2011 New England tornado outbreak

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2011 New England tornado outbreak
Springfield, MA Tornado 2011, June 1.jpg
The EF3 tornado that struck Springfield, Massachusetts
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationJune 1, 2011
Highest winds
  • 160 mph
Tornadoes
confirmed		6
Max. rating1 EF3 tornado
Duration of
tornado outbreak2		3:35 pm – 7:13 pm EDT (3 hours and 42 minutes)
Fatalities3 deaths, [1] 200 injuries
Damage$227.6 million USD(2011) [2]

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

The 2011 New England Tornado Outbreak was a tornado outbreak on June 1, 2011 that impacted the states of Massachusetts and Maine in New England. A total of six tornadoes touched down in both western Massachusetts and western Maine. The strongest, often referred to as the Springfield Tornado, was a long-track, high-end EF3 tornado that caused significant damage to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts as well as several adjacent cities and towns. By the end of the day, three people had been killed, at least 200 were injured, and over 500 families were left homeless. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Meteorological synopsis

On May 30, two days before the outbreak, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) noted the possibility of a severe weather event in the Northeastern United States in their outlook. A storm system was forecast to draw warm, moist air (with dew points over 60 °F (16 °C)) from the south, ahead of a driving cold front. In light of this, the SPC issued a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across the area. [7] As an upper-level trough moved over the Great Lakes, further moisture and warmth increased atmospheric instability in the area, raising the threat of a squall line or supercell thunderstorms. [8] By June 1, the storm system moved over Ontario and Quebec, with a cold front trailing behind it over northern New England. CAPE values exceeded 4,000  J/kg, indicating an extreme amount of instability in the atmosphere, conducive to strong thunderstorms. Additionally, a strong upper-level jet stream brought significant wind shear, which, in combination with the atmospheric instability, indicated a significant severe weather threat, with the main effects expected to result from downburst winds and large hail, but with tornadoes possible. [9] An EML, which emerged over Arizona on May 28, was also present and created abnormally steep lapse rates in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, further increasing instability. [10]

Reflectivity radar loop of the supercell thunderstorm that produced the EF3 Springfield tornado Jun 1, 2011 Massachusetts tornado radar loop.gif
Reflectivity radar loop of the supercell thunderstorm that produced the EF3 Springfield tornado

Between 8:18 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (EDT), severe storms producing 1 in (2.5 cm) hail developed over portions of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine; however, little if any impact resulted from these storms. [11] At 10:05 a.m., the SPC issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire state of Vermont, much of northern New York, northeastern Pennsylvania and parts of western Massachusetts and Connecticut. [12] By this time, a broken line of severe storms had developed over parts of western New York and northern Pennsylvania. [13] With the storms gradually developing throughout the day and an increasing threat of tornadoes, a tornado watch was issued at 1:00 p.m. for much of New England, southern New York, eastern Pennsylvania and most of New Jersey. [14] Around 2:00 p.m., severe storms with damaging hail, measured up to 2.75 in (7.0 cm), and winds around 60 mph (97 km/h) developed in eastern New York. These storms gradually tracked east-southeastward into Vermont and later New Hampshire. One particular supercell produced very large 3.25-inch (8.3 cm) diameter hail at Shaftsbury, Vermont after producing a funnel cloud and baseball sized hail across the border in New York State. [11] At 2:43 p.m., the first of several tornado warnings in the area was issued for southern Coos County, New Hampshire. [15]

Between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m., severe storms developed over western Massachusetts and prompted a tornado warning to be issued at 3:28 p.m. for parts of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. [16] About an hour later, another warning was issued for Springfield, Massachusetts and surrounding areas. Within minutes, a touchdown was confirmed near Springfield by local law enforcement and amateur radio operators. [17] This tornado was later rated a strong EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. [18] At one point, this supercell displayed radar characteristics similar to historic supercells that produced violent tornadoes over the Southeast and the Great Plains. [19] Over the next hour, damage was reported as far east as Charlton from this long-track tornado. Other brief touchdowns were reported across the state afterward as well, which caused minor damage.

In total, 10 towns and cities, Westfield, Agawam, West Springfield, Springfield, Monson, Wilbraham, Brimfield, Sturbridge, Southbridge, and Charlton, Massachusetts, all sustained damage from the long track EF3 tornado. A total of three (downgraded from the originally reported 4) people were killed as a result of the tornado and at least 200 people were injured from severe weather across the state. [20] The outbreak included the first killer tornado in Massachusetts since the 1995 Great Barrington tornado. [21]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFUEF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Total
01401006
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday June 1, 2011 [note 1]
EF# LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width
EF1ESE of Bethel Oxford ME 44°24′14″N70°40′54″W / 44.4038°N 70.6817°W / 44.4038; -70.6817 (Bethel (Jun. 1, EF1)) 19:35–19:360.26 mi (420 m)25 yd (23 m)
A brief tornado touched down to the northwest of Bryant Pond, snapping or uprooting numerous trees. Tree limbs were thrown up to 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away. [22] [23]
EF3S of Westfield to Downtown Springfield to SSW of Charlton Hampden, Worcester MA 42°06′00″N72°45′00″W / 42.100°N 72.750°W / 42.100; -72.750 (Springfield (Jun. 1, EF3)) 20:17–21:2737.58 mi (60.48 km)880 yd (800 m)
3 deaths – See section on this tornado – 200 people were injured and 10 communities were impacted. [24] [25] [26] [27]
EF1S of New Portland to S of Embden Somerset ME 44°54′31″N70°01′38″W / 44.9087°N 70.0273°W / 44.9087; -70.0273 (New Portland (Jun. 1, EF1)) 21:51–22:068.38 mi (13.49 km)200 yd (180 m)
Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted, and several buildings, along with at least one vehicle, were damaged. Winds were estimated at 90 to 100 mph (140 to 160 km/h). [28] [29]
EF1 Wilbraham Hampden MA 42°08′24″N72°28′48″W / 42.140°N 72.480°W / 42.140; -72.480 (Wilbraham (Jun. 1, EF1)) 22:32–22:404.16 mi (6.69 km)200 yd (180 m)
Numerous trees were downed, and large limbs were snapped. Some trees fell onto homes and across roads. [30] Most of the damage occurred between Stony Hill Road and Main Street. [31]
EF1N of Brimfield Hampden MA 42°08′24″N72°28′48″W / 42.140°N 72.480°W / 42.140; -72.480 (Brimfield (Jun. 1, EF1)) 22:54–22:571.69 mi (2.72 km)100 yd (91 m)
Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. [32]
EF0NE of Fiskdale Worcester MA 42°09′15″N72°04′04″W / 42.1541°N 72.0677°W / 42.1541; -72.0677 (Wells State Park (Jun. 1, EF0)) 23:10–23:131.42 mi (2.29 km)25 yd (23 m)
Numerous trees were downed in and just east of Wells State Park, one of which fell on and damaged a home. [33] Multiple campers were in Wells State Park when the tornado passed through; there were no injuries. [34]

Greater Springfield

Greater Springfield
EF3 tornado
Westfield to Charlton tornado path, June 5, 2011.jpg
A satellite view of the tornado's path, shown as a brown streak across the center of the image; part of the track, including Springfield, is obscured by clouds.
Highest winds
  • 160 mph (260 km/h)
Max. rating1 EF3 tornado
Fatalities3 fatalities, 200 injuries
Damage$227.6 million (2011 USD) [35]
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

A large, long-lived tornado left a swath of major damage through Hampden County into Worcester County, in Western and Central Massachusetts. The tornado proved to be unusually persistent, remaining on the ground for one hour and ten minutes along a path 37.6 miles (60.5 km) long, the second longest on record in Massachusetts. [36] The damage path reached a width of 0.5 miles (0.80 km) at its greatest point, while it was moving through Brimfield State Forest. [36] The city of Springfield was devastated by the June 1, 2011 tornado, as was the southern portion of the Springfield Metropolitan Area – from Westfield to Charlton. Massachusetts has experienced only eight EF3 or higher tornadoes since reliable records began to be kept in 1950, and this was the first on record in Hampden County. [37] Overall, the tornado killed three people, injured about 200 others, and left hundreds homeless. [38] In Springfield alone, approximately 500 buildings were destroyed. [39] Hundreds of other homes were destroyed in surrounding towns, including West Springfield (88 structures) and Monson (77 structures), among others. [40] [41] Damage estimates from the storm, to date, exceed $140 million, the majority of which was from the destruction of homes and businesses. [42] Based on a post-storm survey by the National Weather Service office in Boston, the tornado attained maximum estimated winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) as it moved into Springfield, ranking it as a high-end EF3. [36]

Westfield

The tornado first touched down at 4:17 p.m. EDT (20:17 UTC) in the Munger Hill section of Westfield, near Birch Bluffs Drive. [36] Within Westfield, a total of 257 homes suffered damage, mostly ranging from broken windows to roof damage. However, 3 homes suffered extensive damage, including a house on Shaker Road which was ultimately condemned due to a tree piercing through the roof. Damage to homes and other structures was reported on Birch Bluffs Drive, Shaker Road, Falley Drive, Steiger Drive, Mallard Lane, Cardinal Lane, Glenwood Drive, Pontoosic Road, and Knollwood Drive. [43] The tornado moderately damaged Munger Hill Elementary School, with two kindergarten classrooms nearly destroyed and debris scattered throughout the school. The tornado removed a 20-foot section of roofing from the school and moved it several hundred feet away, dumping it in a swimming pool at a nearby home on Cardinal Lane. Only a handful of people were inside the school when the tornado struck, as pupils had already been dismissed for the day. A significant amount of damage to trees and power lines was reported throughout Westfield. [44] No fatalities or serious injuries occurred in Westfield as a result of the tornado; initial reports by state officials erroneously stated that two deaths occurred in Westfield. [45]

Agawam

The tornado briefly passed through the heavily forested northern section of Agawam, moving through Ridgeview Park and Robinson State Park. [46] There were 25 acres (10 hectares) of damage at Robinson State Park, including damage to trees, roads, trails, day-use areas, and power lines. [47] Multiple homes were damaged in Feeding Hills and North Agawam, although damage was relatively minor and no homes were destroyed. [48] On River Street in North Agawam, power lines and telephone poles were torn down or twisted by the tornado. [48] There were no tornado-related injuries or fatalities in Agawam, although an 18-year-old high school student was struck by lightning during the storm. [48]

West Springfield

Debris from buildings in West Springfield West Springfield 2011 tornado damage at MAC 1.jpg
Debris from buildings in West Springfield

Once the tornado moved out of the City of Westfield and into the City of West Springfield, it rapidly intensified, causing extensive damage to industrial buildings, tearing off roofs and the upper floors of three-story apartment complexes. Additionally, a few homes collapsed due to the severity of structural damage. [36] Throughout West Springfield, 88 buildings were destroyed and two people were killed. [41] One woman, 39-year-old Angelica Guererro, was killed on Union Street when her triple decker home collapsed on top of her. She was protecting her daughter, 15-year-old Ibone Guerrero, by climbing on top of her and shielding her from debris while they both took cover in a bathtub. [49] [50] Her daughter survived with serious injuries, along with her 46-year-old husband, Juan, who was critically injured by their home collapsing. [51] [52] Another fatality took place on Main Street when a 5 foot (1.5 m) wide oak tree fell on a vehicle, killing the driver, 23-year old Sergey Livchin. [53] [54] The tornado then moved east, crossing the Connecticut River and entering Springfield.

Springfield

Homes suffering varying degrees of damage Western Massachusetts tornado damage, June 4, 2011.jpg
Homes suffering varying degrees of damage

Upon entering Springfield, the tornado crossed over the Memorial Bridge, with a significant amount of vehicular traffic on the bridge. The tornado tipped a tractor-trailer onto its side, blocking the two eastbound lanes. There were no injuries or fatalities on the bridge, and none of the other vehicles were flipped or overturned. [55] Video of the tornado crossing the river was broadact live on multiple news stations, as cameras on top of the nearby Monarch Place skyscraper recorded the tornado as it crossed the river and entered the city from West Springfield. [56] Footage of the tornado crossing the bridge was widely circulated in the days and weeks following the storm. The tornado tracked through multiple different neighborhoods in Springfield, including Metro Center, the South End, Six Corners, Old Hill, Upper Hill (particularly the Springfield College campus), East Forest Park, and Sixteen Acres. [57] The tornado caused extensive damage throughout Springfield, destroying over 500 homes and buildings. [39] According to the Springfield Fire Department, several injuries were caused by cars being overturned by the tornado in multiple different occurrences throughout Springfield. [58]

Metro Center

After crossing the Connecticut River and the Memorial Bridge, the tornado moved into Metro Center, the most urban area of the densely populated City of Springfield. [36] The tornado caused extensive damage to Springfield's Connecticut River Walk Park, destroying much of the park's formerly lush tree canopy and large sections of its wrought-iron fences. [59] Some 200-year-old Heritage Trees in Court Square were uprooted and scattered throughout the area. Damage to buildings in Metro Center was relatively minor, especially compared to the neighboring South End. [60] A Hampden County assistant district attorney was seriously injured when she was struck by flying debris while she walked from the Hampden District Attorney office on State Street to her car. Multiple people narrowly avoided injury as the tornado sent broken glass flying from windows at the Hampden District Attorney office. [61]

South End

Several commercial brick buildings in Springfield's historic South End sustained extensive damage – large portions of their roofs were torn off and numerous, ornate brick facades were completely destroyed. [62] At the intersection of Main Street and Union Street, the mixed use Mills-Hale-Owen blocks were extensively damaged, with the top floor of one of the buildings partially collapsing. [63] [64] The multistory buildings were demolished one day after the tornado struck. [65] A daycare on Main Street was directly in the tornado's path; none of the children were injured but one employee was minorly injured. [66] The South End Community Center (located in the Howard Street Armory) sustained extensive damage; a large section of the roof was torn off by the tornado. [67] [68] Thirty-five children were taking shelter inside the community center when the tornado struck, although there were no injuries among the children. [69] Severe structural damage to apartments and townhouses took place near famous Mulberry Street. Union Car Wash on Union Street was directly hit by the tornado; windows were broken and three garage bay doors were removed by the tornado. [70] Dozens of cars in the 90-car parking lot were badly damaged by flying debris. [70] In Auburn, roughly 39 mi (63 km) from Springfield, a laminated advertising sign from the car wash was found. [70]

Six Corners

Moving out of the South End, the tornado continued east into Six Corners, a residential urban neighborhood. Numerous houses and other structures in six corners suffered extensive damage as a result of the tornado. [71] The Elias Brookings School, an elementary school in Six Corners, was severely damaged as a result of the tornado. [72] The school was not demolished as a result of the damage; it sat derelict and vacant until a private developer eventually purchased it from the city in June 2018, with the intention of renovating the building and converting it into affordable housing. [72] [73]

Springfield College

After moving through Six Corners, the tornado passed through the campus of Springfield College, moving through the southwestern section of the campus. [74] Numerous 150-year old maple and oak trees were uprooted or snapped in half by the tornado. [75] International Hall, a 9-story dormitory housing approximately 300 students, was struck directly by the tornado as it passed through the Springfield College campus. [76] [75] The metal façade of International Hall was severely damaged, with large pieces of the façade torn off the building. Almost all of the windows on the 9-story tower were blown out by flying debris or the tornado's powerful winds. [75] Three of the university's ten residence halls suffered severe roof damage (International Hall, Massasoit Hall & Reed Hall), necessitating extensive repairs over the summer, in time for the start of the fall 2011 semester. [75] There were no injuries or fatalities at Springfield College. [75]

East Forest Park
A man and woman sitting among debris in the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield Man and woman sitting among destructed property in Forest Park, Springfield, MA; 2011 tornado outbreak.jpg
A man and woman sitting among debris in the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield

The East Forest Park neighborhood was hit especially hard by the tornado. Numerous houses were completely destroyed, cars were overturned, and access to and from the neighborhood was blocked for days due to downed trees and power lines. [77] Cathedral High School was directly in the tornado's path; the school sustained extensive structural damage and it was eventually demolished in 2014. [78] [79] [80] [81] There were no injuries at Cathedral High School; students were dismissed early due to the threat of severe weather. The few students and teachers still inside when the tornado struck escaped injury by taking shelter under desks, in closets, and behind bleachers. [82] Some debris from Cathedral High School was found roughly 43 miles (69 km) east, discovered in Millbury. [11] Pennsylvania Avenue was hit particularly hard by the tornado, with multiple homes being destroyed when the tornado passed through. [77] [83] Some homes in East Forest Park were lifted off their foundations by the tornado. [83] [84]

Sixteen Acres

Springfield's Sixteen Acres neighborhood, a middle-class neighborhood – Springfield's most suburban in character – was severely damaged by the tornado. [85] Large trees were uprooted throughout the neighborhood, with multiple falling onto and damaging homes. [86] Veterans Memorial Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course in the heart of Sixteen Acres, suffered extensive tree damage and moderate turf damage when the tornado passed through the north side of the golf course, moving along Plumtree Road. [87] [88] [89] The Pioneer Valley Montessori School was damaged by the tornado as it passed through Sixteen Acres. [89] [90] Damage to homes, businesses, and other structures occurred on Bradley Road, Plumtree Road, Old Farm Road, Evergreen Road, Greenlawn Street, Glenvale Street, Talbot Road, South Branch Parkway, Parker Street, Cooley Street, Acrebrook Road, Westbrook Drive, Rochford Circle, Woodcrest Road, Druid Hill Road, White Oak Road, Woodland Road, Ranch Lane, Brianna Lane, Tinkham Road, Penncastle Street, Pennfield Street, Rachel Street, Albee Street, Angelica Drive, Calley Street, Flora Street, Garnet Street, and Tanglewood Drive. [89]

Wilbraham

Continuing eastward, the tornado tracked through Wilbraham, causing extensive deforestation and significant structural damage. In Wilbraham, the tornado moved along Tinkham Road and Monson Road, crossing Main Street south of the town center. [31] [91] On Tinkham Road, the tornado passed through the historic Adams Cemetery, damaging headstones, trees, and fencing. [92] Damage to homes and other structures occurred on West Colonial Road, Eastwood Drive, Wendy Road, South Colonial Road, Brookside Drive, Brookside Circle, Stony Hill Road, Evangeline Drive, Tinkham Road, Main Street, Church Lane, Wildwood Lane, Echo Hill Road, Bolles Road, Hollow Road, Glendale Road, Ames Road, and Monson Road. [31] At the Wilbraham Children's Museum on Main Street, vinyl fencing and a playground were damaged by fallen trees and flying debris. [93] The museum building itself suffered roof and siding damage, in addition to two broken windows. [94] Shortly after crossing Main Street, the tornado passed through Rice Nature Preserve and the Sunrise Peak Conservation Area. [31] The tornado then began to climb Minnechaug Mountain, heading east towards Monson. [95] According to town administrator Robert Weitz, a total of 237 buildings in Wilbraham received damage from the tornado, 13 of which were destroyed. [95] [96] All injuries in Wilbraham were non-life-threatening and relatively minor. [31]

Monson

Damaged and destroyed homes on Stewart Avenue in Monson Aerial view of houses destroyed by 2011 tornado; Western MA; (DSC02639).jpg
Damaged and destroyed homes on Stewart Avenue in Monson

The storm then moved through the center of Monson, crossing over Main Street (Route 32) and damaging nearly every structure in the area. Many homes were badly damaged, some of which were completely flattened. [36] A total of 77 buildings were destroyed, some completely. [41] In some locations, trees were debarked and had most of their branches removed. Some unanchored homes in town slid from their foundations and collapsed. The roof of the old Monson High School, which is now the town's police building, was also completely destroyed. [36] In Natick, roughly 60 miles (97 km) from Monson, a picture from the town was found. [97] A house on Stewart Avenue was flipped upside-down by the tornado, landing on its roof. A woman who was sheltering in a bathroom inside the house was injured when the tornado pulled her out of the window as the house was flipping over. [98] [99] The tornado damaged the First Church of Monson in the center of town, knocking over its distinctive steeple. [100] Another church in town, the Unitarian Universalist Parish of Monson, similarly lost its steeple in the tornado. [101] A 75-year-old woman from Monson, Joan Bacon, was indirectly killed by the tornado; she died in the hospital the next morning after the tornado severely damaged her home while she was sheltering in the basement. [102] [103] [104]

Brimfield

Tree damage in Brimfield Felled trees and property damage from 2011 tornado; Brimfield, MA.jpg
Tree damage in Brimfield

Shortly before 5:00 p.m., [105] the tornado moved through Brimfield State Forest where it reached its maximum width of 0.5 miles (0.80 km). Thousands of trees were snapped and uprooted in this area. [36] In Brimfield, a total of 192 buildings were damaged by the tornado, including several homes that were completely swept from their foundations. [41] [106] A total of 39 homes were destroyed by the tornado in Brimfield. [107] Damage to homes and other structures occurred on Sutcliffe Road, Dean Pond Road, Dearth Hill Road, Hollow Road, Haynes Hill Road, Wales Road (Route 19), Paige Hill Road, Holland Road, Sturbridge Road (U.S. Route 20), and East Brimfield-Holland Road. On Paige Hill Road, one horse was killed and three horses were injured by flying debris. [108] In East Brimfield, the Village Green campground was almost completely destroyed by the tornado. At the campground's trailer park, 95 out of 96 trailers were destroyed. One woman, 52-year-old Virginia Darlow, was killed at the trailer park. She was crushed by a refrigerator that fell on top of her when her RV was overturned by the tornado. [109] Her boyfriend, 51-year-old Richard Reim, was critically injured; they both declined to vacate when the owners of the campground warned them of the approaching tornado and encouraged them to seek shelter. [109] [110] 22 other campers and campground residents took shelter with the owners of the campground in the basement of a house on the property, narrowly avoiding further injury or loss of life at the campground. [111] [112] Losses at the Village Green campground exceeded $1 million. [113] Moving southeast, the tornado then devastated the Quinebaug Cove campground in Brimfield, damaging or destroying an estimated 80 percent of the campground. [114] There were no injuries or fatalities at the Quinebaug Cove campground. [115] A bank statement from Brimfield which was displaced by the tornado was found in a Boston 25 News parking lot in Dedham roughly 53 miles (85 km) away from Brimfield. [116] Around 5:09 p.m., another tornado warning was issued to include portions of Norfolk County, Massachusetts and Providence County, Rhode Island. [117]

Sturbridge

Aerial view of the tornado's path in Sturbridge, in the area of Interstate 84 2011 Storm and Tornado Response Tornado Damage DSC02610 (5805167018).jpg
Aerial view of the tornado's path in Sturbridge, in the area of Interstate 84
Tree damage in Sturbridge Tornado Damage at Sturbridge.JPG
Tree damage in Sturbridge

The tornado then crossed into Worcester County, passing over East Brimfield Lake in the process. The tornado moved to the south of Fiskdale and struck the town of Sturbridge, where thousands of trees were downed and multiple homes were damaged. The tornado passed through Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum consisting of 240 acres (97 hectares) of land and 59 antique buildings. [118] [119] Tornado damage at Old Sturbridge Village was mostly limited to trees and power lines in the forested southern section of the museum grounds, furthest from the buildings and exhibits. [120] The tornado did not cause significant damage to any of the antique buildings at Old Sturbridge Village. [121] [122] The tornado crossed Interstate 84 south of exit 6A (old exit 3A), knocking over a gantry sign onto the southbound carriageway. [123] [124] At 5:22 p.m EDT (21:22 UTC), nearly 10 minutes after the tornado passed through Sturbridge, the Massachusetts State Police reported that multiple cars had overturned on Interstate 84 as a result of the tornado. [125] [126] A 34-room Days Inn hotel on Haynes Street suffered a near-direct hit from the tornado. [127] Forty to fifty trees on the hotel property were uprooted, some of which fell onto and damaged the hotel. [128] All four buildings at the Days Inn hotel were damaged beyond repair. [129] On Main Street (Route 131), Sturbridge Auto Body was struck directly by the tornado, collapsing the cinder block structure and destroying 106 cars. [130] There were no injuries at Sturbridge Auto Body; several employees took shelter after receiving advance warning of the approaching tornado. [131] Damage to homes and other structures was reported on Streeter Road, Holland Road, Stallion Hill Road, Old Sturbridge Village Road, Interstate 84, Haynes Street, Farquhar Road, Main Street, Willard Road, and Fiske Hill Road. [132] Significant damage took place to both buildings and trees for several miles before the storm moved into Southbridge.

Southbridge

Damaged aircraft at Southbridge Airport Southbridge Airport Storm Damage, June 3, 2011 (5794396120).jpg
Damaged aircraft at Southbridge Airport

In Southbridge, the tornado tracked through the northern section of town, avoiding the densely populated town center. Upon entering the town of Southbridge, the tornado crossed through the McKinstry Brook wildlife management area, deforesting approximately 50 acres (20.2 hectares) of land. [133] [134] [135] After exiting the wildlife management area, the tornado damaged several homes and uprooted trees on Pleasant Street. The tornado then moved through the southern section of Southbridge Municipal Airport, damaging or destroying 15 of the 17 airplanes at the airport. The tornado flipped or picked up the airplanes, sending multiple into the nearby woods. [136] [137] The airport's maintenance building was moderately damaged, fencing at the airport was destroyed, one hangar was destroyed, and the airport's office building suffered significant damage. [138] [139] Once through the airport, the tornado ripped through the Rosemeade Apartments on Worcester Street (Route 169), destroying or severely damaging 68 apartments across six buildings. [140] [141] There were no injuries at the Rosemeade Apartments, although 26 families were displaced. [142] The tornado continued traveling east, causing severe damage to homes, trees, fences, and power lines on Worcester Street, Brookside Road, Charlton Street, and Harrington Road at 5:18 p.m EDT (21:18 UTC). A total of 78 buildings in Southbridge were damaged by the tornado. [143]

Charlton

Damage path from the tornado in Southbridge and Charlton 2011 Storm and Tornado Response Tornado Damage DSC02652 (5804621381).jpg
Damage path from the tornado in Southbridge and Charlton

The tornado then moved into southwest Charlton, damaging trees, personal property, and nearly a dozen homes on Denfield Road. Damage to homes was mostly limited to siding and rooves; none of the affected structures in Charlton were significantly damaged or destroyed. [144] The tornado then began to weaken as it left the Denfield Road neighborhood, knocking down trees and power lines as it crossed Guelphwood Road, moving to the east. [145] The tornado ultimately dissipated in a forested area near the intersection of Denfield Road and Guelphwood Road in Charlton, at 5:27 p.m EDT (21:27 UTC). There were no injuries or fatalities in Charlton. [36]

Aftermath

National Guard troops and Massachusetts State Police secure Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 2, 2011. National Guard and state police secure Main Street in Springfield, MA; 2011 tornado outbreak.jpg
National Guard troops and Massachusetts State Police secure Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 2, 2011.

Immediately following the storms, four people were reported dead. That number was later reduced to three as one Springfield man was found to have died of an unrelated heart attack prior to the tornado's impact. [38] Hundreds of people were admitted to hospitals with injuries ranging from lightning strikes to trauma, and almost 500 people were forced to leave their homes, most of whom stayed in the MassMutual Center. [146] [147] Over two weeks later, more than 200 people were still homeless at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. [148] In addition to the MassMutual Center, Tantasqua High School in Sturbridge and Brookfield Elementary School were opened up as emergency shelters. A Special Emergency Response Team was activated by the state police in order to search for missing people and those trapped underneath debris.

Tornado cleanup on Hollow Road in Brimfield on June 3 Brimfield Tornado Cleanup, June 3, 2011 (5793105143).jpg
Tornado cleanup on Hollow Road in Brimfield on June 3

In Springfield, firefighters from Boston, Worcester, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Weston assisted in rescue efforts. [149] [150] Governor Deval Patrick also declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts, and activated 1,000 National Guard troops for rescue and recovery efforts. [151] By June 2, six Red Cross shelters had been opened in the state and housed about 480 people. [152] [153] On June 2, 2011, the Business Improvement District of Hartford, Connecticut – Springfield's bi-state twin city – and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District were helping the Springfield Business Improvement District with clean-up. [154] Within two days of the tornadoes, the process of demolishing "structures beyond repair" began as local officials inspected hundreds of damaged homes. [155] By June 7, three shelters remained open, housing 362 people. [156] AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) deployed their nearby team, Summit 7 of Class 17, to aid the community in debris removal. Armed with chainsaws and other tools, the team spent several weeks helping residents clean up their homes and properties.

Graduations at Monson High School in Monson and Cathedral High School in Springfield were scheduled for Thursday, June 2, and Friday, June 3, respectively. Both graduation ceremonies were rescheduled due to the tornado's impact on both communities and the severe damage at Cathedral High School. [157]

Massachusetts Army National Guard personnel removing tornado debris in Wilbraham Wilbraham, MA 2011 tornado outbreak response by National Guard.jpg
Massachusetts Army National Guard personnel removing tornado debris in Wilbraham

On June 15, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Hampden and Worcester Counties as major disaster areas, allowing for government aid to be distributed to affected residents. [158] The following day, the number of insurance claims sharply rose from about 5,000 to 8,200. In addition to federal funds, state lawmakers passed a $50.3 million supplemental budget that included $15 million for emergency response, cleanup, and assistance and shelter to residents affected by the storms. [159] By June 20, just over $1 million in individual aid had been provided to 254 households. [158] $3.9M in federal funds were given to cities and towns for emergency items including debris removal and road and sidewalk repair. [160] In addition to assistance from MassDOT and waiving of license replacement fees in June by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Massport donated $300,000 in unused construction supplies from the Boston Logan Residential Soundproofing Program. [160]

In Sturbridge, it took 18 months for the local auto body shop, Sturbridge Auto Body, to rebuild and reopen after being completely destroyed by the tornado. [131] A significant amount of debris from the tornado landed in the Quinebaug River in Sturbridge, causing moderate flooding at Old Sturbridge Village. Flood conditions did not subside until after July, causing numerous scheduled events at Old Sturbridge Village to be canceled, including an Independence Day fireworks celebration. [161]

In August 2012, the Unitarian Universalist Parish of Monson received a new steeple after it was destroyed by the tornado. [162] In October 2013, the First Church of Monson similarly replaced its destroyed steeple. [163] [164]

In May 2014, the Town of Southbridge received $1 million from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for reconstruction work at Southbridge Municipal Airport, to renovate multiple buildings and rebuild a hangar destroyed by the tornado. [165]

In October 2017, a rebuilt South End Community Center in Springfield opened on Marble Street, funded by $6 million in federal disaster funding and $4 million in city funds. [166]

In August 2018, Pope Francis Preparatory School opened on the site of the former Cathedral High School, which was severely damaged by the tornado and demolished in 2014. [167]

On June 1, 2021, the tenth anniversary of the tornado outbreak, a monument commemorating the tornado's impact on Springfield was unveiled in the East Forest Park neighborhood. [168]

See also

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Notes

  1. ↑ All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
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