Thunderstorm Wind — Hardin, Texas

2019-10-29 · near Kountze Silsbee Arpt, Hardin, Texas

Event narrative

A thunderstorm downburst produced wind gusts of 90 to 100 mph across parts of Hardin County from Kountze to Silsbee. Damage started around the Hwy 326/ Hwy 770 intersection southwest of Kountze, where numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Part of the roof of the Hardin County Show Barn was ripped off.

In Kountze, several trees were snapped or uprooted near the county courthouse. The intermediate school lost part of a metal roof on the gymnasium.

Further south, a church lost part of its roof on Hwy 96, and part of the roof at the Hawthorne Airport hangar came off. A small building near the airport was flipped over. A man that was in the building received minor injuries.

The Enchanted Forest subdivision near Silsbee was hit especially hard. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped, with several homes having roof damage when trees landed on them.

The area of damage was 7040 yards wide.

Wider weather episode

An upper level disturbance moved into the region while a weak frontal boundary remained over the area. Scattered storms developed with a couple producing damaged during the afternoon.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.2788, -94.3293)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 862080. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.