Tornado in Hall County, Texas

A large tornado developed near Plaska late this afternoon and moved slowly southeastward for the next 15 minutes before dissipating. Several storm chasers documented this tornado as it grew into a wedge shape while wrapping in rain curtains. This tornado and damaging RFD winds toppled several utility poles, heavily damaged and stripped some trees, and destroyed a barn. The damage was found to be consistent with EF-2 winds. There may have been additional, smaller tornadoes concurrently or following this large tornado, however insufficient video evidence and few damage indicators precluded an explicit entry of these tornadoes.

The long-lived tornado that impacted eastern Briscoe County moved through rural areas of northwestern Hall County, just west and northwest of Brice. Although the tornado was large and had a history of causing significant damage, no man-made structures were affected in Hall County. The tornado was roping out when it crossed the Hall and Donley County line west of Texas Highway 70 at 17:05 CST.

A National Weather Service damage survey and witnesses indicated that a brief tornado developed near the center of Estelline. Tornadic winds estimated near 90 mph, along with a rapid onset of intense westerly winds associated with the ongoing downburst, resulted in the total collapse of two brick buildings. These structures were aged and abandoned businesses. Residents that were in the downtown area at the time of the storm reported intense easterly wind gusts that blew in doors and windows. Strong easterly inflow was additionally evidenced by the destruction of a trailer house just east of the town's center.