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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | EF1 |
| -- Length | 3.27 Miles |
| -- Width | 400 Yards |
| State | TEXAS |
| County/Area | FAYETTE |
| WFO | EWX |
| Report Source | NWS Storm Survey |
| NCEI Data Source | CSV |
| Begin Date | 2021-05-18 17:42 CST-6 |
| Begin Location | 1S SWISS ALP |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 29.7593/-96.9186 |
| End Date | 2021-05-18 17:52 CST-6 |
| End Location | 2WNW AMMANSVILLE |
| End Lat/Lon | 29.79/-96.8772 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 100.00K |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | An upper level low moved slowly across the southwestern US and generated several rounds of thunderstorms over South Central Texas. Storms during this period produced two tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain that led to flash flooding. Most of the severe weather occurred in two periods on May 18: the early morning and the late afternoon and evening. |
| Event Narrative | The combination of an NWS damage survey and storm chaser video and documentation has concluded that an EF1 tornado occurred during the early evening hours of May 18th near Swiss Alp, TX in Fayette County. The tornado occurred in a large cluster of storms that were generally moving east across Fayette County. There were multiple mid-level circulations evident on radar during this event. So while a single tornado path has been created, there may have been other smaller satellite tornadoes or vortices that caused minor wind damage in other areas of Fayette County that evening. Storm Chaser video showed a multi-vortex tornado on the ground near Swiss Alp and this discussion is the best conclusion we have on the path, width and strength of that tornado. Based on video, storm reports, and tree damage, it appears the tornado first touched down around 6:42 PM CDT just west of Hwy 77near the intersection of Hwy 77 and CR 956. Some minor tree damage was found in this area as well as power poles snapped on Hwy 77. As the tornado crossed Hwy 77, it became larger and multi-vortex as it moved northeast across open pasture and farmland. At approximately 6:48 PM CDT it caused significant damage to a cattle farm approximately one mile south of FM 1383. Metal roofing was removed from multiple cattle shade shelters, there was roof damage to the business office, and partial structure collapse and roof damage to the main covered building, and cattle working area. Several trees had significant trunk and branch damage on the property as well. Metal roofing material was found several hundred yards away. The tornado continued to move northeast and eventually crossed Berger Rd. Several trees were snapped along Berger Rd. and adjacent properties. It is not totally clear where the tornado dissipated as some sporadic minor tree damage was found farther NE by about a mile. Due to the weak nature of the damage, we elected to end the track just east of Berger Rd. at 6:52 PM CDT. Based on the damage seen on the ground, it is estimated that peak winds were near 100 mph (EF1) and the tornado was several hundred yards wide when it was multi-vortex. It was on the ground for a little over 3 miles. |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 138.00K | 0.00K | |||||||
| BURNET CRADDOCK ARPT | BURNET CO. | TX | 05/17/2021 | 11:33 | CST-6 | Hail | 0.88 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| SAN ANTONIO | BEXAR CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 01:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 1.00K | 0.00K |
| BULVERDE | COMAL CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 13:14 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| NEW BRAUNFELS | COMAL CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 14:24 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| GRUENE | COMAL CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 14:34 | CST-6 | Hail | 0.88 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CLEAR SPG | GUADALUPE CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 14:36 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| KYLE | HAYS CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 15:09 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BUDA | HAYS CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 15:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| SUBLIME | LAVACA CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 15:50 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| SUBLIME | LAVACA CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 15:54 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| SWISS ALP | FAYETTE CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 17:42 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K |
| FLATONIA MUNI ARPT | FAYETTE CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 18:28 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| LA GRANGE | FAYETTE CO. | TX | 05/18/2021 | 20:58 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| AMISTAD RES EAST | VAL VERDE CO. | TX | 05/19/2021 | 13:30 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 138.00K | 0.00K |
