Tornadoes

NWS adds four tornadoes to North Texas weekend count, total now stands at 14

Spring in North Texas means there is an increased need to remain weather-aware

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NBC 5 storm chaser Keith Minor was in Birome, Texas when he captured a tornado on camera. The tornado in Hill County was one of six documented by crews with the National Weather Service surveying storm damage.

National Weather Service crews conducting damage surveys have found evidence of 14 tornadoes that touched down in five counties over the weekend.

Ten of the twisters were reported on Friday and another four on Sunday. Details on each spate of tornadoes can be found below.

FOUR TORNADOES IN NAVARRO COUNTY FRIDAY

Four separate tornadoes were found in Navarro County.

  • An EF-1 tornado near Navarro Mills Lake had maximum wind speeds of 110 mph and moved northeast toward Emhouse. The tornado caused tree damage and impacted several homes and outbuildings along FM 744 and Navarro Mills Lake. One manufactured home was destroyed on CR 3091.
  • An EF-1 tornado formed two miles southwest of Barry and caused damage to roofs and outbuildings along CR 1210 and 1230. A manufactured home along CR 1230 was destroyed, the damage was consistent with 110 mph winds. The tornado's track took it to Emhouse where it caused EF-0 damage to trees and outbuildings before dissipating in Chambers Creek west of Rice.
  • An EF-0 tornado with 75 mph winds was captured on camera west of Rice. The tornado caused minor tree damage along Cummins Creek before dissipating.
  • A brief EF-0 tornado formed west of Frost with a maximum wind speed of 80 mph. A grain elevator partially collapsed along State Highway 22.

TWO TORNADOES SPAWNED IN HILL COUNTY FRIDAY

  • Another EF-1 with 95 mph winds developed near Abbott in Hill County where trees were damaged and uprooted. A semi-tractor trailer was rolled over on I-35W. A few homes along CR 3106 had minor damage.
  • A brief EF-1 with 105 mph winds hit a residence on FM 339 southwest of Penelope. Two houses were damaged, one had metal panels peeled off the roof and the home shifted about eight inches off its cinder blocks. Winds lifted the roof off and collapsed it back into a second uninhabited house.

FOUR TORNADOES FORM IN McLENNAN COUNTY FRIDAY

  • NWS crews assessed damage in McLennan County west of Waco and found an EF-0 tornado with 80 mph winds that damaged fences and trees.
  • An EF-1 with 95 mph winds damaged trees, downed fences, and broke windows in neighborhoods near China Springs Road. One home lost most of the front of its roof.
  • Another EF-0 with 75 mph winds damaged trees northwest of Tours in McLennan County.
  • An EF-2 tornado with 115 mph winds developed north of Tours damaging trees and a shed as well as a barn and shop as it passed into Hill County southwest of Penelope.

TWO TORNADOES IN FREESTONE COUNTY SUNDAY

The NWS says two tornadoes moved through Freestone County Sunday.

  • An EF-0 with 80 mph winds developed in the city of Dew.
  • A second EF-0 with 80 mph also spawned southwest of Dew.

TORNADO FORMS IN LIMESTONE COUNTY SUNDAY

  • A brief EF-0 with 75 mph winds formed near Personville in Limestone County on Sunday.

The NWS said storm damage in the Burlington area in Milam County is still being assessed. A final report may take a few days to complete as additional damage surveys may be needed.

‘THE PLACE I CALLED HOME IS GONE:' TORNADO RAVAGES SULPHUR, OKLAHOMA

Several communities in Oklahoma were hit by severe storms on Saturday night, leaving four people dead and prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency in about a dozen counties.

Daylight revealed the scope of a path of destruction from an EF-3 tornado that tore through Sulphur, a town of about 5,000 people south of Oklahoma City, wreaking havoc in the historic downtown and a nearby neighborhood.

NBC 5’s Weather Experts help you prepare for severe weather with an in-depth look on how to keep you and your loved ones safe during storms.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE 'WEATHER AWARE'

Spring in North Texas means there is an increased need to remain weather-aware.

You don't have to be a meteorologist but you must stay "weather aware." This means having a way to stay updated, like the NBC DFW app. With severe weather push alerts turned on, you will get information the minute the National Weather Service issues a watch or warning for your current location, or any location you choose, like your home.

KNOW YOUR WEATHER TERMINOLOGY

The most important thing during severe storm season is understanding weather terminology.

A Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible, and that you need to be alert to changing weather conditions.

A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted by trained storm spotters or indicated on weather radar. In this case, you should take shelter immediately.

TORNADO SAFETY TIPS

Besides being aware, it's important to have a plan for you and your family, whether you're at home, work, or school.

If there is a tornado warning in your area, you need to know where to go to safely wait out the storm.

Get to the lowest level of your home and go to an interior room away from windows -- put as many walls between you and the outside of your home as possible. Use blankets, pillows or cushions to shield yourself from possible debris. Watch NBC 5 or Telemundo 39 on your NBCDFW app so that you know when you are in the clear from severe weather.

If you are in a high-rise building or apartment complex, get to the lowest floor possible away from windows.

If you are in a manufactured or mobile home, get out, even mobile homes that are tied down offer little protection from tornadoes. Identify a sturdy structure you can get to quickly where you can ride out the storm. If it's not possible to get to a safe shelter, you should lie in a low spot or ditch and cover your head with your hands.

If you’re in a vehicle with a tornado approaching, don't keep driving and don't take shelter under a bridge or overpass. Get to a shelter and if that's not an option abandon your vehicle and hide in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.

CONTINUING WEATHER COVERAGE

Stay up to date with the latest weather forecast from NBC 5's team of Weather Experts by clicking here or by watching the video below.

THINK ABOUT CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT

On top of knowing where to go for safety and make sure supply kits are stocked for possible aftermath.

FEMA has made a list of basic emergency supplies that should be on hand. The kit includes a first aid kit, battery-operated radios, a flashlight, cell phone chargers, at least three days of non-perishable food with a can opener, and one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.

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