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Morton, Texas

7 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Morton census division. It lies in ZIP code area 79346. It lies near Ramsey Hill. The Survey maps it on the Morton quadrangle. 1,690 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 3,760 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Morton within Cochran County

Population over time

2 figures

Morton fell from 2,006 to 1,690 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
20102,006
20201,690-316 (-16%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

5 surveys from 7 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

10 since 2012

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 10 fires within 5 miles of Morton between 2012 and 2019, burning about 556 acres in total. 1 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
Misuse of fire by a minor4
Missing data/not specified/undetermined2
Power generation/transmission/distribution2
Natural1
Debris and open burning1

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
11 June 2013Debris and open burningunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceTRASH AND ETC BURNING
15 April 2012Power generation/transmission/distribution500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
13 April 2013Naturalunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
25 March 2013Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
20 March 2013Misuse of fire by a minorunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
20 March 2013Misuse of fire by a minorunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE
13 March 2019Power generation/transmission/distribution20 acresTexas A & M Forest Service19030
13 March 2013Misuse of fire by a minorunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Cochran County

Storms near this place

60 of 101 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Morton in 101 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 47 hail, 41 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 5 flash flood. 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
July 2009HailMorton$3,000,000A pair of slow moving and short-lived thunderstorms resulted in significant damage to cotton crops in northeastern Cochran County during the 17:00 CST hour of the 21st. Local newspaper reports and agricultural officials indicate that up to 15,000 acres of cotton were damaged or destroyed. Although reports did not specify hail size, estimates indicated here are based on damage and radar depictions of well-defined reflectivity three-body scatter artifacts.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindMorton$1,500,000The high-precipitation supercell that impacted Parmer and Bailey Counties continued southward over Cochran County during the 19:00 CST hour of the 17th. A swath of very intense damaging winds continued from southern Bailey County across northeastern Cochran County. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Morton initially recorded a gust of 58 mph at 19:15 CST. A subsequent gust of 77 mph was recorded at 19:20 CST. By 19:25 CST, however, a peak gust of 93 mph was measured by the Morton mesonet site. Damage was reported to be extensive in the Morton area. The damage swath additionally extended southward to Whiteface, where by 19:55 CST a 64 mph gust was measured at the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site south of Whiteface. Up to 300 utility poles were blown down by the winds across the eastern half of the county, and tree damage was reported to be extensive. At least two aged structures were severely damaged or destroyed by the winds in Morton, as well as a number of light weight structures such as carports and barns. The winds were occasionally accompanied by large hail up to the size of nickels, and this contributed to large agricultural losses.
June 2003Thunderstorm WindMorton$300,000Strong thunderstorm wind damaged 34 center pivot irrigation systems, blew down 19 power poles, uprooted trees, and blew down signs.
March 2007Tornado (EF2)Morton$175,000The Levelland Fire Department reported a second tornado west-northwest of Morton shortly before 22:30 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey found evidence of a strong tornado that developed west of Morton and crossed Texas Highway 114 as it tracked north-northwestward through north-central Cochran county. The tornado impacted the Star Route Gin, which sustained severe damage including the partial collapse of the structure. Concrete anchors were pulled out of the ground and portions of the steel roof beams were heavily damaged.|The tornado continued north-northwestward across Farm to Market Road 596 where the tornado destroyed at least three irrigation systems and snapped more than one dozen utility poles. |Damage at the Star Route Gin and the snapped utility poles support an EF-2 rating. No injuries were reported and damage estimates totaled $175,000.
March 2007Tornado (EF0)Morton$80,000A tornado was observed by the Levelland Fire Department southwest of Morton around 22:20 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey revealed that the tornado crossed Farm to Market Road 169 causing damage to the Southwest Gin. The southern end of the gin's main structure collapsed and a secondary metal structure was shifted off of its foundation. The debris was thrown north-northeastward along the tornado's path. No injuries were reported. Property damages totaled $80,000. Event times estimated by radar.
June 2004HailMorton$75,000Citizen reported golfball to baseball sized hail broke windows and windshields.
June 2008HailMorton$50,000Multiple reports of large hail were received from the Morton vicinity shortly before 21:00 CST on the 17th. Very large hail was initially reported near the Southwest Gin south of Farm to Market Road 114 west of Morton at 20:45 CST. By 20:55 CST golf ball size hail reportedly fell in Morton. Minor damages were reported to vehicles and structures.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindMorton$40,000A center pivot irrigation system was destroyed by strong thunderstorm wind.
May 1996HailMorton$30,000no account filed
August 2008Heavy RainMorton$25,000Thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall in the Morton vicinity during the late afternoon hours of the 13th, including a deluge of 0.35 inches in a five minute period per the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet. The heavy rain caused ponding of minor flood waters over a number of streets and caused a dam to wash out at the Morton Country Club.
June 1996HailMorton$25,000no account filed
June 2003Thunderstorm WindMorton$20,000An amateur radio storm spotter reported several snapped power poles.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindMorton$10,000A local newspaper reported that a tin roof was partially blown off of a home in Morton. The damage occurred as a linear complex of thunderstorms moved through the area. A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site just one mile away recorded a peak gust of 34 mph, and no other wind damage was reported in Morton or the surrounding areas of Cochran County. Therefore, it is estimated the damage likely resulted from winds around 50 mph.
June 2025Tornado (EF2)Morton-An intense cyclic supercell thunderstorm produced a total of eight known tornadoes over portions of Cochran, Hockley, and Lubbock Counties. This was the second of the tornadoes. Shortly after the first tornado, the supercell produced a strong wedge-type tornado several miles northwest of Morton which destroyed multiple large wooden power poles as it tracked eastward. Numerous storm chasers documented this tornado as it crossed Texas Highway 214 about four miles north of Morton before dissipating over northeastern Cochran County.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust of 64 mph.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
May 2024HailMorton-Storm chasers reported a swath of hail north of Morton with sizes ranging from quarters to two inches in diameter. No damage was reported.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured severe wind gusts from 2354 CST through 2355 CST. A peak wind gust of 62 mph was measured at 2354 CST.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a severe wind gust of 67 mph.
May 2023HailMorton-Law enforcement reported quarter size hail in the city of Morton.
May 2023Flash FloodMorton-A slow moving thunderstorm produced heavy rainfall over a portion of northern Cochran County which caused flash flooding. Law enforcement reported flooding on roadways at several locations in rural Cochran County.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured severe wind gusts from 1549 CST through 1550 CST. A peak wind gust of 62 mph was measured at 1550 CST.
May 2022Tornado (EFU)Morton-A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the first tornado. It was a brief needle like tornado that became rain wrapped and observed by several storm chasers. No damage was observed or reported.
May 2022Tornado (EF2)Morton-A cyclic tornadic supercell produced several tornadoes over a period of approximately two hours. An NWS storm survey revealed that this supercell produced nine separate tornadoes. This tornado was the second tornado. The instantaneous width and center of the tornado was estimated from TTU-Kal radar data. Extensive photo and video evidence existed of a wide, dusty, wedge tornado with numerous sub-vortices present at times. Maximum winds were estimated at 120 mph. This tornado continued into Bailey County.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust of 61 mph.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet near Morton measured a wind gust to 72 mph.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured intermittent severe wind gusts from 1910 CST through 1925 CST. A peak wind gust of 76 mph was measured at 1910 CST.
May 2021HailMorton-A storm chaser reported hail up to quarter size about five miles west of Morton. Additionally, trees were blown down just east of the location of the hail.
May 2021HailMorton-An NWS cooperative weather observer reported quarter size hail in Morton.
May 2021HailMorton-An NWS cooperative weather observer reported quarter size hail in Morton.
May 2021Flash FloodMorton-An initial isolated thunderstorm remained nearly stationary over the city of Morton for about one and a half hours. This storm produced several inches of rain during this time. Shortly after this initial thunderstorm dissipated, a line of storms moved in from the west adding to the already flooded city roadways. Law enforcement reported that multiple vehicles in the city of Morton were stuck in roadways due to high water.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a peak wind gust of 77 mph at 2145 CST. Severe winds were observed from 2145 through 2150 CST.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust to 62 mph.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton measured a wind gust to 64 mph.
June 2014HailMorton-An amateur radio operator measured quarter size hail about five miles south of Maple. No damage was reported.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindMorton-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Morton reported several severe wind gusts, peaking at 72 mph.
May 2011HailMorton-The Cochran County sheriff's office reported quarter size hail southwest of Morton. No damage was reported.
May 2011HailMorton-Local broadcast media and a trained spotter reported very large hail up to the size of tennis balls south of Morton. No damage was reported.
December 2010Thunderstorm WindMorton-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Morton recorded a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 65 mph at 19:10 CST. No damage was reported.
October 2009HailMorton-Local agricultural officials reported that a narrow hail swath damaged up to 2,000 acres of cotton in northwestern Cochran County shortly after 23:00 CST.
July 2009HailMorton-Post storm surveys by Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet meteorologists revealed that nickel size hail accompanied extreme thunderstorm winds in the Morton vicinity. The wind-driven hail contributed to significant cotton losses.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindMorton-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Morton recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph. No damage was reported.
May 2008HailMorton-Multiple reports indicated large hail that ranged from nickel to golf ball size along a swath from south of Morton to Whiteface. Nickel size hail was initially reported along Texas Highway 214 between Morton and Lehman at 21:35 CST. By 22:25 CST hail stones up to the size of golf balls were falling in Whiteface. No damage was reported.
June 2008HailMorton-Baseball size hail was reported in the vicinity of the Southwest Gin around 20:45 CST. The giant hail resulted in damage to a number of cotton crops.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindMorton-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet sire near Morton recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph at 20:45 CST. No damage was reported.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindMorton-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Morton recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph. No damage was reported.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindMorton-Local media affiliates relayed reports of thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph in Morton. The gusts downed several large trees.
August 2007HailMorton-Local authorities reported penny size hail in Morton shortly before 16:00 CST.
May 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas mesonet station.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas mesonet station. Several large trees downed by strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas mesonet station.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas mesonet station.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas Mesonet.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas Mesonet.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas Mesonet.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindMorton-Measured by the Texas Tech/West Texas Mesonet station.
September 2004Flash FloodMorton-Flooding resulted in closure of Main St in Morton.

Every storm recorded in Cochran 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
Star Route (historical)5.8 miles7
Famuliner6.4 miles7
Lehman7.4 miles7
Neely Ward7.9 miles7
Whiteface11.6 miles7
Griffith14.0 miles5
Bledsoe15.7 miles5
Girlstown USA18.1 miles8

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 MortonAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q965773The 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 1363181. 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.