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The history and impact of the worst tornadoes to hit Texas in May
Seven of the 10 deadliest tornadoes in the state’s history occurred in May.
AUSTIN, Texas — May is not just the wettest month of the year in Central Texas, it’s also the most active as far as tornadoes.
At the Jarrell Memorial Park, a monument honors the 27 lives lost in one of the most violent tornadoes in Texas history. It’s the last F5 to occur in Texas after it touched down on a tragic afternoon in May.
Tornado climatology for the entire United States shows that May is the most active tornado month of the year, averaging 272 tornadoes nationwide. In the state of Texas, that trend is also clear.
From 1998 to 2022, Texas as a whole averages 15 tornadoes in March, 25 in April, and 38 in May. This means that roughly 29% of Texas tornadoes happen in May. Narrowing the focus to Central Texas showed similar numbers.
Analyzing a list from the National Weather Service of notable tornadoes in Williamson, Travis, and Hays counties from 1897 to 2011 shows that 24% of Central Texas tornadoes happened in May.
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The history books tell the story of May tornadoes. On the same day as the Jarrell F5, an F3 tornado touched down in Cedar Park causing extensive damage to an Albertson’s grocery store. Another tornado touched down near Lake Travis and was the first recorded F4 tornado to impact Travis County.
On May 24, 1946, an F4 tracked through Williamson County near Granger. On May 17, 1989, there was an F3 in the Jarrell area. It was a precursor to the big one.
Seven of the 10 deadliest tornadoes in Texas history, including Jarrell, occurred in May. The 27 trees in Jarrell Memorial Park were planted in memory of those who died in the 1997 storm.
A drive down County Road 305 just outside of Jarrell seems serene, but take a closer look at many of the homes in the area, and you’ll see underground storm shelters in the backyard.
Those precautions are the result of the storms that can happen here in Central Texas in May.