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Morton, TX Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

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The chance of earthquake damage in Morton is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Morton is about the same as Texas average and is higher than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake Index Volcano Index Tornado Index Other Weather Extremes Events Volcanos Nearby Historical Earthquake Events Historical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #1515

Morton, TX	0.00
Texas	0.04
U.S.	1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #1

Morton, TX	0.0000
Texas	0.0000
U.S.	0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #898

Morton, TX	202.29
Texas	208.58
U.S.	136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 1,988 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Morton, TX were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count
Avalanche:	0	Blizzard:	0	Cold:	0	Dense Fog:	0	Drought:	0
Dust Storm:	0	Flood:	107	Hail:	1,322	Heat:	0	Heavy Snow:	0
High Surf:	0	Hurricane:	0	Ice Storm:	0	Landslide:	0	Strong Wind:	0
Thunderstorm Winds:	525	Tropical Storm:	0	Wildfire:	0	Winter Storm:	0	Winter Weather:	0
Other:	34

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Morton, TX.

Historical Earthquake Events

No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Morton, TX.

No historical earthquake events found in or near Morton, TX.

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 64 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Morton, TX.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Start Lat/Log	End Lat/Log	Length	Width	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage	Crop Damage	Affected County
3.8	2007-03-23	2	33°43'N / 102°50'W	33°44'N / 102°49'W	2.00 Miles	150 Yards	0	0	175K	0K	Cochran
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The Levelland Fire Department reported a second tornado west-northwest of Morton shortly before 22:30 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey found evidence of a strong tornado that developed west of Morton and crossed Texas Highway 114 as it tracked north-northwestward through north-central Cochran county. The tornado impacted the Star Route Gin, which sustained severe damage including the partial collapse of the structure. Concrete anchors were pulled out of the ground and portions of the steel roof beams were heavily damaged. The tornado continued north-northwestward across Farm to Market Road 596 where the tornado destroyed at least three irrigation systems and snapped more than one dozen utility poles. Damage at the Star Route Gin and the snapped utility poles support an EF-2 rating. No injuries were reported and damage estimates totaled $175,000. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An active round of severe thunderstorms, including damaging tornadoes, affected a large portion of the Southern Plains of the U.S. during the afternoon and evening hours of the 23rd. Supercell thunderstorms with a history of producing deadly tornadoes propagated northeastward from the plains of eastern New Mexico into the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle and the western South Plains of west Texas during the evening hours. As these storms moved eastward across the state line, convective modes transitioned from classic supercells toward mini-bow segments and line-echo-waves. Despite the linear nature of the storms, extreme wind shear resulted in at least five tornadoes across the western South Plains region. Tornadoes were initially observed in the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle and the northwestern South Plains around 20:00 CST. The hardest hit area was the Bovina vicinity in Parmer County, where a weak tornado struck the city resulting in minor structural damage. Severe storms producing widespread wind damage and at least one strong tornado then impacted portions of Cochran, southern Bailey, and Lamb Counties during the late evening hours. Two cotton gins in Cochran County were severely damaged, and power outages were widespread. No injuries were reported during the severe weather outbreak on the 23rd, but property damage estimates totaled more than $400,000.
4.5	1965-06-09	2	33°43'N / 102°46'W	33°50'N / 102°39'W	10.40 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Cochran
11.9	1970-04-17	4	33°36'N / 102°38'W	33°36'N / 102°36'W	2.00 Miles	880 Yards	0	20	25.0M	0	Cochran
13.3	1991-05-10	3	33°50'N / 102°34'W	33°51'N / 102°35'W	1.00 Mile	450 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Hockley
13.3	1991-05-10	3	33°51'N / 102°35'W	33°52'N / 102°36'W	4.00 Miles	450 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Lamb
13.9	1991-05-10	3	33°52'N / 102°36'W	33°55'N / 102°39'W	3.50 Miles	450 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Bailey
17.3	1970-04-17	4	33°36'N / 102°36'W	33°44'N / 102°20'W	18.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	4	25.0M	0	Hockley
19.9	1969-05-16	3	33°55'N / 102°30'W		0.60 Mile	50 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
20.2	1965-06-09	2	33°52'N / 102°48'W	34°10'N / 102°46'W	20.80 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Bailey
22.9	1965-10-17	3	33°55'N / 102°26'W		0.20 Mile	17 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Hockley
23.0	1957-04-21	2	33°54'N / 103°06'W		0.30 Mile	40 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Roosevelt
23.5	1992-06-27	2	34°02'N / 102°56'W		0.90 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Bailey
24.1	1963-06-08	2	33°36'N / 102°22'W		2.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
24.4	1980-06-17	2	33°41'N / 102°35'W	34°19'N / 102°24'W	45.00 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Parmer
24.9	1957-04-21	4	33°36'N / 102°18'W	33°50'N / 102°21'W	16.40 Miles	880 Yards	0	4	2.5M	0	Hockley
25.4	1969-06-10	2	33°44'N / 102°19'W				0	0	0K	0	Hockley
26.4	1957-04-21	4	33°50'N / 102°21'W	34°01'N / 102°23'W	12.80 Miles	880 Yards	0	3	2.5M	0	Lamb
26.5	1963-05-29	2	33°25'N / 102°29'W		1.00 Mile	1320 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
28.3	1965-06-25	2	33°59'N / 103°14'W	33°59'N / 103°03'W	10.50 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Roosevelt
28.5	1970-04-17	4	33°44'N / 102°20'W	33°49'N / 102°12'W	9.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	25.0M	0	Hockley
29.2	1966-05-10	2	33°56'N / 102°19'W		2.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	2	0K	0	Lamb
30.1	1990-05-29	2	34°04'N / 102°26'W		2.40 Miles	150 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
30.3	1967-04-12	2	33°55'N / 102°20'W	33°58'N / 102°16'W	5.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Lamb
30.9	1961-06-03	3	34°07'N / 102°32'W	33°55'N / 102°10'W	25.10 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
32.1	1957-05-24	3	34°11'N / 102°51'W		1.90 Miles	200 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Lamb
33.7	1956-06-17	3	33°49'N / 102°11'W		1.00 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Hockley
34.3	1963-05-29	2	33°21'N / 102°17'W	33°30'N / 102°17'W	10.30 Miles	67 Yards	0	1	0K	0	Bailey
34.4	1961-05-20	2	33°19'N / 102°25'W		0.10 Mile	23 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Terry
35.1	1965-10-17	2	33°36'N / 102°10'W		0.20 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
36.9	1971-10-17	2	34°01'N / 102°25'W	34°11'N / 102°11'W	17.60 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
37.0	1971-04-18	2	34°15'N / 102°40'W	34°15'N / 102°36'W	4.30 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Bailey
37.0	1971-04-18	2	34°15'N / 102°40'W	34°15'N / 102°36'W	4.30 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Bailey
37.1	1989-06-03	2	34°13'N / 102°42'W	34°17'N / 102°33'W	8.00 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Bailey
37.6	1957-05-15	2	33°11'N / 102°50'W		2.00 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Yoakum
37.8	1961-06-03	2	33°53'N / 102°09'W	33°52'N / 102°06'W	3.00 Miles	440 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
38.7	1969-05-06	3	34°12'N / 102°24'W		1.00 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Lamb
39.2	1965-06-02	4	33°54'N / 102°09'W	33°56'N / 102°05'W	4.70 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
39.7	1971-08-13	2	33°17'N / 102°21'W	33°17'N / 102°17'W	4.10 Miles	133 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
41.0	1971-10-17	2	34°02'N / 102°23'W	34°19'N / 102°12'W	22.20 Miles	400 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
41.9	1957-04-21	2	33°50'N / 102°03'W	34°00'N / 102°05'W	11.70 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Hale
41.9	1957-04-21	2	33°50'N / 102°03'W	34°00'N / 102°05'W	11.70 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Hale
42.3	1957-04-21	2	33°42'N / 102°00'W	33°50'N / 102°03'W	9.70 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lubbock
42.3	1957-04-21	2	33°42'N / 102°00'W	33°50'N / 102°03'W	9.70 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lubbock
42.7	1963-05-21	3	34°17'N / 103°03'W	34°20'N / 102°58'W	5.90 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Bailey
43.6	1971-10-17	2	34°01'N / 102°25'W	34°20'N / 102°02'W	31.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
43.7	1987-05-29	2	33°30'N / 102°02'W	33°37'N / 102°01'W	8.00 Miles	80 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Lubbock
43.8	2007-03-23	2	34°14'N / 103°10'W	34°18'N / 103°09'W	4.00 Miles	350 Yards	0	0	2.5M	250K	Roosevelt
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Tornado with estimated peak winds of near 120 mph severely damaged the Portales City water well facility on State Road 202 about 5 miles east of Highway 70. The tornado moved north northwest destroying a new dairy before continuing northwest into Curry County. No injuries reported but storm debris briefly trapped a dairy employee. About 190 dairy cows either killed by the event or else sent to immediate slaughter due to injuries. Average width approximately 200 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An unusually early and intense outbreak of severe storms with large hail and tornadoes occurred across east central and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. The average date for isolated first reports of damaging hail over the past 20 years has been March 24th with the location typically confined to far southeast New Mexico. The March 23rd 2007 episode produced a number of large hail events from Roswell to Tucumcari and peaked with multiple tornadoes from near Tatum north to Clovis and northeast of Tucumcari. A tornado at Clovis resulted in the death of two elderly citizens, the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. The episode was characterized by a slow moving upper level low that produced strong speed shear but nearly uniform southerly directional flow aloft across the eastern and southeastern sections of the state. Storms with large hail developed first during early and mid afternoon from near Roswell north to Tucumcari. Towards late afternoon and early evening as storms migrated north northeast they encountered an increasing but shallow easterly surface flow that enhanced low level shear resulting in brief but shallow tornadoes. Multiple small but elevated vortices were observed circulating around well defined wall clouds with occasional spin downs into brief tornadoes.
44.5	1981-06-03	2	33°13'N / 102°17'W		2.00 Miles	40 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Terry
45.0	1957-04-21	2	34°00'N / 102°05'W	34°08'N / 102°06'W	9.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
45.0	1957-04-21	2	34°00'N / 102°05'W	34°08'N / 102°06'W	9.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
46.0	2007-04-21	2	34°03'N / 102°13'W	34°14'N / 102°03'W	15.00 Miles	1230 Yards	0	1	810K	50K	Lamb
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured. The development of this significant tornado was witnessed by storm chasers between Fieldton and Otlon at 17:57 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey team noted that the first damages to occur as a result of the tornado included five medium voltage power poles downed just east of the intersection of Farm to Market Road 168 and County Road 162. Just east of this location, the tops of five power poles were blown off to the north and two center pivot irrigation systems were overturned. One irrigation system was blown toward the west and another toward the northeast. Farther to the northeast along the tornado's path, along County Road 152 just east of Farm to Market Road 168, two power poles were sheared off above the ground. At this location, a historic multi-story house that was originally constructed in 1913 suffered severe roof damage. A portion of the roof was blown off of the structure toward the southeast. The owners of the home were within days of completing a two year-long renovation. In addition, the skirting was removed from a mobile home across the street from the historic home. Several outbuildings near the residence also sustained minor damage. The tornado continued northeastward and destroyed several more center pivot irrigation systems and snapped utility poles three to five feet above the ground along County Road 321. The tornado's damage path was measured at seven-tenths of a mile wide in this area. As the tornadic circulation crossed U.S. Highway 70 two miles east of Olton, four homes were heavily damaged. Two well-built brick structures suffered total roof losses. The resident of one home, and elderly woman, suffered minor injuries while seeking shelter under a kitchen table. A number of light-weight medal structures were destroyed, along with three vehicles and several pieces of farm equipment. One family pet, a dog, was killed at one of the residences. The tornado killed an unknown number of live-stock as it continued northeast of U.S. Highway 70. The damaging tornado crossed the Lamb and Hale County line at 18:10 CST. The damages sustained by two of the well-built single-family residences, light-weight medal structures, and numerous utility poles support an EF-2 rating. Winds were estimated between 110 and 120 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An outbreak of severe weather impacted much of the central U.S. from Minnesota to Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 21st. The west Texas South Plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle were affected by a series of significant tornadoes. At least five tornadoes were spawned by a single cyclic supercell thunderstorm that resulted in more than $3.5 million in damages. The most severely impacted communities included Olton (Lamb County) and Tulia (Swisher County). Both of these west Texas towns were impacted by EF-2 tornadoes that destroyed property and injured four people, and more than 14,000 customers were without electrical power throughout the night. The tornado outbreak was caused by a potent storm system that progressed east over the Four Corners region of the western U.S. on the 21st. A potent upper level jet stream spread over the Southern Plains of the U.S., and helped to create a favorable environment for supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes along a dryline that was stretched across west Texas.
48.1	1964-06-12	2	34°23'N / 103°02'W		2.00 Miles	27 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Parmer
48.5	1951-07-02	2	34°11'N / 102°07'W		1.00 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Lamb
48.6	1969-05-16	2	34°25'N / 102°36'W		0.10 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Parmer
48.7	1957-04-21	2	33°35'N / 101°50'W	33°42'N / 102°00'W	12.60 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lubbock
49.0	1970-04-17	4	34°23'N / 102°37'W	34°27'N / 102°31'W	7.40 Miles	880 Yards	1	3	2.5M	0	Parmer
49.4	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		0.50 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
49.4	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		1.00 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
49.4	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		1.00 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
49.4	1991-05-10	2	34°25'N / 102°40'W	34°27'N / 102°37'W	3.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Parmer
49.8	2007-03-23	2	34°18'N / 103°10'W	34°25'N / 103°11'W	8.00 Miles	350 Yards	2	33	16.5M	0K	Curry
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado that developed in Roosevelt County continued north northwest into Curry County for about 3.5 miles then tracked north northeast an additional 4.6 miles into southern and east central sections of Clovis. Intensity of the tornado appeared to wane from EF2 120 mph in Roosevelt County to EF1 100 mph as it moved north into Curry County along Highway 70 where damage was limited to power lines and farm irrigation equipment. Intensity increased again to EF2 level 125 mph for a segment extending from about 4 miles south of Clovis northward into southeast Clovis which sustained the heaviest and most consistent damage as indicated by structural damage and downed power poles. The tornado appeared to wane again as it move north over Highway 60/84 just east of the intersection with Highway 70. The tornado track became intermittent north of Highway 60/84 with winds likely less than 85 mph before a final one half mile track of heavier damage and EF2 level winds of 120-125 mph. Average width was estimated at 200 yards. About 500 homes and other facilities sustained at least some damage ranging from complete destruction of mobile homes in southeast Clovis and wall collapse at several businesses along Highway 60/84 to the loss of roof shingles and roof top air conditioning units. Thirty five people suffered treatment injuries including five that required hospitalization. Two elderly citizens died later from injuries sustained during the event making these the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An unusually early and intense outbreak of severe storms with large hail and tornadoes occurred across east central and southeast New Mexico during the afternoon and evening of the 23rd. The average date for isolated first reports of damaging hail over the past 20 years has been March 24th with the location typically confined to far southeast New Mexico. The March 23rd 2007 episode produced a number of large hail events from Roswell to Tucumcari and peaked with multiple tornadoes from near Tatum north to Clovis and northeast of Tucumcari. A tornado at Clovis resulted in the death of two elderly citizens, the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. The episode was characterized by a slow moving upper level low that produced strong speed shear but nearly uniform southerly directional flow aloft across the eastern and southeastern sections of the state. Storms with large hail developed first during early and mid afternoon from near Roswell north to Tucumcari. Towards late afternoon and early evening as storms migrated north northeast they encountered an increasing but shallow easterly surface flow that enhanced low level shear resulting in brief but shallow tornadoes. Multiple small but elevated vortices were observed circulating around well defined wall clouds with occasional spin downs into brief tornadoes.
49.8	1972-05-07	2	34°16'N / 103°20'W				0	0	3K	0	Roosevelt
49.8	1964-06-11	2	34°24'N / 103°08'W	34°23'N / 103°03'W	4.90 Miles	67 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Curry
49.9	1964-06-12	2	34°23'N / 103°02'W	34°28'N / 102°55'W	8.80 Miles	27 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Parmer

* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.