List of African tornadoes and tornado outbreaks

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These are some notable tornadoes, tornado outbreaks, and tornado outbreak sequences that have occurred in Africa.

Contents

Chad

EventDateAreaTornadoesCasualtiesNotes
Ndjamena tornado2 May 2007 Ndjamena, Chad 19 fatalities, 100 injuriesA rare tornado struck Ndjamena, destroying 50 homes and killing nine people. [1]
Bebedjia tornado9 May 2007 Bebedjia, Chad 114 fatalities, >150 injuries; town was destroyedAn extremely rare and violent tornado tore through Bebedjia, reportedly destroying 95% of the town. The tornado struck at 4:00 pm, and was followed by an equally violent storm six hours later. [1]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

EventDateAreaTornadoesCasualtiesNotes
2003 Yumbi tornado2 February 2003 Yumbi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 117 fatalities, 4,000 injuriesAn extremely rare tornado swept through areas near the town of Yumbi. 1,700 families were made homeless by the tornado. [2]

South Africa

EventDateAreaTornadoesCasualtiesNotes
Roodepoort, South Africa26 November 1948 Highveld 14 fatalities, 100 injuries700 homes wrecked, damages estimated at R150 million. This tornado made a track of 64 km and had touched down 15 times. [3] [4]
Zastron, South Africa tornado26 November 1948 Free State 1-[ citation needed ]
Albertynesville, South Africa tornado30 November 1952 South Africa -20 fatalities, 400 injuriesCars were lifted 100 feet into the air by the tornado. [5]
Paynesville, South Africa tornado2 December 1952 South Africa -11 fatalitiesThe tornado "threw cattle high into the air". [5]
Trompsburg, South Africa tornado5 November 1976 Karoo -5 fatalitiesF3 rated tornado which tracked a 175 km long path, mainly through farmland. [6] [7]
Senekal, South Africa tornado15 September 1988 South Africa -2 fatalitiesF3 that tracked a 100 km path over mostly open farmland, killing two children and damaging power lines. [6] [7]
Welkom, South Africa tornado20 March 1990 Free State -destroying 4000 homesF4 Multi-vortex tornado raced through the suburbs of Welkom with a 240 km long severe storm front and a width of up to 1.7 km. Proved to be the most devastating tornado (in monetary terms) in South Africa's history. [4]
Harrismith tornado15 November 1998 Free State 10 fatalities, 14 injuriesF2 according to Weather Service. Several houses and three airplane hangars were damaged or destroyed. [8]
Umtata (Mthatha)tornado15 December 1998 Eastern Cape 118 fatalities, 150 injuriesCategory unknown. Large amounts of damage was caused including damage to the hospital. Nelson Mandela, previous president of South Africa was in a pharmacy when the tornado hit, and was protected by his bodyguards while lying on the floor. The pharmacy was also damaged, but Mandela was not injured.3 days later Mandela declared Umtata in a state of emergency at Bridge Street taxi rank outside the shop that suffered 11 fatalities. [9]
Mount Ayliff, South Africa tornado18 January 1999 South Africa -25 fatalities, 500 injuries120 km long track F4 [10] [4]
Heidelberg, South Africa tornado21 October 1999 South Africa -20 injuries100+ km path narrowly missed Johannesburg [11] [12]
Centurion tornado21 October 1999 Gauteng 1unknown fatality, unknown injuriesF1 according to Weather Service. Damage was caused. [11]
Mpumalanga, South Africa tornado outbreak9 September 2002 Mpumalanga 42 fatalities[ citation needed ]Strong line of storms. [13] Some buildings completely flattened[ citation needed ]
Dullstroom tornado1 August 2006 Mpumalanga 10 fatalities, 11 injuriesSeveral homes damaged, roof a high school completely removed. Estimated to be strong F1, possibly F2. [14]
Vryheid tornado20 October 2006 KwaZulu-Natal 10Rural huts destroyed on a farm 15 km east of the town. Child almost 'taken up' into tornado. Path estimated to be 4 km long. Estimated F1[ citation needed ]
Klerksdorp tornado4 March 2007 North West 11 fatality, 3 injuriesF0 (South African Weather Bureah classified it as a "mini tornado"). 200 houses and other buildings damaged. [15]
Molweni tornado14 November 2008 KwaZulu-Natal 18 fatalities, 200 injuries

Crossed an urban area. Cars rolled some distance and shipping containers hurled through the air over 200m. Mud huts completely scoured away. Brick houses levelled. Path estimated to be 10 km long. Estimated EF3-4. [16]

Bulwer tornado6 November 2009 KwaZulu-Natal 11 fatality[ citation needed ], 66 injuriesF3 according to Weather Service. Cars thrown and cinder brick homes flattened. 178 homes were destroyed. [17]
Ficksburg tornado3 October 2011 Free State 11 fatality, 42 injuriesF2 according to Weather Service. 122 houses and shacks destroyed. [18]
Duduza tornado3 October 2011 Gauteng 11 fatality, 166 injuriesF2 according to Weather Service. 150 houses destroyed [19]
Bronkhorstspruit tornado13 November 2011 Mpumalanga 10 fatalities, 0 injuriesCategory unknown. Minimal damage due touching down in open fields. [20]
Bethlehem tornado23 June 2012 Free State 18 fatalities, 27 injuriesF2. Several houses was destroyed in Bethlehem and Kestell areas [21]
Deneysville tornado23 June 2012 Free State 11 fatality, 5 injuriesa lot of damage to waterfront property. [22]
Queenstown – Mthaha tornado19 September 2013 Eastern Cape 1-[ citation needed ]
Tembisa26 July 2016 Gauteng 10 fatalities, 3 injuriesDamaged roof of Phumulani Mall and a nearby hospital, causing injuries. [23]
Mpumalanga, Standerton10 December 2016Mpumalanga, Standerton10 fatalitiesSpotted about 12 km outside Standerton on the R23 Volksrust Road [24] [25]
Mpumalanga

Standerton

11 December 2016Mpumalanga, Standerton10 fatalitiesSeen in the Kaalspruit/Bloukop Area [26]
Vaal Marina11 December 2016Gauteng10 fatalities, +-50 injuriesAt least 300 people were displaced and 50 others injured [27]
New Hanover12 November 2019KwaZulu-Natal12 fatalities, +-18 injuriesHundreds of people were displaced. [28] [29]
oThongathi3 June 2024KwaZulu-Natal211 fatalities, > +-120 injuriesHundreds of houses were damaged or destroyed. 11 deaths, including 7 in oThongathi, where an EF3 wedge tornado was confirmed. About 1500 were displaced. It later became a rare wedge waterspout. [30] [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado</span> Violently rotating column of air in contact with both the Earths surface and a cumulonimbus cloud

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. It is often referred to as a twister, whirlwind or cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology to name a weather system with a low-pressure area in the center around which, from an observer looking down toward the surface of the Earth, winds blow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern. Tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, and they are often visible in the form of a condensation funnel originating from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, with a cloud of rotating debris and dust beneath it. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 180 kilometers per hour, are about 80 meters across, and travel several kilometers before dissipating. The most extreme tornadoes can attain wind speeds of more than 480 kilometers per hour (300 mph), are more than 3 kilometers (2 mi) in diameter, and stay on the ground for more than 100 km (62 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supercell</span> Thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone

A supercell is a thunderstorm characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone, a deep, persistently rotating updraft. Due to this, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms. Of the four classifications of thunderstorms, supercells are the overall least common and have the potential to be the most severe. Supercells are often isolated from other thunderstorms, and can dominate the local weather up to 32 kilometres (20 mi) away. They tend to last 2–4 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado warning</span> Weather warning indicating imminent danger of tornadoes

A tornado warning is a public warning that is issued by weather forecasting agencies to an area in the direct path of a tornado, or a severe thunderstorm capable of producing one, and advises individuals in that area to take cover. Modern weather surveillance technology such as Doppler weather radar can detect rotation in a thunderstorm, allowing for early warning before a tornado develops. They are also commonly issued based on reported visual sighting of a tornado, funnel cloud, or wall cloud, typically from weather spotters or the public, but also law enforcement or local emergency management. When radar is unavailable or insufficient, such ground truth is crucial. In particular, a tornado can develop in a gap of radar coverage, of which there are several known in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado watch</span> Weather watch indicating conditions favorable for tornado development in severe thunderstorms

A tornado watch is a statement issued by weather forecasting agencies to advise the public that atmospheric conditions in a given region may lead to the development of tornadoes within the region over a period of several hours. In addition to the potential for tornado development, thunderstorms that develop within the watch area may contain large hail, straight-line winds, intense rainfall and/or flooding that pose a similar damage risk as the attendant tornado threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak</span> Tornado outbreak in May 1999

From May 2 to 8, 1999, a large tornado outbreak took place across much of the Central and parts of the Eastern United States, as well as southern Canada. During this week-long event, 152 tornadoes touched down in these areas. The most dramatic events unfolded during the afternoon of May 3 through the early morning hours of May 4 when more than half of these storms occurred. Oklahoma experienced its largest tornado outbreak on record, with 70 confirmed. The most notable of these was the F5 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado which devastated Oklahoma City and suburban communities. The tornado killed 36 people and injured 583 others; losses amounted to $1 billion, making it the first billion-dollar tornado in history. Overall, 50 people lost their lives during the outbreak and damage amounted to $1.4 billion. For these reasons, the outbreak is known in Oklahoma as the May 3rd outbreak or the Oklahoma tornado outbreak of 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence</span> 1953 tornado outbreak in Flint, Michigan and Worcester, Massachusetts

An extremely devastating and deadly tornado outbreak sequence impacted the Midwestern and Northeastern United States at the beginning of June 1953. It included two tornadoes that caused at least 90 deaths each—an F5 tornado occurring in Flint, Michigan, on June 8 and an F4 tornado in Worcester, Massachusetts, on June 9. These tornadoes are among the deadliest in United States history and were caused by the same storm system that moved eastward across the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Plainfield tornado</span> Deadly tornado in Illinois

The 1990 Plainfield tornado was a devastating tornado that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 28, 1990. The violent tornado killed 29 people and injured 353. It is the only F5/EF5 rated tornado ever officially recorded in August in the United States, and the only F5 tornado to strike the Chicago area. There are no known videos or photographs of the tornado itself; however, in 2011, a video surfaced online showing the supercell that spawned the tornado. The Plainfield tornado was part of a small outbreak that produced several tornadoes in the Northern United States, specifically Kansas, and the Canadian province of Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak</span> Severe weather event in April 1979

On Tuesday, April 10, 1979, a widespread and destructive outbreak of severe weather impacted areas near the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. Thunderstorms developed over West and North Central Texas during the day within highly unstable atmospheric conditions following the northward surge of warm and moist air into the region, producing large hail, strong winds, and multiple tornadoes. At least 22 tornadoes were documented on April 10, of which two were assigned an F4 rating on the Fujita scale; four of the tornadoes caused fatalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterspout</span> Vortex or tornado occurring over a body of water

A waterspout is a rotating column of air that occurs over a body of water, usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud in contact with the water and a cumuliform cloud. There are two types of waterspout, each formed by distinct mechanisms. The most common type is a weak vortex known as a "fair weather" or "non-tornadic" waterspout. The other less common type is simply a classic tornado occurring over water rather than land, known as a "tornadic", "supercellular", or "mesocyclonic" waterspout, and accurately a "tornado over water". A fair weather waterspout has a five-part life cycle: formation of a dark spot on the water surface; spiral pattern on the water surface; formation of a spray ring; development of a visible condensation funnel; and ultimately, decay. Most waterspouts do not suck up water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Fort Worth tornado outbreak</span> Natural disaster in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, United States on 2000

During the evening hours of March 28, 2000, a powerful F3 tornado struck Downtown Fort Worth, Texas, causing significant damage to numerous buildings and skyscrapers as well as two deaths. The tornado was part of a larger severe weather outbreak that caused widespread storms across Texas and Oklahoma in late-March, spurred primarily by the moist and unstable atmospheric environment over the South Central United States as a result of an eastward-moving upper-level low and shortwave trough. The tornado outbreak was well forecast by both computer forecast models and the National Weather Service, though the eventual focal point for the severe weather—North Texas—only came into focus on March 28 as the conditions favorable for tornadic development quickly took hold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funnel cloud</span> Funnel-shaped cloud not touching the ground

A funnel cloud is a funnel-shaped cloud of condensed water droplets, associated with a rotating column of wind and extending from the base of a cloud but not reaching the ground or a water surface. A funnel cloud is usually visible as a cone-shaped or needle like protuberance from the main cloud base. Funnel clouds form most frequently in association with supercell thunderstorms, and are often, but not always, a visual precursor to tornadoes. Funnel clouds are visual phenomena, but these are not the vortex of wind itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 1999</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1999, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, as well as Europe. One particular event, the Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado, produced the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth, which was 301 ± 20 mph (484 ± 32 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2011</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2011. Extremely destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, Brazil and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also appear regularly in neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, and somewhat regularly in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Goderich tornado</span> Weather event in Ontario, Canada

The 2011 Goderich, Ontario tornado was an F3 tornado generated by an isolated supercell which unexpectedly tore across Huron County, Ontario, Canada on the afternoon of Sunday, August 21, 2011. Beginning as a tornadic waterspout over Lake Huron, the tornado ripped through the lakeside town of Goderich severely damaging the historic downtown and homes in the surrounding area. One person died and 37 more were injured as a result. This was the strongest tornado to hit Ontario in over fifteen years, since the April 20, 1996, tornado outbreak in Williamsford, Arthur, and Violet Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2013</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2013. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, Brazil and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also appear regularly in neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, and somewhat regularly in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2016</span>

This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2016. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, Brazil and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. There were 1,059 tornadoes reported in the United States in 2016, of which 974 were confirmed. Worldwide, 133 fatalities were reported: 100 in China, 18 in the United States, five in Uruguay, four in Brazil and two in Italy, Russia and Indonesia each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2020</span>

This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2020. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, and eastern India, but can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. There were 1,243 preliminary filtered reported tornadoes in 2020 in the United States in 2020, and 1,086 confirmed tornadoes in the United States in 2020. Worldwide, at least 93 tornado-related deaths were confirmed with 78 in the United States, eight in Vietnam, two each in Canada, Indonesia, and Mexico, and one in South Africa.

A destructive and deadly outbreak of 17 tornadoes occurred on February 9–10, 1959, mostly during the overnight hours, causing widespread destruction in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. The strongest of the outbreak was a violent F4 tornado which tore through Northwestern Downtown St. Louis. An F3 tornado also caused heavy damage to numerous structures in Southern Highland County, Ohio, including a school that was in session at the time the tornado hit. Overall, the outbreak caused 21 fatalities, 358 injuries, and $53.713 million in damage. Non-tornadic impacts also caused two more fatalities, and at least 70 more injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2021</span>

This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2021. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. Worldwide, 150 tornado-related deaths were confirmed with 103 in the United States, 28 in China, six in the Czech Republic, four in Russia, three in Italy, two in India, and one each in Canada, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2022</span> List of notable tornadoes occurring in 2022

This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2022. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. Worldwide, 32 tornado-related deaths were confirmed: 23 in the United States, three in China, two each in Poland and Russia, and one each in the Netherlands and Ukraine.

References

  1. 1 2 "At Least 14 Killed In Tornado In Southern Chad". www.terradaily.com.
  2. ↑ "Experts revise figures on Yumbi tornado - only 17 dead". The New Humanitarian. 10 February 2003. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "South African mining town is devastated by cyclone". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
  4. 1 2 3 "Top 5 worst tornadoes in South African history". northernnatalnews.co.za. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  5. 1 2 Grazulis, Thomas P. (2001). The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 257. ISBN   0806135387.
  6. 1 2 Goliger, A.M. (1 March 1993). "Tornado activity in South Africa". Civil Engineering. 1993 (2): 13–14. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 "The Complete History of Tornadoes in South Africa". afriwx.co.za. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  8. ↑ de Coning, E; Adam, BF (3 July 2000). "The tornadic thunderstorm events during the 1998-1999 South African summer" (PDF). Weather Forecasting Research Programme: 366. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Tornadoes of Africa". For Strong Winds. October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  10. ↑ de Coning, E; Adam, BF (16 March 2000). "The tornadic thunderstorm events during the 1998-1999 South African summer" (PDF). www.wrc.org.za. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-11-26.
  11. 1 2 de Coning, E; Adam B F; Goliger A M; van Wyk T (October 2013). "An F3 tornado in Heidelerg, South Africa". National Weather Association. Weather Forecasting Research Group. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  12. ↑ National Weather Association Electronic Journal of Operational Meteorology
  13. ↑ "A twist in the theory of SA's near perfect weather". enca.com. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  14. ↑ "Dullstroom counts cost of 'tornado' damage". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  15. ↑ "Tornado rips through Klerksdorp Suburbs". IOL News. October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "'Tornado' kills eight, rips RDP homes up". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  17. ↑ "KZN freak storm destroys 178 homes". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  18. ↑ "Ficksburg tornado: Red Cross steps in". News24. October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "Deadly tornadoes wreak havoc in Duduza, Ficksburg". Mail&Guardian. October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Severe weather observation: Gauting/Mpumalanga 13 November 2011". SAWDOS. October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  21. ↑ "South Africa Tornado Damages Homes, Kills Eight". AccuWeather.com. October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "Tornado rips through Deneysville". National Sea Rescue Institute. 23 June 2012.
  23. ↑ "Tornado damages Tembisa Hospital, Phumulani Mall". eNews Channel Africa. 26 July 2016.
  24. ↑ reporter, CNS. "Tornado and funnel cloud appear near Standerton". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  25. ↑ "Videos - Tornado and funnel cloud appear near Standerton | Standerton Advertiser". Standerton Advertiser. 2016-12-12. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  26. ↑ "'n Video-opname asook foto's van 'n tornado en die skade wat dit verrig het in die Standerton gebied en omliggende dorpe doen tans die ronde op sosiale media". Standerton Advertiser. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  27. ↑ reporter, ANA and Citizen. "At least 50 people injured as Tornado hits Vaal Marina". The Citizen. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  28. ↑ reporter, South Africa Uncut. "New Hanover tornado: Two dead, as huge extent of destruction revealed". South Africa Uncut. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  29. ↑ Mia Lindeque, Eyewitness News. "KZN authorities tallying up cost of damage after tornado hits New Hanover". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  30. ↑ "KZN tornado death toll rises to 11 as relief efforts continue". Daily Maverick. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  31. ↑ "oThongathi tornado rated EF3 – are tornadoes common in SA?". Independent Online. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
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