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Tahoka, Texas

8 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1986. It stands in the Tahoka census division. It lies in ZIP code area 79373. The Survey maps it on the Tahoka quadrangle. 2,375 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 3,081 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Tahoka within Lynn County

On record in Tahoka

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

Tahoka fell from 2,673 to 2,375 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
20102,673
20202,375-298 (-11%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

3 surveys from 8 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

72 since 2005

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 72 fires within 5 miles of Tahoka between 2005 and 2020, burning about 5,160 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 3 were 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
Debris and open burning26
Equipment and vehicle use25
Missing data/not specified/undetermined12
Natural3
Arson/incendiarism3
Smoking2
Power generation/transmission/distribution1

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
8 September 2015Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service5 S. ON 87 GRASS
5 September 2013Natural300 acresTexas A & M Forest ServicePASTURE FIRE, 3 SOUTH
3 September 2020Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceCEMETERY EXIT
3 August 2020Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceS 2ND AND AVE F GRASS FIRE
3 August 2015Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service400 OVERPASS DITCH
29 August 2008Debris and open burning1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
27 August 2013Debris and open burning1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHAY/GRASS FIRE
26 August 2013Debris and open burning2.5 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceFM 400 CR R. GRASS FIRE

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Lynn County

Storms near this place

60 of 115 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Tahoka in 115 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 52 hail, 39 thunderstorm wind, 11 flash flood, 7 tornado. 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 2019Thunderstorm WindTahoka$1,000,000Intense rear flank downdraft winds as high as 80 mph were documented over a large swath of central Lynn County for nearly one hour. In addition to downing an estimated 250 power poles over the area, these winds caused minor damage to a couple dozen homes, sheds, and toppled several trees.
May 1998HailTahoka$500,000no account filed
May 1996HailTahoka$40,000no account filed
March 2007Flash FloodTahoka$30,000Flash flooding resulted in high water flowing over U.S. Highway 380 west of Tahoka and U.S. Highway 87 north of Tahoka. Local law enforcement officials reported that at least four vehicles were stalled in the high water. No injuries were reported.
June 2010LightningTahoka$25,000Local newspapers and utility officials reported that a lightning strike on a home in Tahoka resulted in a ruptured natural gas line beneath the home. The leak was detected and repaired without incident, but crews reported that a small hole and burn mark were present in the gas pipe when it was replaced the next day. Other electronics and appliances inside the home were additionally destroyed by the lightning strike.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindTahoka$10,000Another storm produced damaging winds and small hail in Tahoka. A local television station reported damage to video broadcast equipment and downed tents as severe thunderstorm wind gusts and dime size hail affected the community. The television network was preparing for a live broadcast when the storm struck. The winds were estimated to be in excess of 50 mph. No injuries were reported.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindTahoka$10,000Strong wind destroyed a large barn, and combined with hail to destroy crops.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindTahoka$5,000A local newspaper article showed pictures of a large tree that was blown down by thunderstorm winds and caused minor damage to a home in Tahoka. A nearby Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site recorded a peak gust of 43 mph just before 19:00 CST.
August 2001Thunderstorm WindTahoka$5,000The West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka measured a 74 mph thunderstorm wind gust. A few signs were blown down in the area.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindTahoka$5,000no account filed
December 1993Thunderstorm WindTahoka$5,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindTahoka$3,000Strong wind blew over two tractor trailers on Highway 87 between Tahoka and O'Donnell.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindTahoka$2,000Strong wind destroyed a barn, and combined with hail to destroy crops.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindTahoka$1,000no account filed
April 2025HailTahoka-A trained spotter and fire department officials reported a swath of hail from roughly six miles east of Tahoka to ten miles east of Tahoka along US Highway 380. Hail ranged in size from ping pong ball to golf ball size.
June 2025HailTahoka-Local broadcast media relayed a report of half dollar size hail near Tahoka. This hail became wind driven and stripped crops and trees in and around Tahoka.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured severe wind gusts from 1827 CST through 1833 CST. A peak gust of 70 mph was measured at 1828 CST. This wind downed a light pole in the town of Tahoka and toppled a center pivot north of Tahoka.
May 2024HailTahoka-Storm chasers and an NWS cooperative weather observer observed a swath of hail ranging in size from quarters to baseballs from approximately three miles west of Tahoka into the city of Tahoka.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured severe wind gusts from 2202 CST through 2220 CST. A peak wind gust of 66 mph was measured at 2202 and 2203 CST. Additionally, damage to several structures were reported on the south side of Tahoka.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured severe wind gusts from 0153 CST through 0202 CST. A peak wind gust of 95 mph was measured at 0156 CST. A storm survey team|observed 20 center pivots flipped over and damaged along with several newly installed power poles primarily on the north and east sides of Tahoka. In Tahoka, damage was relegated to some uprooted trees and numerous fallen tree limbs, with some minor structural damage noted to roofs and siding. No additional damage indicators were available beyond US Highway 380 and County Road Y east of Tahoka.
April 2023HailTahoka-An NWS cooperative weather observer located in Tahoka reported quarter size hail.
August 2022Thunderstorm WindTahoka-An NWS cooperative weather observer in Tahoka relayed photographs of wind damage to trees, fences, and power poles.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured a wind gust to 64 mph.
May 2021HailTahoka-An NWS cooperative weather observer reported quarter size hail in Tahoka.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph at 1842 CST. Severe wind gusts were measured at 1840 CST and from 1842 to 1843 CST.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Tahoka measured a wind gust to 60 mph.
June 2019HailTahoka-A spotter in Tahoka reported hail up to golf ball size. No damage was reported.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.
August 2019Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka measured a wind gust of 60 mph.
May 2018HailTahoka-Damage information was not available.
October 2018Heavy RainTahoka-Law enforcement officials reported minor street flooding in and around US Highway 87 near the intersection with US Highway 380.
August 2017Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet near Tahoka at 1828 CST. Severe gusts of 58 mph and 59 mph were also measured at 1827 CST and 1834 CST, respectively.
July 2017Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet near Tahoka.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Multiple severe wind gusts as measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet.
May 2016HailTahoka-A slow moving storm produced a long period of hail up to the size of half dollars in Tahoka. No damage was reported.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindTahoka-The Lynn County Sheriff's Office estimated a severe wind gust along with penny size hail. No damage was reported.
April 2015HailTahoka-A trained spotter reported hail up to the size of ping pong balls in Tahoka.
September 2014Heavy RainTahoka-Heavy rains of one to nearly four inches produced minor flooding west of Tahoka along U.S. Highway 380 and also in the community of Wilson.
September 2014FloodTahoka-Local law enforcement officials observed flooding of Farm to Market Road 1054 east of Tahoka along U.S. Highway 380. This was due to additional light to moderate rainfall which added to saturated soils, from heavy rains on the 20th.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindTahoka-Two gusts to 61 mph were measured by a Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet station near Tahoka.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site in Tahoka measured a 62 mph wind gust.
August 2013HailTahoka-Local law enforcement officials reported nickel size hail in Tahoka. No damage was reported.
June 2013HailTahoka-Hail of quarter size was relayed by a NWS CO-OP observer. No damage was reported.
April 2012HailTahoka-Large hail fell in Tahoka from 2212-2215 CST as reported by a CO-OP observer and a NWS employee. The largest hail up to two inches in diameter fell at 2215 CST. Damage was unknown.
April 2012HailTahoka-The Tahoka fire department estimated nickel size hail in Tahoka. No damage was reported.
April 2012HailTahoka-Golfball size hail was reported in Tahoka. No damage was reported.
February 2011HailTahoka-Quarter size hail was reported near Tahoka.
April 2010HailTahoka-Law enforcement officials and National Weather Service cooperative observers reported quarter size hail along a swath from Tahoka northeastward along Farm to Market Road 400 to southwest of Wilson.
April 2010HailTahoka-Skywarn storm spotters reported nickel to quarter size hail along U.S. Highway 380 west of Tahoka.
June 2010HailTahoka-The public reported quarter size hail in Tahoka as the second in a series of thunderstorms impacted that community.
June 2010HailTahoka-The public reported that quarter size hail was accompanied by damaging winds in Tahoka. Newspaper articles and local agricultural officials noted that the wind-blown hail severely damaged a number of cotton crops northeast of Tahoka.
June 2010HailTahoka-Storm chasers reported quarter size hail in Tahoka at 15:01 CST. This was the third severe storm to impact Tahoka since around 13:30 CST.
June 2010Heavy RainTahoka-A series of severe thunderstorms impacted portions of central Lynn County between 13:30 CST and 15:30 CST on the 14th. These storms produced heavy rainfall that resulted in minor street and highway flooding. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka measured 3.17 inches of rainfall during the event.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindTahoka-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph. No damage was reported.
April 2009Flash FloodTahoka-The Lynn County Emergency Manager reported that repeated waves of thunderstorms throughout the late afternoon and evening hours had produced heavy rainfall and resulted in flash flooding over portions of Lynn County. Reports indicated that extensive areas of flowing flood waters inundated portions of U.S. Highway 87 near Tahoka. Flood waters additionally flowed over Farm to Market Roads 211 and 1730 near New Home. No damage or injuries were reported.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindTahoka-A peak thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph was recorded by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka at 19:15 CST. No damage was reported.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindTahoka-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet recorded a 73 mph gust near Tahoka at 23:00 CST. A subsequent gust of 61 mph was recorded at 23:05 CST. No damage was reported.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindTahoka-The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tahoka recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph at 20:30 CST. No damage was reported.
March 2007HailTahoka-Local law enforcement reported nickel size hail on U.S. Highway 380 west of Tahoka.

Every storm recorded in Lynn 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
Skeen7.1 miles7
New Lynn7.5 miles7
Grassland10.6 miles7
Wayside10.9 miles9
Wilson11.0 miles7
Wells12.1 miles7
Draw12.1 miles7
New Home12.7 miles10

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 TahokaAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q982084The 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 1369558. 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.