Tornadoes in Wichita Falls: History, Risk & Safety
On 10 April 1979 — remembered locally as “Terrible Tuesday” — a massive F4 tornado plowed through Wichita Falls, killing dozens and destroying thousands of homes. Here is the North Texas city's tornado history, risk, and safety picture.
At a glance
| Region | North Texas, near the Red River |
|---|---|
| Peak season | April through June |
| Deadliest event | 10 April 1979 F4 — dozens killed |
| Overall risk | High |
The tornado risk in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls lies in North Texas near the Red River, on the southern edge of Tornado Alley. Spring afternoons bring warm Gulf moisture, strong instability, and wind shear that can fire violent supercells along the dryline and frontal boundaries. The flat, open terrain gives tornadoes room to grow large, as the 1979 disaster made devastatingly clear.
Notable tornadoes in Wichita Falls history
10 April 1979 — “Terrible Tuesday”
Part of the wider Red River Valley outbreak, an enormous F4 tornado up to a mile and a half wide moved through Wichita Falls during the afternoon. It killed dozens of people — many of them in vehicles trying to flee — injured well over a thousand, and left thousands of families homeless. The tragedy became a landmark case in tornado safety, particularly the danger of trying to outrun a tornado by car.
A recurring North Texas threat
The Red River country around Wichita Falls sees tornadoes most springs. The vast majority are weak, but the region's history of large, fast-moving tornadoes keeps it firmly in the higher-risk category.
How tornado warnings reach Wichita Falls
Warnings for the Wichita Falls area are issued by the local National Weather Service forecast office and pushed through Wireless Emergency Alerts to mobile phones, NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and radio, and outdoor sirens where they exist. A tornado watch means conditions are favourable across a broad region; a tornado warning means one is imminent or occurring nearby and you should shelter immediately. Learn the difference on our watch versus warning guide.
Staying safe in Wichita Falls
Know your safe place before the season starts: a basement or storm shelter is best, otherwise a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. If you live in a mobile home, identify a sturdier building nearby, because manufactured homes offer little protection. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or phone alerts on during severe-weather setups, and never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle in congested areas. See the full tornado safety guide.
Wichita Falls in the bigger picture
“Terrible Tuesday” reshaped public guidance on what to do when a tornado approaches, especially the message to abandon vehicles and seek sturdy shelter. See how it fits the broader Texas tornado history.
Sources & further reading
- National Weather Service Norman/Fort Worth records — 10 April 1979 Red River outbreak
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm data
- Historical damage and fatality accounts
Historical details are drawn from public National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center, and NOAA records. Figures such as fatalities and ratings reflect widely published accounts and may be revised as records are re-analysed.