A deep low pressure system near the Four corners continued to move east, causing early morning thunderstorms to develop along the Texas Panhandle and into Oklahoma. A cold front was moving southeast across the state and entered our northwestern
counties around sunrise. The strength of the cap was sufficient to hamper any development until mid afternoon. Deep forcing for ascent approached from from the west while remnant boundaries associated with convection over far East Texas and West Louisiana moved in from the east. By 3:30 PM, several parameters came together for the rapid development of severe storms east of Interstate 35/35E. Pre-frontal convection led to the development of supercells, producing numerous tornadoes over a relatively small area. Additional storm development quickly developed along the cold front with several reports of large hail, and eventually producing a brief EF-0 Quasi-Linear Convective System (QLCS) tornado (Tornado #7).
The survey crew teams determined yesterday that there was a nearly 55 mile damage swath, yet found evidence that there were two tornadoes which caused the damage. One tornado began in western Henderson County and moved into central Van Zandt County. This tornado occluded and dissipated, and a second, long track tornado began nearby. This second tornado was the EF-3 which produced damage on the east side of Canton, Fruitvale, Emory, and finally dissipating near Lake Fork. The first tornado had
a track of approximately 12 miles, while the other had a track of nearly 42 miles.
It is known that four people lost their lives due to these tornadoes, and 59 people were injured.

Hail in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 18:59:00 to 29-APR-17 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Reports of slightly larger than quarter sized hail were called into the office.

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 18:13:00 to 29-APR-17 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHALBA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was observed by residents of southwest Van Zandt County, south of Van Zandt County road 2308. This tornado occurred over open fields and produced tree and ranch land damage.

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:00:00 to 29-APR-17 17:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG ROCK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 40.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is a continuation of the Henderson County tornado, as it moved into Van Zandt
County.
This tornado developed northeast of Log Cabin with the first visible damage associated to snapped trees. As the tornado moved north/northeast, a tall communications tower was snapped in half. Eventually, the tornado crossed paths with several homes which led to complete destruction and many debarked trees. The damage path continued to the northeast, eventually stopping near the intersection of Van Zandt County Road 2903 and FM 1256. As this tornado occluded and dissipated, the next tornado began in the next few minutes.

Tornado in HOPKINS, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:32:00 to 29-APR-17 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Residents recorded video of a tornado near FM 1567 and
County Road 1137 shortly after 530 PM.  Tornado briefly had multiple
vortices but generally maintained a width of around 100 yards. The
tornado traveled north along County Road 1131 with mainly tree
damage observed.  A metal barn was destroyed near CR 1131 and CR
1120. A home was damaged along FM 275 south of I-30 near the end
of the track. The home burned after a large tree limb fell on the
main powerline into the home.

Hail in HUNT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:17:00 to 29-APR-17 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: COMMERCE MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in RAINS, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:50:00 to 29-APR-17 18:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNBAR
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was a continuation from Van Zandt County. This  tornado began nearly as the last tornado dissipated to the south and west. The parent supercell cycled another tornado about a mile to the east and northeast of the previous storm. This tornado quickly grew to a large tornado, becoming slightly less than one mile wide at its widest point. The tornado was at the strongest near Interstate 20 and FM 17 just north of Canton. The survey crews found continuous damage between Canton and Fruitvale, and then additional damage as far north as Emory, and Lake Fork. Several homes, businesses, and farm buildings were damaged or destroyed in the 40 mile continuous damage path. This tornado occurred for over an hour, and spanned most of Van Zandt, and nearly all of Rains Counties during the 80 minute track.

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:08:00 to 29-APR-17 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALTON
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This  tornado began nearly as the last tornado dissipated to the south and west. The parent supercell cycled another tornado about a mile to the east and northeast of the previous storm. This tornado quickly grew to a large tornado, becoming slightly less than one mile wide at its widest point. The tornado was at the strongest near Interstate 20 and FM 17 just north of Canton. The survey crews found continuous damage between Canton and Fruitvale, and then additional damage as far north as Emory,
and Lake Fork. Several homes, businesses, and farm buildings were damaged or destroyed in the 40 mile continuous damage path. This tornado occurred for over an hour, and spanned most of Van Zandt, and nearly all of Rains Counties during the 80 minute track.

Tornado in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:51:00 to 29-APR-17 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STOCKARD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 40.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed northeast of Log Cabin with the first
visible damage associated to snapped trees. As the tornado moved
north/northeast, a tall communications tower was snapped in half.
Eventually, the tornado crossed paths with several homes which led
to complete destruction and many debarked trees. The damage path
continued to the northeast, eventually stopping near the
intersection of Van Zandt County Road 2903 and FM 1256. As this
tornado occluded and dissipated, the next tornado began in the next
few minutes.

Hail in LAMAR, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 19:30:00 to 29-APR-17 19:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARIS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters reported quarter sized hail.

Hail in HUNT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:08:00 to 29-APR-17 17:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: CADDO MILLS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:40:00 to 29-APR-17 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG ROCK
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 700.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The Henderson County tornado continued into Van Zandt County. A National Weather Service damage survey crew found the start of tornado number three began in Henderson County, approximately 3 miles due south of Eustace. This tornado eventually moved into Van Zandt County, where the storm produced EF4 damage. In  Henderson County, several homes suffered EF2 damage, along with a considerable amount of tree damage and damage to farm buildings. As the storm moved into Van Zandt County, the tornado  grew to a mile wide at the tornado's maximum width. Over 50 homes were either damaged or destroyed, with a continuous path noted between counties.

Hail in KAUFMAN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 17:20:00 to 29-APR-17 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: JIBA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Quarter to ping pong ball sized hail was observed along US 175 on the southeast side of Kaufman.

Hail in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:20:00 to 29-APR-17 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUSTACE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel hail was reported on the southeast side of Eustace.

Hail in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 15:36:00 to 29-APR-17 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEDAR CREEK RES NORT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Quarter sized hail was reported by amateur radio operators.

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:10:00 to 29-APR-17 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This brief tornado occurred in nearly the same area of the larger tornado that came through later. This tornado caused damage to trees and barns just southeast of the city center of Canton. The survey crew found evidence of a separate track than the larger tornado, which moved through the area about one hour later.

Hail in FANNIN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:43:00 to 29-APR-17 16:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAILEY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Bailey volunteer fire department reported ping pong ball sized hail.

Hail in HUNT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:17:00 to 29-APR-17 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: COMMERCE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One inch hail was reported on the southern side of Commerce.

Hail in RAINS, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 18:28:00 to 29-APR-17 18:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMORY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A report of ping ping pong ball sized hail was reported in Emory.

Tornado in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 16:29:00 to 29-APR-17 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAYNE SPRINGS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 90.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service damage survey crew found the start of tornado number three began in Henderson County, approximately 3 miles due south of Eustace. This tornado eventually moved into Van Zandt County, where the storm produced EF4 damage. In  Henderson County, several homes suffered EF2 damage, along with a considerable amount of tree damage and damage to farm buildings. As the storm moved into Van Zandt County, the tornado  grew to a mile wide at the tornado's maximum width. Over 50 homes were either damaged or destroyed, with a continuous path noted between counties.

Hail in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 15:30:00 to 29-APR-17 15:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOOL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A resident called to report quarter sized hail.

Tornado in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 15:15:00 to 29-APR-17 15:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAKLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 60.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Storm spotters and storm chasers observed a brief tornado to the southwest of Grand Saline. Damage to trees was observed by the survey crew from the National Weather Service office.

Hail in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 29-APR-17 15:33:00 to 29-APR-17 15:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOOL
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio