Who remembers the Jarrell tornado of 1997? (El Paso, Fort Hood: neighborhood, living in, move to)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Part of a larger outbreak.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997...arrell_tornado

[KathrynAragon]

I definitely remember it. It was shocking.

I lived near there from 1987 through 1989 so it really got my attention. I had been living in Fort Hood in 1987 when Fort Hood had quite a bit of damage from a smaller tornado.

I believe that investigators have said that the Jarrell tornado was the most powerful one they had ever seen, based on the damage. The estimated wind speeds were 400 to 500 mph. Like your link stated, some human remains were never found and many remains were difficult to distinguish between human and animal. Over 300 head of cattle were killed as well.

Here's an interesting article on the disaster:
https://extremeplanet.me/tag/double-...ornado-damage/

[KathrynAragon]

I just read in that article that the damage was so severe and everything in the path of the tornado was so pulverized, that many vehicles simply were never found. WOW.

[TexasHorseLady]

We lived here then - moved in in August 1996. It was the first time I truly understood the meaning of the phrase "wiped clean by the wrath of God". An entire neighborhood basically reduced to slabs with only the occasional bit of plumbing pipe sticking up. The pavement removed neatly from the road. All landmarks gone in its path.

[C24L]

I dont remember the Jarrell tornado,OP.

[cp102]

I didn’t live here when the Jarell tornado happened. I saw it in the news and was shocked at what a tornado could do. All those poor people in the path of this destructive monster, My heart goes Out to them and their families.

It’s also a good warning to remember what a tornado can do and take cover as quick as you can.

[As Above So Below...]

I actually remember being in 7th grade in LA and seeing it on the local news (KTLA). I saw a documentary about it a couple of years ago and what stuck with me was that no amount of precaution would have saved those people. You could have done every single thing advised in a tornado and youd still die. It was one of the most powerful tornadoes on record.

[hellpaso]

I remember—it was a horrific event. We were living in Mississippi and preparing to move to El Paso at that time.

[BobTex]

I remember it well and was dumbfounded that the federal government refused to declare it a federal disaster. F5.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by BobTex

I remember it well and was dumbfounded that the federal government refused to declare it a federal disaster. F5.

Yep, unbelievable.