79346 Zip Code Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in 79346 Zip Code is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in 79346 Zip Code is lower than Texas average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #1978
| 79346 Zip Code | 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
| 79346 Zip Code | 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, #1641
| 79346 Zip Code | 161.01 |
| 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 1,883 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of 79346 Zip Code 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: | 108 | Hail: | 1,244 | Heat: | 0 | Heavy Snow: | 0 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 0 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 0 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 498 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 0 | Winter Weather: | 0 |
| Other: | 33 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near 79346 Zip Code.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near 79346 Zip Code.
No historical earthquake events found in or near 79346 Zip Code.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 52 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near 79346 Zip Code.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 5.3 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 11.0 | 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 |
| 12.4 | 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 |
| 19.6 | 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 |
| 19.8 | 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 |
| 20.4 | 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 |
| 20.6 | 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 |
| 23.5 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°54'N / 103°06'W | 0.30 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roosevelt | |
| 25.3 | 1963-05-29 | 2 | 33°25'N / 102°29'W | 1.00 Mile | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 25.6 | 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 |
| 26.3 | 1969-05-16 | 3 | 33°55'N / 102°30'W | 0.60 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 26.6 | 1963-06-08 | 2 | 33°36'N / 102°22'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 27.3 | 1992-06-27 | 2 | 34°02'N / 102°56'W | 0.90 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bailey | |
| 29.1 | 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 |
| 29.1 | 1965-10-17 | 3 | 33°55'N / 102°26'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 29.4 | 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 |
| 29.8 | 1969-06-10 | 2 | 33°44'N / 102°19'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |||
| 30.9 | 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 |
| 32.1 | 1957-05-15 | 2 | 33°11'N / 102°50'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Yoakum | |
| 32.5 | 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 |
| 32.8 | 1961-05-20 | 2 | 33°19'N / 102°25'W | 0.10 Mile | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Terry | |
| 33.2 | 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 |
| 34.8 | 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 |
| 35.2 | 1966-05-10 | 2 | 33°56'N / 102°19'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 36.3 | 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 |
| 36.6 | 1990-05-29 | 2 | 34°04'N / 102°26'W | 2.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 37.0 | 1957-05-24 | 3 | 34°11'N / 102°51'W | 1.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 37.3 | 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 |
| 38.0 | 1965-10-17 | 2 | 33°36'N / 102°10'W | 0.20 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 38.6 | 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 |
| 38.6 | 1956-06-17 | 3 | 33°49'N / 102°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hockley | |
| 43.0 | 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 |
| 43.0 | 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 |
| 43.1 | 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 |
| 43.1 | 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 |
| 43.1 | 1981-06-03 | 2 | 33°13'N / 102°17'W | 2.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Terry | |
| 43.3 | 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 |
| 44.1 | 1972-06-14 | 2 | 33°06'N / 103°13'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lea | |||
| 44.7 | 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 |
| 45.2 | 1969-05-06 | 3 | 34°12'N / 102°24'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lamb | |
| 46.4 | 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 |
| 46.7 | 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 |
| 46.7 | 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 |
| 46.8 | 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 |
| 46.8 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 47.3 | 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 |
| 47.3 | 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 |
| 47.5 | 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 |
| 47.5 | 2007-03-23 | 2 | 33°07'N / 103°27'W | 33°15'N / 103°25'W | 8.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 28K | 0K | Lea |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: At 4:50 pm MDT, spotters indicated the presence of two wall clouds. Primary indications are that the new wall cloud spawned a second tornado with the supercell thunderstorm 7 1/2 miles west of the community of McDonald, just south of Lea County Road 147. Survey of damage along county road 147 led to an estimation of tornado width of 50 yards at this point. The tornado continued to intensify as it moved northeast. Significant damage was seen 7 1/2 miles southwest of Tatum over ranchland. At this location, 13 wooden power poles were damaged, three snapped off at ground level and others snapped three to twelve feet above ground. A water trough weighing an estimated 300 pounds was thrown from the tornado for several hundred feet. The tornado was visually estimated to be a half mile in width and described as clean in appearance. Damage along this track supports this estimate. It is believed that this tornado lifted just south of N.M. Highway 380, six and a half miles west of Tatum. Spotters also confirmed that the tornado exhibited multiple vortex structure at times during its life cycle. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Around 12:30 pm MDT on Friday, March 23, thunderstorms began to develop over the Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County. Thunderstorms continued to rapidly develop, becoming severe over portions of Eddy County at 1:45 pm MDT. Thunderstorms also were developing over eastern portions of Culberson County during this time and these thunderstorms would eventually affect Lea County later in the afternoon. At 3:39 pm MDT, a thunderstorm located in western portions of Lea County just northwest of the community of Halfway began to exhibit supercellular characteristics. This prompted the issuance of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 3:42 pm MDT for western portions of Lea county. As the supercell thunderstorm moved northeast at 30 mph, the storm continued to intensify. The presence on radar of an intensifying mesocyclone (storm rotation) and a bounded weak echo region, along with key spotter information relayed into our office through amateur radio Net Control Operations prompted an upgrade to a tornado warning. Spotters indicated a developing wall cloud over the area had become fully formed with increasing surface wind inflow. A tornado warning was issued for northern portions of Lea County at 4:28 pm MDT. | |||||||||||
| 48.2 | 1971-08-12 | 2 | 33°11'N / 102°12'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Terry | |
| 48.2 | 1971-08-12 | 2 | 33°11'N / 102°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Terry | |
| 48.2 | 1971-08-12 | 2 | 33°11'N / 102°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Terry | |
* 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.