NWS Lubbock

1968: A small, but historically significant tornado outbreak occurred late this afternoon and evening over parts of the TX
Panhandle and South Plains. Tornadoes, some very large, were reported in the following counties: Deaf Smith, Swisher,
Hale, Hockley, and Garza. By far the most significant of these tornadoes was in fact the largest tornado ever recorded on
the Texas South Plains...a 2 to 3 mile wide wedge that wiped out several farms northwest of Edmonson before turning
southeast and striking the town directly. Incredibly, no one was injured from this massive tornado as most residents
either took refuge in storm cellars or drove in their vehicles to outrun the storm. The tornado only traveled about five
miles, but its damage was found to be as wide as three miles at times. At least three smaller tornadoes accompanied the
giant tornado and were observed dancing around the large vortex. Bill Bohner provided a firsthand account of his
experience in dodging the tornado that damaged his homestead. This tornado chased him all the way to Edmonson. He stated,
"The huge vortex was first sighted (about 5:10 PM) west of Kress moving eastward. It then turned directly south to
Edmonson". Bohner started out for Edmonson in his pickup and reached the S-curve just north of the town when a
3/4-mile thick wall of sand being pushed ahead of the tornado caught him. Utility pole damage indicated the tornado
followed the S-curve of the road, making a jog to the east, then continued southward along the Edmonson-Center Plains
Farm-to-Market road into Edmonson. Top soil in one field was stripped perfectly clean along a width of 1/4-1/2 mile and
many others were so badly eroded there was no distinguishable bed left. Almost every family in the Edmonson area suffered
some damage either to property or crops. The home, outbuildings, car, machinery, and all equipment of the Ralph Louthan
farm about three miles northwest of Edmonson was destroyed. The M.O. Peugh, Bill Bohner and Charles Martin farms were
heavily damaged. In Edmonson, two mobile homes of Mr. Mason and Orville Slaughter were completely destroyed. Several homes
suffered severe roof and window damage. All three grain elevators were heavily damaged along with three fuel businesses.
Total damage to property and crops was said to be $1M. Later, additional tornadoes were sighted south of Tulia, five miles
southeast of Plainview and also seven miles north of Smyer. None of these tornadoes produced any known damage. By 8 PM,
sections of the Lubbock metro area were lashed by 84 mph winds and hail as large as baseballs. A house trailer measuring
12x60 feet was demolished at Wandering Ways Travel Court located on Quirt Avenue north of Loop 289. The occupants were not
home at the time. Another smaller trailer was blown into the street in the vicinity of North University Ave and Clovis Rd.
A new bank building was perhaps the hardest hit as high winds shredded safety walks around the construction site and
hurled large planks onto nearby cars and tossed huge sections across the street. A large sign at Loop 289 and Amarillo
Highway was blown down and across an automobile trapping the occupants inside. The final severe storm of this outbreak
struck east of Post early this night when a small tornado caused about $10,000 in property damage to the Giles Dalbys
Cross H Ranch seven miles east of the city. One large barn was blown away