Power Outage in Ralls, TX

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Ralls measured a wind gust to 62 mph. Additionally, reports from the Ralls Fire Department and social media showed wind damage in and around the city of Ralls. Multiple power poles and a tractor trailer were blown over as well as an irrigation center pivot.

A rapidly intensifying thunderstorm produced an intense downburst that struck the west half of the city of Ralls before continuing south for about one mile south of Ralls. In addition to disrupting power to 2400 people in the area for much of the night and inflicting various degrees of damage to many homes and buildings, three large cotton compress buildings on the west side of town were completely destroyed with debris strewn up to 1/4 mile south of Highway 82. The extent of debris required the closure of the 4-lane highway for nearly one hour until debris could be cleared for passage. A nearby power sub-station belonging to Excel was heavily damaged and a total of 42 power poles were downed. Radar and debris patterns observed from the NWS storm survey revealed a classic downburst signature with destructive wind gusts determined to be as high as 90 mph, with sustained speeds likely ranging between 50 and 70 mph for roughly two minutes.

A large and particularly destructive macroburst (downburst winds more than 2.5 miles in width) tracked east across most of northern Crosby County this evening, accompanied by winds ranging from 80 to 100 mph at times. Data from radar and damage patterns during a NWS storm survey indicated these intense winds were about five miles in width, and traveled for a distance of almost 30 miles. The community of Cone was struck especially hard by these winds. An older, single family home had a west-facing wall partially collapse, and the roof to a grain store was blown off and deposited on US Highway 62 forcing a temporary closure of the road. Additional damage in Cone consisted of several downed power lines, about ten snapped utility poles, a few downed trees, light to moderate building damage, and one metal shed that was destroyed and had its contents of antique tractors and vehicles damaged. The NWS damage survey also noted several dozen more damaged power lines throughout northern Crosby County, along with multiple center pivot irrigation systems overturned. Cotton, corn, and sorghum crops sustained light to moderate damage, however some crops used as silage were completely flattened by the intense winds. Combined losses in Crosby County alone are estimated to be nearly $2 million USD.

A large and particularly destructive macroburst (downburst winds more than 2.5 miles in width) tracked east across most of northern Crosby County this evening, accompanied by winds ranging from 80 to 100 mph at times. Data from radar and damage patterns during a NWS storm survey indicated these intense winds were about five miles in width, and traveled for a distance of almost 30 miles. The community of Cone was struck especially hard by these winds. An older, single family home had a west-facing wall partially collapse, and the roof to a grain store was blown off and deposited on US Highway 62 forcing a temporary closure of the road. Additional damage in Cone consisted of several downed power lines, about ten snapped utility poles, a few downed trees, light to moderate building damage, and one metal shed that was destroyed and had its contents of antique tractors and vehicles damaged. The NWS damage survey also noted several dozen more damaged power lines throughout northern Crosby County, along with multiple center pivot irrigation systems overturned. Cotton, corn, and sorghum crops sustained light to moderate damage, however some crops used as silage were completely flattened by the intense winds. Combined losses in Crosby County alone are estimated to be nearly $2 million USD.

An off-duty NWS employee observed a cone tornado develop near the edge of the Caprock about 2.5 miles southeast of Crosbyton. This tornado crossed U.S. Highway 82, but did not produce any visible damage to trees or power lines in the area. This tornado was later absorbed by a larger mesocyclone to its north that went on to produce a sizable tornado in northeast Crosby County.

The fire department in Ralls reported several power lines pushed over along Texas State Highway 114 west of Ralls.

A storm chaser videoed the previous tornado rope out and eventually merge with a new tornadic circulation. This second tornado was more organized than the first and eventually crossed Highway 207 as videoed by a truck driver. No damage was observed despite crossing directly over power lines along the highway.

A swath of destructive winds in the rear flank downdraft of a supercell exited Floyd County and engulfed much of northern Crosby County for at least 45 minutes. The slow movement of the supercell and its eventual collapse near Crosbyton prolonged the duration and intensity of these winds. Wind gusts in Crosbyton were measured as high as 77 mph resulting in scattered minor structural damage. Several tree limbs were broken and a few trees were completely snapped or uprooted. Multiple power outages resulted from snapped power poles throughout portions of northern Crosby County. These fierce winds also created a dangerous haboob that produced near zero visibility in blowing dust for several minutes. An unknown quantity of young grain crops in the area were damaged or destroyed after being sand blasted by wind and dust.

A swath of destructive winds in the rear flank downdraft of a supercell exited Floyd County and engulfed much of northern Crosby County for at least 45 minutes. The slow movement of the supercell and its eventual collapse near Crosbyton prolonged the duration and intensity of these winds. Wind gusts in Crosbyton were measured as high as 77 mph resulting in scattered minor structural damage. Several tree limbs were broken and a few trees were completely snapped or uprooted. Multiple power outages resulted from snapped power poles throughout portions of northern Crosby County. These fierce winds also created a dangerous haboob that produced near zero visibility in blowing dust for several minutes. An unknown quantity of young grain crops in the area were damaged or destroyed after being sand blasted by wind and dust.

Law enforcement personnel estimated wind gusts to 70 mph in Ralls. There was a report of one dozen power poles downed south of Lorenzo as well as a center pivot irrigation system destroyed.

F3 tornado in Ralls.A strong tornado developed approximately 9 miles to the southwest of Ralls around 8:40 PM and tracked to the northeast for six miles. Along the path of this tornado, several power poles were blown over or snapped and a few center pivots were overturned or twisted. A residence was completely destroyed with debris entirely removed from the foundation. The majority of the debris from this structure was blown to the northeast approximately 10 to 30 feet from the foundation...with other related debris dispersed over a mile away. Two pickup trucks were lifted and deposited upside down 5 to 30 feet from former locations. Trees were mud-splattered and stripped of bark with large branches completely torn off trunks. Center pivot irrigation systems were either blown over or twisted in surrounding fields...however some were left unscathed to the northeast of this tornado. Additional debris associated with this tornado was also deposited in a field across from US Highway 62/82 before dissipating.

F2 tornado in Ralls.In assessing the damage from the F3 tornado, the debris field diminished in areal coverage as the tornado tracked farther to the northeast along the end of its path. Damage assessment and public accounts of the storm suggested the tornado weakened and lifted. Meanwhile, a second tornado developed. This occurrence coincided with a break in the debris field observed during the Survey. This cycle of one tornado weakening and lifting while another tornado forms to the right of the former path is typical in well-organized tornadic thunderstorms. This second tornado developed approximately 1.5 miles west of Ralls and tracked to the north and northwest before dissipating three miles north of Ralls. The tornado damaged a residence and a nearby barn. Two thousand pound bales of hay were tossed from one side of US Highway 62/82 to the other as the tornado scattered debris to the south and southwest across an adjacent field. In addition, a vehicle was overturned on the property within debris from the residence and power poles were either blown down or snapped and center pivots overturned.

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped eight power poles on Highway 207 north of Caprock.