F3 Tornado — Gillespie, Texas

1999-05-11 · near Harper, Gillespie, Texas

Wider weather episode

The tornado was preceded by strong, gusty winds, very heavy rainfall and finally, large hail. Severe winds in advance of the tornado took a roof off the High School in Harper and laid it on the ground on the opposite side of the building. These winds also damaged several other roofs in the area. The tornado began its track around three miles east of Harper, moving toward the southeast. It lifted post oak trees out of the ground with their roots in tact. Approximately 2 miles down the path, it turned toward the south and continued for another 1.5 miles. Along its track, it destroyed. 35 homes, 10 mobile homes, and damaged or destroyed 25 outbuildings and barns. The tornado damage several vehicles and tossed one jeep over 100 yards.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.3000, -99.2000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5695756. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.