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Tornadoes
Strike Navarro County
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Based on eyewitness reports, survey
information from emergency management officials, and radar data, it
appears that two tornadoes developed in southern portions of Navarro
County on the morning of Wednesday, September 5, 2007.
The first tornado developed at
approximately 7:42 am. The first damage was observed 6.4 miles
south-southeast of the community of Richland. The tornado moved northeast
and caused minor tree damage to the west of Highway 14. This tornado will be
rated an EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Maximum winds were likely in the
70-80 mph range. The path length of the twister was 0.8 miles with an
average path width of 40 yards.
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Reflectivity image (left) and velocity image
(right) of the tornadic storm southwest of Richland, near the
Freestone County line, at 7:35 am. In the velocity image, red
indicates motion away from the radar in Fort Worth, and green
indicates motion toward the radar. |
The second tornado formed at
7:47 am, roughly 2 miles east-southeast of the first tornado. The first
damage was noted along County Road 2410, just north of the Freestone County
line. This twister was more significant than the first. It uprooted trees
and snapped trunks and large limbs as it moved northeast. The tornado
destroyed a barn approximately 1 mile west of Interstate 45 and damaged two
metal transmission line towers 1/2 mile west of the Interstate. The tornado
dissipated shortly after crossing Interstate 45. Based on the transmission
tower and tree damage, as well as damage surrounding these areas, the
tornado will be rated a low EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Maximum winds
were likely in the 110-120 mph range. The twister path length was 6.1 miles
with an average path width of 80 yards.
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| Reflectivity image (left)
and velocity image (right) of the tornadic storm south of Richland,
along I-45, at 7:51 am. In the velocity image, red indicates motion
away from the radar in Fort Worth, and green indicates motion toward
the radar. |
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| Damage to
metal transmission line towers 1/2 mile west of Interstate 45: |
Tree
damage near the Navarro/Freestone County Line: |
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Structural
Damage near Interstate 45: |
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Red lines indicate
tornado paths between the community of Richland and the Freestone
County Line: |
This event was a reminder to all
of us in North Texas that tornadoes can, and do, occur any time of the day
and any time of the year. These storms reinforce the need to have a severe
weather plan in place and practice it frequently. Furthermore, now is
the time to get your NOAA
weather radio ready. Weather radios will alert you of hazardous
weather...whenever it strikes!
For more details on the Enhanced
Fujita Scale, visit www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale/
Special thanks to Eric Meyers,
Navarro County Emergency Management Coordinator, for the aerial photos. All
photos are copyright and courtesy of Navarro County Emergency Management.
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www.srh.noaa.gov 
