A tornado warning was issued Monday evening for Crosby and Dickens Counties in Texas, putting people in both counties under an immediate order to take cover. The alert went out at 6:16 PM local time and was scheduled to remain in effect until 6:30 PM local time.
The NWS described the warning as extreme and said the threat was observed, not merely possible. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 6 miles west of Dickens and was moving northeast at 35 mph, with the storm expected to be near Dickens around 6:20 PM CDT.
That meant the danger window was short but urgent. Flying debris was described as dangerous to anyone caught without shelter, and the alert said mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. Roofs, windows and vehicles were also expected to take damage, with tree damage likely as the storm moved through the area.
People in Crosby and Dickens Counties were told to take cover now, move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, and stay away from windows. Those outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle were instructed to get to the closest substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris.
The warning’s brief life adds to the uncertainty around what happened next. The alert was set to end at 6:30 PM local time, and no further detail was provided here on whether it was extended, canceled or followed by a confirmed tornado.
