EF3 Tornado — Robertson, Texas

2019-04-13 · near Hearne Muni Arpt, Robertson, Texas

Event narrative

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that began in Milam County. After crossing the Brazos River, the tornado moved east-northeastward, crossing US Highway 6 approximately 4.5 miles north of Hearne. EF-1 damage was identified at one structure near this highway crossing, and considerable tree damage consistent with EF-1 intensity tornadic winds were observed along the highway right of way. The tornado then proceeded east-northeastward towards Franklin.

The most significant damage occurred in the city of Franklin. Within a two-block long corridor on the south side of Franklin, the team confirmed EF-3 intensity tornado damage at 2 residences. Peak wind speeds at these sites were estimated at 140 mph. A number of additional structures on the south side of Franklin exhibited EF-1 and EF-2 intensity damage.

The tornado continued from Franklin east-northeastward along US 79, crossing the Navasota River into far western Leon County.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level trough generated scattered to numerous thunderstorms across North and Central Texas on Saturday April 13. Storms were mainly hail producers early in the day, but damaging winds and a few tornadoes occurred across the southern counties in the vicinity of a stationary front in the late morning and afternoon hours.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.8903, -96.6934)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 815344. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.