NCDC Storm Data for the 1976 Brownwood tornado

The intense tornado, which developed from an isolated thunderstorm, was in the formative stage when sporadic damage was reported between Bangs and Brownwood near Highway 67. A visible tornado, described as large and cylindrical, was evident when the storm reached Highway 279 about 4 miles northwest of downtown Brownwood. Outbuildings, a motorcycle race track, and a parked car were destroyed in this area. The storm continued along a northeasterly course while shredding mesquite trees on both sides of a small hill. About 5 miles north of the downtown area, the tornado passed over FM 2125 into the A.I. Fabis pecan orchard and farm. A row of 4 houses and several outbuildings were leveled on the farm. All of the injuries occurred in the housing area. Two teen-agers were thrown about 1000 yards when caught in the open upon returning from fishing in Lake Brownwood. Miraculously, both survived. Fabis, who owned the houses and heavily damaged orchard, narrowly escaped death when the storm blew his frame house away. Fabis was huddling near his bathtub, listening to the radio storm warnings when the tornado struck. Only Fabis and the bathtub he had a firm grip on remained on the foundation after the storm passed.

The tornado next struck the Brownwood Airport, north-northeast of the city Highway 183. A set of the T-hangars and 6 private airplanes were devastated. Luckily, the tornado arced around a large hangar where several airport workers had taken refuge. About ½ mile northeast of Highway 183, the tornado lifted.