NOAA Storm Events Database – 2023 Matador tornado

by The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Event Details:

Event	Tornado
-- Scale	EF3
-- Length	9.14 Miles
-- Width	600 Yards
State	TEXAS
County/Area	MOTLEY
WFO	LUB
Report Source	NWS Storm Survey
NCEI Data Source	CSV
Begin Date	2023-06-21 18:51 CST-6
Begin Location	2NE WHITEFLAT
Begin Lat/Lon	34.12/-100.85
End Date	2023-06-21 19:09 CST-6
End Location	2S MATADOR
End Lat/Lon	33.99/-100.82
Deaths Direct/Indirect	4/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect	15/0
Property Damage
Crop Damage
Episode Narrative	A supercell thunderstorm developed in the far southern Texas Panhandle during the late afternoon of the 21st of June. This supercell moved south-southeastward through the western Rolling Plains during the evening and eventually moved into the Texas Big Country and the San Angelo National Weather Service forecast area around 2200 CST. This storm quickly intensified in Motley County just north of Matador where the first of five reported tornadoes occurred around 1850 CST, however no survey was conducted as no damage was reported. This storm then produced a third of a mile wide tornado that went through the west side of Matador around 1900 CST killing four people and injuring 15 others. One of the fatalities was an 85 year old woman at home. A 59 year old truck driver died while in his semi-trailer. The final two fatalities were a 43 year old male and 23 year old male in a recreational vehicle. Peak wind gusts corresponding to the observed damage were estimated to be in the 145 mph to 165 mph range, resulting in an EF-3 rating. This rating was determined through consultation with engineers from the Texas Tech University National Wind Institute, who also performed a damage survey in Matador. It also produced extremely large hail with the largest stone measuring 4.50 inches in diameter on the east side of Matador. The storm continued moving to the south-southeast where a 75 mph gust was reported at the Roaring Springs West Texas Mesonet site at 1922 CST, most likely associated with a rear flank downdraft surge. As it entered northern Dickens County another tornado was reported by an off-duty NWS employee approximately 5.5 miles northeast of Afton, however no damage was reported with this tornado. A second supercell produced a brief tornado west-southwest of Matador at 1937 CST that also produced no known damage. Shortly afterward, that supercell began to merge with the initial supercell with the fifth and final tornado being reported on US Highway 82 approximately eight miles east of Dickens and no damage was observed with this tornado either. As the storm continued to move to the south-southeast a broad rear flank downdraft was noted on radar with the peak measured gust of 109 mph at the West Texas Mesonet site in Jayton at 2107 CST with 19 minutes of continuous severe wind gusts. These strong winds also occurred with hail up to four inches in diameter leading to damage observed along State Highway 70 in northeast Kent County including in and around the towns of Girard and Jayton.
Event Narrative	The second of several tornadoes touched down north of Matador in an open field east of State Highway 70. The tornado then tracked to the south through open country until it reached just north of Farm to Market Road 94 where it damaged a few power poles. It then traveled to the south-southeast where it destroyed a house on the far north side of the city. Three vehicles at this residence were rolled at least a few hundred yards away from the house with two of the vehicles unable to be located. The tornado continued to track south along State Highway 70 where it damaged two additional houses and rolled another truck several hundred feet. The tornado then tracked back to the southwest and crossed State Highway 70 and damaged several houses northwest of the intersection of State Highway 70 and US Highway 62, as well as rolling several vehicles including a tractor-trailer. The tornado then crossed US Highway 62 between the Texas Department of Transportation facility and State Highway 70 where it rolled an RV, destroyed a house, and steel framed retail store, and partially collapsed a power substation. The tornado continued traveling to the southeast paralleling State Highway 70 and damaged several more single family residences with another house being destroyed. The tornado then crossed State Highway 70 just south of Cross Lane where it destroyed a 500 foot radio tower as well as some light poles. The tornado then dissipated over an open field southeast of the Matador rest stop.

Event Fatality Details:

Type	Age	Gender	Fatality Location
Death (Direct)	85	Female	Permanent Home
Death (Direct)	59	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer
Death (Direct)	43	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer
Death (Direct)	23	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer