View source for 1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak

{{Short description|Severe weather event in April 1979}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = 1979 Red River Valley Outbreak severe weather events.png
| alt = Map of large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes
| caption = Severe weather events associated with the outbreak along the Red River Valley between the morning of April&nbsp;10 and the morning of April&nbsp;11
| duration = April&nbsp;10–12, 1979
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado outbreak
| basin = atl
| tornadoes = 58
| fujita-scale = F4
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1979
| fatalities = 61
| injuries = 1,976
| damage = 440000000
| damages-prefix= ≳
| affected = [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]] ([[Red River of the South|Red River Valley]]), [[Midwestern United States]], [[Southern United States]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[Tornadoes of 1979]]
}}
On Tuesday, April&nbsp;10, 1979, a widespread and destructive outbreak of [[severe weather]] impacted areas near the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] between [[Oklahoma]] and [[Texas]]. [[Thunderstorm]]s developed over [[West Texas|West]] and [[North Central Texas]] during the day within highly [[atmospheric instability|unstable]] atmospheric conditions following the northward surge of warm and moist air into the region, producing large [[hail]], strong winds, and [[tornado outbreak|multiple tornadoes]]. At least 22&nbsp;tornadoes were documented on April&nbsp;10, of which two were assigned an F4 rating on the [[Fujita scale]]; four of the tornadoes caused fatalities.

Hardest hit were the communities of [[Vernon, Texas]]; [[Lawton, Oklahoma]]; and [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], which were all impacted by strong tornadoes. The F4 Vernon tornado struck southern and eastern parts of the city at approximately 4:45&nbsp;p.m. CST, destroying several residential blocks and killing 11&nbsp;people. An F3 tornado spun up in Lawton at 5:05&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]],{{efn|name=CST|In 1979, [[Daylight saving time in the United States]] began on the last Sunday of April. Thus, the tornado outbreak fell outside the daylight saving period. The beginning of daylight saving time was moved to the first Sunday in April starting in 1987.<ref name="DST">{{cite web |title=Daylight Saving Time |url=https://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/daylight_time |website=Astronomical Applications Department |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>}} destroying 167&nbsp;buildings and killing 3&nbsp;people. The most significant tornado of the day was an F4&nbsp;tornado that began east-northeast of [[Holliday, Texas]], at around 5:50&nbsp;p.m. CST and moved east-northeast into Wichita Falls, taking a {{cvt|8|mi}} course through densely populated areas of the city and destroying over two thousand homes across several neighborhoods. The tornado spanned as wide as {{cvt|1.5|mi}} across during its passage through the city, with the most severe damage occurring within a {{cvt|0.5|mi|adj=on}} wide swath. At least 45&nbsp;people were killed within the city and nearly 1,800&nbsp;people were injured, ranking the tornado among the deadliest in Texas history. A majority of the fatalities occurred as the tornado mangled and tossed vehicles. The damage wrought by the Wichita Falls tornado was unprecedented, with the $400&nbsp;million ($1.865B in 2025 dollars) damage toll making it the costliest tornado on record at the time. The severe weather event was widely observed by scientific instruments due to its serendipitous occurrence during a [[NASA]] field campaign. Later studies referred to the tornado outbreak as the '''Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak''', and in the areas affected the day came to be known as '''Terrible Tuesday'''.

The same weather system associated with the tornado outbreak produced additional thunderstorms and tornadoes on April&nbsp;11, particularly in [[Arkansas]]. While tornadic activity was more widespread on April&nbsp;11 compared to April&nbsp;10 far fewer casualties occurred. The weather system also produced intense rainfall over [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] that culminated in the [[1979 Easter flood]], the worst disaster to befall [[Jackson, Mississippi]] in over a century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hederman |first=T.M. |title=The Great Flood: 1979 |year=1979 |publisher=Hederman Brothers |page=7}}</ref>

== Meteorological synopsis ==
=== Preceding the event ===
[[File:South Central US GOES-3 visible satellite 1979-04-11 0014Z.jpg|thumb|[[GOES-3]] satellite image showing storms over the Red River Valley on the evening of April&nbsp;10|alt=Grayscale satellite image of storms]]
On April&nbsp;9, a strong [[troposphere|upper-tropospheric]] [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] was located over the western United States. At roughly {{cvt|40000|ft}} above the surface, a powerful [[jet stream]] extended from the eastern Pacific to [[South Texas]].{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|pp=8–9}} Although a [[cold front]] moving south during the day brought substantially cooler conditions to [[Oklahoma]], it quickly weakened over Texas.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=467}} Warm and moist air remained over South Texas ahead of the disturbances.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|pp=8–9}} [[Numerical weather prediction|Meteorological computer model]]s using data collected at 6&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]] April&nbsp;9 suggested that [[severe weather]] was possible the next day for parts of [[Oklahoma]] and [[Texas]] but did not as indicate as clearly the possibility of a [[tornado outbreak]].{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=8}} The upper-tropospheric trough moved slower than modeling projected and by 6:00&nbsp;a.m. CST April&nbsp;10 had become oriented north-northeast to south-southwest, a characteristically [[trough (meteorology)#Positively/negatively tilted|negative tilt]] associated with many severe weather outbreaks.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=9}} An [[occluded front]] stretched from a quickly intensifying [[low-pressure area]] in [[Colorado]] into the [[Texas Panhandle]],{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=467}}{{sfn|Williams et al.|1980|p=4}} representing one area conducive to storm development.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}} A wide expanse of [[stratus cloud]]s covered much of [[Central Texas]] during the morning hours as a result of a stable [[airmass]] over the area.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=467}} However, strong southerly winds closer to the surface brought moisture northward from South Texas, concurrent with a rapid increase in [[atmospheric instability]] over [[North Texas]].{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=9}} Due to the presence of directional [[wind shear]], the winds over the Red River Valley brought moist air from the south closer to the surface, and drier air from the west further aloft, enhancing [[convective instability]].{{sfn|Moore|Fuelberg|1981|pp=1578–1579}}{{sfn|Ferretti|Einaudi|Uccellini|1988|p=139}} The leading edge of the northward surge of moisture was marked by an ill-defined [[warm front]].{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=467}} [[Dew point]]s across the region increased by around {{cvt|10|–|15|F-change}} to near {{cvt|60|F}}.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=18}}

A line of [[thunderstorm]]s developed over North Texas on the morning of April&nbsp;10 in response to the [[advection|surge of warm air]], with small [[hail]] up to {{cvt|1|in}} diameter associated with some of the storms.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=18}}{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}} Within the nearby jet stream, an area of locally intense winds{{snd}}a jet streak{{snd}}moved towards the northeast towards the expanding unstable [[airmass]] over north-central Texas. The passage of this core of intense winds aloft induced strong southwesterly winds closer to the surface over eastern [[New Mexico]] and [[West Texas]], leading to widespread [[blowing dust]].{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=18}} Wind gusts exceeded {{cvt|60|mph}} across West Texas and reached as high as {{cvt|93|mph}} at [[Guadalupe Mountains National Park]].<ref name="BomarOUN">{{cite web |last1=Bomar |first1=George W. |title=Excerpts from A Review of Texas' Weather in 1979: The Year of Devastating Tornadoes and Flash Floods |url=https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19790410 |website=The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979 |publisher=National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma |access-date=June 5, 2024 |location=Norman, Oklahoma}}</ref> The dew point at [[Marfa, Texas]], was {{cvt|10|F}} compared to dew points near {{cvt|70|F}} over central Texas.{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=26}} This surge of dry air, moving towards the east-northeast at roughly {{cvt|30|knot|mph km/h}}, marked another potential region for storm development.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}} A second area of thunderstorms began to quickly intensify along the leading edge of this [[dry line]] and along the occluded front between [[Amarillo, Texas]], and [[Plainview, Texas]].{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=18}}{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}} Hail up to {{cvt|1.5|in}} in diameter was reported in association with these storms, as well as a tornado east of Plainview at around 1:38&nbsp;p.m. CST that caused no damage. A third area of thunderstorms, albeit short-lived, developed west of [[Abilene, Texas]], along the western edge of a small region of [[high pressure area|high pressure]].{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}} While several of the morning's storms moved towards stable conditions and were poised to eventually weaken, particularly conducive conditions for intense thunderstorm development materialized near [[Lubbock, Texas]], at the intersection of the surging dry line, the warm front, and the western edge of the high pressure region.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=468}}

[[File:Map of tornado watch 67 in 1979.png|thumb|A [[tornado watch]] was issued for parts of southwestern Oklahoma and northern Texas on the afternoon of April&nbsp;10.|alt=Map outlining the tornado watch region]]
By the afternoon of April&nbsp;10, both the warm front and the region of strong winds associated with the jet stream had reached the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] area, resulting in stronger [[wind shear]].<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> A [[low-pressure area]] had also developed in the vicinity of [[Childress, Texas]] at around 1–2&nbsp;p.m. CST, and would serve as a focusing mechanism for converging moisture over the Red River Valley.<ref name="BurgessOUN">{{cite web |last1=Burgess |first1=Don |title=Synopsis and Discussion of the 10 April 1979 Tornado Outbreak |url=https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19790410 |website=The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979 |publisher=National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma |access-date=June 5, 2024 |location=Norman, Oklahoma}}</ref>{{sfn|Homan|Vincent|1983|p=1122}} The [[Storm Prediction Center#History|National Severe Storms Forecasting Center]] (NSSFC) issued a [[tornado watch]] at 1:55&nbsp;p.m. CST on April&nbsp;10 for a {{cvt|30000|mi2|adj=on}} area encompassing parts of southwestern Oklahoma and north-central Texas. The watch statement highlighted the potential for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds within the watch area.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=1}} Within the risk region, the [[air pressure]] fell by {{cvt|6|–|8|mbar|inHg}} in three hours; such drastic pressure falls can precede tornado outbreaks.{{sfn|Ostby|Wilson|1980|p=33}} Strong [[divergence|convergence]] of moisture was also observed in the areas where storms eventually formed.{{sfn|Moore|Murray|1982|pp=20–21}}

=== Tornado outbreak ===
 [[File:Seymour Texas Tornado.jpg|thumb|left|The Seymour tornado|alt=Photograph of a dark funnel cloud]]
The arrival of the jet streak contributed to the conversion of the atmospheric instability accumulating near the Red River into thunderstorm formation.{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=26}} Just before the onset of the tornado outbreak, a [[low level jet]] with winds of {{cvt|20|m/s|mph km/h}} materialized over north-central Texas in response to the approach of the jet streak higher aloft, accelerating the transport of heat and moisture northward into the Red River Valley.{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=31}} Thunderstorms developed near Lubbock and moved east-northeastward into a region of high potential instability near the Red River, becoming the strongest thunderstorms of the day. In particular, three isolated [[supercell]] thunderstorms caused the majority of the severe weather during the afternoon and evening of April&nbsp;10;{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=469}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> all developed in the localized area of supportive conditions near the frontal intersection. The first thunderstorm formed around 1:00&nbsp;p.m. CST spawned five tornadoes between 3:05&nbsp;p.m. CST and 5:15&nbsp;p.m. CST, including an [[Fujita scale|F4]]-rated tornado that struck [[Vernon, Texas]], and an F3-rated tornado that struck [[Lawton, Oklahoma]]. The second thunderstorm formed around 2:30&nbsp;p.m. CST, while the third formed around 4:30&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|Purdom|Weaver|1982|p=469}} The second supercell produced a tornado that began at 3:55&nbsp;p.m. and took {{cvt|64|mi}} long track{{snd}}the longest track of any tornado during the event{{snd}}through primarily rural areas near [[Harrold, Texas]] and [[Grandfield, Oklahoma]].<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The most damaging tornado, associated with the third supercell, began at around 5:55&nbsp;p.m. CST and struck [[Wichita Falls, Texas]].{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=22}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> These storms persisted into nighttime over central and eastern Oklahoma.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The breakout of severe weather and tornadoes associated with the thunderstorms near the Red River during the afternoon and evening of April&nbsp;10 was collectively termed the "Red River Valley outbreak" or the "Red River Valley tornado outbreak" by scientists studying the event.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1033}}{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=22}}{{sfn|Moore|Fuelberg|1981|p=1577}} At least 12&nbsp;tornadoes occurred within {{cvt|75|km|order=flip}} of Wichita Falls in a single two-hour period.{{sfn|Williams et al.|1980|p=37}} The last tornado that occurred in the Red River Valley occurred around 8:00&nbsp;p.m. CST in connection with the third supercell near [[Pruitt City, Oklahoma]].{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=39}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The thunderstorms that produced the tornadoes in the Red River Valley continued into [[Arkansas]] and southern [[Missouri]] during the overnight hours but did not produce severe weather.{{sfn|Jedlovec|Fuelberg|1981|p=39}}

 [[File:Lawton OK tornado 1979.jpg|thumb|150px|Tornadic damage in Lawton]]
The arrival of a second and weaker region of strong winds within the nearby jet stream led to the development of severe thunderstorms, including some tornadoes, farther south over west-central and northern Texas during the overnight hours.<ref name="BurgessOUN" />{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1033}}{{sfn|Moore|Fuelberg|1981|p=1587}} These tornadoes caused extensive damage in rural areas and some injuries.{{sfn|Moore|Fuelberg|1981|p=1577}} Like the severe event earlier in the day along the Red River, the development of these storms was aided by a localized area of low pressure that developed near Abilene at around 7:20&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|Homan|Vincent|1983|p=1122}} Additional storms also persisted over the [[Midwestern United States]] into the morning of April&nbsp;11.{{sfn|Moore|Fuelberg|1981|p=1587}} The broader weather system that produced the severe weather on April&nbsp;10 continued eastward towards the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi River Valley]] the next day and intensified. April&nbsp;11 ultimately proved to be a more active day for severe weather, with [[Arkansas]] experiencing most of the day's tornadoes; however, fewer casualties resulted from the tornadoes compared to the previous day.{{sfn|Ostby|Wilson|1980|p=33}} The 27&nbsp;tornadoes that were ultimately documented by the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] in Arkansas during April&nbsp;1979 set a new monthly record high for the state.{{sfn|NOAA|1979d|p=57}} Heavy rains over [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] associated with the same weather system on April&nbsp;11–13 led to [[1979 Easter flood|extensive flooding]] along the banks of the [[Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana)|Pearl River]] and [[Tombigbee River]]. Rainfall totals reached {{cvt|10|–|20|in}}, with the flood near [[Jackson, Mississippi]], being representative of a [[return period|1 in 500-year]] or 1 in 100-year flood event.{{sfn|NOAA|1980b|p=vi}}{{sfn|NWS Jackson|2016|p=5}}

== Confirmed tornadoes ==
NWS offices in Texas and Oklahoma reported 56&nbsp;fatalities from the tornadoes on April&nbsp;10, with 53 in Texas and 3 in Oklahoma across a combined 12&nbsp;counties. Another 1,916&nbsp;people were injured, of which 256 were hospitalized. The [[American Red Cross]] reported 2,934&nbsp;homes destroyed with another 3,263&nbsp;damaged.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=6}} April&nbsp;10 featured the most damaging tornado outbreak since the [[1974 Super Outbreak]].{{sfn|Ostby|Wilson|1980|p=32}} Four tornadoes caused fatalities that day.{{sfn|Negri|1982|p=1152}} The NWS characterized the tornado outbreak as "one of the most significant tornado outbreaks that ever occurred in western north Texas and southern Oklahoma."<ref name="45Years">{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Katy |title=45 years ago, the Red River Valley tornado outbreak struck Texas, Oklahoma |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/red-river-valley-tornado-outbreak-19395686.php |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |date=April 10, 2024 |location=San Antonio, Texas}}</ref> The atmospheric environment surrounding the April&nbsp;10 severe weather outbreak and the thunderstorms that eventually formed were closely observed as part of the Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment (SESAME), a scientific field campaign aimed at studying severe weather. As part of SESAME, an extensive survey of affected areas was undertaken following the event, including interviews of [[Civil defense in the United States|civil defense directors]] and ground and aerial surveys of tornado paths. Damage along the paths of 12 of the tornadoes on April&nbsp;10 were rated with the [[Fujita scale]] by [[Ted Fujita]] and [[Roger Wakimoto]] based on observations from a low-flying [[Cessna]] aircraft on April 12–13, with a presumed ±1 margin of error.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1033}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|+ Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of April 10–12, 1979
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Date{{efn|name=localdate}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" align="center"|Total
! scope="col" colspan="7" align="center"|[[Fujita scale|F-scale]] rating
! scope="col" rowspan="2" align="center"|Deaths
! scope="col" rowspan="2" align="center"|Injuries
|-
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F?&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F0&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F1&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F2&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F3&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F4&nbsp;
! scope="col" align="center"|&nbsp;F5&nbsp;
|-
!scope="row" | April&nbsp;10
|align="right"|25
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|4
|align="right"|6
|align="right"|9
|align="right"|3
|align="right"|2
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|60
|align="right"|1,922
|-
!scope="row" | April&nbsp;11
|align="right"|32
|align="right"|4
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|11
|align="right"|15
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|54
|-
!scope="row" | April&nbsp;12
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|1
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|align="right"|0
|-
|-class="sortbottom"
!scope="row"| Total
| align="right" |58
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|unknown}}|5
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|storm}}|5
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}}|17
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}}|25
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}}|4
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat4}}|2
| align="right" bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat5}}|0
| align="right"|61
| align="right"|1,976
|}

===April 10 event===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="width:100%;"
|+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, April 10, 1979{{efn|name="localdate"|All dates are based on the local [[time zone]] where the tornado began; however, all times are in [[Coordinated Universal Time]] for consistency.}}
|-
! scope="col" width="2%" align="center" |[[Fujita scale|F#]]
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |Location
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |County / Parish
! scope="col" align="center" |State
! scope="col" align="center" |Start {{abbr|Coord.|Coordinates}}{{efn|name=Coord|All starting coordinates are based on the [[National Centers for Environmental Information]] (NCEI) ''Storm Events'' database and may not reflect contemporary analyses.}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]){{efn|name=time-sd|Times as listed in ''[[Storm Data]]'' unless otherwise noted.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979b}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979c}}}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Path length{{efn|name=length-sd|Path lengths as listed in ''Storm Data'' unless otherwise noted.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979b}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979c}}}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Width{{efn|name=Width|Widths as listed in ''Storm Data'' unless otherwise noted.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979b}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979c}} The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.{{sfn|Agee and Childs|2014|p=1494}}}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|storm}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F0
|SE of [[Crosbyton, Texas|Crosbyton]]
|[[Crosby County, Texas|Crosby]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|38.65|-101.23|name=Crosbyton (April 10, F0)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T19:08|19:08}}
|{{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}{{efn|name=data-ncei|Datum from ''Storm Events''.}}
|{{convert|50|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado occurred over open country southeast of Crosbyton, causing no damage.<ref name="SE10130754">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Crosby County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130754 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 1, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=18}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|unk}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F?
|E of [[Plainview, Texas|Plainview]]
|[[Hale County, Texas|Hale]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|34.20|-101.68|name=Plainview (April 10, F?)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T19:38|19:38}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado occurred over open country east of Plainview. ''Storm Events'' does not assign a rating for this tornado.<ref name="SE10130757">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for Tornado in Crosby County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130757 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 1, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|S of [[Foard City, Texas|Foard City]] to SE of [[Crowell, Texas|Crowell]] to near [[Rayland, Texas|Rayland]]
|[[Foard County, Texas|Foard]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|34.20|-101.68|name=Foard City (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T21:05|21:05–21:28}}
|{{convert|23|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|150|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A significant tornado moved across Foard County, destroying, unroofing, or otherwise damaging homes.<ref name="SE10130759" />{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=601}} The tornado also destroyed barns, telephone poles, and farm equipment. Total property damage was estimated by the NOAA at $50,000–$500,000. One person was injured.<ref name="SE10130759">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Foard County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130759 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 1, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat4}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F4
|N of [[Thalia, Texas|Thalia, TX]] to [[Vernon, Texas|Vernon, TX]] to E of [[Davidson, Oklahoma|Davidson, OK]]
|[[Foard County, Texas|Foard (TX)]], [[Wilbarger County, Texas|Wilbarger (TX)]], [[Tillman County, Oklahoma|Tillman (OK)]]
|[[Texas|TX]], [[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.03|-99.47|name=Thalia (April 10, F4)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T21:20|21:20–22:00}}
|{{convert|37|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|880|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | 11&nbsp;deaths, {{snd}}''[[1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak#Thalia–Vernon, Texas/Davidson, Oklahoma|See section on this tornado]]'' – There were 67&nbsp;injuries.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=601}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|storm}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F0
|E of [[Crowell, Texas|Crowell]]
|[[Foard County, Texas|Foard]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.98|-99.53|name=Crowell (April 10, F0)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T21:20|21:20}}
|{{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado caused damage near the intersection of [[U.S. Route 70 in Texas|US 70]] and [[Farm-to-Market Road 267|FM 267]].<ref name="SE10130760">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Foard County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130760 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|NOAA|1979c|p=7}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Harrold, Texas|Harrold, TX]] to [[Grandfield, Oklahoma|Grandfield, OK]] to [[Pumpkin Center, Comanche County, Oklahoma|Pumpkin Center, OK]]
|[[Wilbarger County, Texas|Wilbarger (TX)]], [[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita (TX)]], [[Tillman County, Oklahoma|Tillman (OK)]], [[Cotton County, Oklahoma|Cotton (OK)]], [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche (OK)]], [[Stephens County, Oklahoma|Stephens (OK)]]
|[[Texas|TX]], [[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.08|-99.03|name=Harrold (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T21:55|21:55–23:25}}{{efn|name=Fujita-time|Datum from contemporary analysis by Ron Alberty, Donald Burgess, and [[Ted Fujita]].{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}}}}
|{{convert|64|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|1056|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | 1&nbsp;death {{snd}} A tornado began in the Harrold area, moving across [[U.S. Route 287 in Texas|US 287]] and crossing into Wichita County, where it inflicted light rural damage.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Wilbarger County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130763 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} One person was killed while sheltering beneath a semi-trailer on US-287.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|pp=601–602}} After tracking for {{cvt|9|mi}} over Texas, the tornado crossed the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] into Oklahoma at around 4:10&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} While the tornado remained at F0 intensity over Texas, it began strengthening after crossing the river.{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}} The tornado intensified over Oklahoma and was near its maximum intensity when it reached the Grandfield airport at around 4:30&nbsp;p.m. CST. It caused considerable damage at the airport, destroying eight planes and damaging another. Twelve homes in the Grandfield area were either damaged or destroyed, including four mobile homes. Three people were injured in the Grandfield area, including one seriously.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado crossed [[Oklahoma State Highway 5|SH-5]] west of [[Walters, Oklahoma]], as a slightly weaker F1&nbsp;tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}} Five homes were destroyed and four others were damaged northwest of Walters.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado then reintensified and produced a second region of F2-intensity damage {{cvt|12|mi}} southeast of [[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] as it approached [[Hulen, Oklahoma|Hulen]] and Pumpkin Center.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}} Around Pumpkin Center, 13&nbsp;homes were destroyed; some of the homes were impacted by a tornado a year prior. Additional homes were damaged along [[Oklahoma State Highway 7|SH-7]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado was the longest-tracked tornado of both the tornado outbreak and of the entirety of 1979 in the United States. Five people were injured.<ref name="BurgessOUN" />{{sfn|NOAA|1979d|p=59}} A {{cvt|3|mi|adj=on}} wide swath of wind damage, with an intensity equivalent to an F0–F1&nbsp;tornado, extended past the end of the tornado path and impacted the [[Marlow, Oklahoma|Marlow]] area.{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|S of [[Hollister, Oklahoma|Hollister]]
|[[Tillman County, Oklahoma|Tillman]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.35|-98.90|name=Hollister (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T23:05|22:05–22:15}}
|{{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|120|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The thunderstorm that produced the earlier tornado that struck [[Vernon, Texas]], produced another tornado that began {{cvt|1|mi}} south of Hollister.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado destroyed three houses and damaged others. One person was injured.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=601}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|SW of [[Faxon, Oklahoma|Faxon]]
|[[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.47|-98.62|name=Faxon (April 10, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T22:35|22:35}}
|{{convert|9|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado spun up {{cvt|2|mi}} southwest of [[Faxon, Oklahoma|Faxon]], destroying a mobile home and injuring one person. Two others were injured following the destruction of a second mobile home. Additional homes were damaged. Three people were injured.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} [[Thomas P. Grazulis]] assessed the tornado as causing F2&nbsp;damage while Fujita and Wakimoto graded only as high as F1-intensity damage north of Faxon.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=601}}{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=1}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|NW of [[Seymour, Texas|Seymour]] to NNE of [[Mabelle, Texas|Mabelle]]
|[[Baylor County, Texas|Baylor]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.62|-99.30|name=Seymour (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T22:49|22:49–23:12}}
|{{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado touched down intermittently in the Seymour area, leading to scattered roof damage. The tornado strengthened as it moved northeast away from Seymour and into rural areas.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} Most of the tornado path was over open country, impacting various outbuildings.<ref name="PDImages">{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Roger |title=Public Domain Tornado Images |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/torscans.htm |publisher=Storm Prediction Center |access-date=June 11, 2024 |location=Norman, Oklahoma}}</ref> Telephone poles were downed by the tornado along [[U.S. Route 283 in Texas|US 283]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The tornado was targeted by the [[University of Oklahoma]]'s Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979, which was intended to supplement the concurrent SESAME field campaign through visual observation and documentation of severe storms. Footage was captured of the Seymour tornado's developmental and mature stages. The intercept team conducted a survey of the tornado path, documenting a segment of denuded tree branch that was lodged {{cvt|18|cm}} into the ground and [[mesquite]] pulled from the ground by the tornado.{{sfn|Bluestein|1980|pp=564–565}} The thunderstorm that produced the Seymour tornado later spawned the violent tornado that hit Wichita Falls.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat3}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F3
|[[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]]
|[[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.57|-98.42|name=Lawton (April 10, F3)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T23:05|23:05}}
|{{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|170|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | 3&nbsp;deaths {{snd}}A tornado warning was first posted for southern Comanche County, at 4:15&nbsp;p.m. CST, with tornado sirens activated in Lawton, shortly thereafter.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=25}} A tornado began roughly {{cvt|0.5|mi}} north of the [[Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport]] terminal building at 5:05&nbsp;p.m. CST and moved into [[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]], impacting areas near the intersection between 2nd Street and Lee Boulevard.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado's path curved gradually to the east thereafter,{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} cutting across the [[H. E. Bailey Turnpike]]<!-- I-44 was not designated on the turnpike until 1982 -->. There, the tornado reached its maximum intensity as an upper-end F3&nbsp;tornado. It then moved erratically before dissipating.{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=1}} Three people were killed by the tornado and 100 others were injured. The tornado damaged 449&nbsp;structures, of which 116 were destroyed.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The damage toll reached $9&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=602}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|WSW of [[Iowa Park, Texas|Iowa Park]]
|[[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.90|-98.80|name=Iowa Park (April 10, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T23:08|23:08}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A narrow and brief tornado occurred near Rocky Point, causing no damage.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat4}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F4
|ENE of [[Holliday, Texas|Holliday, TX]] to [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls, TX]] to NNE of [[Waurika, Oklahoma|Waurika, OK]]
|[[Archer County, Texas|Archer (TX)]], [[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita (TX)]], [[Clay County, Texas|Clay (TX)]], [[Jefferson County, Oklahoma|Jefferson (OK)]]
|[[Texas|TX]], [[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|33.82|-98.65|name=Holliday (April 10, F4)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-10T23:50|23:50–01:00}}
|{{convert|47|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|1320|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=603}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | ≥45&nbsp;deaths {{snd}}''[[1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak#Holliday–Wichita Falls, Texas/Waurika, Oklahoma|See section on this tornado]]'' – There were 1,740&nbsp;injuries.
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]]
|[[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.90|-98.50|name=Wichita Falls (April 10, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T00:00|00:00}}
|{{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|50|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A small tornado caused intermittent damage in northwestern Wichita Falls while the primary Wichita Falls tornado was impacting southern parts of the city. Witnesses described the tornado as bearing a small [[funnel cloud]] without [[condensation]] reaching the surface. Several structures were damaged, including a home and several outbuildings. A [[drive-in theater]] screen was also downed by the tornado. The damage was initially assessed as being caused by straight-line thunderstorm winds.{{sfn|NOAA|1979c|p=7}}<ref name="SE1010130769">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Wichita County, Texas] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10130769 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|N of [[Purcell, Oklahoma]]
|[[Cleveland County, Oklahoma|Cleveland]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|35.10|-97.37|name=Purcell (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T00:40|00:40}}
|{{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|37|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado damaged two barns {{cvt|6|mi}} north of Purcell.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|SW of [[Prague, Oklahoma|Prague]]
|[[Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma|Pottawatomie]], [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|35.42|-97.75|name=Prague (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T00:45|00:45}}
|{{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado moved across the [[Prague, Oklahoma]], area, destroying two mobile homes and damaging another three homes. One person in a mobile home was injured.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Noble, Oklahoma|Noble]]
|[[Cleveland County, Oklahoma|Cleveland]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|35.10|-97.40|name=Noble (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T00:50|00:50}}
|{{convert|1.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|40|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A mobile home was razed by a tornado near Noble.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|SE of [[Hays, Kansas|Hays]]
|[[Ellis County, Kansas|Ellis]]
|[[Kansas|KS]]
|{{Coord|38.87|-99.32|name=Hays (April 10, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T01:30|01:30}}
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|65|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado damaged several buildings in southeastern Hays, including 20&nbsp;mobile homes. The tornado inflicted minor injuries on two people upon overturning their mobile home.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=8}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat3}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F3
|NW of [[Ringling, Oklahoma|Ringling]] to [[Pruitt City, Oklahoma|Pruitt City]] to NE of [[Ratliff City, Oklahoma|Ratliff City]]
|[[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.35|-97.60|name=Ringling (April 10, F3)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T01:30|01:55–02:20}}
|{{convert|16|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|170|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The tornado began {{cvt|9|mi}} northeast of Ringling and was on the ground intermittently as it moved north-northeast. The tornado moved through Pruitt City at around 8:05&nbsp;p.m. CST, destroying or damaging 44&nbsp;homes and at least five cars.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} 
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|storm}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F0
|W of [[Maud, Oklahoma|Maud]]
|[[Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma|Pottawatomie]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.10|-96.82|name=Maud (April 10, F0)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T02:05|02:05}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | One of two small simultaneous tornadoes that occurred near Maud.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|storm}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F0
|N of [[Maud, Oklahoma|Maud]]
|[[Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma|Pottawatomie]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.12|-96.80|name=Maud (April 10, F0)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T02:05|02:05}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | One of two small simultaneous tornadoes that occurred near Maud.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|NE of [[Ballinger, Texas|Ballinger]] to W of [[Novice, Texas|Novice]]
|[[Runnels County, Texas|Runnels]], [[Coleman County, Texas|Coleman]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|31.97|-99.80|name=Ballinger (April 10, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T03:00|03:00}}
|{{convert|20.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|1320|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A large tornado moved across largely open country, destroying some barns.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=603}} The width of the damage varied between {{cvt|0.5|mi}} and {{cvt|1|mi}} wide. Several homes were also damaged by the tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=8}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat3}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F3
|ESE of [[Ballinger, Texas|Ballinger]] to NNE of [[Coleman, Texas|Coleman]]
|[[Runnels County, Texas|Runnels]], [[Coleman County, Texas|Coleman]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|31.70|-99.75|name=Ballinger (April 10, F3)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T03:30|03:30–04:10}}
|{{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|440|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado spun up {{cvt|12|mi}} east-southeast of Ballinger, causing significant damage to buildings and power lines. The tornado crossed [[U.S. Route 67 in Texas|US 67]] roughly {{cvt|5|mi}} west of [[Valera, Texas|Valera]], blowing a car off the road and damaging a nearby house.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} The tornado's impacts were especially prominent north of Coleman.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=603}} Buildings were damaged near Hords Creek Lake and [[Lake Scarborough]]. Barns were destroyed and trees were uprooted along [[U.S. Route 283 in Texas|US 283]] about {{cvt|5|mi}} north of Coleman. The damage toll inflicted by the tornado was approximately $565,000 and one person was injured.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|ESE of [[Comanche, Texas|Comanche]]
|[[Comanche County, Texas|Comanche]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|31.87|-98.52|name=Comanche (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T05:50|05:50}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A brief tornado destroyed a barn east-southeast of Comanche.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|N of [[Energy, Texas|Energy]] to W of [[Hico, Texas|Hico]]
|[[Comanche County, Texas|Comanche]], [[Hamilton County, Texas|Hamilton]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|31.75|-98.37|name=Energy (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T05:50|05:50–06:30}}
|{{convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado damaged trees and roofs near Energy and [[Lamkin, Texas|Lamkin]] in Comanche County. The tornado moved into Hamilton County, damaging roofs and trees in southeastern [[Carlton, Texas|Carlton]]. Barns and farm homes were damaged to the north-northeast. Three people were injured.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|W of [[Mineral Wells, Texas|Mineral Wells]]
|[[Palo Pinto County, Texas|Palo Pinto]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|32.80|-98.12|name=Mineral Wells (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T05:56|05:56–06:00}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A brief tornado caused no damage west of Mineral Wells.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}
|-
|}

===April 11 event===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="width:100%;"
|+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, April 11, 1979{{efn|name="localdate"}}
|-
! scope="col" width="2%" align="center" |[[Fujita scale|F#]]
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |Location
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |County / Parish
! scope="col" align="center" |State
! scope="col" align="center" |Start {{abbr|Coord.|Coordinates}}{{efn|name=Coord}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]){{efn|name=time-sd}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Path length{{efn|name=length-sd}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Width{{efn|name=Width}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Allen, Oklahoma|Allen]]
|[[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma|Pontotoc]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.90|-96.40|name=Allen (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T06:01|06:01}}
|{{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|50|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado impacted Allen. The most severe damage was inflicted to two buildings at a [[lumber yard]]. A window was blown out of the Allen [[city hall]]. Several trees were also uprooted.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Kingston, Oklahoma|Kingston]]
|[[Marshall County, Oklahoma|Marshall]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|34.03|-96.75|name=Kingston (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T07:05|07:05}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A mobile home and three barns were destroyed near Kingston at around 1:10&nbsp;a.m. CST.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|W of [[Sherman, Texas|Sherman]]
|[[Grayson County, Texas|Grayson]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.63|-96.73|name=Sherman (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T08:06|08:06}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A thunderstorm produced several funnel clouds in Grayson County. One developed into a brief tornado that caused no damage west of Sherman.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|unk}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F?
|SW of [[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]
|[[Muskogee County, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]]
|{{Coord|35.70|-95.60|name=Muskogee (April 11, F?)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T10:00|10:00}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado caused no damage after spinning up {{cvt|15|mi}} southwest of Muskogee.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Hattieville, Arkansas|Hattieville]] to [[Wonderview, Arkansas|Wonderview]]
|[[Conway County, Arkansas|Conway]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.27|-92.80|name=Hattieville (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T13:10|13:10}}
|{{convert|4.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Six barns and two homes were destroyed by a tornado that tracked east-northeastward from Hattieville to Wonderview. Another four barns, two homes, and some outbuildings were damaged. The damage toll amounted to $110,000.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Conway County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 07:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982398 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|W of [[Fox, Arkansas|Fox]]
|[[Stone County, Arkansas|Stone]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.78|-92.30|name=Fox (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T14:42|14:42–14:55}}
|{{convert|8.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|150|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado began {{cvt|0.25|mi}} west of Fox and tracked towards the northeast, destroying or damaging chicken houses and outbuildings before dissipating {{cvt|4|mi}} west of [[Mountain View, Arkansas|Mountain View]]. The damage toll reached $185,000.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Stone County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 08:42 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982399 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Blue Mountain, Arkansas|Blue Mountain]] to [[Prairie Grove, Arkansas|Prairie Grove]]
|[[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.83|-94.348|name=Blue Mountain (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T16:02|16:02}}
|{{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The Center Point community {{cvt|2.5|mi}} south of Prairie Grove was hit hardest by the tornado. Three homes were destroyed and others were damaged. Three people in a mobile home at Center Point were injured; another person was injured in Blue Mountain. The tornado inflicted $175,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Washington, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 10:02 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982400 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|NW of [[Athens, Texas|Athens]] to [[Martin's Mill, Texas|Martin's Mill]]
|[[Henderson County, Texas|Henderson]], [[Van Zandt County, Texas|Van Zandt]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|32.25|-95.90|name=Athens (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T16:07|16:07–16:30}}
|{{convert|14|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|150|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Within Henderson County, Texas, the tornado downed power lines and uprooted trees across a {{cvt|10|mi}} path, cutting power to the community of Bethel. The tornado also inflicted minor damage to homes in rural areas. The tornado proceeded to track across {{cvt|4|mi}} of Van Zandt County, before lifting.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=18}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Henderson County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 10:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10131851 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Van Zandt County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 10:20 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10131853 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Sulphur Springs, Texas|Sulphur Springs]]
|[[Hopkins County, Texas|Hopkins]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|33.12|-95.60|name=Sulphur Springs (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T16:12|16:12–16:20}}
|{{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|150|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Five to six homes on the southern side of Sulphur Springs, sustained minor damage. A [[Rockwell International]] manufacturing plant in the city incurred $100,000 in damage when it was unroofed. The tornado proceeded to damage homes, farms, and outbuildings northeast of Sulphur Springs. A mobile home was flipped over by the tornado in [[Mahoney, Texas|Mahoney]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=18}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2+
|N of [[Eagletown, Oklahoma|Eagletown, OK]] to [[Grannis, Arkansas|Grannis, AR]] to SE of [[Mena, Arkansas|Mena, AR]]
|[[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain (OK)]], [[Polk County, Arkansas|Polk (AR)]], [[Sevier County, Arkansas|Sevier (AR)]]
|[[Oklahoma|OK]], [[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|34.00|-94.60|name=Eagletown (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T16:15|16:15}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|{{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|440|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Within Oklahoma, three people were injured when their mobile home was destroyed by the tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}} The tornado crossed into Arkansas west of [[DeQueen Lake]] at 11:31&nbsp;a.m. CST and impacted Grannis and [[Wickes, Arkansas|Wickes]]. In Grannis, 25&nbsp;homes and an elementary school were destroyed. Another 12&nbsp;homes and a poultry plant were damaged.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=4}} All 17 of the injuries documented in Arkansas from the tornado occurred in Grannis; four of the injuries were to elementary school students at the elementary school.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=604}} The tornado destroyed three homes in Wickes and significantly damaged another four homes. The damage toll amounted to approximately $1.75&nbsp;million.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=4}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, at 1979-04-11 11:15 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10108834 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Sevier County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:31 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982404 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Polk County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:39 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982405 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref> Grazulis assessed the tornado as reaching F3&nbsp;intensity.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=604}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Hainesville, Texas|Hainesville]]
|[[Wood County, Texas|Wood]]
|[[Texas|TX]]
|{{Coord|32.72|-95.37|name=Hainesville (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T17:02|17:02}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A brief tornado occurred in Hainesville, without causing damage.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=18}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Wood County, Texas, at 1979-04-11 11:02 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10131854 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|unk}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F?
|W of [[Hurley, Missouri|Hurley]]
|[[Stone County, Missouri|Stone]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|36.93|-93.53|name=Hurley (April 11, F?)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T17:30|17:30}}
|{{NA}}
|{{convert|50|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A brief tornado occurred over open country west of Hurley.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Stone County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 11:30 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056240 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|W of [[Rosston, Arkansas|Rosston]]
|[[Nevada County, Arkansas|Nevada]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|33.60|-93.37|name=Rosston (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T20:10|20:10}}
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Three homes were destroyed; others sustained minor damage.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Nevada County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 14:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982408 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|SW of [[Guy, Arkansas|Guy]]
|[[Faulkner County, Arkansas|Faulkner]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.30|-92.37|name=Guy (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T20:15|20:15}}
|{{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|440|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado impacted a cemetery and utility lines and inflicted heavy damage on several buildings, resulting in $190,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Faulkner County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 14:15 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982409 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[East End, Arkansas|East End]] to ENE of [[Lonoke, Arkansas|Lonoke]]
|[[Saline County, Arkansas|Saline]], [[Pulaski County, Arkansas|Pulaski]], [[Lonoke County, Arkansas|Lonoke]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|34.55|-92.33|name=East End (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:00|21:00}}
|{{convert|41|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The tornado destroyed several mobile homes and damaged outbuildings and farm machinery. East End and southeastern Pulaski County experienced the worst impacts. The tornado caused approximately $1.15&nbsp;million in damage across three counties, with the bulk of the damage occurring in Pulaski and Saline counties.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Saline County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982411 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Pulaski County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982412 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lonoke County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:40 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982414 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Homer, Louisiana|Homer]]
|[[Claiborne Parish, Louisiana|Claiborne]]
|[[Louisiana|LA]]
|{{Coord|32.78|-93.08|name=Homer (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:00|21:00}}
|{{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Southern and eastern sections of Homer were impacted by a tornado, resulting in $75,000 in damage. Five homes were damaged, and a lumber yard was unroofed.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10033337 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat3}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F3
|SW of [[Cabool, Missouri|Cabool]] to [[Houston, Missouri|Houston]] to E of [[Licking, Missouri|Licking]]
|[[Douglas County, Missouri|Douglas]], [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|37.02|-92.12|name=Cabool (April 11, F3)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:00|21:00}}
|{{convert|36|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|400|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The tornado began just within Douglas County southwest of Cabool. In southern Cabool, grain bins and buildings at the Ballew Feed Center were badly damaged. Many other farm buildings were either damaged or destroyed southwest of Cabool. The tornado briefly lifted as it passed over Cabool, but began to cause damage again in the northeastern part of the town. The tornado struck the Cabool airport, flattening four hangars and heavily damaging the other two. Two airplanes were wrecked at the airport. A nearby apartment building was destroyed by the tornado. Six people were injured when their vehicles were blown off of [[U.S. Route 63 in Arkansas|US 63]]. Along the highway, 49&nbsp;buildings were damaged or overturned; another three people were injured in this area. Power outages related to the tornado continued into April&nbsp;13 for much of Texas County. In total, nine people were injured.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F3 Tornado in Douglas County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056244 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F3 Tornado in Texas County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:05 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056246 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref> The damage toll was approximately $2&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Grazulis|1990|p=604}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|unk}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F?
|W of [[Bakersfield, Missouri|Bakersfield]]
|[[Ozark County, Missouri|Ozark]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|36.50|-92.20|name=Bakersfield (April 11, F?)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:15|21:15}}
|{{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado began near [[Missouri Route 101|Route 101]] along the border between Arkansas and Missouri, damaging a metal building and two farms. The tornado moved northeast towards areas west of Bakersfield, damaging or destroying several homes and uprooting trees. Two people were injured by the tornado.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for Tornado in Ozark County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:15 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056247 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|N of [[Levant, Kansas|Levant]]
|[[Thomas County, Kansas|Thomas]]
|[[Kansas|KS]]
|{{Coord|39.57|-101.20|name=Levant (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:00|21:00}}
|{{NA}}
|{{convert|33|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A brief tornado occurred over open country without causing damage.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=8}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Phillips County, Kansas, at 1979-04-11 15:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10021669 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Mammoth Spring, Arkansas|Mammoth Spring]]
|[[Fulton County, Arkansas|Fulton]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|36.50|-91.55|name=Mammoth Spring (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:45|21:45}}
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Several buildings were damaged or destroyed, as were trees and power lines. The damage toll exceeded $20,000.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Fulton County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:45 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982416 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|W of [[Beebe, Arkansas|Beebe]]
|[[White County, Arkansas|White]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.07|-91.93|name=Beebe (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T21:50|21:50}}
|{{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Several homes were unroofed and outbuildings and farms were damaged.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=4}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in White County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 15:50 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982418 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|NE of [[Crossett, Arkansas|Crossett]]
|[[Ashley County, Arkansas|Ashley]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|33.15|-91.95|name=Crossett (April 11), F2}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T22:10|22:10}}
|{{convert|9.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | The business district of [[Hamburg, Arkansas|Hamburg]] was impacted by a tornado, resulting in $3.5&nbsp;million in damage. The tornado was the second to strike Hamburg in three days.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Ashley County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 16:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982424 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Clear Springs, Arkansas|Clear Springs]]
|[[Lawrence County, Arkansas|Lawrence]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|36.12|-91.15|name=Clear Springs (April 11, F2}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T22:10|22:10}}
|{{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A [[Crushing plant|rock crushing plant]] in the Clear Springs community {{cvt|3|mi}} west of [[Black Rock, Arkansas|Black Rock]] was damaged by a tornado. Railroad cars with crushed rock were also badly damaged. The cost of damage topped $300,000.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lawrence County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 16:35 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9982426 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Masonville, Arkansas|Masonville]]
|[[Desha County, Arkansas|Desha]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|33.58|-91.40|name=Masonville (April 11, F2}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T22:10|22:10}}
|{{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | [[McGehee, Arkansas|McGehee]] was hardest hit by the tornado. Several homes and businesses were either destroyed or suffered considerable damage. The damage toll amounted to about $449,000.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=5}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Desha County, Arkansas, at 1979-04-11 17:15 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983499 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|N of [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]]
|[[Shawnee County, Kansas|Shawnee]]
|[[Kansas|KS]]
|{{Coord|39.10|-95.73|name=Topeka (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T23:00|23:00}}
|{{convert|3.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|30|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado caused damage intermittently along a path north of Topeka, beginning west of Rochester Road near Northwest 35th Street and ending towards the east-northeast near Northwest 62nd Street. Homes, trees, and utility lines were damaged.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=8}} Two mobile homes were flipped by the tornado;<ref name="StrikesNearTopeka">{{cite news |title=Tornado Strikes Near Topeka |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-parsons-sun/149255453/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The Parsons Sun |issue=255 |date=April 12, 1979 |location=Parsons, Kansas |page=1}}</ref> one person sustained minor injuries in a mobile home.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=8}} The damage was estimated by the Shawnee County civil defense director estimated the damage toll to be in the range of $70,000–$90,000.<ref name="StrikesNearTopeka" /><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Shawnee County, Kansas, at 1979-04-11 17:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10021670 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|N of [[Libertyville, Missouri|Libertyville]]
|[[Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri|Ste. Genevieve]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|37.72|-90.30|name=Libertyville (April 11, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-11T23:30|23:30}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|{{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Buildings and equipment on two farms were damaged north of Libertyville and in the [[Coffman, Missouri|Coffman]] area. A few buildings were heavily damaged and partly destroyed.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=11}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in St. Francois County, Missouri, at 1979-04-11 17:30 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056252 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|unk}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F?
|W of [[Ravenna, Nebraska|Ravenna]]
|[[Buffalo County, Nebraska|Buffalo]]
|[[Nebraska|NE]]
|{{Coord|41.03|-99.00|name=Ravenna (April 11, F0)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T00:00|00:00}}
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado damaged equipment on a farm west of Ravenna,{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=12}} resulting in approximately $4,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ravenna farmer tells of watching tornado |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent/149255071/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The Grand Island Daily Independent |issue=87 |volume=110 |date=April 12, 1979 |location=Grand Island, Nebraska |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for Tornado in Buffalo County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 18:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10067452 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Liberty, Missouri|Liberty]] to [[Kearney, Missouri|Kearney]] to N of [[Lawson, Missouri|Lawson]]
|[[Clay County, Missouri|Clay]], [[Clinton County, Missouri|Clinton]], [[Ray County, Missouri|Ray]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|39.25|-94.43|name=Liberty (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T01:00|01:00}}
|{{convert|21|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A strong tornado began up in Liberty, damaging homes and businesses. The damage was most severe near [[Missouri Route 291|Route 291]], where several businesses were damaged. A mobile home park, church, and elementary school near the intersection of Route 291 with [[Interstate 35 in Missouri|I-35]] were also hit. The tornado continued northeast along I-35 into [[Kearney, Missouri|Kearney]], where it damaged several homes and businesses. Two barns were also razed. Five people were injured while seeking shelter in a roadside ditch after being struck by the windthrown bus they had evacuated from. Several farms were affected in the Lawson area before the tornado dissipated. In all, nine people were injured.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Clay County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 19:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056257 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Clinton County, Nebraska, at 1979-04-11 19:25 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10056259 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Dycusburg, Kentucky|Dycusburg]] to [[Dixon, Kentucky|Dixon]] to [[Niagara, Kentucky|Niagara]]
|[[Crittenden County, Kentucky|Crittenden]], [[Webster County, Kentucky|Webster]], [[Henderson County, Kentucky|Henderson]]
|[[Kentucky|KY]]
|{{Coord|37.15|-88.18|name=Dycusburg (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T02:00|02:00}}
|{{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado struck several communities in western Kentucky, including [[Shady Grove, Kentucky|Shady Grove]] in Crittenden County; [[Clay, Kentucky|Clay]], Dixon, and [[Poole, Kentucky|Poole]] in Webster County; and [[Hebbardsville, Kentucky|Hebbardsville]], Niagara, and [[Robards, Kentucky|Robards]] in Henderson County. Five people were injured in overturned mobile homes in Henderson County.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Crittenden County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 19:50 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10029910 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Webster County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 20:20 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10029913 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Henderson County, Kentucky, at 1979-04-11 20:40 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10029917 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|E of [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] to N of [[Boonville, Indiana|Boonville]]
|[[Vanderburg County, Indiana|Vanderburg]], [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick]]
|[[Indiana|IN]]
|{{Coord|38.00|-87.43|name=Evansville (April 11, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T02:00|02:00}}
|{{NA}}
|{{NA}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | 1&nbsp;death – A tornado began in eastern Evansville, striking a lumber yard and the Plaza East shopping center.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}<ref name="CouldTotalMillions">{{cite news |title=Storm damages could total millions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/149254661/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The Evansville Press |issue=244 |date=April 12, 1979 |location=Evansville, Indiana |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/149254661/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/149254735/ 3]}}</ref>{{rp|1}} The tornado briefly lifted for {{cvt|5|mi}} before impacting a trailer park {{cvt|2|mi}} north of Boonville,{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}}<ref name="CouldTotalMillions" />{{rp|3}} killing one person and injuring two others.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=22}} Debris from the trailer park was scattered over a {{cvt|400|ft}} area.<ref name="CouldTotalMillions" />{{rp|3}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, at 1979-04-11 20:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10019500 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Warrick County, Indiana, at 1979-04-11 20:10 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10019501 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|storm}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F0
|[[Dickson, Tennessee|Dickson]]
|[[Dickson County, Tennessee|Dickson]]
|[[Tennessee|TN]]
|{{Coord|36.07|-87.37|name=Muskogee (April 12, F?)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T05:00|05:00}}
|{{convert|0.25|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|30|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | Four homes were damaged on the eastern side of Dickson.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=15}}<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F0 Tornado in Muskogee County, Tennessee, 1979-04-11 23:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10126661 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat1}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F1
|[[Florence, Alabama|Florence]]
|[[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale]]
|[[Alabama|AL]]
|{{Coord|34.80|-87.67|name=Florence (April 12, F1)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T05:30|05:30}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|20|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A damaging severe thunderstorm impacted central Lauderdale County, inflicting minor to moderate damage to 200&nbsp;homes and widespread damage to trees. The worst of the damage occurred in the Seven Points area of [[Florence, Alabama|Florence]]. While most of the damage was caused by straight-line winds, one or more small and intermittent tornadoes were embedded within the thunderstorm.<ref name="SE9976574" /> Local police reported two tornadoes, with one impacting the Seven Points Shopping Center before midnight, and a second impacting residential areas farther north after midnight; the funnel clouds associated with both tornadoes may have been first sighted south of Florence 15&nbsp;minutes before reaching the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tornado hits Florence |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser/149106946/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The Montgomery Advertiser |issue=74 |date=April 12, 1979 |location=Montgomery, Alabama |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2 Tornadoes Damage North Alabama City |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/alabama-journal/149107068/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Alabama Journal |issue=73 |date=April 12, 1979 |pages=1–2}}</ref> The damage toll from the storms in Lauderdale County reached $500,000–$1&nbsp;million and one person was injured.<ref name="SE9976574">{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F1 Tornado in Lauderdale County, Alabama, 1979-04-11 23:30 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9976574 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}

===April 12 event===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="width:100%;"
|+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, April 12, 1979{{efn|name="localdate"}}
|-
! scope="col" width="2%" align="center" |[[Fujita scale|F#]]
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |Location
! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" |County / Parish
! scope="col" align="center" |State
! scope="col" align="center" |Start {{abbr|Coord.|Coordinates}}{{efn|name=Coord}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]){{efn|name=time-sd}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Path length{{efn|name=length-sd}}
! scope="col" align="center" |Width{{efn|name=Width}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="background-color:#{{#invoke:Storm categories|color|cat2}}; border-bottom: 1px solid black" | F2
|[[Steens, Mississippi|Steens]]
|[[Lowndes County, Mississippi|Lowndes]]
|[[Mississippi|MS]]
|{{Coord|33.53|-88.40|name=Florence (April 12, F2)}}
|{{sort|1979-04-12T09:00|09:00}}
|{{convert|7.7|mi|km|abbr=on|sortable=on}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|{{convert|800|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}{{efn|name=data-ncei}}
|- class="expand-child"
| colspan="8" style=" border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | A tornado began on the outskirts of Steens, in the early morning hours of April&nbsp;12 and tracked towards the northeast, destroying two mobile homes and damaging 25–30&nbsp;other homes. The tornado also inflicted considerable damage to 15–20&nbsp;outbuildings and downed trees and power lines. As much as 80&nbsp;percent of power lines in Lowndes County, were knocked out of commission.<ref>{{cite report|title=[Event Report for F2 Tornado in Lauderdale County, Alabama, 1979-04-12 03:00 CST] |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10064008 |website=Storm Events Database |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=No injuries as tornado hits Mississippi town |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/149101691/ |via=Newspapers.com |volume=95 |issue=134 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The Daily Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=April 12, 1979 |location=Biloxi, Mississippi |page=C4}}</ref>
|-
|}

=== Thalia–Vernon, Texas/Davidson, Oklahoma ===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Thalia–Vernon, Texas/Davidson, Oklahoma
| image = 
| caption = 
| formed = April&nbsp;10, 1979, 3:20&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]] ([[UTC−06:00]])
| duration = 40&nbsp;minutes
| dissipated = April&nbsp;10, 1979, 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]] ([[UTC−06:00]])
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| fujita-scale = F4
| winds = {{cvt|150|–|200|mph}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 11
| injuries = 67
| missing = 
| year = 1979
| currency = USD 
| damages = 27000000
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 
}}
The first of three intense and tornadic thunderstorms produced a tornado in southern [[Foard County, Texas]], at 2:05&nbsp;p.m. CST. While this first tornado was still on the ground, the same thunderstorm produced a second tornado in Foard County {{cvt|2|mi}} so north of [[Thalia, Texas|Thalia]], at around 3:20&nbsp;p.m. CST; the two tornadoes were separated by {{cvt|1.5|mi}} and moved in parallel for {{cvt|5|mi}}. The second tornado continued into [[Wilbarger County, Texas|Wilbarger County]], after the first dissipated. It tracked towards the [[Lockett, Texas|Lockett]], area along [[U.S. Route 70 in Texas|US 70]], damaging farms and homes.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-rated tornado damage between Thalia and Lockett.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}} The tornado crossed the highway {{cvt|1|mi}} north of Lockett. One person was killed by the tornado after their vehicle was blown {{cvt|200|yd}} off US-70 into a pasture.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}

The tornado then moved northeast towards the [[Vernon, Texas|Vernon]], area. Its large size made identification of its tornadic nature by [[storm spotter]]s difficult. [[Tornado siren]]s were activated shortly before the tornado struck Vernon. The tornado entered Vernon at around 3:45&nbsp;p.m. CST and moved over southern and eastern parts of the city. Several residential blocks in southern Vernon were destroyed by the tornado, leading to at least three deaths. The damage was especially severe along Gordon and Atlanta streets. In eastern Vernon, the tornado razed several buildings, including the Wilbarger Exhibit Building and a Texas Highway Department warehouse. The tornado then crossed [[U.S. Route 287 in Texas|US 287]], blowing vehicles off the highway and killing seven people. A total of ten fatalities occurred in Vernon. Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to low-end F4-rated tornado damage in the Vernon area. The tornado crossed the [[Pease River]] outside of Vernon, killing cows along the riverbank, and crossed into [[Oklahoma]] near the [[confluence]] of the Pease River and Red River with approximately F1 intensity.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}}{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=1}} The tornado passed east-northeast of [[Davidson, Oklahoma|Davidson]], destroying at least three homes and inflicting major damage on another five. One person was injured in Oklahoma after their car was blown by the tornado. Numerous cattle were also killed or injured by the tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-rated tornado damage in the Davidson area.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}} The tornado lifted at around 4:00&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}}

The tornado's path spanned {{cvt|37|–|39|mi}}, with about {{cvt|26|mi}} in [[Texas]] and {{cvt|11|mi}} in Oklahoma.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}} The tornado's width averaged about {{cvt|880|yd}}.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The Institute for Disaster Research conducted aerial surveys of the tornado, rating it an F4 on the Fujita scale based on the resulting damage. The institute estimated that the tornado's maximum winds were {{cvt|150|–|200|mph}} based on the degree to which residences were damaged, the damage to the [[Texas Highway Department]], the destruction of a motel and restaurant along US-287, and the distance over which impacted vehicles were blown by the tornado.{{sfn|McDonald|Minor|1979|p=3}} The same thunderstorm that produced the Vernon tornado later produced another three tornadoes in Oklahoma.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}

=== Holliday–Wichita Falls, Texas/Waurika, Oklahoma ===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Holliday–Wichita Falls, Texas/Waurika, Oklahoma
| image = Wichita Falls Tornado 1979.jpg
| caption = The F4 tornado moving through Wichita Falls
| alt = Photograph of the tornado's dark funnel cloud
| formed = April&nbsp;10, 1979, 5:50&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
| duration = 1&nbsp;hour, 10&nbsp;minutes
| dissipated = April&nbsp;10, 1979, 7:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Standard Time|CST]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| fujita-scale = F4
| winds = {{cvt|175|–|225|mph}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = ≥44 (≥41 direct)
| injuries = 1,740
| year = 1979
| currency = USD
| damages = 400000000
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 
}}

Parts of [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]], were struck by a violent tornado on the evening of April&nbsp;10. The tornado was up to {{cvt|1.5|mi}} wide as it tore through the city, with the swath of particularly intense damage spanning {{cvt|0.25|–|0.5|mi}} wide.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The tornado swept east-northeastward through a {{cvt|8|mi}} stretch of residential areas covering {{cvt|11|mi2}},{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=734}} directly causing 42&nbsp;fatalities according to the [[National Weather Service]] (NWS); another three people later died of [[heart attack]]s.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} A survey by the [[Center for Disease Control]] enumerated 44&nbsp;fatalities and 171&nbsp;injuries requiring hospitalization,{{sfn|CDC|1979|p=193}} while a later study published in ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'' in February&nbsp;1980 enumerated 45&nbsp;deaths from traumatic injuries inflicted by the tornado, 1 from [[sepsis]], and 1 from [[tetanus]].{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=735}} Of the fatalities, 25 were vehicle-related deaths; 11&nbsp;people died while attempting to evade the tornado in their vehicles after fleeing their otherwise undamaged homes.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} Only five deaths occurred indoors.{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=735}} Around 1,700&nbsp;people sustained injuries in Wichita Falls,{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} including 59 with serious injuries.{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=735}} Numerous residences were destroyed in the city, including 2,095&nbsp;homes, 1,062&nbsp;apartment units and 93&nbsp;mobile homes.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} Over 3,000&nbsp;homes left  uninhabitable by the tornado.{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=734}} The widespread devastation left approximately 20,000&nbsp;people from 5,000&nbsp;families homeless,{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} accounting for about 10–20% of the city's population.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> Vehicles were thrown as far as {{cvt|200|yd}} away by the tornado.{{sfn|McDonald|Minor|1979|p=1}} The destruction amounted to $400&nbsp;million in damage, making the tornado the costliest tornado on record at the time.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} When normalized for wealth and [[inflation]], the tornado caused approximately $1.14&nbsp;billion in damage in 1997&nbsp;[[United States dollar]]s.{{sfn|Brooks|Doswell|2001}} Advance notice of the approaching tornado and the awareness of prior tornadoes earlier in the day in nearby [[Rocky Point, Texas|Rocky Point]] and [[Vernon, Texas|Vernon]] may have contributed to lowering the ultimate death toll.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}

The thunderstorm that eventually produced the Wichita Falls tornado formed north of Abilene and generally moved towards the northeast. Weather radar observed [[reflectivity]] values exceeded 50&nbsp;[[dBZ (meteorology)|dBZ]] throughout the storm's lifetime, with the radar signal routinely exceeding {{cvt|50000|ft}} above the surface;<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> satellite observations suggested [[cloud top]] heights reaching as high as {{cvt|15.6|km|mi|order=flip}}.{{sfn|Negri|1982|p=1151}} The thunderstorm produced an F2 tornado earlier in the day in [[Baylor County, Texas|Baylor County]], and hail up to {{cvt|3|in}} in diameter in [[Archer County, Texas|Archer]], Baylor, [[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita]], and [[Wilbarger County, Texas|Wilbarger]] counties.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} Another thunderstorm produced a tornado in Wichita County about {{cvt|12|mi}} west-southwest of [[Iowa Park, Texas|Iowa Park]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=26}} The Wichita Falls weather service office issued a [[tornado warning]] for Wichita County at 5:08&nbsp;p.m. in response to sightings of this tornado, and tornado sirens were sounded in Wichita Falls at 5:25&nbsp;p.m. The first thunderstorm eventually approached Wichita County, prompting a [[severe thunderstorm warning]] for the county at 5:45&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=26}} Two mesoscyclones within the thunderstorm were apparent on radar, including one associated with the earlier tornado in Baylor County.<ref name="BurgessOUN" />

[[File:Wftornado3.jpg|thumb|left|Numerous homes in Wichita Falls were destroyed by the tornado.|alt=Aerial photograph of flattened homes]]
At around 5:50&nbsp;p.m. CST, a tornado developed in connection with the second mesocyclone on the southwestern flanks of the thunderstorm {{cvt|3|mi}} east-northeast of [[Holliday, Texas]], in [[Archer County, Texas|Archer County]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> Witnesses observed smaller vortices embedded in the broader tornadic circulation as it developed,{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} highlighting the [[multiple-vortex tornado|multiple-vortex]] nature of the tornado; the individual vorticies coalesced as the tornado approached Wichita Falls.{{sfn|Pearson|1979|p=1674}} Evidence of a tornado first became [[convective storm detection|apparent]] on [[weather radar]] at 5:58&nbsp;p.m. CST, while the tornado was about {{cvt|10|mi}} southwest of the center of Wichita Falls.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=26}} The initial reports of the tornado by amateur storm spotters provided residents of Wichita Falls with about 5–10&nbsp;minutes of notice before the tornado's eventual arrival.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} The Wichita Falls weather service office issued a tornado warning for Wichita County at 6:00&nbsp;p.m. CST, just as the first tornado warning expired, warning of the approach of this new tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=26}} The tornado moved along the [[Fort Worth and Denver Railway]] into [[Wichita County, Texas|Wichita County]], blowing away two oil [[storage tank]]s and unroofing several homes near [[Farm-to-Market Road 2560|FM 2560]];{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} the swept oil tanks produced an [[oil spill]].{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}} Six high-tension steel electrical [[transmission tower]]s east of the road were damaged, with three blown prostrate.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=2}} The tornado darkened and widened to a width of roughly {{cvt|0.5|mi}} across as it moved into Wichita Falls at around 6:15&nbsp;p.m. CST, impacting [[Memorial Stadium (Wichita Falls)|Memorial Stadium]].{{sfn|Glass et al.|1980|p=734}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The stadium [[field house]] was heavily damaged and stadium lighting was snapped.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} As the tornado passed just south of the stadium, it rapidly strengthened to high-end F4&nbsp;intensity and maintained this strength for the next {{cvt|11|mi}} of its path.{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=3}} The tornado then caused the collapse of the western half of McNiel Junior High School;{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} the school was largely unoccupied when the tornado struck.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> After striking the stadium, the tornado began to move through heavily populated residential areas.{{sfn|McDonald|Minor|1979|p=1}} The Western Hills neighborhood south of Southwest Parkway was struck next, resulting in the first fatalities caused by the tornado. Numerous homes and several apartment complexes were destroyed in the neighborhood.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}

The tornado widened to a width of about {{cvt|1|mi}} as it crossed Southwest Parkway into the Faith Village neighborhood, levelling several businesses and tossing vehicles about.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The Southwest National Bank Building was levelled with the exception of its [[Bank vault|vault]].<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The tornado destroyed most homes in Faith Village. Small interior rooms in most of the destroyed homes remained intact, resulting in relatively few fatalities despite the severity of destruction. The cafeteria auditorium and exterior classrooms at Ben Milam Elementary School sustained heavy damage. The tornado proceeded to raze businesses along Kemp Boulevard, including a restaurant where three people were killed. The northern periphery of the tornado struck the [[Sikes Senter]] shopping mall, causing the partial collapse of a [[JCPenney]] store and inflicting light to moderate damage to other stores in the mall.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> Several of the roughly 1,000&nbsp;shoppers in the mall suffered major injuries.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}} The tornadic winds heaped cars in the shopping mall's parking lot atop one another or blew them away.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> Several people were killed or injured in the parking lot, including some who had fled from the mall to their cars. A church {{cvt|0.5|mi}} south of the mall was flattened, resulting in one fatality. The tornado entered the Colonial Park neighborhood after traversing a [[greenbelt]] and clipping the southern side of [[Midwestern State University]], destroying many homes and apartment complexes in Colonial Park.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The second stories of apartment buildings saw particularly severe damage. Additional homes and a shopping center were razed in the Southmoor subdivision. The tornado then crossed [[U.S. Route 281 in Texas|US 281]] and moved into the Sun Valley neighborhood along the southern side of [[U.S. Route 287 in Texas|US 287]], destroying apartments, houses, and businesses. Cars were wrecked on US 287, resulting in a few fatalities. Among the fatalities were some who [[Tornado myths#Using highway overpasses as shelter|sought shelter underneath a highway overpass]]. The Sunnyside Heights [[trailer park|mobile home park]] north of the highway was destroyed, though no fatalities resulted as residents had evacuated.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=16}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" />

[[File:Wfalls01.jpg|thumb|Damage in Wichita Falls|alt=Photograph of damaged and destroyed buildings]]
Industrial plants were subsequently destroyed, including a [[Levi Strauss & Co.]] manufacturing plant, as the tornado moved into [[Clay County, Texas|Clay County]] south of [[Texas State Highway 79|SH 79]].{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The Wichita Falls weather service office issued a tornado warning for Clay County at 6:11&nbsp;p.m. CST shortly before the office lost power.{{sfn|NOAA|1980a|p=29}} Homes were destroyed by the tornado south of TX-79 along a path from Wichita Falls to [[Dean, Texas|Dean]], and [[Petrolia, Texas|Petrolia]], contributing to the $15&nbsp;million damage toll wrought by the twister in Clay County. Forty people were injured in the county.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F4-rated tornado damage between Wichita Falls and Dean, with F0-rated damage south of Petrolia.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}} The tornado uprooted 200&nbsp;trees along the Red River as it crossed into Oklahoma around {{cvt|4|mi}} east of [[Byers, Texas|Byers]] at 6:30&nbsp;p.m. CST.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}}{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} The tornado's path gradually curved towards the left after entering [[Oklahoma]], bringing it to areas southwest of [[Waurika, Oklahoma|Waurika]]. The most severe damage inflicted by the tornado in the state occurred alone Noble Wray Road, where 20&nbsp;homes were destroyed or damaged. The frame of one mobile home was greatly contorted and blown {{cvt|0.5|mi}} away.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} Fujita and Wakimoto assessed up to F2-level damage southwest of Waurika.{{sfn|Alberty|Burgess|Fujita|1980|p=1034}} The tornado dissipated just before 7:00&nbsp;p.m. CST north-northeast of Waurika.{{sfn|NOAA|1979b|p=21}} Widespread F0-intensity damage continued for {{cvt|30|mi}} past Waurika, though this damage was likely caused by a large downburst rather than a continuation of the tornado.{{sfn|Fujita|1979|p=3}}

[[File:1979 Wichita Falls tornado path.png|thumb|The path of the tornado.]] In total, the tornado was on the ground for approximately 70&nbsp;minutes, with of path {{cvt|47|mi}} long, including {{cvt|36|mi}} in Texas and {{cvt|11|mi}} in Oklahoma.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} Based on aerial surveys of the damage, the Institute for Disaster Research assessed the tornado as reaching F4 intensity and estimated that the tornado's maximum wind speeds reached {{cvt|175|–|225|mph}}.{{sfn|McDonald|Minor|1979|p=2}} The most extreme damage wrought by the tornado occurred at McNiel Junior High School and Southwest National Bank. Later engineering analysis of the higher-end damage suggested winds consistent with that of a strong F4 tornado, though there was ample preceding scientific discussion concerning whether or not the extreme damage could be graded as F5-intensity damage.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> Unlike most tornadoes, the corridor of strongest winds associated with the Wichita Falls tornado was unusually wide; the swath of F4-severity damage was nearly {{cvt|0.5|mi}} across in vicinity of Ben Milam Elementary School and the Faith Village neighborhood.<ref name="BurgessOUN" /> The thunderstorm that produced the Wichita Falls tornado also dropped hail up to {{cvt|2|in}} diameter in Wichita Falls north of the tornado path. Survivors of the tornado also observed hail the size of golf balls immediately preceding and following passage of the tornado.{{sfn|NOAA|1979a|p=17}} The broader winds associated with the [[mesocyclone]] that spawned the Wichita Falls tornado caused light damage throughout much of the city.<ref name="BurgessOUN" />
{{clear}}

== Aftermath ==
Within [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]] $63&nbsp;million in losses were eligible for federal disaster aid.<ref name="45Years" /> The apparent survivability of small interior rooms despite the widespread destruction of homes and businesses encouraged the development of reinforced [[safe room]]s. The viability of safe rooms and the high number of fatalities among those who fled their homes led to increased emphasis on seeking indoor shelter in [[tornado preparedness]], as opposed to the older idea of [[tornado myths#Opening windows to reduce tornado damage|opening windows to reduce tornado damage]].<ref name="SafetyMeasures">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Angela K. |title=1979 Wichita Falls twister led to safety measures |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/1979-Wichita-Falls-twister-led-to-safety-measures-8810762.php |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=Plainview Herald |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |date=April 9, 2004 |location=Plainview, Texas}}</ref>

April&nbsp;10, 1979, came to be known as "Terrible Tuesday" in the areas affected by the tornadoes along the Oklahoma–Texas border.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Braylel |title=Wichita Falls Museum of Art displays Terrible Tuesday exhibit |url=https://www.newschannel6now.com/2024/04/09/wichita-falls-museum-art-displays-terrible-tuesday-exhibit/ |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=News Channel 6 |agency=KAUZ |publisher=American Spirit Media |date=April 9, 2024 |location=Wichita Falls, Texas}}</ref><ref name="Recalling45">{{cite news |last1=Franklin |first1=Darrell |last2=Jackson |first2=Curtis |title=Recalling the aftermath of 'Terrible Tuesday' 45 years later |url=https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/recalling-the-aftermath-of-terrible-tuesday-45-years-later/ |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=Texoma'sHomepage.com |agency=KFDX/KJTL |publisher=Nexstar Media |date=April 10, 2024 |location=Wichita Falls, Texas}}</ref> In 1984, the NWS produced a documentary covering the Wichita Falls tornado, titled ''Terrible Tuesday'', in collaboration with the American Red Cross and [[FEMA]].<ref name="45Years" />{{sfn|Doswell|Moller|Brooks|1999|p=548}} One Wichita Falls park features a plaque with the names of the 45&nbsp;people who died during and after the Wichita Falls tornado, with a tree dedicated to each of the victims. Another park near the downtown area bears [[crape myrtle]] sculptures symbolizing the city's recovery.<ref name="SafetyMeasures" />
{{clear}}

== See also ==
* [[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
* [[List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Alberty |first1=Ron L. |last2=Burgess |first2=Donald W. |last3=Fujita |first3=T. T. |title=Severe Weather Events of 10 April 1979 |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=September 1980 |volume=61 |issue=9 |pages=1033–1034 |url=https://swco-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/727ade26-1991-43c1-a85f-44d79fab92f7/content |access-date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |format=PDF}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Bluestein |first1=Howard B. |title=The University of Oklahoma Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979 |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=1 June 1980 |volume=61 |issue=6 |pages=560–567 |doi=10.1175/1520-0477-61.6.560 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1980BAMS...61..560B }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Brooks |first1=Harold E. |last2=Doswell |first2=Charles A. |title=Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890–1999 |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=February 2001 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=168–176 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(2001)016<0168:NDFMTI>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2001WtFor..16..168B }}
* {{cite journal |first1=Ernest M.|last1=Agee|first2=Samuel|last2=Childs|title=Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology|date=June 1, 2014|volume=53|issue=6|pages=1494–1505|doi=10.1175/JAMC-D-13-0235.1|publisher=American Meteorological Society|doi-access=free|bibcode=2014JApMC..53.1494A |ref={{sfnRef|Agee and Childs|2014}}}}
* {{cite journal |author1=Center for Disease Control |title=Tornado Mortality — Wichita Falls, Texas |journal=Morbidity and Mortality Report |date=May 4, 1979 |volume=28 |issue=17 |pages=193–194 |doi=|jstor=23292453 |ref={{sfnRef|CDC|1979}}}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Doswell |first1=Charles A. |last2=Moller |first2=Alan R. |last3=Brooks |first3=Harold E. |title=Storm Spotting and Public Awareness since the First Tornado Forecasts of 1948 |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=August 1999 |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=544–557 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(1999)014<0544:SSAPAS>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1999WtFor..14..544D }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Ferretti |first1=R. |last2=Einaudi |first2=F. |last3=Uccellini |first3=L. W. |title=Wave disturbances associated with the red river valley severe weather outbreak of 10?11 April 1979 |journal=Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics |date=1988 |volume=39 |issue=3–4 |pages=132–168 |doi=10.1007/BF01030294|bibcode=1988MAP....39..132F }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Fuelberg |first1=Henry E. |last2=Jedlovec |first2=Gary J. |title=A Subsynoptic-Scale Kinetic Energy Analysis of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak (AVE-SESAME I) |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=December 1982 |volume=110 |issue=12 |pages=2005–2024 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<2005:ASSKEA>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1982MWRv..110.2005F }}
* {{cite report |last1=Fujita |first1=Ted |title=Characteristics of the Red River Valley Tornadoes as of April 15, 1979 |date=April 16, 1979 |url=https://swco-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f254292c-d45b-4180-807f-2b26375d6a0e/content |access-date=June 11, 2024 |publisher=Texas Tech University |format=PDF}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Glass |first1=Roger I. |last2=Craven |first2=Robert B. |last3=Bregman |first3=Dennis J. |last4=Stoll |first4=Barbara J. |last5=Horowitz |first5=Neil |last6=Kerndt |first6=Peter |last7=Winkle |first7=Joe |title=Injuries from the Wichita Falls Tornado: Implications for Prevention |journal=Science |date=15 February 1980 |volume=207 |issue=4432 |pages=734–738 |doi=10.1126/science.207.4432.734 |pmid=17795992 |bibcode=1980Sci...207..734G |ref={{sfnRef|Glass et al.|1980}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |author1-link=Thomas P. Grazulis |title=Significant Tornadoes, 1880&ndash;1989, Volume II: A Chronology of Events |date=November 1990 |publisher=Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=9781879362024 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yW5NAQAAIAAJ |via=Google Books |access-date=June 4, 2024 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Homan|first1=Jeffrey H.|last2=Vincent|first2=Dayton G.|date=1 May 1983|title=Mesoscale Analysis of Surface Variables During the Severe Storm Outbreak of 10–11 April 1979|journal=Monthly Weather Review|publisher=American Meteorological Society|volume=111|issue=5|pages=1122–1130|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1983)111<1122:MAOSVD>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=1983MWRv..111.1122H }}
* {{cite report |last1=Jedlovec |first1=Gary J. |last2=Fuelberg |first2=Henry E. |title=A Subsynoptic-Scale Kinetic Eenergy Student of the Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak (AVE-SESAME I) |type=NASA Contractor Report |number=3546 |date=August 1981 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19810023202/downloads/19810023202.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=NASA }}
* {{cite report |last1=McDonald |first1=James R. |last2=Minor |first2=Joseph E. |title=Preliminary Report on Tornado Damage Survey of the Wichita Falls and Vernon Texas Tornadoes of April 10, 1979 |date=April 20, 1979 |url=https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1924/ML19241C004.pdf |publisher=Institute for Disaster Research |location=Lubbock, Texas }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=James T. |last2=Fuelberg |first2=Henry E. |title=A Synoptic Analysis of the First AVE-SESAME '79 Period |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=1 November 1981 |volume=62 |issue=11 |pages=1577–1590 |doi=10.1175/1520-0477-62.11.1577 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1981BAMS...62.1577M }}
** {{cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=James T. |last2=Murray |first2=Joan M. |title=The Contribution of Surface, Horizontal Moisture Convergence to the Severe Convection of 10–11 April 1979 |journal=National Weather Digest |date=1982 |volume=7 |issue=1 |url=http://nwafiles.nwas.org/digest/papers/1982/Vol07No1/1982v007no01-Moore-Murray.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=National Weather Association |author-mask=1}}
* {{cite report |author1=National Weather Service Jackson, Mississippi |title=Flood History of Mississippi |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/jan/JAN/Hydro/Flood_History_MS.pdf |access-date=June 6, 2024 |date=September 12, 2016 |ref={{sfnRef|NWS Jackson|2016}}}}
* {{cite journal |title=April 1979 |journal=[[Storm Data]] |date=April 1979 |volume=21 |issue=4 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-541181C4-B65D-4FFB-BFB0-D04CD0D4A669.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601152739/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-541181C4-B65D-4FFB-BFB0-D04CD0D4A669.pdf |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1979a}}}}
** {{cite journal |title=May 1979 |journal=Storm Data |date=May 1979 |volume=21 |issue=5 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-D74C2658-B4D7-4584-BFE6-C23B2EFF127C.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601161419/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-D74C2658-B4D7-4584-BFE6-C23B2EFF127C.pdf |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1979b}}|author-mask=1}}
** {{cite journal |title=December 1979 |journal=Storm Data |date=December 1979 |volume=21 |issue=5 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/pub-pdf/storm_1979_12.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1979c}}|author-mask=1}}
** {{cite journal |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=National Summary |journal=Climatological Data |date=December 1979 |volume=30 |issue=13 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-4436565F-D121-4654-9ABA-CD67E5D46D65.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610224714/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-4436565F-D121-4654-9ABA-CD67E5D46D65.pdf |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1979d}} |location=Asheville, North Carolina }}
** {{cite report |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=Red River Valley Tornadoes of April 10, 1979 |type=Natural Disaster Survey Report |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/47160/noaa_47160_DS1.pdf|access-date=June 5, 2024|number=80–1 |date=January 1980 |location=Rockville, Maryland |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1980a}}|author-mask=1}}
** {{cite report |author1=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=The April '79 Floods of the Pearl and Tombigbee Rivers |type=Natural Disaster Survey Report |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/16363/noaa_16363_DS1.pdf|access-date=June 6, 2024|number=80–2 |date=April 1980 |location=Rockville, Maryland |ref={{sfnRef|NOAA|1980b}}|author-mask=1}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Negri |first1=Andrew J. |title=Cloud-top Structure of Tornadic Storms on 10 April 1979 from Rapid Scan and Stereo Satellite Observations |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=1 October 1982 |volume=63 |issue=10 |pages=1151–1159 |doi=10.1175/1520-0477-63.10.1151 |doi-access=free |publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode=1982BAMS...63.1151N }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Ostby |first1=Frederick P. |last2=Wilson |first2=Larry F. |title=Tornado! |journal=Weatherwise |date=February 1980 |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=31–35 |doi=10.1080/00431672.1980.9931883|bibcode=1980Weawi..33a..31O }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Pearson |first1=Douglas C. |title=Development of the Wichita Falls Tornado |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=December 1979 |volume=107 |issue=12 |pages=1673–1674 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1979)107<1673:DOTWFT>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1979MWRv..107.1673P }}
* {{cite report |last1=Peslen |first1=Cynthia A. |last2=Koch |first2=Steven E. |last3=Uccellini |first3=Louis W. |title=The Effect of the Arbitrary Level Assignment of Satellite Cloud Motion Wind Vectors on Wind Analyses in the Pre-Thunderstorm Environment |type=NASA Technical Memorandum |date=February 1985 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19850011255/downloads/19850011255.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |location=Greenbelt, Maryland }}
* {{cite conference |last1=Purdom |first1=James F. W. |last2=Weaver |first2=John F. |title=Nowcasting During the 10 April 1979 Tornado Outbreak: A Satellite Perspective |conference=12th Conference on Severe Local Storms |date=1982 |pages=467–470 |url=https://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/resources/Weaver/Conference%20PDFs/05%20Nowcasting.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |location=San Antonio, Texas |publication-place=Boston, Massachusetts }}
* {{cite report |last1=Williams |first1=Steven F. |last2=Scoggins |first2=James R. |last3=Horvath |first3=Nicholas |last4=Hill |first4=Kelly |title=A Preliminary Look at AVE-SESAME I Conducted on April 10–11, 1979 |type=NASA Technical Memorandum |number=TM-78262 |date=February 1980 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19800010360/downloads/19800010360.pdf |access-date=June 5, 2024 |ref={{sfnRef|Williams et al.|1980}} |publisher=NASA }}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Anthes |first1=Richard A. |last2=Kuo |first2=Ying-Hwa |last3=Benjamin |first3=Stanley G. |last4=Li |first4=Yu-Fang |title=The Evolution of the Mesoscale Environment of Severe Local Storms: Preliminary Modeling Results |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=September 1982 |volume=110 |issue=9 |pages=1187–1213 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<1187:TEOTME>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1982MWRv..110.1187A }}
* {{cite report |last1=Browning |first1=Peter A. |last2=Fuelberg |first2=Henry E. |title=Contributions of Divergent and Nondivergent Winds to the Kinetic Energy Balance of a Severe Storm Environment |type=NASA Contractor Report |date=June 1983 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19830020552/downloads/19830020552.pdf |number=3702 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |publisher=NASA }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Hill |first1=Kelly |last2=Wilson |first2=Gregory S. |last3=Turner |first3=Robert E. |title=NASA's Participation in the AVE-SESAME '79 Program |journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society |date=1 November 1979 |volume=60 |issue=11 |pages=1323–1329 |doi=10.1175/1520-0477-60.11.1323 |doi-access=free|bibcode=1979BAMS...60.1323H }}
* {{cite report |last1=Kalb |first1=Michael W. |title=Initialization of a Mesoscale Model for April 10, 1979, Using Alternative Data Sources |date=August 1984 |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19840026744/downloads/19840026744.pdf |type=NASA Contractor Report |number=3826 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |publisher=NASA }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Kocin |first1=P. J. |last2=Uccellini |first2=L. W. |last3=Petersen |first3=R. A. |title=Rapid evolution of a jet streak circulation in a pre-convective environment |journal=Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics |date=1986 |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=103–138 |doi=10.1007/BF01026169|bibcode=1986MAP....35..103K }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Zack |first1=John W. |last2=Kaplan |first2=Michael L. |title=Numerical Simulations of the Subsynoptic Features Associated with the AVE-SESAME I Case. Part I: The Preconvective Environment |journal=Monthly Weather Review |date=October 1987 |volume=115 |issue=10 |pages=2367–2394 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1987)115<2367:NSOTSF>2.0.CO;2|doi-access=free}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF6rzl0el-g NSSL footage of the Seymour, Texas, tornado]
* [http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/manes.htm A survivor's story (Joel Manes)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090923210547/http://www.47miles.org/ 47miles.org - A project to construct a memorial to the Wichita Falls tornado]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yD-o2HDkP4 Coming Back: Wichita Falls, TX Tornado - April 10, 1979 KAUZ-TV]
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.archives.arc.61107|name="Terrible Tuesday"}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
  | before = [[1975 Omaha tornado outbreak#Omaha tornado event|Omaha, NE]] (1975)
  | title  = Costliest U.S. tornadoes on record
  | years  = April 10, 1979
  | after  = [[1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado|Bridge Creek, Moore, & Oklahoma City (Metro), OK]] (1999)
}}
{{s-end}}

{{1979 tornado outbreaks}}
{{Alabama tornado events}}
{{10 costliest US tornadoes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1979-04-10 Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak}}
[[Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1979|Red River]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Texas]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Kansas]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Indiana]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Alabama]]
[[Category:Wichita County, Texas|Red River Tornadoes 1979-04]]
[[Category:1979 natural disasters in the United States|Tornadoes, Red River Valley]]
[[Category:April 1979 in the United States|Tornadoes, Red River Valley]]