F2 Tornado — Limestone, Texas

2006-12-29 · near Kosse, Limestone, Texas

Event narrative

A damage survey was conducted by a team from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Fort Worth, and they found that a tornado formed near Kosse. The first sign of damage found by the survey team was uprooted trees along CR 662. The tornado took a north-northeast track and several areas of large uprooted trees were found along CR 660, CR 656, CR 644, FM 1246 and FM 147. Damage to barns, sheds, and roofs was also found in this stretch.

Substantial damage was found along CR 635 were a home was struck, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Portions of the roof were removed and an adjacent barn was heavily damaged. A barn was destroyed along the adjacent road CR 633. The next significant damage was along Highway 164 just west of Groesbeck, where several homes, barns, and trees suffered considerable damage. Numerous livestock were killed along the path. A total of about sixty homes and businesses were damaged in Limestone County, and it has since been designated a disaster area by the Governor.

The tornado then continued north into Fort Parker State Park. Lack of damage here indicated that the tornado dissipated nearby.

Wider weather episode

A rare winter tornado outbreak occurred on December 29 over portions of North Texas, spawning almost two dozen tornadoes. Very high shear and low instability created an environment favorable for tornadoes. A strong surface low pressure system and warm front located in southern North Texas increased the probablitity for low-level rotation. In addition to tornadoes, severe reports of large hail and flash flooding were widespread.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.3267, -96.6430)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 7011. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.