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Hockley County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

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The chance of earthquake damage in Hockley County is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Hockley County is higher than Texas average and is much 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, #160

Hockley County	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

Hockley County	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, #42

Hockley County	256.45
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 8,161 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Hockley County 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:	1	Dense Fog:	0	Drought:	71
Dust Storm:	6	Flood:	522	Hail:	5,281	Heat:	2	Heavy Snow:	14
High Surf:	0	Hurricane:	0	Ice Storm:	3	Landslide:	0	Strong Wind:	58
Thunderstorm Winds:	2,020	Tropical Storm:	1	Wildfire:	3	Winter Storm:	16	Winter Weather:	30
Other:	133

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Hockley County.

Historical Earthquake Events

No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Hockley County.

No historical earthquake events found in or near Hockley County.

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 74 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Hockley County.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Start Lat/Log	End Lat/Log	Length	Width	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage	Crop Damage	Affected County
1.4	1963-06-08	2	33°36'N / 102°22'W		2.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
7.7	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
8.2	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
8.9	1969-06-10	2	33°44'N / 102°19'W				0	0	0K	0	Hockley
10.2	1965-10-17	2	33°36'N / 102°10'W		0.20 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
12.5	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
13.0	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
15.4	1963-05-29	2	33°25'N / 102°29'W		1.00 Mile	1320 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Hockley
15.7	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
17.2	1956-06-17	3	33°49'N / 102°11'W		1.00 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Hockley
18.6	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
20.4	1961-05-20	2	33°19'N / 102°25'W		0.10 Mile	23 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Terry
21.0	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
21.4	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
21.4	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
22.1	1965-10-17	3	33°55'N / 102°26'W		0.20 Mile	17 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Hockley
22.1	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
22.3	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
22.4	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
22.5	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
22.7	1966-05-10	2	33°56'N / 102°19'W		2.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	2	0K	0	Lamb
23.3	1969-05-16	3	33°55'N / 102°30'W		0.60 Mile	50 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
23.3	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
24.0	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
24.7	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
25.1	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
25.5	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
26.7	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
26.7	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
27.1	1981-06-03	2	33°13'N / 102°17'W		2.00 Miles	40 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Terry
28.4	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
28.4	1967-06-01	2	33°36'N / 101°51'W		2.00 Miles	67 Yards	0	1	0K	0	Lubbock
28.5	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
28.9	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.
29.4	1963-06-04	2	33°43'N / 101°51'W		2.00 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Lubbock
29.4	1970-05-11	5	33°33'N / 101°54'W	33°36'N / 101°46'W	8.40 Miles	1333 Yards	26	500	250.0M	0	Lubbock
30.0	1967-06-01	2	33°45'N / 101°51'W		0.10 Mile	67 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Lubbock
30.3	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		0.50 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
30.3	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		1.00 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
30.3	1971-08-12	2	33°11'N / 102°12'W		1.00 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Terry
32.1	1965-05-13	2	33°25'N / 101°50'W		0.50 Mile	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Lubbock
32.2	1990-05-29	2	34°04'N / 102°26'W		2.40 Miles	150 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
34.2	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
34.9	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
34.9	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
35.7	1957-04-21	4	33°26'N / 101°38'W	33°35'N / 101°50'W	15.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	6	2.5M	0	Lubbock
36.1	1971-05-08	2	33°24'N / 101°46'W		2.00 Miles	67 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lubbock
38.0	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
38.5	1978-04-08	2	33°52'N / 101°45'W		2.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Hale
38.9	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.
39.2	1955-05-22	2	33°50'N / 101°50'W	33°40'N / 101°32'W	20.70 Miles	400 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Hale
39.4	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
39.9	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
40.2	1978-04-08	2	33°48'N / 101°41'W		2.00 Miles	30 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Lubbock
40.6	1957-05-15	2	33°11'N / 102°50'W		2.00 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Yoakum
41.1	1969-05-06	3	34°12'N / 102°24'W		1.00 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Lamb
41.9	1951-07-02	2	34°11'N / 102°07'W		1.00 Mile	20 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Lamb
42.0	1957-05-24	3	33°10'N / 101°47'W	33°24'N / 101°40'W	17.50 Miles	200 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Lynn
43.4	1966-05-10	2	34°05'N / 101°51'W	34°05'N / 101°51'W			0	0	0K	0	Hale
43.6	1965-06-02	4	33°56'N / 102°05'W	34°13'N / 101°35'W	34.60 Miles	200 Yards	4	76	25.0M	0	Hale
43.9	1970-04-17	4	34°00'N / 101°59'W	34°11'N / 101°43'W	19.80 Miles	880 Yards	2	47	2.5M	0	Hale
44.9	1992-06-27	2	34°02'N / 102°56'W		0.90 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Bailey
44.9	1998-04-26	2	34°06'N / 101°50'W	34°06'N / 101°50'W	0.30 Mile	30 Yards	0	0	100K	25K	Hale
		Brief Description: A short-lived but strong (F2) tornado occurred just north of Hale Center. Two people narrowly escaped injury when their home was destroyed (they had sought shelter in a small, interior closet in this ranch-style house). The tornado also heavily damaged a vacant house, barn, hangar, and center-pivot irrigation system. Several large trees were destroyed/uprooted. Damage was investigated by NWS officials just a few hours after it occurred. A round of severe thunderstorms affected the South Plains on the 26th. The most significant storm was the one that hit Hale Center (see above) and caused a lightning fatality and tornado damage. Elsewhere, large hail was reported near Friona, Cone, Aspermont, and Jayton.
45.7	1955-05-22	2	33°48'N / 101°35'W				0	0	0K	0	Lubbock
46.3	1969-10-19	2	34°15'N / 102°07'W		1.00 Mile	10 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Lamb
46.9	1970-05-12	2	33°15'N / 101°41'W	33°18'N / 101°35'W	6.80 Miles	17 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Lynn
47.3	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
47.5	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
47.5	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
47.9	1957-04-21	2	33°54'N / 103°06'W		0.30 Mile	40 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Roosevelt
48.5	2007-04-21	2	34°13'N / 102°05'W	34°19'N / 102°02'W	5.00 Miles	1230 Yards	0	0	200K	0K	Hale
		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 large tornado tracked across northwestern Hale County between 18:10 and 18:18 CST. Local newspaper reports indicate that the most notable damage along the tornado's path in northwestern Hale County occurred to numerous center pivot irrigation systems. At least ten irrigation systems were reportedly destroyed in fields west and northwest of Halfway. Damage caused by the tornado east of Olton (Lamb County) supported an EF-2 rating with winds 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.
48.6	1971-10-17	2	34°11'N / 102°11'W	34°24'N / 102°07'W	15.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Lamb
49.1	1957-05-24	3	33°24'N / 101°40'W	33°43'N / 101°19'W	29.80 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Lubbock
49.3	1957-05-24	3	34°11'N / 102°51'W		1.90 Miles	200 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Lamb

* 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.