National Weather Service Raw Text Product

192 
NOUS44 KAMA 160653
PNSAMA
OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-317-161900-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Amarillo TX
153 AM CDT Tue Mar 16 2021

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 3/13/21 TORNADO EVENT UPDATE #2...

A preliminary total of 8 tornadoes have been accounted for with 
damage surveys to date. The strongest 2 tornadoes were rated as an
EF-2, with the Clarendon to Howardwick tornado estimated to have 
wind speeds of up to 120 mph. The longest track was over 17 miles 
from Happy to near Palo Duro Canyon. The widest damage path was 
approximately 1200 yards, or nearly 0.7 miles, in association with
the Clarendon to Howardwick tornado. 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...

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 / Swisher 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, 
outbuildings, trees, and fencing suggested EF0 to EF1 ratings 
along the tornado path. This tornado handed off to a new tornado -
the Palo Duro Canyon tornado - just east of its path and both 
tornadoes occurred simultaneously for several minutes before the 
first tornado dissipated.

.Happy Satellite...

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 be quickly
absorbed by the larger circulation. The tornado damaged a barn
and several power lines along its short track.

.Palo Duro Canyon...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  8.5 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   800.0 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:               04:14 PM CST
End Location:           7 NE Palo Duro Canyon / Armstrong County
/ TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.0366 / -101.604

Survey Summary:
The original tornado - Happy to Palo Duro Canyon - associated
with this tornado's parent supercell handed off to this second
major tornado. Storm chaser video and damage patterns suggest the
tornado was either multi-vortex or that multiple satellites may
have occurred. Both the original and newly developing tornadoes
were briefly on the ground simultaneously. This tornado was
narrow initially and possibly consisted of multiple cones as it
damaged camp grounds around the rim of Palo Duro State Park. One
cabin sustained EF1 damage as its roof was completely removed. A
porch likely caught the wind and aided in the damage of 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. Another rapid and complicated tornado handoff to
the Palo Duro Canyon to Washburn tornado occurred east of the
canyon around the Randall/Armstrong County line near the
intersection of 1258 and Goathead Road as a new circulation took
over.

.Palo Duro Canyon to Washburn...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    81 mph
Path Length /statute/:  12.9 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1000.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             04:06 PM CST
Start Location:         4 NNE Palo Duro Canyon / Randall County /
TX
Start Lat/Lon:          35.0119 / -101.6409

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               04:34 PM CST
End Location:           2 ESE Washburn / Armstrong County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.1717 / -101.5274

Survey Summary:
The supercell underwent another odd handoff from the Palo Duro
Canyon tornado near Highway 1258 which was documented by storm
chasers in the area. Again, both the initial and new developing
tornado co-existed for a period of time creating a wide damage
path Near County Road 1 in Armstrong County. This tornado path
remained in very rural country with few damage indicators and was
likely stronger than suggested by the very limited rating. Along
the path the tornado snapped a few small diameter power poles and
destroyed a couple 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:    Unknown
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 to Howardwick...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    0 mph
Path Length /statute/:  13.2 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1200.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             03/13/2021
Start Time:             05:42 PM CST
Start Location:         4 SW Clarendon / Donley County / TX
Start Lat/Lon:          34.8861 / -100.9292

End Date:               03/13/2021
End Time:               06:12 PM CST
End Location:           3 ENE Howardwick / Donley County / TX
End Lat/Lon:            35.0549 / -100.8505

Survey Summary:
A second tornado touched down on the southwest side of Clarendon,
continuing through Greenbelt Reservoir before dissipating
northeast of Howardwick. Minor damage to homes and Clarendon
College was observed on the west side of Clarendon. The tornado
took on a wider path as it progressed toward Greenbelt Reservoir
causing considerable damage to mobile homes, recreational
vehicles, and boating facilities. In addition, several power
poles of varying sizes were downed and many trees were snapped in
the area. 

.Clarendon...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.6 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   40.0 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. 

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.

$$