Heat Fueled Supercell Tornado Kills 4 Northeast of Lubbock

MATADOR, TX – National Weather Service meteorologists say a rare supercell tornado fueled by record heat ripped through the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas pounding the area with softball sized hail and multiple tornadoes killing 4 and injuring at least 9 others. 

Matador is about 70 miles northeast of Lubbock in Motley County.  Reports say the storms also produced softball-size hail and wind gusts topping 100 mph in other communities including Jayton, which also was under a tornado warning as the line moved southeast after the sun set Wednesday night.

Lubbock Fire Rescue issued the following statement Thursday morning, "The Town of Matador has experienced an unprecedented tornado bringing damaging winds to the town," the statement reads. "There are four confirmed fatalities & ten total injuries. Seven of which were transported by EMS and three by personal vehicle.

Agencies from across the South Plains have assisted with search and rescue efforts. These agencies include both police, fire, and EMS. State resources have arrived to Matador to begin post-disaster operations including damage assessment and final recovery efforts."