Posted on 05/27/2007 11:05:58 AM PDT by P-40
Today marks ten years since a massive, devastating tornado struck the town of Jarrell in northern Williamson County. Twenty-seven people died on May 27, 1997 when the F-5 twister tore through a subdivision in this tiny town of 1,300 residents. Twelve of those killed were children. The Jarrell tornado was one of twenty-four twisters to hit Central Texas that day.
Residents had adequate warning, but most who died in the worst-hit neighborhoods did not have underground storm shelters. Experts say that for those that sought refuge in their homes, even in an interior room, the monster tornado was simply "an unsurvivable event."
Thirty-eight homes were completely destroyed, with only the foundation slab remaining for many. The exact wind speed of the Jarrell tornado is not known, but experts contacted by KLBJ stated that the highest winds were probably in excess of 250 miles per hour, and possibly as high as 300 miles per hour.
We spent a day in Jarrell this week, talking with local residents who had witnessed the tornado and the aftermath. To listen to some of the interviews, click the links below:
A tornado is the about the scarriest thing on
earth,to see one of those things comeing at ya is
terrifying.
We had an F4 last yr that killed 14 in our county,
The rebuilding is still going on 14 months later.
Upside-down-F-150s-in-trees-at-Walgreens bump.
(Governor) Bush’s fault.
lol
Some Texans have a 15% chance of twisters today and night, maybe tomorrow.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN ANGELO HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR... NOLAN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL TEXAS...
* UNTIL 245 PM CDT
* AT 213 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MARYNEAL... OR ABOUT 13 MILES NORTHWEST OF BLACKWELL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
* THE TORNADO IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR...
THE INTERSECTION OF RANCH ROAD 608 AND HIGHWAY 147 BY 220 PM CDT...
THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 70 AND RANCH ROAD 53 BY 230 PM CDT...
LAKE SWEETWATER AND SWEETWATER BY 245 PM CDT...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER.
Thanks for the ping txflake. This weather today is very unsetteled, just like it was that day. Our normal one our commute lasted over 2 1/2 hours that evening. Cedar Park was basically “shut down” for hours.
My weather alarm radio went off a few minutes ago. Flash flood warning for a large portion of central Texas.
Every inch of rain we get in the watershed gives a foot rise on Travis.
I know, but Travis is right at “full” now. Our house is about 750 above MSL.
Yeah, this no-beach situation has extremely dented my arrowhead hunting!
I haven’t even tried to look for anything. No luck by others either. Better sign off for today. Got a few things to do before work tomorrow.
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