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Memphis, Texas

9 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1986. It stands in the Memphis census division. It lies in ZIP code area 79245. It stands on Berkley Creek. The Survey maps it on the Memphis quadrangle. 2,048 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 2,057 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Memphis within Hall County

On record in Memphis

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Memphis fell from 2,290 to 2,048 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
20102,290
20202,048-242 (-11%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 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

70 since 2006

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 70 fires within 5 miles of Memphis between 2006 and 2019, burning about 3,132 acres in total. 11 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/undetermined25
Equipment and vehicle use22
Natural11
Railroad operations and maintenance5
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Debris and open burning2
Smoking1
Misuse of fire by a minor1

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
6 September 2007Naturalunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
16 September 2011Railroad operations and maintenanceunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceR&R RT OF WAY 1.5 M N 287
13 September 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
12 September 2019Natural75 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
10 September 2016Natural10 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
6 August 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceSPRINGER
5 August 2012Power generation/transmission/distributionunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service1722 BRICE
30 August 2011Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHWY 287 & CR 31

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Hall County

Storms near this place

60 of 77 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Memphis in 77 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 45 hail, 27 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 2 heavy rain. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. 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
May 2002Thunderstorm WindMemphis$300,000Strong thunderstorm wind gusts overturned four tractor trailers, caused extensive damage to buildings, including the school library, damaged the roofs of at least 50 homes, snapped power poles, and blew down power lines and trees. Portions of Highway 287 were closed due to this damage.
May 2015FloodMemphis$250,000no account filed
May 2015HailMemphis$200,000Hail ranging from quarter to golf ball size fell in Memphis for about 20 minutes. Damage consisted primarily of dented vehicles.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindMemphis$150,000A local newspaper reported that thunderstorm winds caused significant damage to metal structures and light weight buildings in the Memphis vicinity. The roof was blown off of a large cotton warehouse. Another metal storage facility failed in the winds, with the roof and one wall blown off of the structure. A number of car windows were additionally blown out at a local business. No injuries were reported.
August 2001HailMemphis$150,000Fire department storm spotters reported golfball to tennis ball size hail. The hail lasted for approximately 20 minutes and damaged buildings, smashed windows out of automobiles and homes, and destroyed crops in the storm's path.
May 2022HailMemphis$100,000Numerous storm chasers reported a swath of giant hail along US Highway 287 southeast of Memphis to approximately five miles east of Memphis along Texas State Highway 256. Photographs from storm chasers showed the largest hail size of 3.5 inches in diameter along US Highway 287. Copious amount of windshields were destroyed from this hail.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindMemphis$100,000A swath of destructive winds lasting for up to 15 minutes moved north across the city of Memphis this evening. These winds resulted in scattered minor to moderate damage in the town of Memphis. Most damage was comprised of broken tree limbs, a few downed trees, damaged shingles and siding, collapsed car ports, some broken windows, and a few downed power lines.
May 2002HailMemphis$75,000no account filed
June 1996Thunderstorm WindMemphis$15,000no account filed
August 2011Thunderstorm WindMemphis$10,000A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis recorded a wind gust to 58 mph. Also, Memphis police reported some trees were blown down in the town.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindMemphis$10,000A brief but very intense thunderstorm wind gust of 66 mph was recorded by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Memphis. Local officials reported that the winds downed a number of power lines.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindMemphis$10,000A swath of damaging thunderstorm winds affected portions of eastern Hall County, roughly from Memphis to Estelline. Initially, gusts up to 66 MPH were recorded by the West Texas Mesonet site located just northeast of Memphis at 18:55 PM. A local television station's school net weather instrument also recorded a gust to 77 MPH at that time. Local officials did not report any significant damage in the Memphis vicinity. As the linear thunderstorm complex moved southeast, additional reports of severe winds were received. The public reported wind gusts estimated to exceed 60 MPH in Estelline between 19:15 CST and 19:35 CST. In addition, the roof was blown off of a large barn 11 miles west of Estelline near Texas Highway 86 at approximately 19:40 CST.
April 2003Thunderstorm WindMemphis$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed several sheds and damaged the roof of a house.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindMemphis$5,000Destructive straight line winds measured up to 74 mph by a KVII-TV mesonet in Memphis resulted in numerous instances of mostly minor damage throughout the town. The most visible damage was caused after a tin roof was lifted and thrown into a nearby health clinic collapsing a small exterior wall. Also, portions of the high school football stadium press box were removed. The majority of the damage reports involved downed tree limbs, power lines and road signs. Some fences were also blown over and roofs were reported to have sustained generally minor damage. No injuries were reported.
May 2002Tornado (F1)Memphis$5,000A storm chaser reported a tornado southwest of town. The tornado snapped and uprooted trees, blew down power lines, and snapped a number of power poles.
May 2006HailMemphis$5,000no account filed
May 2002Tornado (F1)Memphis$4,000A storm chaser followed a tornado from just east of Memphis to about 13 miles west of Loco (in Childress County). The tornado snapped trees and power poles and downed power lines.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindMemphis$2,000The Memphis Fire Department reported power poles blown down throughout town with estimated 60 to 70 mph wind gusts.
March 2026Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured severe wind gusts from 1805 CST through 1808 CST. A peak wind gust of 60 mph was measured at 1805 CST.
March 2026HailMemphis-Numerous public reports were received as well as law enforcement reporting hail ranging in size from ping pongs to golf balls in the city of Memphis.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a severe wind gust of 59 mph.
May 2025HailMemphis-Law enforcement officials reported a swath of hail from approximately five miles west of Memphis into the town of Memphis. Hail ranged in size from half dollars to golf ball size.
September 2025Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured severe wind gusts at 1527 and 1528 CST. A peak wind gust of 74 mph was measured at 1527 CST.
February 2023HailMemphis-An emergency management official reported wind driven hail up to golf ball size. Numerous windows were destroyed in the city of Memphis.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a wind gust of 61 mph.
May 2023HailMemphis-A photograph of two inch size hail was sent to the NWS office in Lubbock via social media. No damage was reported.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindMemphis-Law enforcement in Hall County reported that railroad crossing arms were damaged from severe winds at Farm to Market Road 1619 and US Highway 287.
May 2022HailMemphis-The emergency manager for Memphis reported hail up to two inches in diameter. No damage was reported.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured severe wind gusts from 2202 CST through 2209 CST. A peak wind gust of 75 mph was measured at 2203 CST.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a severe wind gust of 60 mph.
April 2020HailMemphis-Law enforcement in Hall County reported quarter size hail about two miles southeast of Memphis along US Highway 287.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a peak wind gust of 63 mph at 1730 CST. Severe winds were measured between 1730 and 1735 CST.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph at 1540 CST. Severe wind gusts were measured from 1540 through 1550 CST.
September 2020Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
September 2020Heavy RainMemphis-A trained spotter reported flooded streets in the town of Memphis. A nearby Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet measured 0.79 of rainfall in only 15 minutes.
May 2018HailMemphis-A storm chaser from KFDA-TV in Amarillo reported hail to the size of quarters in Memphis.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindMemphis-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet. Severe wind gusts of 60 mph, 66 mph and 75 mph were measured at 1955 CST, 2000 CST, and 2005 CST, respectively.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a wind gust to 58 mph associated with nearby thunderstorms.
May 2017HailMemphis-Law enforcement in Hall County and storm chasers reported hail up to golf ball size in Memphis. No damage was reported.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet near Memphis reported a wind gust to 68 mph.
April 2015HailMemphis-A trained spotter along with fire department officials observed golf ball to hen egg size hail south and southwest of Memphis.
April 2014HailMemphis-Fire department officials reported half dollar size hail in Memphis.
June 2014HailMemphis-Local law enforcement officials observed quarter size hail in Memphis.
June 2013Heavy RainMemphis-A trained spotter measured 3.5 inches of rain in Memphis.
May 2013HailMemphis-Less than an hour after a thunderstorm with large hail pummeled rural areas southwest and southeast of Memphis, another severe thunderstorm produced large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter - this time in the city of Memphis. The city emergency manager reported the hail fell for two minutes, but the extent of damage was unknown.
April 2012HailMemphis-Law enforcement estimated 1.5 inch hail 2W Memphis. No damage was reported.
April 2012HailMemphis-Law enfocement estimated penny size hail in Memphis. No damage was reported.
April 2012HailMemphis-Law enforcement estimated quarter size hail in Memphis. No damage was reported.
May 2011HailMemphis-A trained spotter, local broadcast media, and Texas Department of Transportation employees all reported hail ranging from quarter to golf ball size from southwest of Memphis to Memphis. No damage was reported.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindMemphis-The Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Memphis measured a wind gust to 66 mph. No damage was reported in Memphis.
October 2011Thunderstorm WindMemphis-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site in Memphis measured a wind gust to 58 mph. No damage was reported.
May 2010HailMemphis-Storm spotters reported quarter size hail along Texas Highway 256 southwest of Memphis.
May 2008HailMemphis-The Memphis Fire Department reported penny size hail in Memphis.
June 2008HailMemphis-Local law enforcement officials reported nickel size hail just east of Memphis.
May 2007HailMemphis-|Multiple reports from law enforcement officials and the Memphis Fire Department indicated that large hail ranged in size from peas to nickels from 04:27 to 04:30 CST.
June 2007HailMemphis-Local officials reported nickel size hail in Memphis. Delayed reports received from area newspapers indicated that at least 6,000 acres of cotton crops were destroyed by the hail across Hall County, but details concerning the location of damaged fields was not available.
May 2006HailMemphis-A National Weather Service cooperative observer reported quarter size hail in Memphis.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindMemphis-Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet measured a wind gust to 61 mph.
August 2001HailMemphis-Tennis ball size hail was reported by fire department storm spotters.
August 2001HailMemphis-Quarter size hail was reported by law enforcement officials.

Every storm recorded in Hall 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
Eli5.5 miles9
Lakeview9.4 miles9
Plaska10.2 miles9
Newlin10.5 miles9
Plains Junction12.6 miles9
Estelline13.3 miles9
Hulver13.7 miles9
Parnell14.4 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 MemphisAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q979971The 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 1362609. 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.