[5] One of the storm chasers following it, Freddy McKinney, happened to witness the tornado destroy the home of the Lambert family: Husband and father Wes, wife and mother Kasey, 7-year old son Lane, 4-year old daughter Allie, and their two dogs Millie and Scout.

When he investigated the aftermath, the Lamberts had somehow miraculously survived their home's destruction after taking a direct hit from the tornado, but were seriously injured.

Routes 83 and 277, running concurrently, pass through the southwestern side of the city, leading northwest 11 miles (18 km) to Anson, the county seat, and southeast 13 miles (21 km) to Abilene.

[6] The Clear Fork of the Brazos River flows through the city, south of the center.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, dry summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Hawley is part of the Abilene metropolitan area.As of the 2020 United States census, 545 people, 253 households, and 130 families resided in the city.