Thornton, TX Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Thornton is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Thornton is lower than Texas average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #706
| Thornton, TX | 0.01 |
| 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
| Thornton, 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, #1254
| Thornton, TX | 151.75 |
| 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 2,213 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Thornton, 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: | 7 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 84 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 315 | Hail: | 812 | Heat: | 12 | Heavy Snow: | 10 |
| High Surf: | 3 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 17 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 21 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 863 | Tropical Storm: | 5 | Wildfire: | 2 | Winter Storm: | 10 | Winter Weather: | 14 |
| Other: | 38 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Thornton, TX.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Thornton, TX.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Thornton, TX.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 73 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Thornton, TX.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 3.0 | 2002-03-30 | 2 | 31°24'N / 96°35'W | 31°27'N / 96°28'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Limestone |
| Brief Description: This tornado first touched down just west of farm road 2749 about .5 mile southeast of Thornton. Two houses were damaged, one mobile home destroyed and a mobile home unroofed. The tornado moved northeast damaging a barn, then moved into the Davis Prairie community damaging several houses, some mobile homes, and numerous outbuildings. The tornado moved northeast and weakened before dissipating 2.4 miles south of the Box Church community. | |||||||||||
| 3.3 | 2006-12-29 | 2 | 31°19'N / 96°38'W | 31°36'N / 96°31'W | 20.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 20 | 1.0M | 0K | Limestone |
| Brief Description: 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. EPISODE NARRATIVE: 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. | |||||||||||
| 3.4 | 1973-06-03 | 2 | 31°26'N / 96°37'W | 31°29'N / 96°31'W | 6.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Limestone |
| 9.2 | 1950-02-12 | 2 | 31°31'N / 96°33'W | 31°34'N / 96°33'W | 3.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Limestone |
| 15.4 | 1990-04-27 | 3 | 31°36'N / 96°30'W | 31°38'N / 96°27'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Limestone |
| 19.2 | 1990-04-27 | 2 | 31°40'N / 96°42'W | 16.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25.0M | 0 | Limestone | |
| 19.4 | 1976-05-25 | 2 | 31°41'N / 96°30'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Limestone | |
| 21.3 | 1973-03-10 | 4 | 31°32'N / 96°50'W | 31°35'N / 96°57'W | 7.90 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Mclennan |
| 25.2 | 1973-03-10 | 4 | 31°38'N / 96°51'W | 31°46'N / 96°49'W | 9.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Limestone |
| 25.6 | 1957-04-24 | 2 | 31°38'N / 96°16'W | 31°40'N / 96°13'W | 4.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Freestone |
| 25.9 | 1953-05-11 | 2 | 31°19'N / 96°13'W | 31°22'N / 96°04'W | 9.50 Miles | 267 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Leon |
| 27.7 | 1984-02-11 | 2 | 31°05'N / 96°18'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Leon | |
| 28.6 | 1954-04-30 | 3 | 30°37'N / 97°12'W | 31°29'N / 95°28'W | 118.8 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Milam |
| 30.8 | 1973-03-10 | 4 | 31°46'N / 96°49'W | 31°51'N / 96°48'W | 5.90 Miles | 150 Yards | 6 | 75 | 0K | 0 | Hill |
| 30.9 | 1953-05-11 | 5 | 31°33'N / 97°09'W | 31°45'N / 96°53'W | 20.90 Miles | 583 Yards | 114 | 597 | 25.0M | 0 | Mclennan |
| 33.3 | 2007-09-05 | 2 | 31°50'N / 96°26'W | 31°55'N / 96°25'W | 6.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 40K | 0K | Navarro |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado formed roughly two miles east-southeast of the first tornado. Damage was first noted along CR 2410 just north of the Freestone County line. Trees were uprooted and trunks and large limbs snapped as the tornado moved northeast. A barn was destroyed roughly one mile west of Interstate 45, and two metal transmission line towers were damaged 1/2 miles west of the interstate. The tornado dissipated shortly after crossing Interstate 45. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An upper level low lingered in the area creating conditions ripe for flooding. Several instances of flash flooding were reported as a large area of rain persisted through mid-morning. | |||||||||||
| 34.1 | 1971-02-21 | 2 | 31°37'N / 97°06'W | 0.10 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 35.3 | 2006-05-05 | 2 | 31°33'N / 97°09'W | 31°33'N / 97°09'W | 2.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | Mclennan |
| Brief Description: A tornado was reported on Waco Drive by the media, just north of the damage swath produced by the downburst. A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth found that a tornado formed south of New Road and just west of Spur 298 (Franklin Avenue), or just north of Richland Mall. The tornado reached its peak intensity of lower F2 and did the most damage just east of Spur 298. Several commercial buildings had large sections of their roofs and walls damaged. A Coca-Cola Bottling Plant lost much of its roof and most of its inventory was damaged. A spokesman for the company stated that the tornado did well over $1 million worth of damage. An owner of an auto repair shop which was badly damaged estimated damages at $600,000. A horse barn owned by Baylor University was leveled and two horses killed. Numerous trees were downed and power lines snapped in and east of this area. The circulation weakened as it approached Interstate 35, and the tornado dissipated approximately three-fourths of a mile east of Interstate 35. A countywide disaster declaration was issued by the McLennan County judge. | |||||||||||
| 35.3 | 1975-04-29 | 2 | 30°52'N / 97°00'W | 31°00'N / 96°35'W | 26.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Milam |
| 35.9 | 1973-03-01 | 2 | 31°37'N / 97°12'W | 31°37'N / 97°04'W | 8.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mclennan |
| 36.9 | 1990-05-18 | 2 | 31°39'N / 97°08'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 36.9 | 1981-10-13 | 2 | 31°32'N / 97°11'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25.0M | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 37.2 | 1972-10-21 | 2 | 31°33'N / 97°11'W | 1.50 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 37.2 | 1972-10-21 | 2 | 31°33'N / 97°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 37.4 | 1990-04-27 | 2 | 31°55'N / 96°48'W | 0.20 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hill | |
| 37.7 | 1963-08-30 | 2 | 31°37'N / 97°10'W | 1.00 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 38.6 | 1998-10-17 | 2 | 31°58'N / 96°38'W | 31°58'N / 96°38'W | 3.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 4 | 100K | 0 | Navarro |
| Brief Description: A 33 year old man was killed when a tornado struck his mobile home. M33MH | |||||||||||
| 38.7 | 1967-06-11 | 2 | 31°58'N / 96°39'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Navarro | |
| 39.2 | 1957-04-24 | 2 | 31°57'N / 96°41'W | 32°00'N / 96°36'W | 6.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Navarro |
| 39.4 | 1969-05-14 | 3 | 31°55'N / 96°53'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hill | |
| 39.9 | 1956-03-21 | 2 | 30°57'N / 96°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Milam | |
| 40.1 | 1959-05-10 | 3 | 30°46'N / 96°36'W | 30°54'N / 96°23'W | 15.80 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 7 | 3K | 0 | Robertson |
| 40.9 | 1957-05-22 | 3 | 31°54'N / 96°59'W | 31°55'N / 96°55'W | 4.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Hill |
| 41.0 | 1974-04-13 | 2 | 31°33'N / 97°15'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 41.1 | 2001-10-12 | 2 | 31°45'N / 97°10'W | 31°48'N / 97°05'W | 6.20 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Mclennan |
| Brief Description: The second McLennan county tornado touched down just southwest of Tokio then moved east northeast and dissipated 1.3 miles east of West. Homes, a church, and several businesses were damaged in Tokio. After moving through Tokio, the tornado moved along FM 1858, causing heavy damage to wood-frame structures, mobile homes, storage buildings, and minor damage to several brick homes. As the tornado moved across the extreme southern edge of West, several homes and storage buildings were damaged. Showers and thunderstorms developed across north Texas, mainly in the afternoon and night resulting in widespread severe weather, during the period October 10-13. The most significant event occured during the late afternoon and night of October 12, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved east across north texas producing eight tornadoes, and nearly two million dollars in damage. | |||||||||||
| 41.3 | 1961-04-11 | 2 | 31°58'N / 96°48'W | 32°00'N / 96°45'W | 3.80 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Navarro |
| 41.9 | 1987-11-15 | 2 | 30°58'N / 96°04'W | 31°06'N / 95°58'W | 7.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 3 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Madison |
| 42.6 | 1987-11-15 | 2 | 31°06'N / 95°58'W | 31°09'N / 95°54'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Leon |
| 43.6 | 1996-04-12 | 2 | 31°01'N / 97°10'W | 31°02'N / 97°09'W | 1.00 Mile | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 60K | 0 | Bell |
| Brief Description: A tornado destroyed a mobile home, two barns and a cattle feeder. | |||||||||||
| 43.7 | 1960-10-13 | 2 | 31°53'N / 97°04'W | 0.10 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hill | |
| 44.1 | 1981-05-09 | 3 | 31°58'N / 97°01'W | 31°56'N / 96°56'W | 5.20 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hill |
| 44.3 | 1997-05-27 | 2 | 31°23'N / 97°19'W | 31°23'N / 97°20'W | 2.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0 | Mclennan |
| Brief Description: A tornado developed just west of Box Ranch Road and moved west-southwest to just west of Mackey Ranch Road where a mobile home was destroyed. The tornado also uprooted numerous large trees along its path. | |||||||||||
| 44.5 | 1985-10-17 | 2 | 31°52'N / 97°04'W | 31°58'N / 97°01'W | 7.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hill |
| 44.7 | 1974-10-31 | 2 | 32°03'N / 96°41'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Navarro | |||
| 44.7 | 1967-05-01 | 2 | 30°55'N / 96°05'W | 0.60 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Madison | |
| 45.0 | 1965-03-16 | 3 | 32°01'N / 96°52'W | 32°03'N / 96°44'W | 8.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Navarro |
| 45.1 | 1965-03-16 | 3 | 32°00'N / 96°54'W | 32°01'N / 96°52'W | 2.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hill |
| 45.5 | 1971-02-18 | 2 | 31°50'N / 97°10'W | 0.50 Mile | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hill | |
| 45.7 | 1954-10-22 | 2 | 30°55'N / 96°07'W | 30°55'N / 96°00'W | 7.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Madison |
| 46.0 | 1997-05-27 | 3 | 31°19'N / 97°20'W | 31°16'N / 97°21'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Mclennan |
| Brief Description: The third tornado developed about 1.5 miles east-southeast of Moody in open country just south of Farm-to-Market Road 107. The tornado moved south-southwest and destroyed a house and a barn. Another house was damaged and numerous trees were uprooted. Two vehicles were tossed several hundred feet by the tornado. The strong tornado dissipated about 0.5 miles after moving into extreme northern Bell County. | |||||||||||
| 46.3 | 1967-06-11 | 2 | 31°40'N / 97°18'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 46.5 | 1955-03-21 | 2 | 31°10'N / 97°20'W | 31°10'N / 97°17'W | 3.60 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Bell |
| 46.7 | 1973-04-15 | 3 | 32°05'N / 96°28'W | 32°05'N / 96°31'W | 3.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 0K | 0 | Navarro |
| 46.8 | 1976-05-25 | 2 | 31°39'N / 97°19'W | 0.20 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mclennan | |
| 47.2 | 1955-03-20 | 2 | 32°05'N / 96°43'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Navarro | |
| 47.5 | 1967-04-13 | 2 | 31°43'N / 95°52'W | 31°37'N / 95°47'W | 8.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Leon |
| 47.7 | 1972-10-21 | 2 | 31°15'N / 97°24'W | 31°18'N / 97°20'W | 5.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bell |
| 47.8 | 1955-05-11 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°30'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Navarro | |||
| 48.0 | 1981-10-13 | 3 | 31°57'N / 96°09'W | 32°03'N / 96°08'W | 7.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Navarro |
| 48.1 | 1965-05-10 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°28'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Navarro | |
| 48.1 | 1975-07-03 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°28'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Navarro | |||
| 48.1 | 1983-08-18 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°28'W | 2.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Navarro | |
| 48.4 | 1957-08-17 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°28'W | 32°06'N / 96°24'W | 4.10 Miles | 1333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Navarro |
| 48.4 | 1973-05-23 | 2 | 31°06'N / 97°20'W | 31°06'N / 97°17'W | 3.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bell |
| 48.4 | 1987-11-15 | 2 | 30°41'N / 96°42'W | 30°45'N / 96°41'W | 3.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Milam |
| 48.4 | 1969-08-14 | 2 | 31°05'N / 97°18'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bell | |||
| 48.4 | 1969-08-14 | 2 | 31°05'N / 97°18'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bell | |
| 48.8 | 1997-05-27 | 3 | 31°16'N / 97°23'W | 31°16'N / 97°23'W | 0.70 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bell |
| Brief Description: This is the same tornado that began 1mile east of Moody in McLennan County. | |||||||||||
| 48.9 | 1979-05-10 | 2 | 31°56'N / 97°08'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hill | |
| 48.9 | 1977-08-22 | 2 | 32°06'N / 96°23'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Navarro | |
| 49.4 | 1976-05-25 | 2 | 31°38'N / 97°25'W | 31°30'N / 97°22'W | 9.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mclennan |
| 49.7 | 1959-03-31 | 4 | 31°51'N / 97°13'W | 31°59'N / 97°08'W | 10.40 Miles | 1760 Yards | 6 | 31 | 25K | 0 | Hill |
| 49.9 | 1955-05-06 | 2 | 31°06'N / 97°21'W | 30°59'N / 97°15'W | 10.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Bell |
* 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.