Missing Palo Duro hiker found after tornadoes hit Texas Panhandle

Officials with the Randall County Sheriff’s Office provided information regarding damage in the county after a tornado touched down within the county Saturday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service Amarillo office, one large tornado hit the entranceway of Palo Duro Canyon State Park Saturday. There was possibly a second which touched down in the vicinity later, which the office is working to confirm.

Leeann Overstreet, the public information officer for the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, said there was extensive damage at Palo Duro Canyon. As of Saturday evening, five hikers were reported as missing after the storm, four of which have been found and none of them have injuries. One of the hikers is still missing, as of Saturday evening.

According to Overstreet, 16 hikers weathered the storm in the park while 42 were evacuated out of the park as the storm was approaching. As of Saturday evening, the county has not heard of injuries from individuals in the canyon.

Currently, mobile commanded drones from Randall County, as well as the Randall County Fire Department, the Canyon Fire Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife are looking for the one missing hiker.

Officials with the Randall County Sheriff’s Office reported Saturday evening that the missing hiker at Palo Duro Canyon State Park has been located.

This comes after five hikers were reported as missing after the storm, all of which have been found as of Saturday.

“Rescue crews trying to reach the location now,” read a Facebook post by the Sheriff’s Office.