Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
619 PM CDT Mon Oct 21 2019
...NWS Damage Survey For 10/20/2019 North Texas Severe Weather Event...
Severe thunderstorms erupted on the evening of 10/20/2019 across North Texas
ahead of a powerful storm system. A couple of supercells produced tornadoes
across parts of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. In summary,
the highest rated tornado...an EF-3...struck portions of Dallas County. The
other two tornadoes have been rated EF-1 and EF-0. A total of 3 tornadoes
and one damaging downburst have been surveyed. Additional surveys are possible
over the next several days.
.Las Colinas to Richardson Tornado...
Rating: EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph
Path Length /statute/: 15.75 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 1300 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: UNKNOWN
Start Date: 10/20/2019
Start Time: 20:58 CDT
Start Location: 1.8 E of Las Colinas /Dallas County/
Start Lat/Lon: 32.87/-96.91
End Date: 10/20/2019
End Time: 21:30 CDT
End Location: 3 E of Richardson /Dallas County/
End Lat/Lon: 32.96/-96.68
The tornado formed in northwest Dallas, near State Highway 348 and
Luna Road, where large tree damage and minor roof damage was
initially observed. This tornado tracked toward the east-northeast,
crossing I-35E and impacted numerous commercial structures
between this freeway and Harry Hines Blvd. Extensive damage to
many businesses and residences, consistent with EF-1 and EF-2
intensity wind speeds, occurred near the intersection of Harry
Hines Blvd and Walnut Hill Lane. As the tornado moved eastward,
roughly coincident with Walnut Hill Lane, several gas stations,
large commercial buildings, and churches, and at least one multi-
story apartment complex sustained significant roof and exterior
wall damage. This path of strong EF-1 and EF-2 damage continued
east-northeast along Walnut Hill Lane through the Marsh Lane and
Midway Road corridors. East of Marsh Lane, the tornado
impacted more single-family residences, though commercial
structures were still adversely affected at times. Severe damage
to large hardwood trees, consistent with EF-1 intensity winds, was
observed throughout the damage path from Marsh Lane to US HWY 75.
Intermittent EF-1 and EF-2 damage also occurred to a number of
residences in this area. Many of these damaged homes were large
and/or well-established structures that sustained either partial
or total roof loss, accompanied by minor exterior wall damage.
This damage was consistent with 110-125 mph tornado winds. Within
one concentrated region of EF-2 damage along Northaven Road west
of US HWY 75, a particular single-family home was surveyed with total
roof loss, and multiple collapsed exterior walls. The survey team
determined that this damage was consistent with low-end EF-3
intensity winds of approximately 140 mph. This was the only
structure that was assigned an EF-3 rating for this tornado.
The tornado continued eastward, toward US HWY 75 and produced
significant roof damage to several businesses near US HWY 75
including office low-rise buildings, a car dealership, and a Home
Depot. Damage here was assigned an EF-2 intensity. The tornado
crossed over the southern part of the Texas Instruments campus
and then began to turn more northeastward and parallel
Greenville Avenue. Tree and roof damage consistent with EF-1
occurred as it crossed I-635. Several glass windows were blown
out at a mid-rise office building. The tornado crossed
an apartment complex near Walnut Street and Greenville Avenue where
dozens of units had sections of missing roof consistent with EF-1
damage of 95 to 110 mph. The tornado moved across the Cutters
Point apartment complex where numerous units experienced
significant roof loss consistent with 115 mph or EF-2 damage.
Another low-rise office building saw numerous windows blown out on
all sides. The tornado continued into the Richland Park, Lakes of
Buckingham, Richland Meadows, and College Park residential
subdivisions where widespread tree and roof damage consistent
with 80 to 95 mph winds occurred. A few homes in this area saw
complete or total roof loss where winds were estimated at 110 mph
or EF-1. The tornado began to weaken and took a sharp turn to the
north near Richardson Square where it tracked to the Huffhines
Park areas. Mostly tree damage occurred here with winds estimated
near 70 mph or EF-0. The track then turned to the west and became
very narrow near Duck Creek with the tornado dissipating as it
crossed Jupiter Rd. The tornado had a continuous track for 32
minutes, tracked for just over 15 miles, produced maximum winds of
140 mph, with a maximum width of three-quarters of a mile.
