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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
1250 AM CDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 3/13/21 TORNADO EVENT...

.Currently 7 tornadoes have been accounted for. The strongest was
rated an EF2. The longest track was a little over 18 miles from 
near Palo Duro Canyon to near Washburn. An upper level storm 
system moved northeast across the southern Rockies and severe 
thunderstorms with tornadoes developed as wind shear, moisture, 
and instability increased just ahead of the upper level storm 
system.

.Happy - Palo Duro Canyon #1...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    115 mph
Path Length /statute/:  17.2 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1000.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             03:26 PM CST
Start Location:         4 W Happy / Randall County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.7482 / -101.9373

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               04:00 PM CST
End Location:           5 W Palo Duro Canyon / Randall County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            34.95 / -101.7648

Survey Summary:
The tornado damaged numerous electrical transmission lines with 
power poles snapped along the path. Several homes sustained 
significant roof damage. One home lost large sections of roof 
decking material and this together with a collapsed cell phone 
tower led to an EF2 rating. Otherwise, damage to power poles, out 
buildings, trees, and fencing suggested EF0 to EF1 ratings along 
the tornado path. This tornado handed off to a new tornado - the 
Palo Duro Canyon to Washburn tornado - just east of its path and 
both tornadoes occurred simultaneously for several minutes before 
the first tornado dissipated.

.Happy - Palo Duro Canyon #2...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.5 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   500.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             03:31 PM CST
Start Location:         5 NNW Happy / Randall County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.8012 / -101.9115

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               03:36 PM CST
End Location:           6 N Happy / Randall County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            34.8243 / -101.8769

Survey Summary:
A brief secondary tornado was documented by storm chasers and
residents in the area with video and photographs. This tornado
was just north of the main tornado and appears to have been quickly
absorbed by the larger circulation. The tornado damaged a barn and
several power lines along its short track.

.Palo Duro Canyon to Washburn...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  18.3 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1000.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             03:48 PM CST
Start Location:         3 WNW Palo Duro Canyon / Randall County /
TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.9712 / -101.7262

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               04:34 PM CST
End Location:           2 ESE Washburn / Armstrong County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.1717 / -101.5275

Survey Summary:
The original tornado - Happy to Palo Duro Canyon #1 - associated 
with this tornado's parent supercell handed off to this second 
major tornado. Both were briefly on the ground simultaneously. 
This tornado was narrow initially as it damaged campgrounds around
the rim of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. One cabin sustained EF1 
damage as its roof was completely removed. A porch likely caught 
the wind and aided in the damage to the roof, which is why this 
tornado was not rated higher. Several travel trailers were flipped
and one was destroyed at another campground, but none of these 
trailers were anchored. Minor damage occurred to weaker structures
at the state park entrance and there was notable tree damage as 
well. The tornado crossed the canyon and grew large on the east 
side, but remained in very rural country, damaging power poles and
a few out buildings. It also pushed over a semi before it 
dissipated just north of Highway 287.

.West of Wayside...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    70 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.7 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             04:08 PM CST
Start Location:         8 E Happy / Randall County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.7483 / -101.709

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               04:11 PM CST
End Location:           8 W Wayside / Randall County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            34.7643 / -101.687

Survey Summary:
This tornado was photographed by storm chasers positioned east of
the area as it crossed the county line. No damaged was observed
and the tornado lifted relatively quickly.

.Southwest of Groom...

Rating:                 EF-Unknown
Estimated Peak Wind:    0 mph
Path Length /statute/:  3.1 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   800.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             05:02 PM CST
Start Location:         6 NNW Goodnight / Armstrong County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          35.1251 / -101.236

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               05:11 PM CST
End Location:           7 WSW Groom / Armstrong County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.1698 / -101.2295

Survey Summary:
The track of this tornado is not accessible by road, but was
noted on radar and documented by storm chasers in the area.

.Clarendon...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    85 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.6 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             05:51 PM CST
Start Location:         1 W Clarendon / Donley County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.9348 / -100.9031

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               05:52 PM CST
End Location:           1 NW Clarendon / Donley County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            34.9437 / -100.9005

Survey Summary:
A brief tornado occurred on the western side of the city of
Clarendon. This tornado was rain wrapped, but was observed by
several chasers in the area. The tornado produced damage
consistent with 80 to 85 mph winds, damaging several homes,
trees, and sheds. Approximately 10 homes suffered shingle damage
to roofs, while multiple trees were downed. Near the narrow path
of this tornado, straight line winds caused damage to a
scoreboard at a nearby baseball field. 

.Howardwick...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    85 mph
Path Length /statute/:  4.3 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1000.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             06:26 PM CST
Start Location:         1 SSW Greenbelt Lake / Donley County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.9937 / -100.9215

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               06:36 PM CST
End Location:           2 E Howardwick / Donley County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.0398 / -100.871

Survey Summary:
A second tornado occurred just north of Clarendon, beginning near
Greenbelt Reservoir. This tornado crossed the lake and then
moved near Howardwick, damaging several trees on a golf course.
At least one power pole suffered damage, breaking the wood near
the ground. Across the street, an old metal building had sheet
metal damage and other debris.

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.

$$