The 1995 Fort Worth Mayfest storm is a supercell storm that occurs May 5-6 in the Fort Worth and Tarrant County areas of Texas. It affects a very crowded area with hail to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, as well as striking a local outdoor festival known as Fort Worth Mayfest. At a time when the storm was the most expensive snow storm in US history, causing more than $ 2 billion in damage. The hail injured at least 100 people, and flash floods and lightning from the same storm killed at least 13 people.
Video 1995 Mayfest Storm
Cause
The cause of one of the most destructive ice storms in recent history is the suddenly high-rising rainfall supercell in front of and near the crescent moon of fast-moving bows. Supercell dies as quickly as it is formed when swallowed by a forward arc echoes. The upper air sounded from Fort Worth that night showed the perfect environment for high rainfall storms with sliding sharply in the lowest layers, moderately weak mid-level winds, and strong, high-level winds of 60-70 mph.
Maps 1995 Mayfest Storm
Warning
Very few warnings about the storm are given, especially for those most vulnerable in the open at Mayfest and this causes injury, damage and casualties associated with this system.
Impact and damage
Supercell produces damage in large areas (about 50 miles or 80 kilometers long and 10 miles or 16 kilometers wide) to the south and center of Tarrant County. Hail covering an area of ​​4 inches (10 cm) in diameter fell at 10,000 people at around 7:30 pm CDT. This causes 90 injuries requiring hospitalization, including broken bones, deep lacerations and bruises, with more minor injuries. Many people took refuge in the car after being caught outside in the hail, but the windscreen broke, causing numerous cuts from broken glass. Huge hail damages cars, roofs and houses. More than 80 reports of significant damage are reported, with floored buildings that bear the brunt of the damage. The buildings of Fort Worth Savings and Loan are almost destroyed. Many cars were totally destroyed, and some houses were badly damaged. The western part of Fort Worth, in the Ridglea and Ridgmar areas where many homes and commercial structures have slate roof tiles, suffered major damage to the roof and underlying structures. The storm also cut electricity to 55,000 homes in the Tarrant area of ​​Fort Worth.
Wind damage is also a feature of this powerful storm. Wind 60-70 mph (100-120 km/h) wind damages the roof, blows many trees down and causes some buildings to collapse.
Once the supercell was taken over by the squall line, it slowed down considerably, and heavy rain caused flash floods and at least 13 fatalities. Most of the drowning occurred while trying to cross the flooded road. Some children died while playing around drainage culverts, and two people died when the roof filled with rain water collapsed. The combination of heavy rain and hail creates a dense mixture of hail and water, blocking the waterways and making the journey difficult, and creating a thick fog, adding to the severity of the flood and hampering rescue efforts.
The 9-1-1 line stalled during a storm as so many people were caught unaware of the danger. Overall, the storm caused damage in the range of 1 billion dollars, and with an increase in insurance premiums, the actual cost may be even greater.
Legacy
The storm caught many meteorologists and the people at Mayfest were off guard. The strong impact of supercell drives a great response from everyone, volunteers and professionals.
Starting a year after the storm and continuing since then, volunteers from RACES - Civil Radio Amateur Emergency Services - set up and operate a mobile weather command center in Mayfest. The center of the phone is equipped with an antenna, radio and computer connected to the NWS office emergency management team of Fort Worth and city police in the park.
With this new technology, events can be cleared from people in 30 minutes if bad weather occurs.
See also
- List of expensive or deadly hailstorms
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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