Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
Issued by NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
772 NOUS44 KMAF 072110 PNSMAF NMZ027>029-033-034-TXZ045>048-050>053-059>063-067>070-075-082- 270>282-082115- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX 410 PM CDT Tue May 7 2024 /310 PM MDT Tue May 7 2024/ ...NWS Damage Survey for 05/04/24 Tornado and Severe Wind Event... .Overview...On May 6th, the National Weather Service sent a survey team to investigate multiple tornado reports from severe weather that impacted parts of West Texas on May 4th. This survey team investigated damage in rural central Pecos County. .Pecos County Severe Wind Damage... Peak Wind Estimate: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 1 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 3:41 PM CDT Start Location: 4 WNW Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.92/-102.94 Wind driven hail caused extensive damage to a home. Windows were broken, two power poles were snapped near the base, and there was exterior wall damage due to wind and hail at this location. Time of the damage was estimated from radar data. .Pecos County Tornado #1... Rating: EF-2 Estimated Peak Wind: 125 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.38 miles Path Width /maximum/: 175 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 3:56 PM CDT Start Location: 9 S Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.76/-102.89 End Date: May_04_2024 End Time: 4:15 PM CDT End Location: 14 SSE Fort Stockton End Lat/Lon: 30.71/-102.80 Results from this survey indicated that a tornado began just east of US Highway 385 south of Fort Stockton in rural central Pecos County. This tornado was documented by numerous observers, quickly developing into a photogenic stovepipe before becoming increasingly wrapped in rain. The tornado slowly moved southeast, before completely wrapping in rain and likely dissipating. This tornado occurred over mainly open terrain only causing damage to vegetation and a few wooden electrical power poles in the area. This tornado was rated as a mid-range EF-2 given the degree of damage to these wooden power poles which were snapped cleanly from near the base. .Pecos County Tornado #2... Rating: EF-Unknown Estimated Peak Wind: Unknown Path Length /statute/: Unknown Path Width /maximum/: Unknown Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 4:18 PM CDT Start Location: 15 SSE Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.69/-102.78 End Date: May_04_2024 End Time: 4:19 PM CDT End Location: 18 SE FOrt Stockton End Lat/Lon: 30.67/-102.73 This tornado was seen roping out about 20 minutes after the previous tornado was believed to have dissipated. This tornado is believed to be a separate tornado spotted in its dissipating stage. This tornado was not able to be surveyed due to the rural and rugged nature of the area west of US Highway 285. The approximate track is estimated by observer reports and radar data. .Pecos County Tornado #3... Rating: EF-Unknown Estimated Peak Wind: Unknown Path Length /statute/: Unknown Path Width /maximum/: Unknown Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 4:40 PM CDT Start Location: 20 SE Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.64/-102.72 End Date: May_04_2024 End Time: 4:55 PM CDT End Location: 23 SE FOrt Stockton End Lat/Lon: 30.61/-102.69 A few observers reported a brief rope tornado developing as the second tornado dissipated. This tornado likely traveled for several minutes to the southeast before the condensation funnel was lost. Rapidly rotating rain curtains were noted afterwards and the tornado was likely still ongoing. This tornado was later photographed by numerous observers as a stovepipe briefly visible through the rain. This tornado slowly traveled southeast before observers lost visual of the tornado within the rain. This tornado occurred over rugged and inaccessible terrain west of US Highway 285 and was unable to be surveyed. The track of the tornado is estimated based on observer reports in conjunction with radar data. .Pecos County Tornado #4... Rating: EF-Unknown Estimated Peak Wind: Unknown Path Length /statute/: Unknown Path Width /maximum/: Unknown Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 5:04 PM CDT Start Location: 25 SE Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.59/-102.67 End Date: May_04_2024 End Time: 5:08 PM CDT End Location: 26 SE Fort Stockton End Lat/Lon: 30.58/-102.66 An observer reported a new tornado in its dissipating stage. This tornado appeared to the observer as a brief rope tornado visible through the rain. The tornado occurred over rugged and inaccessible terrain west of US Highway 285 and was not able to be surveyed. This tornado track is estimated based on observer reports and radar data. This tornado may have been the end of the previous tornado as a strong couplet was maintained during this timeframe but was reported as a separate tornado by observers. .Pecos County Tornado #5... Rating: EF-Unknown Estimated Peak Wind: Unknown Path Length /statute/: Unknown Path Width /maximum/: Unknown Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: May_04_2024 Start Time: 5:29 PM CDT Start Location: 30 SE Fort Stockton Start Lat/Lon: 30.55/-102.58 End Date: May_04_2024 End Time: 5:38 PM CDT End Location: 32 SE Fort Stockton End Lat/Lon: 30.53/-102.56 An observer shared video of a tornado briefly visible through heavy rain just west of US Highway 285. Observers lost visual of the tornado a short time afterward. A strong couplet was noted on radar data for several minutes after this video as the tornado likely slowly moved southeast, dissipating just west of the highway. A survey was not able to be conducted as the area west of US Highway 285 is inaccessible and no indicators showed the tornado crossing the highway. The track of this tornado is an estimation based on observer reports and radar data. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$