one person sustained minor injuries in a mobile home.NOAA 1979a 8 The damage was estimated by the Shawnee County civil defense director estimated the damage toll to be in the range of $70,000–$90,000.[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Shawnee County, Kansas, at 1979-04-11 17:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10021670 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F1N of LibertyvilleSte. GenevieveMO37.72 -90.30 Libertyville (April 11, F1)1979-04-11T23:30 23:30data-ncei6 mi km on on100 yd m on on Buildings and equipment on two farms were damaged north of Libertyville and in the Coffman area. A few buildings were heavily damaged and partly destroyed.NOAA 1979a 11[Event Report for F1 Tornado in St. Francois County, Missouri, at 1979-04-11 17:30 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056252 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 12, 2024 F?W of RavennaBuffaloNE41.03 -99.00 Ravenna (April 11, F0)1979-04-12T00:00 00:000.5 mi km on on10 yd m on on A tornado damaged equipment on a farm west of Ravenna,NOAA 1979b 12 resulting in approximately $4,000 in damage.Ravenna farmer tells of watching tornado https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent/149255071/ Newspapers.com June 13, 2024 The Grand Island Daily Independent 87 110 April 12, 1979 Grand Island, Nebraska 1[Event Report for Tornado in Buffalo County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 18:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10067452 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2Liberty to Kearney to N of LawsonClay, Clinton, RayMO39.25 -94.43 Liberty (April 11, F2)1979-04-12T01:00 01:0021 mi km on on100 yd m on on A strong tornado began up in Liberty, damaging homes and businesses. The damage was most severe near Route 291, where several businesses were damaged. A mobile home park, church, and elementary school near the intersection of Route 291 with I-35 were also hit. The tornado continued northeast along I-35 into Kearney, where it damaged several homes and businesses. Two barns were also razed. Five people were injured while seeking shelter in a roadside ditch after being struck by the windthrown bus they had evacuated from. Several farms were affected in the Lawson area before the tornado dissipated. In all, nine people were injured.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Clay County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 19:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056257 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Clinton County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 19:25 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10056259 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2Dycusburg to Dixon to NiagaraCrittenden, Webster, HendersonKY37.15 -88.18 Dycusburg (April 11, F2)1979-04-12T02:00 02:0040 mi km on on200 yd m on on A tornado struck several communities in western Kentucky, including Shady Grove in Crittenden County; Clay, Dixon, and Poole in Webster County; and Hebbardsville, Niagara, and Robards in Henderson County. Five people were injured in overturned mobile homes in Henderson County.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Crittenden County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 19:50 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10029910 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Webster County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 20:20 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10029913 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Henderson County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 20:40 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10029917 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F2E of Evansville to N of BoonvilleVanderburg, WarrickIN38.00 -87.43 Evansville (April 11, F2)1979-04-12T02:00 02:00 1 death – A tornado began in eastern Evansville, striking a lumber yard and the Plaza East shopping center.NOAA 1979b 22Storm damages could total millions https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/149254661/ Newspapers.com June 13, 2024 The Evansville Press 244 April 12, 1979 Evansville, Indiana 1, 31 The tornado briefly lifted for 5 mi before impacting a trailer park 2 mi north of Boonville,NOAA 1979b 223 killing one person and injuring two others.NOAA 1979b 22 Debris from the trailer park was scattered over a 400 ft area.3[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, at 1979-04-11 20:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10019500 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Warrick County, Indiana, at 1979-04-11 20:10 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10019501 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 11, 2024 F0DicksonDicksonTN36.07 -87.37 Muskogee (April 12, F?)1979-04-12T05:00 05:000.25 mi km on on30 yd m on on Four homes were damaged on the eastern side of Dickson.NOAA 1979a 15[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Muskogee County, Tennessee, 1979-04-11 23:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10126661 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 10, 2024 F1FlorenceLauderdaleAL34.80 -87.67 Florence (April 12, F1)1979-04-12T05:30 05:30data-ncei0.5 mi km on on20 yd m on on A damaging severe thunderstorm impacted central Lauderdale County, inflicting minor to moderate damage to 200 homes and widespread damage to trees. The worst of the damage occurred in the Seven Points area of Florence. While most of the damage was caused by straight-line winds, one or more small and intermittent tornadoes were embedded within the thunderstorm. Local police reported two tornadoes, with one impacting the Seven Points Shopping Center before midnight, and a second impacting residential areas farther north after midnight; the funnel clouds associated with both tornadoes may have been first sighted south of Florence 15 minutes before reaching the city.Tornado hits Florence https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser/149106946/ Newspapers.com June 10, 2024 The Montgomery Advertiser 74 April 12, 1979 Montgomery, Alabama 12 Tornadoes Damage North Alabama City https://www.newspapers.com/article/alabama-journal/149107068/ Newspapers.com June 10, 2024 Alabama Journal 73 April 12, 1979 1–2 The damage toll from the storms in Lauderdale County reached $500,000–$1 million and one person was injured.[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Lauderdale County, Alabama, 1979-04-11 23:30 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/9976574 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 10, 2024 April 12 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, April 12, 1979"localdate"F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord. CoordinatesCoordTime (UTC)time-sdPath lengthlength-sdWidthWidth F2SteensLowndesMS33.53 -88.40 Florence (April 12, F2)1979-04-12T09:00 09:007.7 mi km on ondata-ncei800 yd m on ondata-ncei A tornado began on the outskirts of Steens, in the early morning hours of April 12 and tracked towards the northeast, destroying two mobile homes and damaging 25–30 other homes. The tornado also inflicted considerable damage to 15–20 outbuildings and downed trees and power lines. As much as 80 percent of power lines in Lowndes County, were knocked out of commission.[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lauderdale County, Alabama, 1979-04-12 03:00 CST] https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10064008 Storm Events Database National Centers for Environmental Information June 10, 2024No injuries as tornado hits Mississippi town https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/149101691/ Newspapers.com 95 134 June 10, 2024 The Daily Herald Associated Press April 12, 1979 Biloxi, Mississippi C4 Vernon, Texas/Davidson, Oklahoma Vernon, Texas/Davidson, Oklahoma frameless|300px The tornado as it approached Vernon, Texas. April 10, 1979, 3:20 p.m. CST (UTC−06:00) 40 minutes April 10, 1979, 4:00 p.m. CST (UTC−06:00) atl F4 150 – 200 mph 11 67 1979 USD 27000000 The first of three intense and tornadic thunderstorms produced a tornado in southern Foard County, Texas, at 2:05 p.m. CST. While this first tornado was still on the ground, the same thunderstorm produced a second tornado in Foard County 2 mi so north of Thalia, at around 3:20 p.m. CST; the two tornadoes were separated by 1.5 mi and moved in parallel for 5 mi. The second tornado continued into Wilbarger County, after the first dissipated. It tracked towards the Lockett, area along US 70, damaging farms and homes.NOAA 1979a 16 Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-rated tornado damage between Thalia and Lockett.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034 The tornado crossed the highway 1 mi north of Lockett. One person was killed by the tornado after their vehicle was blown 200 yd off US-70 into a pasture.NOAA 1979a 16 The tornado then moved northeast towards the Vernon, area. Its large size made identification of its tornadic nature by storm spotters difficult. Tornado sirens were activated shortly before the tornado struck Vernon. The tornado entered Vernon at around 3:45 p.m. CST and moved over southern and eastern parts of the city. Several residential blocks in southern Vernon were destroyed by the tornado, leading to at least three deaths. The damage was especially severe along Gordon and Atlanta streets. In eastern Vernon, the tornado razed several buildings, including the Wilbarger Exhibit Building and a Texas Highway Department warehouse. The tornado then crossed US 287, blowing vehicles off the highway and killing seven people. A total of ten fatalities occurred in Vernon. Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to low-end F4-rated tornado damage in the Vernon area. The tornado crossed the Pease River outside of Vernon, killing cows along the riverbank, and crossed into Oklahoma near the confluence of the Pease River and Red River with approximately F1 intensity.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034Fujita 1979 1 The tornado passed east-northeast of Davidson, destroying at least three homes and inflicting major damage on another five. One person was injured in Oklahoma after their car was blown by the tornado. Numerous cattle were also killed or injured by the tornado.NOAA 1979b 21 Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-rated tornado damage in the Davidson area.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034 The tornado lifted at around 4:00 p.m. CST.NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado's path spanned 37 – 39 mi, with about 26 mi in Texas and 11 mi in Oklahoma.NOAA 1979a 16Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034 The tornado's width averaged about 880 yd.NOAA 1979a 16 The Institute for Disaster Research conducted aerial surveys of the tornado, rating it an F4 on the Fujita scale based on the resulting damage. The institute estimated that the tornado's maximum winds were 150 – 200 mph based on the degree to which residences were damaged, the damage to the Texas Highway Department, the destruction of a motel and restaurant along US-287, and the distance over which impacted vehicles were blown by the tornado.McDonald Minor 1979 3 The same thunderstorm that produced the Vernon tornado later produced another three tornadoes in Oklahoma.NOAA 1979a 16 Wichita Falls, Texas/Waurika, Oklahoma 1979 Wichita Falls tornado Wichita Falls, Texas/Waurika, Oklahoma frameless|300px The tornado at peak intensity in Wichita Falls. Photograph of the tornado's dark funnel cloud April 10, 1979, 5:50 p.m. CST (UTC−05:00) 1 hour, 10 minutes April 10, 1979, 7:00 p.m. CST (UTC−05:00) atl F4 ≈225 mph ≥44 (≥41 direct) 1,740 1979 USD 400000000 Parts of Wichita Falls, were struck by this violent and horrific tornado on the evening of April 10. The tornado was up to 1.5 mi wide as it tore through the city, with the swath of particularly intense damage spanning 0.25 – 0.5 mi wide.NOAA 1979a 16 The tornado swept east-northeastward through a 8 mi stretch of residential areas covering 11 mi2,NOAA 1979a 16Glass et al. 1980 734 directly causing 42 fatalities according to the National Weather Service (NWS); another three people later died of heart attacks.NOAA 1979a 16 The destruction amounted to $400 million in damage, making the tornado the costliest tornado on record at the time.NOAA 1979a 16NOAA 1979a 17 When normalized for wealth and inflation, the tornado caused approximately $1.14 billion in damage in 1997 United States dollars.Brooks Doswell 2001 Advance notice of the approaching tornado and the awareness of prior tornadoes earlier in the day in nearby Rocky Point and Vernon may have contributed to lowering the ultimate death toll.NOAA 1979a 17 thumb|left|Numerous homes in Wichita Falls were destroyed by the tornado.|alt=Aerial photograph of flattened homes At around 5:50 p.m. CST, a tornado developed 3 mi east-northeast of Holliday, Texas, in Archer County.NOAA 1979a 16 The tornado moved along the Fort Worth and Denver Railway into Wichita County, blowing away two oil storage tanks and unroofing several homes near FM 2560;NOAA 1979a 16 the swept oil tanks produced an oil spill.Fujita 1979 2 Six high-tension steel electrical transmission towers east of the road were damaged, with three blown prostrate.NOAA 1979a 16Fujita 1979 2 The tornado darkened and widened to a width of roughly 0.5 mi across as it moved into Wichita Falls at around 6:15 p.m. CST, rapidly strengthened to high-end F4 intensity and maintained this strength for the next 11 mi of its path.Fujita 1979 3 The tornado widened to a width of about 1 mi as it crossed Southwest Parkway into the Faith Village neighborhood, levelling several businesses and tossing vehicles about.NOAA 1979a 16 Additional homes and a shopping center were razed in the Southmoor subdivision. The tornado then crossed US 281 and moved into the Sun Valley neighborhood along the southern side of US 287, destroying apartments, houses, and businesses. Cars were wrecked on US 287, resulting in a few fatalities. Among the fatalities were some who sought shelter underneath a highway overpass. The Sunnyside Heights mobile home park north of the highway was destroyed, though no fatalities resulted as residents had evacuated.NOAA 1979a 16 Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F4-rated tornado damage between Wichita Falls and Dean, with F0-rated damage south of Petrolia.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034 The tornado uprooted 200 trees along the Red River as it crossed into Oklahoma around 4 mi east of Byers at 6:30 p.m. CST.NOAA 1979a 17NOAA 1979b 21 The tornado's path gradually curved towards the left after entering Oklahoma, bringing it to areas southwest of Waurika. The most severe damage inflicted by the tornado in the state occurred alone Noble Wray Road, where 20 homes were destroyed or damaged. The frame of one mobile home was greatly contorted and blown 0.5 mi away.NOAA 1979b 21 Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-level damage southwest of Waurika.Alberty Burgess Fujita 1980 1034 The tornado dissipated just before 7:00 p.m. CST north-northeast of Waurika.NOAA 1979b 21 Widespread F0-intensity damage continued for 30 mi past Waurika, though this damage was likely caused by a large downburst rather than a continuation of the tornado.Fujita 1979 3 In total, the tornado was on the ground for approximately 70 minutes, with of path 47 mi long, including 36 mi in Texas and 11 mi in Oklahoma.NOAA 1979a 17 Based on aerial surveys of the damage, the Institute for Disaster Research assessed the tornado as reaching F4 intensity and estimated that the tornado's maximum wind speeds reached 175 – 225 mph.McDonald Minor 1979 2 Aftermath Within Wichita Falls $63 million in losses were eligible for federal disaster aid. The apparent survivability of small interior rooms despite the widespread destruction of homes and businesses encouraged the development of reinforced safe rooms. The viability of safe rooms and the high number of fatalities among those who fled their homes led to increased emphasis on seeking indoor shelter in tornado preparedness, as opposed to the older idea of opening windows to reduce tornado damage.Brown Angela K. 1979 Wichita Falls twister led to safety measures https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/1979-Wichita-Falls-twister-led-to-safety-measures-8810762.php June 11, 2024 Plainview Herald Associated Press Hearst Newspapers April 9, 2004 Plainview, Texas April 10, 1979, came to be known as "Terrible Tuesday" in the areas affected by the tornadoes along the Oklahoma–Texas border.Brown Braylel Wichita Falls Museum of Art displays Terrible Tuesday exhibit https://www.newschannel6now.com/2024/04/09/wichita-falls-museum-art-displays-terrible-tuesday-exhibit/ June 11, 2024 News Channel 6 KAUZ American Spirit Media April 9, 2024 Wichita Falls, TexasFranklin Darrell Jackson Curtis Recalling the aftermath of 'Terrible Tuesday' 45 years later https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/recalling-the-aftermath-of-terrible-tuesday-45-years-later/ June 11, 2024 Texoma'sHomepage.com KFDX/KJTL Nexstar Media April 10, 2024 Wichita Falls, Texas In 1984, the NWS produced a documentary covering the Wichita Falls tornado, titled Terrible Tuesday, in collaboration with the American Red Cross and FEMA.Doswell Moller Brooks 1999 548 One Wichita Falls park features a plaque with the names of the 45 people who died during and after the Wichita Falls tornado, with a tree dedicated to each of the victims. Another park near the downtown area bears crape myrtle sculptures symbolizing the city's recovery. 100px|thumb|Map showing the Pearl River in Mississippi. The same storm system subsequently caused flooding in Mississippi, known as the 1979 Easter flood was one of the most costly and devastating floods to ever occur in Mississippi, United States, with $500–700 million in damages ($ billion in 2020 dollars).UShttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1979_04_17_easter_flood NWS Jackson, MS 1979 Pearl River Flood 2014-07-17 2014-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20140809194248/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1979_04_17_easter_flood dead It was the result of the Pearl River being overwhelmed by severe rain upstream. Floodwaters sent the Pearl River 15 feet above flood stage. More than 17,000 residents of Jackson, Flowood, Pearl, Richland, and other settlements in the Jackson metropolitan area were forced from their homes. The flooding of the Pearl River placed most of the streets of Jackson, the state's capital city, under several feet of water. Facts Pearl River Vision Foundation http://www.pearlrivervisionms.com/media-center/facts/ www.pearlrivervisionms.com 2016-02-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306025157/http://www.pearlrivervisionms.com/media-center/facts/ 2016-03-06 dead This flood resulted from the same storm systemHederman T.M. Jr. The Great Flood: 1979 1979 Hederman Brothers 7http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1979_04_17_easter_flood NWS Jackson, MS 1979 Pearl River Flood 2023-05-27 2014-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20140809194248/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=1979_04_17_easter_flood dead that, just a few days earlier, produced the Red River valley tornado outbreak that is particularly well-known because of the devastating Wichita Falls, Texas tornado that killed 42, injured over 1,700, left an estimated 20,000 homeless, and caused, in 1979 dollars, approximately $400 million in damages.Wichita Falls, TX Tornadoes (1900-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-city-tx-wichita_falls Norman, OK Weather Forecast Office National Weather Service 5 January 2022 EN-US 250px|right Flood stage at Jackson in 1979 was considered to be 18 feet (relative to the gauge datum on Pearl River), but as of 2004, this stage was set as 28 feet.http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/events/79flood/excerpts.htm Excerpts from a preliminary report by the Meteorologist-In-Charge in 1979 to the Acting Director Southern Region of the National Weather Service dated April 20, 1979 National Weather Service Jackson See also List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes Notes References Sources 30em Alberty Ron L. Burgess Donald W. Fujita T. T. Severe Weather Events of 10 April 1979 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society September 1980 61 9 1033–1034 https://swco-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/727ade26-1991-43c1-a85f-44d79fab92f7/content June 5, 2024 American Meteorological Society PDF Bluestein Howard B. The University of Oklahoma Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 1 June 1980 61 6 560–567 10.1175/1520-0477-61.6.560 free 1980BAMS...61..560B Brooks Harold E. Doswell Charles A. Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890–1999 Weather and Forecasting February 2001 16 1 168–176 10.1175/1520-0434(2001)016<0168:NDFMTI>2.0.CO;2 free 2001WtFor..16..168B Ernest M. Agee Samuel Childs Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology June 1, 2014 53 6 1494–1505 10.1175/JAMC-D-13-0235.1 American Meteorological Society free 2014JApMC..53.1494A Agee and Childs 2014 Center for Disease Control Tornado Mortality — Wichita Falls, Texas Morbidity and Mortality Report May 4, 1979 28 17 193–194 23292453 CDC 1979 Doswell Charles A. Moller Alan R. Brooks Harold E. Storm Spotting and Public Awareness since the First Tornado Forecasts of 1948 Weather and Forecasting August 1999 14 4 544–557 10.1175/1520-0434(1999)014<0544:SSAPAS>2.0.CO;2 free 1999WtFor..14..544D Ferretti R. Einaudi F. Uccellini L. W. Wave disturbances associated with the red river valley severe weather outbreak of 10?11 April 1979 Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics 1988 39 3–4 132–168 10.1007/BF01030294 1988MAP....39..132F Fuelberg Henry E. Jedlovec Gary J. A Subsynoptic-Scale Kinetic Energy Analysis of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak (AVE-SESAME I) Monthly Weather Review December 1982 110 12 2005–2024 10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<2005:ASSKEA>2.0.CO;2 free 1982MWRv..110.2005F Fujita Ted Characteristics of the Red River Valley Tornadoes as of April 15, 1979 April 16, 1979 https://swco-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f254292c-d45b-4180-807f-2b26375d6a0e/content June 11, 2024 Texas Tech University PDF Glass Roger I. Craven Robert B. Bregman Dennis J. Stoll Barbara J. Horowitz Neil Kerndt Peter Winkle Joe Injuries from the Wichita Falls Tornado: Implications for Prevention Science 15 February 1980 207 4432 734–738 10.1126/science.207.4432.734 17795992 1980Sci...207..734G Glass et al. 1980 Grazulis Thomas P. Thomas P. Grazulis Significant Tornadoes, 1880–1989, Volume II: A Chronology of Events November 1990 Environmental Films St. Johnsbury, Vermont 9781879362024 https://books.google.com/books?id=yW5NAQAAIAAJ Google Books June 4, 2024 Homan Jeffrey H. Vincent Dayton G. 1 May 1983 Mesoscale Analysis of Surface Variables During the Severe Storm Outbreak of 10–11 April 1979 Monthly Weather Review American Meteorological Society 111 5 1122–1130 10.1175/1520-0493(1983)111<1122:MAOSVD>2.0.CO;2 1983MWRv..111.1122H Jedlovec Gary J. Fuelberg Henry E. A Subsynoptic-Scale Kinetic Eenergy Student of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak (AVE-SESAME I) NASA Contractor Report 3546 August 1981 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19810023202/downloads/19810023202.pdf June 5, 2024 NASA McDonald James R. Minor Joseph E. Preliminary Report on Tornado Damage Survey of the Wichita Falls and Vernon Texas Tornadoes of April 10, 1979 April 20, 1979 https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1924/ML19241C004.pdf Institute for Disaster Research Lubbock, Texas Moore James T. Fuelberg Henry E. A Synoptic Analysis of the First AVE-SESAME '79 Period Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 1 November 1981 62 11 1577–1590 10.1175/1520-0477-62.11.1577 free 1981BAMS...62.1577M Moore James T. Murray Joan M. The Contribution of Surface, Horizontal Moisture Convergence to the Severe Convection of 10–11 April 1979 National Weather Digest 1982 7 1 http://nwafiles.nwas.org/digest/papers/1982/Vol07No1/1982v007no01-Moore-Murray.pdf June 5, 2024 National Weather Association 1 National Weather Service Jackson, Mississippi Flood History of Mississippi https://www.weather.gov/media/jan/JAN/Hydro/Flood_History_MS.pdf June 6, 2024 September 12, 2016 NWS Jackson 2016 April 1979 Storm Data April 1979 21 4 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-541181C4-B65D-4FFB-BFB0-D04CD0D4A669.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20240601152739/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-541181C4-B65D-4FFB-BFB0-D04CD0D4A669.pdf June 1, 2024 June 1, 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 1979a May 1979 Storm Data May 1979 21 5 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-D74C2658-B4D7-4584-BFE6-C23B2EFF127C.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20240601161419/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-D74C2658-B4D7-4584-BFE6-C23B2EFF127C.pdf June 1, 2024 June 1, 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 1979b 1 December 1979 Storm Data December 1979 21 5 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/pub-pdf/storm_1979_12.pdf June 5, 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 1979c 1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Summary Climatological Data December 1979 30 13 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-4436565F-D121-4654-9ABA-CD67E5D46D65.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20240610224714/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-4436565F-D121-4654-9ABA-CD67E5D46D65.pdf June 10, 2024 June 10, 2024 NOAA 1979d Asheville, North Carolina National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979 Natural Disaster Survey Report https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/47160/noaa_47160_DS1.pdf June 5, 2024 80–1 January 1980 Rockville, Maryland NOAA 1980a 1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The April '79 Floods of the Pearl and Tombigbee Rivers Natural Disaster Survey Report https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/16363/noaa_16363_DS1.pdf June 6, 2024 80–2 April 1980 Rockville, Maryland NOAA 1980b 1 Negri Andrew J. Cloud-top Structure of Tornadic Storms on 10 April 1979 from Rapid Scan and Stereo Satellite Observations Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 1 October 1982 63 10 1151–1159 10.1175/1520-0477-63.10.1151 free American Meteorological Society 1982BAMS...63.1151N Ostby Frederick P. Wilson Larry F. Tornado! Weatherwise February 1980 33 1 31–35 10.1080/00431672.1980.9931883 1980Weawi..33a..31O Pearson Douglas C. Development of the Wichita Falls Tornado Monthly Weather Review December 1979 107 12 1673–1674 10.1175/1520-0493(1979)107<1673:DOTWFT>2.0.CO;2 free 1979MWRv..107.1673P Peslen Cynthia A. Koch Steven E. Uccellini Louis W. The Effect of the Arbitrary Level Assignment of Satellite Cloud Motion Wind Vectors on Wind Analyses in the Pre-Thunderstorm Environment NASA Technical Memorandum February 1985 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19850011255/downloads/19850011255.pdf June 5, 2024 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland Purdom James F. W. Weaver John F. Nowcasting During the 10 April 1979 Tornado Outbreak: A Satellite Perspective 12th Conference on Severe Local Storms 1982 467–470 https://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/resources/Weaver/Conference%20PDFs/05%20Nowcasting.pdf June 5, 2024 American Meteorological Society San Antonio, Texas Boston, Massachusetts Williams Steven F. Scoggins James R. Horvath Nicholas Hill Kelly A Preliminary Look at AVE-SESAME I Conducted on April 10–11, 1979 NASA Technical Memorandum TM-78262 February 1980 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19800010360/downloads/19800010360.pdf June 5, 2024 Williams et al. 1980 NASA Further reading Anthes Richard A. Kuo Ying-Hwa Benjamin Stanley G. Li Yu-Fang The Evolution of the Mesoscale Environment of Severe Local Storms: Preliminary Modeling Results Monthly Weather Review September 1982 110 9 1187–1213 10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<1187:TEOTME>2.0.CO;2 free 1982MWRv..110.1187A Browning Peter A. Fuelberg Henry E. Contributions of Divergent and Nondivergent Winds to the Kinetic Energy Balance of a Severe Storm Environment NASA Contractor Report June 1983 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19830020552/downloads/19830020552.pdf 3702 June 10, 2024 NASA Hill Kelly Wilson Gregory S. Turner Robert E. NASA's Participation in the AVE-SESAME '79 Program Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 1 November 1979 60 11 1323–1329 10.1175/1520-0477-60.11.1323 free 1979BAMS...60.1323H Kalb Michael W. Initialization of a Mesoscale Model for April 10, 1979, Using Alternative Data Sources August 1984 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19840026744/downloads/19840026744.pdf NASA Contractor Report 3826 June 10, 2024 NASA Kocin P. J. Uccellini L. W. Petersen R. A. Rapid evolution of a jet streak circulation in a pre-convective environment Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics 1986 35 3 103–138 10.1007/BF01026169 1986MAP....35..103K Zack John W. Kaplan Michael L. Numerical Simulations of the Subsynoptic Features Associated with the AVE-SESAME I Case. Part I: The Preconvective Environment Monthly Weather Review October 1987 115 10 2367–2394 10.1175/1520-0493(1987)115<2367:NSOTSF>2.0.CO;2 free External links NSSL footage of the Seymour, Texas, tornado A survivor's story (Joel Manes) 47miles.org - A project to construct a memorial to the Wichita Falls tornado Coming Back: Wichita Falls, TX Tornado - April 10, 1979 KAUZ-TV gov.archives.arc.61107 "Terrible Tuesday" NBC News Update Easter 1979 broadcast which includes coverage of the 1979 Easter flood. National Weather Service Forecast Office: Jackson, MS WLBT Archive: Flood of 1979 Lessons of the 1979 Easter Flood Omaha, NE (1975) Costliest U.S. tornadoes on record April 10, 1979 Bridge Creek, Moore, & Oklahoma City (Metro), OK (1999) Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes 04-10 Category:Tornadoes in Texas Category:Tornadoes in Oklahoma Category:Tornadoes in Kansas Category:Tornadoes in Arkansas Category:Tornadoes in Louisiana Category:Tornadoes in Nebraska Category:Tornadoes in Mississippi Category:Tornadoes in Kentucky Category:Tornadoes in Indiana Category:Tornadoes in Tennessee Category:Tornadoes in Alabama Red River Tornadoes 1979-04 Tornadoes, Red River Valley Tornadoes, Red River Valley 1979-04-10