Hazards
Farmers Branch Hazards
The North Central Texas Region is subject to many hazards, all of which have the potential to impact the City of Farmers Branch, causing casualties and destroying and damaging property. The information below provides information so you can understand how to protect you and your family from anything that comes along.
Tornado
A tornado can occur at any time of the year, but spring and summer are considered tornado seasons in North Texas. While tornadoes can happen at any time of day, they are more likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m. In addition to the familiar spinning funnel of a tornado, the wind associated with a tornado is also very damaging.
Hail
Hail is formed when updrafts within a storm carry water droplets to an altitude where freezing occurs. These ice particles continue to grow. They may be dropped and picked up again, adding another layer of ice. Eventually, the hail becomes too heavy and falls to the ground. A diameter of .75 inches or greater is considered severe.
Hail Size Estimates:
- Pea – ¼ inch diameter
- Marble / mothball – ½ inch diameter
- Dime / penny – ¾ inch
- Nickel – 7/8 inch
- Quarter – 1 inch
- Ping pong ball – 1 ½ inch
- Golf ball – 1 ¾ inch
- Tennis Ball – 2 ½ inches
- Baseball – 2 ¾ inches
- Teacup – 3 inches
- Grapefruit – 4 inches
- Softball – 4 ½ inches