BlockBefore

Friona, Texas

9 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Friona census division. It lies in ZIP code area 79035. The Survey maps it on the Friona quadrangle. 4,171 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 4,019 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Friona within Parmer County

Population over time

2 figures

Friona grew from 4,123 to 4,171 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20104,123
20204,171+48 (+1%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

4 surveys from 9 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

2 since 2006

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 2 fires within 5 miles of Friona in 2006, burning about 32 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1
Equipment and vehicle use1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
12 May 2006Equipment and vehicle use30 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
7 March 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Parmer County

Storms near this place

60 of 104 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Friona in 104 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 48 thunderstorm wind, 44 hail, 7 tornado, 3 flash flood. The reports record 12 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1995Tornado (F3)Friona12 hurt, $24,000,000Storm survey indicated a strong tornado swept across the southern and eastern edge of Friona destroying 14 homes and damaging another 25. Another 25 businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged. Of the 12 injuries only one was critical, a 68-year-old male. The largest employer in town, the Hi-Pro Feed Mill was completely demolished, as well as the airport. A train was derailed and toppled on the west side of town, but this was not along the damage path. Straight-line winds or rear flank downdraft may have been responsible for this.
June 2008HailFriona$500,000Local law enforcement officials reported that golf ball size hail was occasionally mixed with stones up to the size of baseballs in Friona. The very large hail caused widespread damage across the city, with a number of vehicles and structures sustaining hail damage. The hail punctured a portion of the town's elementary school, and subsequently contributed to flooding several class rooms. No injuries were reported.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindFriona$500,000Storm survey indicated a strong tornado swept across the southern and eastern edge of Friona destroying 14 homes and damaging another 25. Another 25 businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged. Of the 12 injuries only one was critical, a 68-year-old male. The largest employer in town, the Hi-Pro Feed Mill was completely demolished, as well as the airport. A train was derailed and toppled on the west side of town, but this was not along the damage path. Straight-line winds or rear flank downdraft may have been responsible for this.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindFriona$100,000A complex of severe thunderstorms, which included an embedded high-precipitation supercell, were accompanied by damaging winds over parts of Parmer County during the 17:00 CST hour of the 17th. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Friona initially recorded a 71 mph wind gust at 17:15 CST. By 17:57 CST, a 79 mph gust was measured by the KVII-TV Schoolnet site in Lazbuddie. Local newspaper reports indicate that the winds were accompanied by a blinding dust storm. A number of utility poles were downed and power outages were reported. Damages also were reported to several center pivot irrigation systems. No injuries were reported.
May 2013HailFriona$75,000Multiple reports of large hail ranging from quarter size to golf ball size were received from Friona to about four miles east of Friona between 1609 and 1626 CST. Minor damage to vehicles and homes in Friona was common. The extent of damage to area crops, particularly young corn, was unknown.
June 2013HailFriona$50,000Trained spotters, law enforcement, and the public reported a swath of hail ranging in sizes from golf balls to baseballs in the town of Friona. The large, wind-driven hail caused damage to several vehicles including a police cruiser in Friona.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindFriona$30,000A complex of severe thunderstorms propagated southeastward over the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle during the late evening hours of the 27th. This activity resulted in damaging winds near Friona. A 64 mph wind gust was measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site just northeast of the city at 23:20 CST. The Parmer County Sheriff's Office reported estimated winds between 60 and 70 mph between 23:30 and 23:50 CST. These winds damaged multiple light weight structures and downed utility lines across the city. At least two large carports were destroyed by the winds. Three additional structures suffered moderate roof damage, including a large grain elevator. Electrical services were finally restored to the city around 03:00 CST on the 28th. No injuries were reported.
June 2015HailFriona$25,000Broadcast media relayed social media photos of golf ball size hail and some minor damage to cars in Friona.
October 2000Thunderstorm WindFriona$25,000Strong wind turned over a trailer house and destroyed it. Several roofs were also removed from outbuildings by thunderstorm wind.
April 1998Thunderstorm WindFriona$25,000Wind damage to roofs and trees reported by Friona Police Dept.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindFriona$20,000Eight cars of a train were derailed due to high thunderstorm winds.
June 2003Thunderstorm WindFriona$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed a shed.
May 2000HailFriona$5,000Large hail destroyed cotton, corn, and wheat crops.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured severe wind gusts from 2150 CST through 2151 CST. A peak wind gust of 60 mph was measured at 2151 CST.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 58 mph.
May 2024HailFriona-A storm chaser reported ping pong ball size hail just to the southwest of Friona.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured severe wind gusts from 2059 CST through 2109 CST. A peak wind gust of 67 mph was measured at 2106 CST.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured severe wind gusts from 2250 CST through 2255 CST. A peak wind gust of 78 mph was measured at 2251 CST.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 67 mph.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured severe wind gusts from 2022 CST through 2032 CST. A peak wind gust of 68 mph was measured at 2029 and 2030 CST.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust of 58 mph.
December 2023Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a severe wind gust of 62 mph.
June 2023Flash FloodFriona-Slow moving storms with intense rain rates moved over Parmer County dropping as much as one inch of rainfall in less than 20 minutes. The Friona Police Department reported that US Highway 60 in Friona was flooded. Additionally, portions of US Highway 60 outside of Friona had water over the roadway.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured severe wind gusts from 1725 CST through 1727 CST. A peak gust of 63 mph was measured at 1726 CST.
May 2021Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 68 mph.
May 2021Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 72 mph.
May 2021HailFriona-A couple of reports from the public were received of hail up to half dollar size in the city of Friona.
May 2019HailFriona-Local broadcast media relayed a report of two inch size hail in Friona. No damage was reported.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
May 2019HailFriona-No damage was noted.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet recorded a wind gust to 58 mph.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 61 mph.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 65 mph.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona measured wind gusts up to 65 mph for 10 minutes.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindFriona-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.
October 2015Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet station near Friona measured a 58 mph wind gust.
October 2015FloodFriona-Local law enforcement observed flooding in Western Parmer County along Farm to Market Road 1731 north of Bovina and Farm to Market Road 2013 west of Friona.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindFriona-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet station.
June 2014HailFriona-A period of small hail was reported in Friona early this night. No damage was noted.
May 2013HailFriona-An NWS COOP observer estimated a brief period of quarter size hail. No damage was reported.
May 2013HailFriona-Volunteers from the Friona Fire Department estimated quarter size hail. No damage was reported.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona recorded a wind gust to 60 mph. No damage was reported.
June 2013HailFriona-The public estimated quarter size hail in Friona. No damage was reported.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Friona reported a 63 mph wind gust.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site in Friona measured a 63 mph wind gust.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindFriona-A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site in Friona measured a 59 mph wind gust.
December 2012Thunderstorm WindFriona-Measured by a KVII-TV schoolnet at the Friona High School.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindFriona-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site northeast of Friona recorded a 59 mph thunderstorm wind gust. No damage was reported.
October 2011Funnel CloudFriona-Local fire department and law enforcement officials reported a funnel cloud that tracked from three miles northeast of Friona to Black. It was reported that the funnel cloud never reached the ground.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindFriona-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Friona measured a wind gust of 63 mph. No damage was reported.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindFriona-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site northeast of Friona recorded a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust at 20:50 CST. Local law enforcement officials similarly estimated 60 mph winds in Friona at the same time. No damages were reported.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindFriona-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Friona measured a thunderstorm downburst wind gust of 62 mph. No damage was reported.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindFriona-The KVII-TV Schoolnet measured a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust in Friona shortly before 19:00 CST. No damages were reported.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindFriona-The KVII-TV Schoolnet measured a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 70 mph at 19:35 CST in Friona. No damage was reported.
September 2009Thunderstorm WindFriona-A 67 mph wind gust was measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Friona at 17:26 CST. This gust, which occurred within an area of ambient high winds in the wake of a passing cold front, was enhanced by convection that displayed a bow-shaped radar echo and strong mesocyclone. This small linear thunderstorm segment subsequently resulted in a 65 mph wind gust near Lazbuddie as reported by the KVII-TV Schoolnet. No damage was reported.
June 2008HailFriona-Local fire department officials reported quarter size hail in Friona. A nearby Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site also measured gusts up to 56 mph in association with the storm. No damage was reported.
June 2008HailFriona-Multiple reports indicated that a second supercell thunderstorm produced a swath of large hail, occasionally very large, over western Parmer County during the 19:00 CST hour. Initial reports relayed by the broadcast media indicated that quarter size hail occurred west of Friona at 19:00 CST. The storm and its associated hail swath continued southward, with additional reports received from areas east of Farwell at 19:43 CST.
June 2008HailFriona-Local law enforcement officials reported that golf ball size hail, occasionally accompanied by larger hail stones, fell steady over Friona for at least five minutes during the early evening of the 17th. This as a supercell thunderstorm impacted portions of northeastern Parmer County.

Every storm recorded in Parmer County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Parmerton6.0 miles8
Black6.7 miles8
Hub8.0 miles8
Rhea12.1 miles8
Bovina12.2 miles9
Clays Corner17.7 miles8
Wilsey18.0 miles9
Lazbuddie18.2 miles9

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on FrionaAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q978903The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1357767. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.