1995 — May 5, Thunderstorm/flash flooding, roof collapse, lightning, Dallas area, TX-20-24

–22-24  Blanchard tally based upon breakouts below.[1]

—     22  Miller, J. “Fort Worth Hailstorm of 6 May 1995.” Senior manuscript, PSU, 4-26-1996.[2]

—     20  Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA (AP). “Storms rip into South, Midwest.” 5-9-1995, 3A.

—     20  NWS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX WFO. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995, Apr 22, 2010.

—     20  New Braunfels Herald Zeitung, TX. “Death toll from storm reaches 20.” 5-9-1995, 1.

—     20  TX State Historical Assoc. “Significant Weather, 1990s,” Texas Almanac.[3]

—     18  Paris News, TX (AP).  “Storm death toll hits 18 in Texas.” 5-8-1995, p. 1.[4]

—     17  History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, May 5, 1995. Hail Storm Surprises Dallas…

—   >16  LaNore. “Atmospheric Archive: Mayfest hailstorm; May 5, 1995.” Examiner, 5-4-2009

—   >14  Marshall, Tim. “The Fort Worth, Texas Hailstorm.” Storm Track.

Breakout by locality

—  2  Cherokee Co. Drowning, car. New Braunfels Herald Zeitung, TX. “Death…” 5-9-95, 1.[5]

–17  Dallas County, May 5. Flash Flooding; drownings. NCDC. Storm Data, 37/5, p. 205.[6]

–16  Dallas County, May 5, 19:48CST. Flash flood; drownings. NCDC Storm Data, 37/5, 207.[7]

–16  Dallas, flood-related. Smith, et al. “Extreme Rainfall…Flooding…” Oct 2001, 469.[8]

–15  Dallas County. Drowning. NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995.[9]

–5  Drownings, one family. AP. “Deadly storm…” Brazosport Facts, TX, 5-7-1995, 7A.[10]

–3  Drownings, pedestrians. Paris News, TX. “Storm death toll hits 18…” 5-8-95.

–2  Drownings. “Two individuals fell into high water and drowned.” The Mayfest Storm.

—  2  Dallas County, Dallas ~Love Field. Roof collapse/crushing, “from too much water…”[11]

—  2  Dallas Co. Lightning-related. NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995.

–1  Dallas. AP. “Deadly storm. At least 15 killed…” Brazosport Facts, 5-7-1995, 7A.

–1  Irving, May 5. Lightning, male, 15, at a birthday party. Storm Data 37/5, p. .207.

—  2  Parker Co., May 5. Flash flood, drownings. NCDC. Storm Data, 37/5, May 1995, p. 205.[12]

—  1  Tarrant Co., May 5. Flash flood; drowning, car, male, 21, “drove into a swollen creek.”[13]

Not used in tally – noting just to indicate our awareness.

—  1  Montague County near Forestburg, May 7, 1510CST. Tornado; male, 97.[14]

—  1  Randall County, west of Canyon, May 7. Tornado; male, 39, in or near his mobile home.[15]

 

Narrative Information

 

History.com: “The Dallas, Texas, area is hit by torrential rains and a severe hailstorm that leaves 17 dead and many others seriously wounded on this day [May 5] in 1995. The storm, which hit both Dallas and Tarrant counties, was the worst recorded hail storm to hit the United States in the 20th century.

 

“The storm came on a Friday afternoon, when warm weather had drawn many people to outdoor events in the area. It came on suddenly and many people had not yet sought shelter when tennis-ball-sized hail began to fall. Victims suffered broken bones, deep lacerations or bruises from the hail stones. The hail also broke windows, dented cars and trucks and destroyed crops. Air traffic throughout the country was delayed because of the sudden problems in Dallas. However, the hail was not responsible for the 17 people who lost their lives that day. Instead, it was the accompanying flash flooding that caused the 17 fatalities. Most of the deceased drowned after becoming trapped in their cars.” (History.com. This Day…History…May 5, 1995. “Hail Storm Surprises Dallas Residents.”)

 

Marshall: “Among the damages: over one hundred of the cities police cars were undriveable; every skylight was broken at the main library and city hall; a 9 month old male gibbon was killed at the zoo. During the height of the storm, 911 lines were jammed.

 

“At least 14 people were killed by the storm. Most people drowned while attempting to cross flooded roads. Several children died while playing around drainage culverts. Two people died when a roof collapsed when the roof was overloaded with rainwater.” (Marshall, Tim. “The Fort Worth, Texas Hailstorm.” Storm Track.)

 

Miller: “….After the hail passed, heavy rain began. As the rain hit the ice, it formed a dense fog (O’Hare, 1995). By the time the rain ended, the city streets of Fort Worth were waist deep in swirling water (O’Hare, 1995). Twelve people were killed by flash flooding, and one by lightning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (Pressley, 1995). Five drowned in southwest Dallas when rain runoff swept their vehicle into a creek; two were killed when the weight of the rain collapsed a roof at a Dallas clothing plant; and at least three drowned when the strong current of the water sucked them down a storm drain that had lost its manhole cover (Pressley, 1995).” “(Miller, J. “Fort Worth Hailstorm of 6 May 1995.” Abstract, senior manuscript, PA St. Univ., 4-26-1996.)

 

NCDC on North Central Texas Severe Thunderstorm, May 5: “Just after 1730 CDT, a thunderstorm developed rapidly on the Palo Pinto/Parker County line ahead of an intense squall line over the western part of north Texas. This storm quickly became severe, producing hail up to golf ball-size 18 inches deep across southern parts of Parker County, and flash flooding resulting in two deaths. The storm continued to intensify as it moved into Tarrant County around 1900 CDT, producing baseball-size hail in Benbrook. As the storm moved east-northeast across Fort Worth, softball-size hail was reported at many locations. At Mayfest, a large outdoor festival located at Trinity Park in Fort Worth, an estimated 10,000 people were caught in the open with little available shelter. Hail up to softball-size injured many people. The storm continued moving east-northeast across Tarrant County producing large hail, wind damage, and flash flooding producing rainfall, with one flash flood death.

 

“At 1948 CDT, as the storm began moving into Dallas County, the squall line that was to the west merged with the severe thunderstorm. This merger resulted in record rainfall and massive  flash flooding the remainder of the night across Dallas County, with 17 people drowned and many stranded by high water.

 

“Total estimated damage across Parker, Tarrant, and Dallas counties, from this storm, is estimated at over $1.2 billion, the costliest thunderstorm event in the history of the United States.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, 37/5, May 1995, p. 205.)

 

NWS, Dallas/Fort Worth: “During the late afternoon of May 5, 1995, a large cluster of severe storms approached the DFW Metroplex. These storms produced extremely large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall as they passed over Tarrant County. The hail swath included the bank of the Trinity River where the outdoor festival, Mayfest, was in progress. The storms caused an estimated $2 billion in damages in Tarrant and Dallas counties. This event remains one of the costliest hail storms in history.

 

“The storms struck Mayfest at 7:10 pm, where over 10,000 people were caught in the open with little shelter. Hail up to the size of softballs fell, resulting in over 400 injuries. There were no fatalities at the festival, although 60 people suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization.

 

“As the storms moved eastward, intense rainfall affected portions of Tarrant and Dallas counties. Rainfall rates approached 2.25 inches in 15 minutes over Dallas County and numerous reports of flash flooding were received. More than 350 cars sustained weather-related damage, including hail and water damage.

 

“Fatalities. One person died in western Tarrant County when he drove into a swollen creek. Fifteen people died in Dallas County. Several of the victims drove into high water and were swept away by floodwaters. Two individuals fell into high water and drowned. Four other deaths were also reported in Dallas County, including two lightning-related fatalities and two others due to a heavy-rain induced roof collapse.

 

“The Mayfest storms changed the way in which the local emergency management community and the National Weather Service communicate and collaborate to prepare for hazardous weather. As a result of these storms, the Tarrant County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.) is now located on-site at outdoor events in and around Fort Worth to relay weather information and provide emergency support.

 

“In the 15 years since Mayfest, National Weather Service offices across the country have strengthened their partnerships with the emergency management community. Here in North Texas, the National Weather Service in Fort Worth provides hazardous weather briefings to emergency managers and public safety officials several days in advance of high-profile, high-attendance events.”  (NWS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX WFO. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995, Apr 22, 2010.)

 

Smith, et al.: “During the evening of 5 May 1995, a supercell thunderstorm…passed over the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, producing softball-sized hail in Fort Worth and flash floods that resulted in 16 fatalities in Dallas. Total damages from flooding and hail made the ‘Dallas Supercell’ the first $1 billion thunderstorm in U.S. history (NOAA 1995).[16]…there were exceptional observations of the Dallas Supercell from the Dallas-Fort Worth Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler…and a dense network of rain gauges in the Dallas metropolitan area.” (Smith, et al. “Extreme Rainfall…Flooding from Supercell Thunderstorms.” Journal of Hydrometeorology, American Meteorological Society, V. 2, Oct 2001, pp. 469-489.)

 

Newspapers:

 

May 6:  “Dallas — A storm packing high winds and hail as big as softballs killed at least eight people and injured more than 100 others as it swept through the northern part of the state.  Police today are investigating reports that as many as 11 other people may have been swept away by flood waters, said police spokeswoman Vicki Hawkins.

 

“The storms Friday night [May 5], with winds topping 70 mph, also knocked out power briefly at an American Airlines terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, causing about 40 flights to be diverted. Windows were shattered on buildings and cars throughout the area.

 

“Flood waters poured into the emergency room at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, ruining electrical circuits and contaminating emergency equipment, spokeswoman Jennifer Coleman said. Patients in the emergency room were moved to another floor. The contamination will keep the department closed indefinitely until the equipment can be replaced, she said.

 

“At least two workers were killed when a 100-by-250-foot section of roof collapsed at the Haggar Pants Service Center warehouse during a vicious thunderstorm, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Bass said. After a four-hour search, rescue crews had thought they accounted for everyone in the warehouse. The search resumed a short time later after plant officials became concerned about temporary workers used at the plant who may be missing, said Carolyn Garcia, a Dallas Fire Department spokeswoman. At least 12 people from the building were taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

 

“The other six storm victims drowned, some apparently while trying to escape flooded vehicles, Garcia said. “People have been driving through high water. A lot try to get out and they got swept away from their cars,” she said.

 

“The violent storms also injured dozens of people at an outdoor festival in Fort Worth, about 30 miles west of Dallas. Ninety people were treated at Harris Methodist Fort Worth hospital for mostly minor injuries from hail and flying glass after they were caught exposed at the Mayfest, along the Trinity River west of downtown, said hospital spokeswoman Marie Chilton.

 

“Fort Worth storm victims were either treated at a triage center set up near the festival or taken to area hospitals, fire Lt. Kent Worley said. He said the injuries ranged from contusions caused by broken glass to bruises from hailstones up to 3½ inches in diameter.” (Indiana Gazette, PA (Mark Babineck, AP). “Texas storm packs hail the size of softballs.” 5-6-1995, p. 1.)

 

May 7:  “A storm inflicted high winds and hail as big as softballs on northern Texas on Friday night [May 5], killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 100….The storm caused extensive flooding, knocked out power to 16,800 customers and broke the windows of many buildings and cars. At times the wind exceeded 70 miles an hour.

 

“In one hour, some roads in Fort Worth were buried under two feet of hailstones. The American Airlines terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport temporarily lost power, and 40 flights were diverted.

 

“Flood water poured into the emergency room at the Baylor University Medical Center, ruining electrical circuits and contaminating equipment, said a spokeswoman for the hospital…. Patients were moved to another floor.

 

“At least two workers were killed when a 100-by-250-foot section of a roof collapsed at a warehouse for Haggar Pants, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Bass said. One report said the roof had been leaking for a week….

 

“Eleven people drowned, some apparently while trying to escape flooded vehicles; a 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by lightning, and a woman died in a house fire apparently sparked by lightning, the authorities said. Five of the drowning victims were from one family. The latest victim found was 2-year-old Jade Frazier. Searchers found her body tonight in a 20-foot tree above a creek that had been flooded.  Floodwater from the creek had swept her family’s car off a road; four of her relatives also were killed….

 

“Hail also damaged the Tarrant County convention center and jail, as well as the roof of a nursing home in Fort Worth, leading to the removal of 10 residents. A section of roof also caved in at Mrs. Baird’s Bread bakery in Dallas and started a fire….” (NYT. “Storm in Texas.” 5-7-1995.)

 

May 8:  “Dallas (AP) — The death toll from a string of powerful storms continues to rise as more

intense weather whips across North Texas. The count now stands at 18.

 

“A tornado barreled through the Panhandle early Sunday [May 7], killing one man and injuring five others. The body of a 21-year-old Fort Worth man also was found Sunday alongside a Tarrant County creek.

 

“Rescuers were still searching Sunday for three people who were dragged down a manhole by fierce flood waters in the Dallas area. Missing were two motorists trapped by rising water and a man who tried to help them, said Carolyn Garcia, a spokeswoman for the Office of Emergency Preparedness.  A whirlpool sucked all three into a tunnel that drains into the Trinity River. They are presumed dead, she said.

 

“Robert LeGrand, 38, was killed about 1:45 a.m. when a tornado smashed his mobile home, just north of Canyon, said Wayne Beighle, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Amarillo.  LeGrand’s body was found 130 feet from where he had stood on his front porch when the tornado touched down. His wife, Kim, and their two children were treated for minor injuries at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo and discharged, a hospital spokesman said.

 

“Amarillo authorities say at least eight mobile homes were destroyed and three houses heavily damaged in and near the Panhandle city.

 

“Late Sunday afternoon, authorities found the body of Edward Blanchard Jr., of Fort Worth, who drowned while trying to cross a flooded…Mary’s Creek.

 

“The National Weather Service reported more severe storms Sunday night and into this morning.  A short time before a tornado struck Ardmore, Okla., killing three people and leaving behind widespread devastation, a tornado touched down in Montague County, destroying 15 homes and damaging 30 others around Nocona and St. Jo.

 

“Winds gusted to 60-75 mph at numerous points in North Texas late Sunday. Large hail was reported in several areas, primarily west of Fort Worth.

 

“Flash flood warnings were in effect for most of the counties surrounding the Dallas-Fort Worth area as strong thunderstorms triggered rainfall throughout the night.

 

“Thirteen people drowned in the storms, some apparently trying to escape flooded vehicles, and another two were killed in lightning-related deaths, authorities said.” (Paris News, TX (AP).  “Storm death toll hits 18 in Texas.” 5-8-1995, p. 1.)

 

May 9: “Dallas (AP) – A group of first-graders have learned an unwelcome lesson about nature’s fury, which claimed the life of their teacher and 19 others over the weekend.

 

“A series of storms knocked the Lone Star State to its knees, particularly northern Texas, packing a punch loaded with deadly tornadoes, torrential rains and softball-sized hail.

 

“The death toll stood at 20 at last count.

 

“At University Park Elementary School in the Dallas suburb of Highland Park, officials helped students cope Monday with the death of longtime teacher Mary Goodloe, 63, who drowned Friday night [May 5].  Mrs. Goodloe’s husband, Robert, survived after being pinned between a guard rail and the couple’s car, which had become stalled in high water, police said.

 

“Principal Gail Hartin read “The Fall of Freddie The Leaf,” by popular author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia, to the 21 children in Mrs. Goodloe’s first-grade class on Monday, said district spokes-woman Linda Prichard. “It’s a very inspiring illustration about the delicate balance of life and death that both children and adults will understand,” she said.

 

“Also Monday, rescuers recovered the body of Cruz Aguilar, 34, one of three men who were missing since they washed down a manhole in Dallas on Friday night, said Charles Gaylor, a field agent with the Dallas County medical examiner’s office. The two other men were still missing and presumed drowned.

 

“In Cherokee County in East Texas, a car carrying two people attempted to follow a truck through a swollen creek on FM 855 near Cuney Monday night [May 8], witnesses said. The truck driver reportedly saw the car swept away by the rushing water. The Cherokee County Sheriffs Department, a dive team and other emergency personnel were searching for the car and the two occupants late Monday.

 

“Meanwhile, residents were cleaning up from the storms that demolished a body shop and damaged a private school as it moved through North Texas late Sunday.” (New Braunfels Herald Zeitung, TX. “Death toll from storm reaches 20.” 5-9-1995, 1.)

 

LaNore: “…the 1995 event will remain not a memory of frolic but of fear: it’s the day when the most intense hailstorm in United States history swept across Tarrant County, and right through the very heart of Cowtown. It also brought tragic floods to Dallas….

 

“About 10,000 people were crowded in and around Trinity Park when a Supercell thunderstorm popped up just ahead of a line of thunderstorms approaching west of downtown. It grew rapidly and struck with great ferocity just around suppertime.

“Many were trapped in the open; there was not enough cover to accommodate such a huge crowd. Hundreds were pelted by baseball-size (and larger) hail. Miraculously, no one was killed by the hail, but 109 people were injured with four of them critically. Many of those hurt were parents lovingly offering their own bodies as protection, shielding their children from the hail.
“As the storm tracked eastward it dropped hail to softball size on downtown Fort Worth with great damage to roofs, cars and high-rise windows throughout the path of the Supercell.
Among the damages: over one hundred of the cities’ police cars were totaled; every skylight was broken at the main library and city hall; an animal was killed at the zoo.

 

“As the storm moved eastward into Dallas County, tremendous rainfall rates of up to six inches per hour caused massive flooding. Hundreds of buildings were swamped and damaged by rampaging floodwaters with 166 multi-family dwellings a total loss.

“At least 16 people were killed by the storm in Dallas County; more than half drowned while attempting to cross flooded roads. Several children died while playing around drainage culverts.
Another example of the incredible power of this storm comes from near Love Field. The roof of the Haggar (clothing) plant near the airport collapsed from too much water, crushing two people to death. In addition, 21 people were injured, and 100 people were trapped by fallen debris.
When it was all added up, the storm did over ONE BILLION dollars in damage: by far the most destructive hailstorm in United States history.”  (LaNore, Steve. “Atmospheric Archive: Mayfest hailstorm; May 5, 1995.” Dallas Weather Examiner, 5-4-2009.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, Fort Worth. “Deadly storm. At least 15 killed as hail, floods shock Dallas area.” Brazosport Facts, TX, 5-7-1995, 7A. Accessed 2-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116370761&sterm=flash+flood

 

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA (AP). “Storms rip into South, Midwest.” 5-9-1995, 3A. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=153346915

 

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, May 5, 1995.  “Hail Storm Surprises Dallas Residents.”  Accessed 12/7/2008 at:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=05/05&categoryId=disaster

 

Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA (Mark Babineck, AP). “Texas storm packs hail the size of softballs.” 5-6-1995, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=112092493

 

LaNore, Steve. “Atmospheric Archive: Mayfest hailstorm; May 5, 1995.” Dallas Weather Examiner, 5-4-2009.  6-8-2012 at: http://www.examiner.com/article/atmospheric-archive-mayfest-hailstorm-may-5-1995

 

Marshall, Tim. “The Fort Worth, Texas Hailstorm.” Storm Track. Accessed 6-8-2012 at: http://www.stormtrack.org/library/1995/hail.htm

 

Miller, Jennifer. “Fort Worth Hailstorm of 6 May 1995.” Abstract of senior manuscript, Pennsylvania State University, 4-26-1996. 6-8-2012: http://www.ems.psu.edu/~diercks/miller.html

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 5, May 1995. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-24-2016 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-8CC1EC11-DC1D-4948-A66B-E0971CC7D587.pdf

 

National Weather Service Forecast Office, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995 (website). April 22, 2010 update. Accessed at:  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=mayfest15

 

New Braunfels Herald Zeitung, TX. “Death toll from storm reaches 20.” 5-9-1995, 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=114505292

 

New York Times. “Storm in Texas Kills 13; More Than 100 Arte Hurt.” May 7, 1995. At:  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7D9163CF934A35756C0A963958260

 

Paris News, TX (AP). “Storm death toll hits 18 in Texas.” 5-8-1995, p. 1.

 

Smith, James A., Mary Lynn Baeck, Julia E. Morrison, Paula Sturdevant-Rees.  “Catastrophic Rainfall and Flooding in Texas.” Journal of Hydrometeorology, Vol. 1, Is. 1, Feb 2000, pp. 5-25. At:  http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/1525-7541%282000%29001%3C0005%3ACRAFIT%3E2.0.CO%3B2

 

Smith, James A., Mary Lynn Baeck, Yu Zhang, Charles A Doswell III. “Extreme Rainfall and Flooding from Supercell Thunderstorms.” Journal of Hydrometeorology, American Meteorological Society, Vol. 2, October 2001, pp. 469-489. Accessed at:  http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1525-7541%282001%29002%3C0469%3AERAFFS%3E2.0.CO%3B2

 

 

 


 

[1] Our own tally of 22-24 is derived by counting (1) 15-17 Dallas County drowning fatalities (depending on which page in NCDC Storm Data (37/5, May 1995), or NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm, one looks at; (2) two lightning-related fatalities in Dallas County (NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm), (3) two fatalities due to a roof collapse in Dallas County (NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm), (4) two flash flood drowning deaths in Parker County, and (5) one vehicle related drowning fatality in Tarrant County (NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm). We do not include two automobile-related drowning fatalities in Cherokee County (New Braunfels Herald Zeitung. “Death Toll.”), because we have not been able to confirm. We use 20 deaths as low end of the range in that 20 is the figure used both by the NWS WFO, Dallas/Fort Worth and by the TX State Historical Society.

[2] We have not found another source citing 22 fatalities. However, when one looks at the reports listed herein, which note the type and locality of fatalities, one does see 20 deaths in Dallas/Fort Worth area, 2 in nearby Cherokee County (which we have not been able to confirm) and two tornado deaths on the 7th (unrelated to this storm).

[3] “A thunderstorm moved across the Dallas/Fort Worth area with 70 mph wind gusts and rainfall rates of almost three inches in 30 minutes (five inches in one hour). Twenty people lost their lives as a result of this storm…”

[4] Notes three more people were missing and presumed dead after being “dragged down a manhole by fierce flood waters in the Dallas area. Missing were two motorists trapped by rising waster and a man who tried to help them…A whirlpool sucked all three into a tunnel that drains into the Trinity River.” Cites Office of Emergency Preparedness.

[5] Southeast of Dallas/Fort Worth. We have not, however, been able to confirm these two fatalities; thus do not count.

[6] Storm Data has the deaths down during the “evening/nighttime” of May 5. It is possible some deaths were on 6th.

[7] Cannot explain difference between entry on page 205 noting 17 drowning deaths, and this one noting sixteen. Down further on same page in entry for Dallas, hours of 2000-2400 (8:00-midnight) CST, notes “16 people drowned, most were in cars trying to cross flooded intersections, low lying areas, or flooded creeks.”

[8] All 16 deaths are described as “flash-flood deaths in Dallas.” Highlighted in yellow to denote we are not using in our tally in that we use, instead, NCDC Storm Data note of “17 people drowned.”

[9] Highlighted in yellow to denote not using in our tally; we rely on NCDC Storm Data note of “17 people drowned.”

[10] Have read elsewhere that five people died in one vehicle after flood-water swept their car from the road.

[11] NCDC. Storm Data, 37/5, May 1995, p. 207. Also, NWS Dallas/Fort Worth. The Mayfest Storm: May 5, 1995.

[12] Parker County is just to the west of Fort Worth. Written for the May 5 Severe Thunderstorm is: “Just after 1730 CDT, a thunderstorm developed rapidly on the Palo Pinto/Parker County line ahead of an intense squall line over the western part of north Texas. This storm quickly became severe, producing hail up to golf ball-size 18 inches deep across southern parts of Parker County, and flash flooding resulting in two deaths. The storm continued to intensify as it moved into Tarrant County around 1900 CDT…” Appears to us to state there were two deaths in Parker Co.

[13] NWS Dallas/Ft. Worth. The Mayfest Storm. Also: NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 5, May 1995, pp. 205-206, which notes that at 1810 CST, the victim “drowned while attempting to cross St. Marys Creek at Link Hill Drive, abut one mile east of the Parker/Tarrant County line.” Also provides the age and date.

[14] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 5, May 1995, p. 209.

[15] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 5, May 1995, p. 194. Canyon is northwest of Dallas in the Texas Panhandle.

[16] NOAA. National Disaster Survey Report:  The Fort Worth-Dallas Hailstorm and Flash Flood of May 5, 1995.  Silver Spring, MD:  National Weather Service, 1995, 39 pp.