City of Wichita Falls gives update on storm damage, next steps

Posted: Aug 11, 2023 / 12:08 PM CDT

Updated: Aug 11, 2023 / 02:10 PM CDT

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The City of Wichita Falls has provided an update on the storm damage and how officials are responding.

Public Information Officer Chris Horgen led the briefing alongside Wichita Falls Police Sgt. Charlie Eipper and Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson.

COOLING SHELTERS

The high for Friday, August 11, is expected to get up to 110°, and many residents are still without power.

Horgen said there are two cooling stations currently open to the public: the Red Cross on 5th Street and Evangel Temple on Barnett Road.

Both the Red Cross location and Evangel Temple will be open until 8 p.m. Friday, and both are pet-friendly.

At this time, no overnight shelters for those who experienced storm damage have been opened.

CITY UTILITIES

Horgen announced that City utilities are all continuing to work throughout the day. He said trash pickup may be a bit delayed due to road conditions, but trash is still running.

Buses are running, but they also might be delayed due to debris in the road and taking different routes to avoid damage.

Several traffic lights across town are currently not functioning because of power interruptions.

The City has set up stop signs at many of those locations, but Horgen asked drivers to pay attention to others on the road.

DEBRIS AND DAMAGE

A dump spot has been opened at Lucy Park for tree limb debris. The spot will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through next Friday. No other debris should be dumped there.

If you have other debris, the Wichita Falls Transfer Station is open.

The City of Wichita Falls is currently waiving the fees for building permits in order to get emergency repairs done. Building permits will still be required, though.

To file for a building permit, call (940) 761-7459.

If any citizens come across downed power lines, Horgen cautions them to stay away from the area.

Horgen also asked residents to avoid areas with the most damage and not go just to look.

WFPD

Sgt. Eipper said the Wichita Falls Police Department will be operating normally, although with some systems down.

Additional officers were on duty overnight to monitor some of the areas that were damaged or had power outages.

Sgt. Eipper emphasized that the phones for the police station and dispatch are still working, so emergency calls or calls to the police department will not be interrupted.

At this time, the police department and the City have not heard of any reported injuries caused by the storm or damage from it.

WICHITA COUNTY RESPONSE

Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson also spoke and said the Wichita County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex are both closed until further notice.

Johnson said all courts have been canceled for the day, as well.

Judge Johnson said that the County Emergency Management team is sending photos and assessments of the damage to the National Weather Service who will definitively determine what caused the damage.

The current understanding is that the damage was caused by a series of downbursts, which can cause damage similar to that of a tornado.

Horgen addressed concerns of residents on the lack of a warning before the severe weather event and said that downbursts can happen in seconds, and there often is very little to no warning ahead of time.

Severe Weather Definitions

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Issued when there is evidence based on radar or a reliable spotter report that a thunderstorm is producing, or about to produce, wind gusts of 58 mph or greater, structural wind damage, and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or greater.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Is issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms over a larger-scale region. Tornadoes are not expected in such situations, but isolated tornado development cannot be ruled out.

PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch
PDS stands for "Particularly Dangerous Situation" and is issued by the SPC when conditions are favorable for the development of high-end severe thunderstorms over a larger region. In this situation the SPC believes multiple events of extreme severe weather with significant wind damage are likely to occur. Citizens should alter their daily routine and listen for further updates when this watch is issued. Tornadoes are not expected in such situations, but isolated tornado development cannot be ruled out and widespread straight-line wind damage is likely.

Tornado Warning - Observed or Radar Indicated
Issued when there is evidence based on radar or a reliable spotter report that a tornado is imminent or occurring.

Tornado Warning - Considerable
Issued when a reliable spotter reports the existence of a tornado (therefore, it is confirmed, not radar indicated) and it is doing considerable damage.

Tornado Warning - Catastrophic
Issued when a reliable spotter reports the existence of a tornado (therefore, it is confirmed, not radar indicated) and it is doing extreme damage that is considered catastrophic; complete destruction is possible.

Tornado Watch
Is issued by the Storm Prediction Center when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over a larger-scale region.

PDS Tornado Watch
PDS stands for "Particularly Dangerous Situation" and is issued when the SPC believes that a large outbreak of long-lived, large and violent tornadoes is likely. This is a high-end tornado watch. People in a PDS Tornado Watch should change their daily routines to ensure they are weather aware and prepared to take action with little notice.

Significant Weather Advisory
Issued for strong thunderstorms that are below severe levels, but still may have some adverse impacts. Usually issued for the threat of wind gusts of 40-58 mph or hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

Flash Flood Watch
Issued generally when there is the possibility of flash flooding or urban flooding over an area within the next 36 hours.

Flash Flood Warning
Issued when flash flooding is imminent, generally within the next 1 to 3 hours. Usually issued based on observed heavy rainfall (measured or radar estimated), but may also be issued for significant dam breaks that have occurred or are imminent.

Flood Watch
Issued when there is the possibility of widespread general flooding over an area within the next 36 hours.

Flood Warning for River Forecast Point
Issued when a river gauge has exceeded, or is forecast to exceed, a predetermined flood stage.

Flood Advisory
Issued when flooding is imminent or occurring, generally within the next 1 to 3 hours, but is not expected to substantially threaten life and property.

Wind Advisory
Issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph are expected for 1 hour or longer.

High Wind Warning
Issued when sustained winds of 40 mph or more are expected for 1 hour or longer, or for wind gusts of 58 mph or more with no time limit. A High Wind Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

Dense Fog Advisory
Issued when fog is expected to reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less.

Heat Advisory
Issued when maximum daytime heat index values are expected to reach or exceed 105°F on at least 2 consecutive days, with intermediate low temperatures of 75°F or higher.

Excessive Heat Warning
Issued when maximum daytime heat index values are expected to reach or exceed 110°F on at least two consecutive days, with intermediate low temperatures of 75°F or higher. An Excessive Heat Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

Frost Advisory
Issued when nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to range from 33°F to 36°F in the growing season.

Freeze Warning
Issued when nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to reach 32°F or lower in the growing season. They are usually issued to highlight the first few freezes of the fall, or unusually late freezes in the spring. A Freeze Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

Air Stagnation Advisory
Issued only at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whenever atmospheric conditions are stable enough to cause air pollutants to accumulate in a given area.

Blowing Dust Advisory
Issued when blowing dust is expected to reduce visibility to between 1/4 and 1 mile, generally with winds of 25 mph or greater.

Dust Storm Warning
Issued when blowing dust is expected to reduce visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less, generally with winds of 25 mph or more.

Dense Smoke Advisory
Issued when smoke is expected to reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less.

Fire Weather Watch
Issued when dry vegetation and conditions favoring extreme fire danger are expected 12 to 72 hours in the future.

Red Flag Warning
Issued when dry vegetation and conditions favoring extreme fire danger are expected, generally within 24 hours.

Snow Advisory
Issued when accumulating snow of 2 to 4 inches is expected. An advisory may still be warranted if lesser accumulations will produce travel difficulties, especially early in the winter season.

Blowing Snow Advisory
Issued when blowing snow is expected to occasionally reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less with winds generally 25 to 34 mph. The event should last at least 3 hours.

Snow and Blowing Snow Advisory
Issued when winds of 25 to 34 mph are expected to be accompanied by falling snow and blowing snow, occasionally reducing the visibility to 1/4 mile or less. The event should last at least 3 hours.

Freezing Rain/Drizzle Advisory
Issued for freezing rain when ice accumulations are expected to cause travel problems, but not exceed 1/4".

Sleet Advisory
Issued for accumulating sleet of 1/4" to 1". Because sleet usually occurs with other precipitation types, a winter weather advisory will almost always be used in such cases.

Winter Weather Advisory
Issued for a winter weather event in which there is more than one hazard present, but all precipitation is expected to remain below warning criteria. For example, it would be issued if 2 inches of snow were expected with a small amount of sleet mixing in at times.

Wind Chill Advisory
Issued when wind chill values will reach -5°F to -19°F, with wind speeds around 10 mph or more.

Wind Chill Warning
Issued when wind chill values will reach -20°F or colder, with wind speeds around 10 mph or more. A Wind Chill Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

Ice Storm Warning
Issued when a period of freezing rain is expected to produce ice accumulations of 1/4" or greater, or cause significant disruptions to travel or utilities.

Heavy Sleet Warning
Issued when a period of sleet is expected to produce ice accumulations of 1" or greater, or cause significant disruptions to travel or utilities.

Heavy Snow Warning
Issued when snow is expected to accumulate 4 inches or more in 12 hours, or 6 inches or more in 24 hours.

Winter Storm Warning
Issued for a winter weather event in which there is more than one hazard present, and one of the warning criteria listed above is expected to be met. For example, it would be issued if 5 inches of snow were expected in 12 hours, with some sleet mixing in at times. It is commonly issued for heavy snow with strong winds of 25-34 mph that will cause blowing and drifting of the snow. A Winter Storm Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

Blizzard Warning
Issued for sustained wind or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more. A Blizzard Watch is issued when these conditions may be met 12 to 48 hours in the future.

COOLING SHELTERS

CITY UTILITIES

DEBRIS AND DAMAGE

WFPD

WICHITA COUNTY RESPONSE

Daily News

Severe Weather Definitions

Links and Resources

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