June 15th, 2023: EF3 Tornado Strikes Perryton

Summary:

The tornado touched down to the northwest of Perryton and crossed Highway 143. It entered town, where it caused significant damage to a mobile home community. Dozens of mobile homes were completely destroyed. It continued into downtown and caused structural damage to several downtown shops, some with collapsed walls. A microwave tower was also folded in half. The tornado intensified and caused low end EF3 damage to a few retail stores in downtown and along Ash Street, some of which were completely destroyed. As the tornado continued to the southeast across Birch and Cedar Streets, it damaged numerous mobile homes and single family structures, causing EF2 damage in this area. A cell phone tower was also brought down, which resulted in telecommunication outages. The tornado affected an industrial park where it tossed several empty fuel tanks across Texas Loop 143 and into a field. It also pushed a full tanker truck into a pond along Loop 143. The tornado then crossed a field before damaging a grain bin and downing about ten power poles along Highway 377. It crossed Highway 377 and lifted in an open field before it reached County Road 20.

5:02-5:35PM (northern)

5:12-5:30PM (southern)

EF2 (northern)

EF0 (southern)

115 mph (northern)

80 mph (southern)

17.35 miles (northern)

12.28 miles (southern)

200 yards (northern)

50 yards (southern)

Summary:

Several landspouts developed along the flanking line of a tornadic supercell storm just north of the area. Two of these grew significantly and became rather strong and long lived tornadoes that were documented by several storm chasers in the area. The stronger of the twins was rated an EF2 based on snapped power poles along its path, but both mostly remained in open grasslands. The southern tornado remained in open country and produced very little damage aside from the occasional prairie scrub brush which it ripped from the ground. The northern tornado also crossed Highway 83 before roping out near Wolf Creek Park.

6:29-6:36PM

EF0

75 mph

5.09 miles

200 yards

Summary:

This tornado developed to the west of Highway 1453 south of Higgins, TX. It resulted in a few downed tree branches before crossing into Ellis County, Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, this tornado produced scattered tree damage as it moved east-southeast. This tornado was also observed by several storm spotters and chasers.