F1 tornado in Midland County, Texas

Eyewitness account of this tornado. Although many people in the area considered all the damage to have been from a tornado, actually most of the damage was from the wind-driven hail (north of the tornado path). In the tornado path winds were more intense than in the hail area as demonstrated by the total demolition of one trailer that was spread into the field. All trailers in the hail area were still standing.

This convection developed along the dryline near the Ector/Crane County Line and slowly evolved at first, but suddenly intensified as it approached the city of Midland. The storm's updraft passed south of Midland, so the city only received hail on the extreme south side of town. The storm then spun up rotation while south of the city and became a classic supercell.As the storm approached State Highway 349 damaging winds and hail combined with battering effects. A two mile wide area of wind-driven hail pounded residences and farm equipment for about a 5 mile stretch at least as far as State Highway 158. Hail grew up to about golfball size and winds peaked at approximately 80 mph. The wind-driven hail broke windows in houses and blasted paint off the wooden siding. The strong winds took roofs off several mobile homes and at least one single-family house. Utility crews stated that a total of 27 poles were downed by the winds.The American Red Cross determined that 324 units were affected with 18 mobile homes 4 houses destroyed. About 50-60 families were at least temporarily displaced. Only about 10% of the property was insured. Of the 6 injuries, one person was admitted to the hospital with a broken arm.This wind-driven hail area was on the north side of the mesocyclone with a brief tornado causing damage south of this area. The tornado formation was near the intersection of FM 1213 and County Road 160.