Pep, NM Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Pep is lower than New Mexico average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Pep is higher than New Mexico average and is much lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #537
Pep, NM | 0.00 |
New Mexico | 0.39 |
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, #370
Pep, NM | 0.0000 |
New Mexico | 0.0071 |
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, #23
Pep, NM | 64.73 |
New Mexico | 15.39 |
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 1,057 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Pep, NM 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: | 52 | Hail: | 718 | Heat: | 0 | Heavy Snow: | 0 |
High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 0 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 0 |
Thunderstorm Winds: | 274 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 0 | Winter Weather: | 0 |
Other: | 13 |
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Pep, NM.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Pep, NM.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Pep, NM.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 20 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Pep, NM.
Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
18.8 | 1957-04-21 | 2 | 33°54'N / 103°06'W | 0.30 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roosevelt | |
20.6 | 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 |
31.8 | 1992-06-27 | 2 | 34°02'N / 102°56'W | 0.90 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bailey | |
32.1 | 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. | |||||||||||
35.0 | 1972-05-07 | 2 | 34°16'N / 103°20'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Roosevelt | |||
37.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
38.6 | 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 |
38.7 | 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 |
40.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
40.8 | 1968-06-18 | 2 | 34°21'N / 103°27'W | 0.50 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | San Juan | |
42.1 | 1957-05-24 | 3 | 34°11'N / 102°51'W | 1.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lamb | |
42.9 | 2007-03-23 | 2 | 34°18'N / 103°10'W | 34°25'N / 103°11'W | 8.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 2 | 33 | 16.5M | 0K | Curry |
Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado that developed in Roosevelt County continued north northwest into Curry County for about 3.5 miles then tracked north northeast an additional 4.6 miles into southern and east central sections of Clovis. Intensity of the tornado appeared to wane from EF2 120 mph in Roosevelt County to EF1 100 mph as it moved north into Curry County along Highway 70 where damage was limited to power lines and farm irrigation equipment. Intensity increased again to EF2 level 125 mph for a segment extending from about 4 miles south of Clovis northward into southeast Clovis which sustained the heaviest and most consistent damage as indicated by structural damage and downed power poles. The tornado appeared to wane again as it move north over Highway 60/84 just east of the intersection with Highway 70. The tornado track became intermittent north of Highway 60/84 with winds likely less than 85 mph before a final one half mile track of heavier damage and EF2 level winds of 120-125 mph. Average width was estimated at 200 yards. About 500 homes and other facilities sustained at least some damage ranging from complete destruction of mobile homes in southeast Clovis and wall collapse at several businesses along Highway 60/84 to the loss of roof shingles and roof top air conditioning units. Thirty five people suffered treatment injuries including five that required hospitalization. Two elderly citizens died later from injuries sustained during the event making these the first tornado fatalities in New Mexico since October of 1974. 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. | |||||||||||
43.4 | 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 |
44.3 | 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 |
45.4 | 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 |
45.8 | 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 |
46.6 | 1964-06-11 | 2 | 34°24'N / 103°08'W | 34°23'N / 103°03'W | 4.90 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Curry |
46.6 | 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 |
46.6 | 1972-06-14 | 2 | 33°06'N / 103°13'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lea | |||
47.3 | 1964-06-12 | 2 | 34°23'N / 103°02'W | 2.00 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Parmer |
* 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.