This week marks the occurrence of the two deadliest tornadoes in Texas history–the 65th anniversary of the Waco Tornado in 1953, and the Goliad Tornado of 1902. Each of these storms took the lives of 114 people.
Before the terrible storm in Joplin, Missouri claimed 158 lives in 2011, these two Texas storms were tied for 10th in the nation (a distinction Texas does not mind relinquishing)!
Weather records are interesting, aren’t they? What can we learn from the chart at the left?
- We can see that Spring is peak season for tornadoes with the worst occurring between mid-March and late May.
- We can see that most tornadoes occur in the Great Plains states, though a few range eastward.
I can tell you from personal experience that it is MUCH more pleasant to learn about tornadoes from charts and articles than it is from personal experience!
My first up-close-and-personal experience with tornadoes was in April 1977 when my family drove from Waco to San Antonio for an All-State Choir concert. Between Waco and Belton–about a 45 minute drive–we’d counted 15 hooks! Thinking we’d finally outrun the storm, we stopped to eat at Lake Belton. Through the plate-glass windows of the restaurant we watched yet another tornado form and descend, then cross the lake in a waterspout! We ran to take shelter in windowless inner rooms, and my mother prayed that God would cover us with His hand. Some of the men who had gone out front to watch later reported, “It was the strangest thing. That thing was coming straight for us! Then it lifted and went over the top–as if there were a hand covering us–and dropped back down across the road and went on.” Uh-huh! 😉
My next tornado experience was a small one–barely an F2, and it hadn’t touched down yet–that passed directly over our house one stormy afternoon. If you’ve never heard a tornado, I can tell you this one sounded like a recording of somebody trying to grind up nails and marbles in a blender played back at top volume over loudspeakers! Fortunately we again escaped harm.
Then about two years ago we were driving through the Arbuckle region of Oklahoma when a dark cloud directly in front of us began to spin and whirl like inky water circling a drain. As we watched in horror, a hook formed and began to drop. Other drivers were obviously seeing the same thing as traffic first slowed, then headlights flashed as the sky went dark, and then suddenly everyone was driving 90 mph, completely ignoring the speed limit as we attempted to outrun the danger!
While tornadoes are a fairly common occurrence for Texans, hopefully for our family, three strikes will be the limit! 😉
