A rare winter tornado outbreak occurred on December 29 over portions of North Texas, spawning almost two dozen tornadoes.  Very high shear and low instability created an environment favorable for tornadoes.  A strong surface low pressure system and warm front located in southern North Texas increased the probablitity for low-level rotation.  In addition to tornadoes, severe reports of large hail and flash flooding were widespread.

Flash Flood in TARRANT, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 16:50:00 to 29-DEC-06 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT WORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Five locations were flooded near the intersection of Highway 287 and Berry Street.

Flash Flood in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 18:55:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WORTHAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Up to two feet of water was reported in and between Wortham and Kirvin along CR 27.

Tornado in ERATH, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:35:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEPHENVILLE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Many local residents saw a tornado touch down south of Stephenville.  The tornado apparently caused minor damage to trees and fences before lifting off just north of town.  Minor damage was also reported at a cement plant on the eastern edge of town.

Tornado in LEON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:45:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTERVILLE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

At least three barns and one residence were damaged on CR 977 near CR 210 and also at the intersection of FM 2045 and CR 4025.

Flash Flood in KAUFMAN, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 21:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TERRELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding reported on CR 429, FM 2727, FM 2578, FM 987, and CR 140 southeast of Terrell, while in Mabank the roof of a car service center collapsed from the weight of the rainwater.  The collapse of the roof damaged a car, some equipment, and the brick support walls.

Tornado in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:45:00 to 29-DEC-06 16:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIO VISTA
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that the tornado which originated in Hill County continued on its destructive northeast path into Johnson County.  Damage to sheds and vegetation was noted along County Roads 1205 and 1204.  The most significant damage to structures was found near FM 916, CR 1202, and CR 1205, northeast to near Highway 171.  Several structures were unroofed while others suffered partial roof loss.  Major damage to trees was also noted here.  Damage to homes and trees continued along the track near CR 421, CR 423, and CR 415 just north of Highway 4.  The tornado then crossed FM 2415.  The last observed damage was along the south shore of Lake Alvarado.  County officials reported that twenty-two residences were destroyed, twenty were heavily damaged, and twenty more had minor damages.  Ten people were taken to local hospitals.  Most were for minor injuries, but two suffered more serious injuries and were released from the hospital the next day.  The Governor designated Johnson County a disaster area.

Tornado in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 16:07:00 to 29-DEC-06 16:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALVARADO
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that a tornado formed about 3 miles north of Alvarado.  The tornado damaged a shed and caused roof and window damage to several structures along CR 604, east of the Happy Hill community, before dissipating.

Tornado in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:41:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALLEY MILLS
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that a brief tornado formed northwest of Valley Mills and caused damage to trees along County Road 3310.

Flash Flood in TARRANT, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 19:02:00 to 29-DEC-06 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT WORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

West Weatherford Street barricaded due to continued flash flooding.

Flash Flood in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 20:41:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TEAGUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A car was submerged in flood waters at the intersection of FM 1365 and CR 901 with water up to its headlights.  A high water rescue was required.

Flash Flood in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 20:44:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GROESBECK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

FM 937 just south of Groesbeck was under water due to flooding.

Tornado in CORYELL, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:01:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: OGLESBY
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Fort Worth revealed that a tornado developed just south of CR 315 and moved rapidly north-northeast.  It damaged numerous trees along CR 315 and FM 107.  As the tornado moved just west of Oglesby, it damaged homes and sheds along CR 303, CR 305, and CR 306.  A home south of CR 306 had shingles and a portion of roof decking removed.  The tornado dissipated just north of Highway 84.

Tornado in HILL, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:25:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUM
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that a tornado developed west of FM 933 and south of CR 1145.  Tree damage was noted as the tornado crossed FM 933 and FM 67 one mile southeast of Blum.  The tornado apparently increased in size and intensity after crossing FM 67.  A large grain silo was toppled over on CR 1137, roughly 1.5 miles northeast of Blum.  Extensive tree and power pole damage was also noted.  The path width was over a quarter of a mile at this time.  As the tornado crossed County Roads 1136 and 1133, widespread tree damage was noted, as was structural damage to roofs and windows.  The tornado then moved across FM 2488 just south of the Johnson County line, where a well-engineered home lost portions of roof decking and a large barn was destroyed.  Portions of the barn's metal skin were carried over a mile to the north-northeast.  The tornado then crossed into Johnson County.

Tornado in PALO PINTO, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:13:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINERAL WELLS
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Minor structural damage to the front part of the roof of a house was reported.  Public report relayed by Emergency Manager.  No other damage reported.

Tornado in ERATH, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:20:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDER
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several residents reported seeing a tornado near Alexander.  A local dairy was destroyed, as was a barn.  Damage to fences and trees was also reported.  Numerous cows were killed.

Tornado in ERATH, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:45:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEPHENVILLE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tornado was reported on the ground at Highway 377 North moving north towards CR 176.  No damage was reported.

Tornado in LEON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:33:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORMANGEE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Power lines were downed near Normangee.  This tornado was a border-crosser and moved from Madison County north into Leon County.

Tornado in LEON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 16:12:00 to 29-DEC-06 16:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Damage was reported along Highway 79 east of Buffalo.

Flash Flood in HUNT, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 21:56:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: QUINLAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Flooding was reported at CR 1565 and CR 35.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 18:20:00 to 29-DEC-06 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PALESTINE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Downed trees and power lines blocked numerous areas of downtown Palestine including South Magnolia at Bowers Street and Stephanie Drive, and Pecan, West Carolina, Timberline, and East Neches Streets.

Tornado in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:42:00 to 29-DEC-06 14:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: KOSSE
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey was conducted by a team from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Fort Worth, and they found that a tornado formed near Kosse.  The first sign of damage found by the survey team  was uprooted trees along CR 662.  The tornado took a north-northeast track and several areas of large uprooted trees were found along CR 660, CR 656, CR 644, FM 1246 and FM 147.  Damage to barns, sheds, and roofs was also found in this stretch.
Substantial damage was found along CR 635 were a home was struck, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.  Portions of the roof were removed and an adjacent barn was heavily damaged.  A barn was destroyed along the adjacent road CR 633.  The next significant damage was along Highway 164 just west of Groesbeck, where several homes, barns, and trees suffered considerable damage.  Numerous livestock were killed along the path.  A total of about sixty homes and businesses were damaged in Limestone County, and it has since been designated a disaster area by the Governor.
The tornado then continued north into Fort Parker State Park.  Lack of damage here indicated that the tornado dissipated nearby.

Tornado in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 13:48:00 to 29-DEC-06 13:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLIFTON
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and concluded that a weak tornado touched down east-southeast of Clifton.  Tree damage and minor roof and window damage was noted along CR 3350 and CR 3355.

Tornado in ROBERTSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 17:54:00 to 29-DEC-06 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEARNE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Hearne Fire Department reported a tornado on the ground near the Milam/Robertson County line.  No damage was reported.

Flash Flood in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 21:30:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: KIRVIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A car stalled in rising flood waters Friday night as heavy rains accompanied thunderstorms.  The passengers all managed to get out of the car but were immediately swept away.  The woman who was driving and her daughter made it to safety, but the other passenger, a small boy, was not found until several days later.

Funnel Cloud in JACK, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:30:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PERRIN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Funnel cloud spotted but not a confirmed tornado.  No damage was reported.

Tornado in JACK, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:40:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRUCE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Bowie Police Department relayed a public report of a tornado in northeast Jack County near the Montague County line.  No damage was reported.

Hail in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:52:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEBURNE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Golfball-size hail reported on Main Street.

Lightning in BELL, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 19:30:00 to 29-DEC-06 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TEMPLE
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning started a fire at an apartment complex, causing smoke and fire damage in four units upstairs, and smoke and water damage in the four units below.  At least ten to twelve people were displaced by the fire.

Lightning in HUNT, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 20:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVILLE
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck a utility substation and knocked out power to some 1,200 residences and businesses.

Flash Flood in NAVARRO, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 19:45:00 to 29-DEC-06 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORSICANA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Flash flooding was reported on Seventh Avenue and Oaklawn by the Corsicana Police Department.

Tornado in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 14:53:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLIFTON
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and concluded a tornado formed east of Clifton.  The tornado took a northeast track and went on to damage trees along CR 3355 just south of FM 708.  The tornado also heavily damaged a turkey farm at the intersection of CR 3355 and FM 708.  Debris from the turkey farm was scattered over a quarter mile northeast of the farm.  The tornado continued northeast and heavily damaged two barns on CR 3440 south of the Womack community.  Trees and fences were damaged along CR 3410 and CR 3415 just south and east of Womack.  The tornado then crossed FM 219 east of Womack and dissipated near the intersection of FM 219 and Highway 22.

Hail in BELL, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 16:17:00 to 29-DEC-06 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TEMPLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Nickel-size hail was reported in Temple at 4:17 PM CST and in Troy at 4:30 PM CST.

Tornado in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 14:12:00 to 29-DEC-06 14:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEXIA
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This weak tornado took a north-northeast track.  It caused minor tree, barn, and shed damage along Highway 171 and FM 3119.

Tornado in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 15:07:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLIFTON
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Sevice in Fort Worth conducted a storm survey and concluded a tornado formed approximately two miles south of the Canyons subdivision on the west shore of Lake Whitney.  Only tree damage was found, and the tornado dissipated after traveling less than a mile.

Tornado in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 19:30:00 to 29-DEC-06 19:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: PALESTINE
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A tornado formed near the intersection of CR 403 and CR 404 and moved north to near Elmwood, causing damage to homes, trees, sheds, and power lines.  Trees were split, twisted, and uprooted.  The county judge surveyed the damage and found the worst to be between FM 315 and CR 404.

Tornado in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 17:50:00 to 29-DEC-06 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: PALESTINE
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Structural damage to homes was reported near the intersection of FM 1990 and Highway 294.  Roofs were partially removed, trees were blown onto houses, and trees and power lines blown down.  One house on CR 2137 just off FM 1990 had the ceiling cave in.  In addition, the front porch was completely removed from the house and found in pieces over a hundred yards away.  A horse trailer in the backyard was thrown about fifty yards from its original location and landed on its side.

Tornado in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 16:55:00 to 29-DEC-06 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: BETHEL
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Spotters confirmed a tornado on the ground west of Tennessee Colony and south of Bethel.  Some structural damage was reported.

Tornado in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-DEC-06 18:34:00 to 29-DEC-06 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: POYNOR
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

At least two dozen houses were damaged in Poynor Friday night as a tornado ripped through the community.  Dozens of sheds, barns, and storage units were demolished.  Significant damage to roofs and garages occurred at residences, while dozens of fences and trees were blown down.  At least one home was considered a total loss.  A metal support beam from a destroyed storage unit was driven through a truck, and the truck was then rolled onto its side by the strong winds.  Numerous other vehicles were rolled and damaged by debris.  In addition, houses which had portions of their roofs removed sustained heavy water damage from the rainfall following the tornado.