STORM2K

I had just gotten off the ferry in Galveston and went about 5 miles down Hwy. 87 when I noticed it getting really dark outside. I looked over to my left and lo and behold, there was a tornado touching down. It was long and skinny, but the first tornado I've seen like that in forever. The one that hit about 1/4 of a mile from here a couple of years ago was at night and I never saw it. Anyway, I had my digital camera with me and took a few pics, but they're not the greatest pics. The first one is through my window, which clearly needs a bath. The last 2 are pics of the storm clouds before it started POURING, a few more miles down the road.

Btw, of course none of this reached my house, which was high and dry. It looks like we got some wind while I was away on my cruise though, as a few things were knocked down in the backyard.

Wow Kelly great pics!!

great pictures, and yes you missed a lot of weather in SE Texas while you were gone. There were a few MCS features that moved across the area during the time, and wind damage to your backyard points that out. There were also a few supercells across the area during the time frame, which mostly produced large hail (Including hail as big as golf/tennis balls in NW Houston). As for the tornado...was it a "true" tornado or was it a waterspout? Also, how long did it last? Was there any damage? Did you report it to the NWS?

Great pics, although that looks more like a waterspout. I agree with EWG, you should report it to the NWS.

I wonder if/how much rain I got here, as it looks quite dry, but I'm sure if anything fell, it wouldn't have stayed long since it's so dry. Hopefully something...still in a severe drought here.

I'm quite certain it was a tornado since there wasn't any water there to form a waterspout. I had gotten off the ferry and was heading east down Hwy. 87 to get back to Beaumont. The GOM was on the right side of the road...the tornado was on the left side. There was grass, some trees, and scattered houses over there. I didn't know the number to the NWS, but I called a local TV news station and reported it. As far as damage, I have no idea. I was on my way back from a week cruise and was too busy yesterday to check it out and haven't taken the time to do it today. Since there weren't many houses out there, I'm thinking and hoping there wasn't any, but it was pretty kewl to see it!

Geesh your getting all the fun lately.. Goes on a Cruise and cuddles stingrays then you get to come home and see a needle touchdown. Some people get all the fun..

It's sure thin but it's definately a tornado (as long as it was on land). What an interesting sight to see just getting back from a cruise huh?! I still have never seen a tornado in my life, I've always wanted to see one just as long as it wasn't heading for me. Thanks for the pics!

Can't help but notice the blue tarp. Scary reminders of 2005 as 2006 approaches.

Great photos Kelly

LOL Paul.

KatDaddy, that was way over near Winnie too. I was surprised at how much damage there was that far west, in Winnie, down Hwy. 124, and all along Hwy. 87. I had no idea some of those beach homes/businesses took a beating that far west. Yeah, I pray nothing even comes close to us this year!

Btw, I did call NWS this evening and reported it. They asked me to email them the pics, with a description of where I was, the time, etc. so I did.

Awesome pics! Glad you were able to get ahold of the NWS and make a contribution to climatological records!

Sorry to go off-topic here, but just wanted to comment on the "blue tarp"

If anyone is near the Houston area, or for that matter close enough for a day-trip. Take a drive to the Beaumont area, you will be amazed on how much damage Rita really did and how under reported it has been.

Nice catch on the tornado Kelly...Quite a few of us would love to have something like that in our collection.

Scott

Nice photos Kelly!

I see the vocation of "stormchaser" in your future!

Aquawind wrote:Geesh your getting all the fun lately.. Goes on a Cruise and cuddles stingrays then you get to come home and see a needle touchdown. Some people get all the fun..

Don't worry, you'll get your turn.

BTW Kelly, nice photos.