Very strong instability developed across the South Plains this afternoon east of a sharp dryline. Scattered thunderstorms developed along the length of this dryline by 1600 CST and slowly matured into severe thunderstorms, including supercells. A remnant outflow boundary near the US Highway 84 corridor drifted west and interacted with an already stout supercell in southwest Lubbock County. This supercell proceeded to anchor to this boundary as it moved slowly southward and supported at least two sizable tornadoes in Lynn County over the next two hours. One of these tornadoes lasted 65 minutes and grew very intense with over 150 knots of gate-to-gate rotation noted per the Lubbock WSR-88D. These tornadoes narrowly missed population centers such as Tahoka and O'Donnell, but extensive lead time from warnings and excellent storm spotter reports gave the public plenty of time to seek shelter. This prolific supercell also produced very large hail to tennis ball size, intense RFD winds over 80 mph, and flash flooding.

Tornado in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 16:45:00 to 05-MAY-19 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOME ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 36.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Storm chasers observed what at first looked to be a harmless gustnado southeast of New Home, but this innocuous dirt whirl quickly grew taller and phased with a rotating wall cloud immediately aloft.  This tornado slowly intensified just west of US Highway 87 and moved southeast before crossing the highway around 1655 CST.  The NWS storm survey found only minimal wind damage along the highway, but this tornado rapidly intensified as it turned nearly due south just east of US Highway 87.  It was here that the tornado inflicted EF2 damage to power poles approximately 2.7 miles N-NE of Tahoka. The tornado crossed US Highway 380 about 3 miles east of Tahoka around 1705 CST and grew to just over one mile in width. Visibility was compromised during much of this wedge phase due to large amounts of dust wrapping around the tornado.  EF1 damage was noted to a residence along US Highway 380. About a half mile south of the highway the tornado caused EF1 to EF2 damage to a manufactured home and farm equipment. By 1730 CST, the tornado and parent mesocyclone halted their S-SE motion and wobbled back to the west as indicated by the radar data and storm chaser video. Based on reports from a few storm chasers, at least one additional tornado may have accompanied this larger tornado at times a mile or two to its northeast, but a lack of sufficient evidence prevented these reports from being submitted.

Tornado in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 18:12:00 to 05-MAY-19 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAW
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed along Farm to Market 1054 south of the small community of Draw and produced EF1 damage to trees at a residence nearby. The tornado moved south-southwest and grew to a considerable size around one half mile wide while becoming heavily cloaked in dust, but fortunately did not cause any other known damage. As is common with decaying tornadoes with slow motions, this tornado curled abruptly to the left of its mean track (east in this case) and dissipated very near the Lynn and Borden County line.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 15:30:00 to 05-MAY-19 16:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

This was the first of at least two hail swaths that impacted many areas of south and southwest Lubbock. Fortunately, the hail fell without any strong winds, but minor hail damage was likely inflicted to thousands of vehicles across the area.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 16:19:00 to 05-MAY-19 16:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARLISLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: NWS Employee

On the heels of the earlier hail, a second hailstorm affected much of the same areas of southern Lubbock, this time with hailstones only to the size of half dollars. Damage estimates from this second hailstorm were impossible to estimate given the earlier damage.

Hail in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 16:48:00 to 05-MAY-19 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: TULIA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Damage was not known.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 16:55:00 to 05-MAY-19 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHOKA
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 16:58:00 to 05-MAY-19 16:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHOKA
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 17:10:00 to 05-MAY-19 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHOKA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Intense rear flank downdraft winds as high as 80 mph were documented over a large swath of central Lynn County for nearly one hour. In addition to downing an estimated 250 power poles over the area, these winds caused minor damage to a couple dozen homes, sheds, and toppled several trees.

Hail in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 17:33:00 to 05-MAY-19 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SKEEN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.60K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Hail as large as tennis balls destroyed the rear window of a storm chaser's SUV.

Flash Flood in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 18:10:00 to 05-MAY-19 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ODONNELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Torrential rainfall of 3 to 6 inches accompanied a supercell that became stationary at times across eastern Lynn County. Approximately 2000 acres of cotton crops sustained various degrees of damage, with some sections completely washed away by mud flows.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYNN, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 18:15:00 to 05-MAY-19 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ODONNELL
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 350.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Severe wind gusts were measured for a 45-minute period by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet near O'Donnell. These winds were the result of an intense rear flank downdraft that accompanied a nearly stationary supercell. Wind damage to buildings and power poles was commonplace throughout O'Donnell and nearby areas.

Thunderstorm Wind in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 05-MAY-19 17:02:00 to 05-MAY-19 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIGO PARK
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS storm survey revealed that a microburst completely destroyed a metal barn that was anchored in concrete. This barn was located along Farm to Market Road 1881 between County Roads 20 and 22. Although most of the debris had been cleaned up by the time the storm survey team arrived, the survey team noted that several remaining I-beams had been bent.