Images from the Rocky Mountain News showing the devastation after a tornado struck near Thurman, Colorado on August 10, 1924.
The National Weather Service did a fantastic writeup about this devastating event on August 10, 1924 that claimed the lives of 11 people, 9 of which were children. It is a fascinating read. Check it out here.
From Microsoft Copilot:
The 1924 Thurman Tornado is the deadliest tornado in Colorado’s history. Here are some key details:
Insane dashcam video of a man driving through the EF-3 tornado that struck Clarksville, Tennessee on Saturday. Six people were killed in the series of storms. Read the National Weather Service’s summary of the event here.
Supercell thunderstorms like this can be beautiful – but they can also be deadly. Do you know what to do when severe weather strikes? (Stormscape Photography / FLICKR)
Over the past week we have highlighted some of the severe weather hazards that we face in Colorado every spring and summer in our Severe Weather 101 series. The dangers these present are significant and not to be taken lightly.
Tornadoes grab most of the headlines and certainly are a danger however others like lightning and flooding are more common and actually claim more lives. We ask all of our readers to please, take the time to review these important articles – they could save yours and your family’s lives!
The National Weather Service has published a nice wrap up of Severe Weather Awareness Week that covers all the basics – see it below. For more in depth information, please use the links at the bottom to view each article on our Severe Weather 101 series. Be safe and be weatherwise!
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
600 AM MDT SAT APR 16 2022
SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN REVIEW
Severe Weather Awareness Week in review…
Severe Weather Awareness Week in Colorado concludes today. During the past week we have presented information and safety rules for tornadoes, lightning and wildfires, floods and flash floods, straight-line thunderstorm winds, hail, and our warning programs.
We will now review some of the most important safety rules in our effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation.
Be weather-wise by staying informed on expected weather in your area. The National Weather Service is typically aware of the potential for severe weather many hours or even days before any severe weather watches or warnings are issued, providing forecast products to heighten your awareness. A Weather Story product is posted each day on National Weather Service Internet pages and Facebook pages which includes a map and text on possible hazardous weather expected within the next seven days.
A Hazardous Weather Outlook is also issued daily with information on possible hazardous weather through the next seven days. A watch is issued when conditions for severe weather or flooding become possible. A warning is then issued when life threatening conditions are imminent or occurring.
Tornadoes can even strike in mountain areas. In 2008 on August 23rd, this rope tornado struck Park County near Eleven Mile Reservoir. Image courtesy Jerry Bivens.
The best way to protect yourself from tornadoes is to have a plan of action. The safest place to be if a tornado approaches is in a basement or safe room within a well-built structure, or in an underground storm shelter. If none of these options are available, move to a hallway or a small interior room on the lowest floor, usually this is a closet or bathroom. Get under a heavy piece of furniture or in a bath tub and cover yourself with blankets. Remember, the greatest risk of injury from tornadoes is from flying debris.
Modular homes and mobile homes, even those tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. If a tornado approaches, leave those locations and seek safety in a nearby sturdy building or storm shelter.
If you are driving in open country and see a tornado, if time permits, the best thing to do is simply drive away from the tornado path. Do not take shelter beneath a highway overpass. Wind speeds may actually be higher in these areas and often become collection points for debris.
If you are caught outside and cannot seek shelter inside a sturdy structure, crawl into a culvert or lie down in a narrow ditch or ravine and cover your head. But remember that the worst place to be when a tornado threatens is outside in the midst of flying debris.
Lightning usually kills and injures more people in Colorado than any other thunderstorm hazard. Lightning also causes many wildfires.
The best defense to protect yourself against a lightning strike is to plan ahead and avoid being caught where you might be vulnerable. Check weather forecasts prior to venturing out, especially if you are heading into the mountains. Plan outdoor activities early in the day before storms develop.
If thunderstorms threaten, seek shelter in a building or in an enclosed metal-roof vehicle, making sure all windows and doors are closed. Never seek shelter under an isolated tree. During thunderstorms, stay off corded telephones, away from electrical devices, and away from plumbing. Also get out of shower stalls, bath tubs, swimming pools and lakes when lightning is nearby.
You should wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before resuming outdoor activities. When thunder roars…go indoors.
The Big Thompson Flood in 1976 claimed the lives of 144 Coloradoans and serves to remind us of the dangers of floods. (USGS)
When flooding or flash flooding is possible, you should remain alert and be ready to quickly evacuate to higher ground or climb to safety. Flash floods often occur suddenly and without warning. You need to follow some basic flood safety rules:
Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
If you are near a river, be aware of water levels and be prepared to move to higher ground if river levels rise.
Do not enter areas that are already flooded.
If walking or fishing along a river, be aware that erosion from swift running water can cause river banks to collapse.
Never let your children play around high water, storm drains, viaducts or arroyos.
At least half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related. While driving your automobile, look out for flooding at highway dips, bridges and low areas. Two feet of moving water will carry away most vehicles. Never attempt to drive across a flooded road. And be especially cautious at night when it is difficult to see flood dangers.
Straight-line winds from thunderstorms, including microbursts, can become quite strong, even reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph in extreme cases. When thunderstorms approach, high winds can suddenly develop, causing things on the ground to become swift moving airborne missiles with a potential force to injure or kill. As with any thunderstorm, seek shelter before the storm arrives.
This is one of the largest recorded hail stones which is more than 7 inches in diameter and fell in Nebraska in 2003. (NOAA)
Large hail can pose a danger to animals and people. Hail also produces considerable damage to crops and personal property each year in Colorado. Again, get indoors before thunderstorms arrive. A fall of small hail can suddenly change to a fall of very large ice missiles which can injure or kill. Make efforts to protect personal property before storms threaten.
When thunderstorms threaten, tune to NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, The Weather Channel, or your local radio or television stations. Also check the Internet web site from the National Weather Service office serving your area. And if you have a relatively new cell phone you should receive Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings on your phone if you are in the area of the warning.
During threatening weather days, plan the actions you will need to take so that you will be prepared if dangerous weather conditions actually develop.
NOAA’s National Weather Service wishes you a safe severe weather season.
Severe Weather Awareness Week in Colorado concludes today. During the past week we have presented information and safety rules for tornadoes, lightning and wildfires, floods and flash floods, straight-line thunderstorm winds, hail, and our warning programs.
This is a recap of a five part series on Colorado’s severe weather.
The 2008 Windsor Tornado highlights the very real danger twisters present in Colorado. Do you know when to do when one strikes?
One fact that may surprise those new to Colorado is that we are actually on the western edge of the infamous Tornado Alley. This large swath of land comprises much of the nation’s midsection and is a unique place as the United States sees more tornadoes than any other place on earth. In fact, tornadoes have been recorded in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii.
Closer to home, Colorado sees our share of these storms. In fact, one metro area county – Weld County – holds the distinction of being the “tornado capital of the world.” With 252 tornados from 1950-2011, no single county in the nation has had more tornadoes! Adams County is number two in the state and isn’t far behind with 156 over that same period. Granted these numbers are skewed a bit simply due to the sheer size of those counties, but it does serve to highlight the real danger that tornadoes present.
One common myth is that tornadoes don’t strike metropolitan areas. This has been disproved many times including here in Colorado in 1981 when an F2 tornado struck Thornton. Image courtesy the City of Thornton archives.
The most well known tornado outbreak in the metro area occurred on June 15, 1988. Five tornadoes resulted in seven injuries and damage in excess of $15 million.
The greatest threat for tornadoes occurs during late spring and early summer when you have a combination of heat and moisture in the lower atmosphere. Here in Colorado, tornadoes are frequent from May through August with June being the most active month.
Colorado ranks 10th in terms of the number of tornadoes with 1,911 events from 1950-2011. One good thing is that our high altitude and drier air do make it harder for the monster supercells that spawn the biggest tornadoes to form. Most of our tornadoes are small and short lived. Further, thanks to the wide open spaces of the eastern half of our state, many strike sparsely populated areas. This is reflected in the fact that we rank 38th for tornado related deaths.
In 1981 a tornado ripped through Thornton and caused major damage. Last year, funnel clouds were spotted across much of the area. Image courtesy City of Thornton archives.
As is customary as we get further into spring, this coming week has been proclaimed Severe Weather Awareness Week. This is an opportunity for the public to get reacquainted with the dangers severe weather presents in Colorado.
Tornadoes, lightning, hail, severe wind and flooding are very real hazards that Coloradans face every year during severe weather season. It is important that you know what to do to protect you and your family.
Just 12 years ago in what was Denver’s weather story of the year, we suffered through a period of unusually severe weather including a tornado that ripped through the Southlands Mall.
Thirteen years ago on May 22nd an EF3 tornado raced north through Weld and Larimer counties resulting in one fatality near Windsor and causing several injuries and destroyed or heavily damaged hundreds of homes.
In conjunction with the National Weather Service’s statements on Severe Weather Awareness Week, ThorntonWeather.com will be publishing our Severe Weather 101 series. Each day this week a weather hazard will be discussed in depth and we will outline protective measures you can take to keep yourself and your family safe. Please be sure to check back every day to read these important message.
Update: 11:15 p.m. EDT — Athletic Director at Jacksonville State University Greg Seitz tweeted confirming Jacksonville’s Coliseum has indeed incurred extensive damages due to the tornado. “My bestfriend is stuck at the Reservse [sic] in Jacksonville right now. Other tenants came to her apartment because theirs was flooding. At her apartment water started coming under the… Continue reading Tornado Hits Jacksonville, Alabama [Photos, Videos]→
Tulsa, Okla., residents woke up to the devastation of an EF2 tornado that hit the town overnight, reports FOX23. 12:50pm – Survey team confirms tornado damage across central Tulsa. EF2 intensity also confirmed. Survey continues. Watch the video — NWS Tulsa (@NWStulsa) August 6, 2017 The tornado hit shortly after 1 AM, destroying multiple businesses. There… Continue reading Images the day after a dangerous Oklahoma tornado show the destruction it left in its wake→
Severe thunderstorms and tornados threatened Florida, Georgia and North Carolina Sunday night as heavy winds, large hail and rains hit the Southeast coast and killed at least 16 people. Residents were urged to seek safe shelter and listen to their radios for any emergency warnings. “There is a significant risk for large, long-tracked and extremely destructive… Continue reading Death Toll Climbs As Unusual Weather Hits Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Carolinas→
Damage from a May 24, 2016 tornado is seen on a farm near Platner, Colorado. (National Weather Service)
The thunder rolled across eastern Colorado on Tuesday, May 24 – as did hail, wind and tornadoes. Washington County saw the most intense activity with multiple twisters including one damaging tornado that has been rated an EF-1.
The National Weather Service sent survey teams to the area to evaluate the damage inflicted by Mother Nature.
They found two tornadoes of relatively weak EF-0 strength occurred near Akron. Neither any caused damage.
Near Platner though, a more powerful tornado ripped through a farm at about 6:50pm that evening. The twister lifted a pole barn, destroying it. Debris was found one mile away.
Wind and hail ripped across an area six miles wide near Akron causing extensive damage. Farm equipment was toppled and a barn heavily damaged by the wind while houses saw the siding punctured and windows broken from hail.
Below are images taken by the National Weather Service of the area.
[flickr_set id=”72157668536532282″]
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1056 AM MDT THU MAY 26 2016
...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 05/24/16 TORNADO EVENT...
.OVERVIEW...A long-lived supercell thunderstorm moved across
eastern Colorado and produced two EF-1 tornadoes and two EF-0
tornadoes in Washington County on May 24, 2016. Widespread wind
and hail damage also occurred, with a swath of damage nearly 6
miles wide at some points east and northeast of Akron.
.Washington County tornado near Platner...
Rating: EF-1
Estimated peak wind: 86-110 mph
Path length /Statute/: 0.9 miles
Path width /Maximum/: 20 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start date: May 24 2016
Start time: 650 PM MDT
Start location: 1 mile northeast of Platner / Washington County / CO
Start Lat/Lon: 40.1647 / -103.0467
End date: May 24 2016
End time: 655 PM MDT
End location: 1 mile east of Platner / Washington County / CO
End_lat/lon: 40.155 / -103.0366
This tornado struck one farm, lofting and completely destroying
a pole shed, and also damaging trees. Power lines were snapped
just to the southeast of the farm.
.Washington County tornado near Yuma County line...
Rating: EF-1
Estimated peak wind: 110 mph
Path length /Statute/: 0.1 mile
Path width /Maximum/: 90 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start date: May 24 2016
Start time: 715 PM MDT
Start location: 9 miles north/northwest of Yuma / Washington County / CO
Start Lat/Lon: 40.2350 / -102.7943
End date: May 24 2016
End time: 716 PM MDT
End location: 9 miles north/northwest of Yuma / Washington County / CO
End_lat/lon: 40.2348 / -102.7936
This tornado struck one farm, destroying a pole shed. Slight roof damage
occurred to the house, along with some tree damage.
.Washington County tornado 1 mile Northeast of Akron...
Rating: EF-0
Estimated peak wind: 65-85 mph
Path length /Statute/: 0.0 miles
Path width /Maximum/: 10 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start date: May 24 2016
Start time: 644 PM MDT
Start location: 1 mile southeast of Akron / Washington County / CO
Start Lat/Lon: 40.1490 / -103.1981
End date: May 24 2016
End time: 644 PM MDT
End location: 1 mile southeast of Akron / Washington County / CO
End_lat/lon: 40.1490 / -103.1981
Brief touchdown with no damage.
.Washington County tornado 1 mile Southeast of Akron...
Rating: EF-0
Estimated peak wind: 65-85 mph
Path length /Statute/: 0.0 miles
Path width /Maximum/: 10 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start date: May 24 2016
Start time: 647 PM MDT
Start location: 1 mile northeast of Akron / Washington County / CO
Start Lat/Lon: 40.1708 / -103.1959
End date: May 24 2016
End time: 647 PM MDT
End location: 1 mile northeast of Akron / Washington County / CO
End_lat/lon: 40.1708 / -103.1959
Brief touchdown with no damage.
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale Classifies
Tornadoes into the following categories.
EF0...Weak...... 65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak...... 86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong.... 111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong.... 136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent... 166 To 200 mph
EF5...Violent... >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.
Severe weather struck the plains of Colorado on Saturday spawning multiple tornadoes. The two most powerful of these, one near Wiggins and another near Wray, have been rated EF-2s on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Damage and injuries from both twisters were relatively light, certainly not as bad as they could have been.
The tornado west of Wiggins crossed I-76 and traveled nearly 9 miles reaching 3/4 of a mile wide at one point. It ripped through a private campground at Empire Reservoir damaging and destroying multiple RVs. There were some minor injuries with the storm.
Further east, near Wray, multiple tornadoes were reported, the most significant of which damaged three residences and businesses near the town’s borders. It traveled about 8 miles and at its widest was 440 yards across.
Three other tornadoes were confirmed near Wray although they caused no damage and were rated EF-0s.
Below is some amazing video of the tornado near Wray. Scroll below that for the detailed damage survey from the National Weather Service.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
314 PM MDT MON MAY 9 2016
...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 05/07/16 TORNADO EVENT ACROSS MORGAN
AND WELD COUNTIES - UPDATE # 1...
.UPDATE...ADDING ADDITIONAL TORNADOES.
.OVERVIEW...A TORNADO DEVELOPED JUST SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 76 OVER
WELD COUNTY AND THEN MOVE NORTH ACROSS EMPIRE RESERVOIR BEFORE
LIFTING 2 MILES NORTHWEST OF ORCHARD IN MORGAN COUNTY. THERE WERE
TWO MINOR INJURIES WHEN A CAMPER WAS ROLLED OVER. IN ADDITION SEVERAL
CAMPERS WERE DESTROYED AT EMPIRE RESERVOIR.
.TORNADO # 1
RATING: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 115-120 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 8.8 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 1320 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0 INJURIES: 2
START DATE: MAY_07_2016
START TIME: 255 PM_MDT
START LOCATION: 5 WEST OF WIGGINS/WELD COUNTY
END DATE: MAY_07_2016
END TIME: 310 PM_MDT
END LOCATION: 2 NORTHWEST OF ORCHARD/MORGAN COUNTY
SURVEY_SUMMARY: MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS EF0 TO EF1 HOWEVER THERE
WERE A FEW AREAS OF EF2. THE TORNADO WAS LARGE AND 3/4 OF A
MILE WIDE AT ITS PEAK.
.TORNADO # 2...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 0.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 50 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: MAY_07_2016
START TIME: 315 PM_MDT
START LOCATION: 6 NORTH OF ORCHARD/MORGAN COUNTY
END DATE: MAY_07_2016
END TIME: 316 PM_MDT
END LOCATION: 7 NORTH OF ORCHARD/MORGAN COUNTY
.TORNADO # 3...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 0.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 50 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: 05_07_2016
START TIME: 325 PM_MDT
START LOCATION: 14 SOUTHWEST NEW RAYMER/WELD COUNTY
END DATE: 05_07_2016
END TIME: 326 PM_MDT
END LOCATION: 13 SOUTHWEST NEW RAYMER/WELD COUNTY
.TORNADO # 4...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 0.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 50 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: 05_07_2016
START TIME: 335 PM_MDT
START LOCATION: 7 NORTHWEST FORT MORGAN/MORGAN COUNTY
END DATE: 05/07/2016
END TIME: 336 PM_MDT
END LOCATION: 8 NORTHWEST FORT MORGAN/MORGAN COUNTY
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
500 PM MDT SUN MAY 8 2016 /600 PM CDT SUN MAY 8 2016/
THIS INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING
FURTHER REVIEW OF DOPPLER RADAR, STORM SPOTTER REPORTS AND STORM
VIDEOS, WHICH ARE STILL ARRIVING INTO THE OFFICE.
...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 05/07/2016 TORNADO EVENT...
.TORNADO #1...
RATING: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 130 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 8 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 440 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: MAY 07 2016
START TIME: 551 PM MDT
START LOCATION: 2 N WRAY
END DATE: MAY 07 2016
END TIME: 616 PM MDT
END LOCATION: 10 NNE WRAY
TORNADO PATH WAS ONLY SURVEYED BETWEEN 2 AND 5 MILES NORTH OF
WRAY ALONG AND JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 385. TORNADO LIKELY CONTINUED
WELL NORTH-NORTHEAST OF WRAY BUT LACK OF ROADS PREVENTED FURTHER
SURVEY. THREE RESIDENCES AND TWO BUSINESSES NORTH OF WRAY WERE
IMPACTED...MAJORITY OF TRACK WAS OVER OPEN COUNTRY.
.TORNADO #2...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 0.5 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 25 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: MAY 07 2016
START TIME: 410 PM MDT
START LOCATION: 4 N HEARTSTRONG
END DATE: MAY 07 2016
END TIME: 411 PM MDT
END LOCATION: 5 N HEARTSTRONG
.TORNADO #3...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 3 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 50 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: MAY 07 2016
START TIME: 454 PM MDT
START LOCATION: 4 N ECKLEY
END DATE: MAY 07 2016
END TIME: 458 PM MDT
END LOCATION: 7 N ECKLEY
.TORNADO #4...
RATING: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 85 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 1 MILE
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 50 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: 0
START DATE: MAY 07 2016
START TIME: 539 PM MDT
START LOCATION: 3 S WRAY
END DATE: MAY 07 2016
END TIME: 541 PM MDT
END LOCATION: 2 S WRAY
THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE CLASSIFIES
TORNADOES INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES.
EF0...WEAK......65 TO 85 MPH
EF1...WEAK......86 TO 110 MPH
EF2...STRONG....111 TO 135 MPH
EF3...STRONG....136 TO 165 MPH
EF4...VIOLENT...166 TO 200 MPH
EF5...VIOLENT...>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.
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