A very active spring pattern with tropical concerns across the Pacific. Heavy rainfall will continue to impact Hawaii this weekend. Meanwhile we continue to monitor a developing typhoon that may affect Guam into early next week. For the Lower 48, heavy snow for mountains of California this weekend, increase threat for severe thunderstorms next week for the Plains and record warmth spreads east. Read More >
Overview
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On April 22, a tornado touched down on the west coast of Lake Livingston in San Jacinto County. It crossed the lake and struck the city of Onalaska and continued across much of Polk County. This webpage will be updated with more information about the storm as we learn more, including the results of today's damage survey. Visit the tornado tab for a rough area that survey teams planned to investigate today for the tornado's damage path. |
 MRMS Rotatiom Track from the tornado that struck Onalaska on April 22, 2020. |
Tornadoes
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Tornado - Onalaska, TX
Track Map  
Downloadable KMZ File |
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The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
| EF0 Weak 65-85 mph |
EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph |
EF2 Significant 111-135 mph |
EF3 Severe 136-165 mph |
EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph |
EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph |
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Hail
In addition to a strong tornado, this storm also generated large, damaging hail. As of April 23, the largest reported hail was two inches in diameter, which fell to the north of the tornado in Trinity, TX.
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An image of three different hail sizes that fell over Trinity County in Texas near the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (Captured by Brandon Gale) |
An image of hail that fell over Trinity County in Texas near the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (Captured by Brandon Gale) |
An image of hail that fell over Trinity County in Texas near the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (Captured by Ian Shelton) |
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Photos & Video
Photos
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| Image of a collapsed home in Onalaska, TX (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Image of a two story home with significant damage in Onalaska, TX (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Image of a home with damage on the brick walls in Onalaska, TX (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Image of a snapped trees and home damage in Onalaska, TX (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Videos
| Video of tornado crossing Lake Livingston before striking Onalaska (Paul Chris, via KHOU11 on YouTube) |
Tornado as it approaches Seven Oaks (Adam Barrios, via ABC13 on YouTube) |
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Caption (source) |
Radar & Satellite
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GOES 16 Visible Imagery of the storm that produced the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (Source: NOAA - CIRA) |
GOES 16 IR Imagery of the storm that produced the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (Source: NOAA - CIRA) |
Video of the National Weather Service Houston Doppler Radar capturing the storm that produced the Onalaska Tornado on April 22, 2020. (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Results from an upper air sounding provided by Texas A&M University on April 22, 2020. (Source: Texas A&M University) |
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An image of the National Weather Service Houston Doppler Radar tornado signature as it moved near Paradise Acres, TX on April 22, 2020. (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
An image of the National Weather Service Houston Doppler Radar tornado signature as it moved near Yaupon Cove, TX on April 22, 2020. (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
An image of the National Weather Service Houston Doppler Radar tornado signature as it moved near Onalaska, TX on April 22, 2020. (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
An image of the National Weather Service Houston Doppler Radar tornado signature as it moved near Seven Oaks, TX on April 22, 2020. (NWS Houston/Galveston WFO) |
Resources & Links
These are resources and links that have been approved by the National Weather Service Forecast Office Houston/Galveston, TX for additional information or content regarding the tornado and associated damages:
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Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged! Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site. |
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