EF2 Tornado — Bell, Texas

2024-05-22 · near (tpl)temple Muni Arp, Bell, Texas

Event narrative

An EF-2 tornado formed near TX-317 between FM 2483 and W Adams Ave where at least a dozen power poles were significantly damaged. The tornado continued to move east/southeast across the Terrace at Lake Pointe subdivision damaging many homes, especially roofs and windows. Significant roof and tree damage was found in the neighborhood south of Tarver Elementary School. At least, four homes lost most of the roof, some outside walls, and sustained significant damage to the windows. Several trees were snapped or uprooted across the neighborhood. Then, the tornado crossed Tanglehead Dr. towards W. Adams Ave damaging many businesses, including stand-alone restaurants, shops, banks, and strip malls. A few of the businesses in this area lost most of their roof (DI 9, DODs 5 &7). Several cars sustained moderate to significant damage and cars were flipped. Most of the power poles were damaged or snapped along W. Adams Ave. The tornado continued to move southeast, crossing Old Waco Rd, damaging other homes and businesses (DI 2, DOD 6). Additional tree damage was found as the tornado tracked across an open field south of W. Adams Ave and west of S Kegley Rd. Maximum estimated winds were 120 mph.

Wider weather episode

Isolated thunderstorms associated with the dryline occurred on May 21. Much more widespread thunderstorm activity took place on May 22 as a cold front sagged south into the area and a strong jet stream developed aloft. Large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding affected several locations on the 22nd. An EF2 tornado occurred in the Temple area of Central Texas, causing significant damage and injuring dozens of people. A second tornado occurred in Bell County southeast of Temple and was rated an EF-1.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.1334, -97.4388)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1180126. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.