Tornado outbreak | |
---|---|
Tornadoes | 34 |
Maximum rating | EF3 tornado [1] |
Duration | March 13–15,2024 |
Highest winds | 165 mph (Winchester,Indiana on March 14) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 4 |
Injuries | 69 |
Damage | $5.9 billion (2024 USD) [2] |
Areas affected | Midwestern,Southern,Northeastern United States |
Part of the Tornadoes of 2024 |
A significant early spring tornado outbreak occurred throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern United States,with the most significant impacts occurring in Indiana and Ohio. More than two dozen tornadoes occurred,eight of them strong to intense. National Weather Service offices issued multiple 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' tornado warnings. Strong tornadoes produced major damage in the communities of Selma and Winchester in Indiana,and Fryburg and Lakeview in Ohio. One person died in Winchester,and three people were killed in Lakeview. Other significant tornadoes caused damage in Kansas,Arkansas,and Kentucky,with scattered weak tornadoes confirmed in several other states.
In addition to tornadoes,severe weather occurred across the West and East South Central U.S. Damaging winds and large hail was reported in Oklahoma,Missouri,and parts of the Deep South. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding was reported in Tennessee and Kentucky.
The weather system responsible for the outbreak was evident multiple days prior,but the area that received the worst tornadoes was not expected to be the main threat. On March 9,the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) highlighted a 15% probability area of severe weather on March 14 for areas in northeast Texas and far southeast Oklahoma,indicating numerical weather models agreed that severe weather would occur. [3] Over the following days,model runs began to highlight favorable parameters for severe weather,mainly towards very large hail,damaging winds,and a potential for tornadoes across a corridor that expanded northeast.
On March 11,a Day 3 marginal risk was highlighted from central Oklahoma into eastern Kansas,as well as the Lower Missouri Valley. Forecasters identified deep troughing,as well as possible zonal flow,especially around southeast Kansas for March 13.
On March 12,a Day 3 slight risk was issued for the March 14 event,extending into Arkansas,central Missouri,southeastern Iowa,and western Illinois. [4] Given moderate moisture,strong atmospheric buoyancy,and an unstable airmass ahead of convective initiation preceded by a warm front,supercells were possible,with a risk for all severe hazards. A slight risk was also issued for Day 2 around northeastern Kansas. [5]
By 3:54 p.m. CDT on the 13th,storms began to initiate along a warm front in eastern Kansas as forecast. A shortwave trough was also noted nearby on water vapor imagery,highlighting large-scale ascent favorable for all severe hazards. At around 6:00 p.m. CDT,storms began to mature,and an EF2 tornado produced near Alta Vista,Kansas. Following the tornado in Alta Vista,another EF2 produced in Rossville,before storms began to downtrend through the night. [5]
On March 14,a particularly favorable corridor for severe weather was placed along eastern Oklahoma,northwestern Arkansas,and southern Missouri,with intense supercells capable of tornadoes,damaging winds,and very large hail. The aforementioned area was given a level 3/enhanced risk for severe weather,with a 10% risk for EF2+ tornadoes situated mainly in the area within Oklahoma and Arkansas. [6] In this area,convective available potential energy (CAPE) values reached 2,500–3,000 J/kg,favorable wind shear was present,and elongated,curved hodograph values were expected,allowing any mature supercell to rotate.
During the early morning hours of March 14,the system produced severe weather across areas of Kansas to Ohio. After the initial storms passed,the atmosphere was predicted to stabilize,as the temperature gradient throughout experienced vertical mixing. Because of this,an elongated,wide corridor that extended into Indiana and western Ohio was given a 5% risk for tornadoes,however,the Storm Prediction Center noted that if supercells were able to develop in this region,they could be long-tracked. Supercells were able to develop by the late afternoon near west Indiana and began tracking east and southeast through Ohio,prompting a tornado watch for the states.
EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF2 | E of Alta Vista to NE of Volland | Wabaunsee | KS | 38°52′N96°27′W / 38.87°N 96.45°W | 00:45–01:15 | 8.14 mi (13.10 km) | 300 yd (270 m) |
The tornado remained mostly over rural areas, causing low-end EF2 damage to hardwood trees and outbuildings. [7] | |||||||
EF2 | WNW of Rossville | Shawnee | KS | 39°08′N95°59′W / 39.13°N 95.98°W | 01:27–01:46 | 4.94 mi (7.95 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
Homes and outbuildings were damaged. [8] | |||||||
EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF1 | NW of Avon | Warren, Fulton | IL | 40°41′10″N90°27′47″W / 40.686°N 90.463°W | 09:36–09:37 | 1.06 mi (1.71 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
A brief but high-end EF1 tornado damaged farmsteads. Outbuildings and machine sheds were destroyed, grain bins were damaged, trees were uprooted and power poles were snapped. [9] | |||||||
EF0 | E of Fieldon to WNW of Delhi | Jersey | IL | 39°05′46″N90°26′56″W / 39.096°N 90.449°W | 12:28–12:38 | 8.65 mi (13.92 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
Minor damage to trees, siding, and roofs occurred. [10] | |||||||
EF0 | S of Fidelity | Jersey, Macoupin | IL | 39°08′13″N90°11′13″W / 39.137°N 90.187°W | 12:44–12:48 | 3.9 mi (6.3 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
Minor damage to trees and farm buildings occurred. [11] | |||||||
EF0 | Charlack | St. Louis | MO | 38°42′05″N90°20′24″W / 38.7015°N 90.3399°W | 12:46–12:47 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
Minor damage to trees and houses occurred. [12] | |||||||
EF0 | N of Birghton to SSE of Piasa | Jersey, Macoupin | IL | 39°04′16″N90°09′07″W / 39.071°N 90.152°W | 12:46–12:48 | 2.75 mi (4.43 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
Trees, outbuildings, and transmission lines were damage. [13] | |||||||
EF0 | SW of Carlinville | Macoupin | IL | 39°13′52″N89°56′28″W / 39.231°N 89.941°W | 12:58–13:00 | 2.13 mi (3.43 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
A farm building, tree limbs, and a residence were damaged. [14] | |||||||
EF2 | N of Hanover, IN to Milton, KY to E of Carrollton, KY | Jefferson (IN), Trimble (KY), Carroll (KY), Switzerland (IN) | IN, KY | 38°44′09″N85°28′28″W / 38.7359°N 85.4744°W | 17:58–18:24 | 17.97 mi (28.92 km) | 500 yd (460 m) |
This strong tornado formed near SR 256 on the north side of Hanover, causing minor EF1 damage to homes and trees. In Jefferson Manor subdivision several homes sustained roof damage; a newer house had its roof completely ripped off. Garages were heavily damaged, and an outbuilding was destroyed. The tornado then crossed SR 56, snapping trees before crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky, initially uprooting trees and damaging trees at high-end EF0 strength. The tornado reached EF1 intensity as it moved into the River Park Campground, where multiple trailers were flipped. The tornado then struck Milton, where damage to several homes, businesses, mobile homes, and trees was observed. It also moved over the Milton–Madison Bridge (US 421), although no damage to the bridge was reported. The tornado reached low-end EF2 intensity as it crossed KY 36 into Paradise Point, where campers and a motorhome were demolished. One tri-axle camper weighing well over 10,000 pounds (4.5 t) was rolled and thrown over 100 yd (91 m). After causing additional EF1 tree damage, the tornado briefly weakened, causing EF0 damage to trees as it crossed KY 1492 and KY 36. After moving over the Ohio River back into Ohio, the tornado quickly regained low-end EF2 intensity, knocking over and lifting several RV trailers along SR 56. Numerous boat ports had anchor supports pulled out of the ground and outbuildings and small barns were destroyed. In Switzerland County, more barns sustained significant EF1 roof damage. Extensive damage occurred to trees and power lines occurred in this area as well. The weakening tornado then crossed the Ohio River again back into Kentucky, causing minor EF0 tree damage before lifting along US 42. Two people were injured. [15] | |||||||
EF0 | S of Hoffman | McIntosh | OK | 35°25′49″N95°51′49″W / 35.4302°N 95.8635°W | 18:44–18:47 | 2.7 mi (4.3 km) | 350 yd (320 m) |
The tornado developed just south of I–40, snapping large tree limbs and damaging an outbuilding. [16] | |||||||
EF0 | NE of Ozark | Christian | MO | 37°01′44″N93°10′26″W / 37.029°N 93.174°W | 20:40–20:41 | 0.96 mi (1.54 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
Multiple trees were uprooted or snapped. A barn and outbuilding were also damaged. [17] | |||||||
EF1 | ENE of New Corydon. IN to W of Celina, OH | Adams (IN), Mercer (OH) | IN, OH | 40°34′24″N84°48′09″W / 40.5732°N 84.8025°W | 22:40–22:55 | 9.34 mi (15.03 km) | 450 yd (410 m) |
This tornado formed just west of the Indiana/Ohio state line, damaging trees, shingles, and an outbuilding within Indiana. In Ohio, damage to houses, trees and outbuildings occurred, with several outbuildings being completely destroyed. This was the first tornado produced by the Lakeview supercell. [18] | |||||||
EF1 | Celina to NE of Moulton | Mercer, Auglaize | OH | 40°33′N84°34′W / 40.55°N 84.57°W | 23:00–23:24 | 15.95 mi (25.67 km) | 1,050 yd (960 m) |
This large, damaging high-end EF1 tornado began within the city of Celina and moved east, doing minor damage to trees and house roofs. The tornado crossed SR 29 and the circulation grew in size and strength, doing EF1-intensity damage to houses, trees, and outbuildings from west of St Marys to SR 116 east of US 33 north of the town. After this swath, the tornado steadily weakened while moving east, continuing for seven miles (11 km) before dissipating east of Wapakoneta. [19] | |||||||
EFU | SW of Alvada | Hancock, Seneca | OH | 41°01′39″N83°25′18″W / 41.0276°N 83.4217°W | 23:09–23:12 | 1.29 mi (2.08 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
A brief tornado remained over open farmland, not impacting any structures. [20] | |||||||
EF3 | W of Fryburg to Lakeview to SSW of West Mansfield | Auglaize, Logan | OH | 40°31′09″N84°09′59″W / 40.5193°N 84.1664°W | 23:29–00:16 | 31.33 mi (50.42 km) | 1,000 yd (910 m) |
3 deaths – See section on this tornado – Twenty-seven people were injured. This was the third tornado produced by the Lakeview supercell. [21] | |||||||
EF1 | S of Mt. Cory to SW of Jenera | Hancock | OH | 40°52′35″N83°48′31″W / 40.8763°N 83.8087°W | 23:30–23:34 | 3.34 mi (5.38 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
Several homes and outbuildings were damaged. [22] | |||||||
EF2 | ENE of Muncie to Selma to SSW of Parker City | Delaware | IN | 40°12′11″N85°19′02″W / 40.203°N 85.3173°W | 23:34–23:40 | 4.47 mi (7.19 km) | 175 yd (160 m) |
A strong tornado passed through Selma. Manufactured homes and outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, several homes suffered extensive damage, including some that had roofs torn off, and trees and utility poles were snapped. This storm would produce the Winchester EF3 tornado 10 minutes later. [23] | |||||||
EF3 | S of Farmland, IN to Southern Winchester, IN to N of Covington, OH | Randolph (IN), Darke (OH), Miami (OH) | IN, OH | 40°10′43″N85°07′30″W / 40.1785°N 85.1251°W | 23:50–01:00 | 41.34 mi (66.53 km) | 700 yd (640 m) |
1 death – See section on this tornado – Thirty-nine people were injured. [1] | |||||||
EF2 | ENE of New Washington to W of Shiloh | Crawford, Richland | OH | 40°58′37″N82°50′09″W / 40.977°N 82.8358°W | 23:54–00:13 | 10.29 mi (16.56 km) | 250 yd (230 m) |
Trees, power poles and homes were damaged in Auburn Township. The tornado then intensified, damaging multiple residences and outbuildings southwest of Plymouth. A single-wide manufactured home and an outbuilding were destroyed. The tornado then steadily weakened as it passed south of Plymouth, damaging homes and outbuildings, including one outbuilding that collapsed, and snapping trees and power poles before dissipating near Shiloh. [24] | |||||||
EF0 | Northern Frisco | Collin | TX | 33°11′N96°49′W / 33.19°N 96.81°W | 23:59–00:00 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 15 yd (14 m) |
A brief tornado formed on the University of North Texas Frisco campus, damaging a few signs and shifting a car. The tornado exited campus and uprooted some young trees before dissipating. [25] | |||||||
EF2 | NW of Raymond to Broadway to NE of Ostrander | Union, Delaware | OH | 40°22′18″N83°31′30″W / 40.3718°N 83.5251°W | 00:24–00:52 | 19.48 mi (31.35 km) | 600 yd (550 m) |
This strong tornado touched down soon after the Lakeview EF3 tornado dissipated, becoming the fourth tornado produced by this supercell. It quickly strengthened and damaged several homes. A modular home was completely destroyed, with parts of it thrown downstream nearly half a mile. Another home lost a majority of its roof and had its exterior wall collapsed. More roof damage to homes and barns was observed, as well as considerable tree damage. The tornado then entered Delaware County, producing EF1 damage before dissipating. [26] | |||||||
EF1 | N of Mount Vernon | Jefferson | IL | 38°20′40″N88°55′03″W / 38.3445°N 88.9175°W | 00:32–00:33 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
Two metal buildings had most of their roofs removed and all their garage bay doors blown out. The buildings' exterior walls were partially removed. Several buses inside sustained significant damage from debris. Building material was pulverized and embedded in the ground and walls of buildings downwind. A nearby metal building also sustained roof damage. A few large hardwood trees were also uprooted. [27] | |||||||
EF2 | Hot Springs Village | Garland, Saline | AR | 34°38′23″N93°03′31″W / 34.6397°N 93.0587°W | 00:57–01:19 | 8.53 mi (13.73 km) | 1,000 yd (910 m) |
This large tornado formed just north of the Mountain Valley community along AR 7 where wooden utility poles were snapped, indicating EF2 strength with winds around 115 mph (185 km/h). It continued into Hot Springs Village, causing extensive tree damage consistent with EF2 winds, including snapped trunks and uprooted trees. In this area, homes were primarily damaged by falling trees rather than direct tornado winds. Beyond this point, the roof of a building along the bluff was blown off and thrown approximately 80 yd (73 m) to the northeast. The tornado began to weaken after this point, showing mainly EF1-level tree damage before lifting. [28] | |||||||
EF1 | S of Delaware to S of Sunbury to S of St. Louisville | Delaware, Licking | OH | 40°15′36″N83°04′04″W / 40.2599°N 83.0678°W | 01:01–01:50 | 35.38 mi (56.94 km) | 600 yd (550 m) |
A long-tracked EF1 tornado, the fifth and last tornado produced by the Lakeview supercell, developed on the west side of US 23, initially causing minor and sporadic tree damage. After crossing US 23 the tornado widened and began causing more structural damage, as houses were damaged, and barns were destroyed. The Olentangy Berlin High School sustained damage to parts of the school campus and athletic fields. Several transmission towers were felled nearby. The tornado then moved into neighborhoods southwest of Sunbury and west of Galena, causing widespread and significant tree damage and blowing out windows. Roofs were also partially removed, and power poles were snapped in the area. Galena itself sustained straight-line wind with embedded tornadic damage. More homes were damaged, and barns were destroyed before the tornado dissipated near SR 13. [29] | |||||||
EF1 | NE of Fairfield to NNW of Golden Gate | Wayne | IL | 38°24′29″N88°16′55″W / 38.408°N 88.282°W | 01:11–01:15 | 2.8 mi (4.5 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
A tornado inflicted roof damage to a home as soon as it formed. Moving east, an anchored mobile home was lifted and tipped over, sustaining major damage. Another home northeast of the mobile home had significant soffit and porch damage. An old TV tower was toppled on the property. Numerous pine trees were snapped along the tornado's path. [30] | |||||||
EF0 | SE of Raymond | Breckinridge | KY | 37°55′40″N86°21′18″W / 37.9278°N 86.3549°W | 03:32–03:33 | 0.46 mi (0.74 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
A brief tornado overturned a small wood shed and a pile of aluminum housing trim was scattered. Several dead trees were uprooted as well. [31] | |||||||
EF1 | N of Broken Bow | McCurtain | OK | 34°06′35″N94°44′33″W / 34.1096°N 94.7424°W | 04:00–04:01 | 0.47 mi (0.76 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
Trees and buildings were damaged by this QLCS tornado. Two homes suffered varying degrees of damage and some outbuildings were severely damaged. There was also roof damage observed to a single-family home and a hotel. [32] | |||||||
EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF1 | New Albany | Union | MS | 34°29′43″N89°01′01″W / 34.4954°N 89.017°W | 08:13–08:15 | 0.85 mi (1.37 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
A tornado developed in New Albany causing intermittent tree damage. The tornado crossed the Little Tallahatchie River and moved into downtown where the police station was damaged. Deeper into town, numerous trees and structures were damaged, with the most significant damage being observed at the county clerk's office. The tornado caused additional roof damage before dissipating. [33] | |||||||
EF0 | Southern Belvidere | Franklin | TN | 35°07′21″N86°11′37″W / 35.1225°N 86.1935°W | 09:38–09:39 | 0.31 mi (0.50 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
This tornado snapped and uprooted a few trees on a farm before striking a neighboring building, where a number of small, unsecured manufactured barns were shifted and one was toppled. [34] | |||||||
EF1 | NE of Caledonia | Lowndes | MS | 33°42′37″N88°17′35″W / 33.7102°N 88.293°W | 10:04–10:09 | 2.05 mi (3.30 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
Trees were damaged and downed. Several outbuildings and the roof of a single family home sustained damage and a mobile home lost much of its roof. [35] | |||||||
EF0 | NNW of Steens | Lowndes | MS | 33°36′25″N88°19′53″W / 33.607°N 88.3313°W | 10:07–10:08 | 0.64 mi (1.03 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
A brief tornado damaged the roof of a home, a carport and a few trees. [36] | |||||||
EF0 | NW of Lakeview | DeKalb | AL | 34°25′07″N85°58′35″W / 34.4187°N 85.9763°W | 11:53–11:54 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 77 yd (70 m) |
Roof panels were peeled off of a chicken house. A pole barn was pushed over and another barn sustained roof damage. [37] | |||||||
EF1 | SW of Rochelle | McCulloch | TX | 31°10′24″N99°13′57″W / 31.1734°N 99.2324°W | 14:07–14:09 | 0.02 mi (0.032 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
A metal barn was thrown onto a neighboring barn. [38] | |||||||
EFU | SE of Pearlington | Hancock | MS | 30°12′N89°32′W / 30.2°N 89.54°W | 18:35–18:37 | 0.6 mi (0.97 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
A brief tornado crossed the Pearl River on the Louisiana state line. A CSX bridge tender reported a snapped pine tree and railroad signs knocked over, but no damage could be found, and no rating could be applied. [39] | |||||||
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | March 14,2024,7:29 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00) |
Dissipated | March 14,2024,8:16 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00) |
Duration | 47 minutes |
EF3 tornado | |
on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
Highest winds | 155 mph (250 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 |
Injuries | 27 |
Damage | $6 million (2024 USD) |
During the evening hours of March 14,a long-tracked,deadly,and destructive EF3 tornado directly impacted portions of northwest Ohio. The tornado initially formed just east of I-75 to the west of Fryburg and south of Wapakoneta in Auglaize County,at 7:29 p.m. EDT. [40] It tracked eastward,causing weak EF0 damage to a home and outbuilding on a farm and uprooted trees before beginning a rapid strengthening trend. It uprooted trees at EF1 intensity and then snapped trees at EF2 intensity before reaching low-end EF3 strength and impacting the Glacier Hill Lakes RV Resort. The main office of the resort,multiple homes,and dozens of RVs were completely destroyed,flipped,and tossed. [41] At least three people were injured in this area. [42] The tornado exited the resort to the east,strewing debris across a field and leaving cycloidal marks in the dirt while continuing to snap trees at weaker,but still strong low-end EF2 intensity. [43] The tornado further weakened to EF1 intensity as it crossed Town Line Road and began to deviate to the east-southeast as it passed the community of Geyer and crossed SR 65. Damage along this segment of the path consisted of homes suffering roof damage,outbuildings being damaged or destroyed,power poles being snapped,and trees being uprooted or snapped. As it approached Logan County,it regained EF2 intensity and passed very near Sante Fe as it moved into the county,paralleling SR 720. It caused significant damage to multiple homes,damaged or destroyed more outbuildings,and trees,and power poles. [42] [44] [45] [46] After destroying an outbuilding along Township Highway 84,the tornado reached EF3 strength again northwest of Lakeview,where large swaths of trees were uprooted and debarked. It also caused some damage to another outbuilding. [42]
Maintaining EF3 intensity,the tornado entered the western outskirts of Lakeview. Along Poplar Court,multiple homes sustained intense damage,including one home that was completely destroyed,with its subflooring ripped off. The tornado continued into the main portions of Lakeview. Many homes were completely destroyed,with a majority of the area consisting of manufactured homes. A storage facility was partially destroyed,the local library lost its roof,and multiple businesses along Main St were severely impacted. [47] [48] Past the US 33/SR 235/SR 366 intersections,the tornado weakened some but remained strong at EF2 intensity as it began to parallel US 33 and SR 366 and struck a campground. It tracked directly through densely packed RVs at this location,flipping and obliterating almost every single one there. [49] Past there,the tornado tracked through multiple neighborhoods and mobile home parks in the eastern part of Lakeview,ripping roofs off of homes,damaging businesses,and heavily damaging or destroying many mobile homes and outbuildings. Much of the peak damage along this segment was rated EF2,although one destroyed business received a low-end EF3 rating. The National Weather Service indicated that over 45% of Lakeview was damaged or destroyed by the tornado. Additionally,flooding disrupted cleanup and rescue efforts after the storm. [50]
Past Lakeview,the tornado turned eastward and moved into the northwestern part of Russells Point at low-end EF2 intensity,unroofing homes and uprooting trees in a neighborhood as it crossed SR 366. [51] The tornado reached high-end EF2 intensity again as it crossed over a portion of Indian Lake and directly impacted the neighborhood of Orchard Island in north Russells Point. Devastation paralleled that of Lakeview,with dozens of RVs,mobile homes,and outbuildings being heavily damaged or destroyed,homes being severely damaged,and trees being snapped or uprooted,including at the Fox Island State Park. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed over another portion of Indian Lake before impacting homes in far east Russells Point. Homes near Dunns Pond were particularly devastated with damage to those homes rated EF2;the rest of the damage was rated EF1. The tornado then crossed SR 368 and exited Russells Point to the east. [42] [51]
The tornado then continued southeastward along SR 366 at EF1 intensity damaging homes and outbuildings. It then crossed SR 117 north of Huntsville,before flipping a truck along County Road 34 and damaging additional trees. The damage became much more sporadic as the tornado slowly weakened over rural areas east of Huntsville,damaging trees and outbuildings as it approached and crossed over both SR 274 and US 68. [45] After further weakening to EF0 strength southwest of Walnut Grove and crossing SR 47,the tornado dissipated just after crossing SR 292 west of West Mansfield at 8:16 p.m. EDT. [42] [50] [21]
The tornado was on the ground for 47 minutes,tracked 31.33 mi (50.42 km),and had a peak width of 1,000 yd (910 m). In all,three people were killed and 27 were injured. Logan County Emergency Management Authorities issued a mass-casualty event. [52]
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | March 14,2024,7:50 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00) |
Dissipated | March 14,2024,9:00 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00) |
Duration | 70 minutes |
EF3 tornado | |
on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
Highest winds | 165 mph (266 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 |
Injuries | 39 |
Damage | $26.25 million (2024 USD) |
This long-tracked and destructive high-end EF3 tornado first touched down south of Farmland,Indiana in Randolph County at 7:50 p.m. EDT,causing minor EF0 damage to a few homes and collapsing a barn. The tornado then moved into a cemetery where a few trees were uprooted,and a home was damaged at EF1 intensity. It then crossed SR 32 downing numerous power lines,and then started to cause ground scouring in the field across SR 32. The tornado continued east-southeast in the field causing more cycloidal ground-scouring and damaging a wind turbine blade at EF0 intensity. The tornado's eastward movement then became erratic as it made multiple sudden northward and southward turns,crossing SR 32 multiple times. A farmstead was completely destroyed with one home being pushed off its crawlspace and collapsed,although no rating was applied to this damage. An outbuilding at this farmstead was also destroyed. Approximately 40 power-poles were downed as the tornado moved along SR 32 and a roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) swath of intense ground-scouring occurred as the tornado approached the southwestern part of Winchester. [42]
Continuing on its erratic eastward trajectory,the tornado entered Winchester at high-end EF2 intensity. It tore through a subdivision with the worst damage localized along Englewood Drive. Dozens of poorly anchored homes sustained damage,with a few homes having their roofs torn off and exterior walls collapsed. The tornado continued east-southeast through southern Winchester,tearing the roofs off of many additional poorly-anchored homes at mid-range EF2 intensity. One home along Browne Street was reduced to its cinder-block foundation with a high-end EF2 rating being applied. The Randolph Nursing &Rehabilitation Center took a near direct hit at low-end EF2 intensity,sustaining partial roof loss with its debris being wind-rowed into a nearby field. Two vehicles at the center were thrown into this field as well. Other vehicles along this portion of the path were also moved or damaged and trees and power poles were damaged or snapped. [42]
The tornado then quickly intensified to low-end EF3 intensity as it crossed US 27 and struck a strip mall,which sustained exterior wall collapse with cars in adjacent parking lots also being damaged and moved. Right next to the strip mall,a small,but well-built Taco Bell structure was completely destroyed,with most of the debris being swept off the foundation. A few employees here took shelter in the freezer and survived. A high-end EF3 rating with wind speeds up to 165 mph (266 km/h) was applied to this structure. The tornado then weakened slightly,but remained at high-end EF3 intensity as it crossed East Greenville Pike and struck the Freedom Life Church,which was almost entirely flattened with only a small area of interior walls remaining. Wind speeds up to 155 mph (249 km/h) were estimated here. A small park was also hit,with the playground being completely destroyed,and a tree being heavily stubbed and debarked. [42]
The tornado then exited Winchester at a weaker,but still strong EF2 intensity and struck a farmstead,inflicting intense tree damage and unroofing a home. The tornado was still causing intense ground-scouring at this point,and this would continue to the Ohio state line. Many farmsteads were hit by the tornado,mainly at EF1-EF2 intensity with outbuildings being destroyed. Continuing its erratic eastward movement,the tornado passed south of the Randolph County Airport as it moved along Base Road. Three farmsteads east of the airport were completely destroyed at EF3 intensity,with their homes sustaining roof loss and exterior wall collapse. Continuing east,a few more farmsteads were struck,with one farmstead having its grain silos significantly damaged. [42]
The tornado then turned east-southeast and crossed into Darke County,Ohio before once again continuing its erratic eastward movement. In Darke County,several homes sustained roof damage at EF1 intensity,with two people being injured in Greenville Township. The tornado then crossed into Miami County passing just north of Bradford before briefly reaching EF2 intensity again. Two homes had their roofs torn off and exterior walls removed,with outbuildings sustaining significant damage. The tornado then quickly weakened and dissipated along SR 48,north of Covington at 9:00 p.m. EDT. [42]
A quick response team used to determine EF ratings possibly greater than EF3 was deployed to Winchester,but no EF4 damage was found by the team. In result,the tornado was rated as a high-end EF3 with winds estimated at 165 mph (266 km/h). It reached a peak width of 700 yards (640 m) in Indiana,and 250 yards (230 m) in Ohio. The tornado tracked for a total of 41.4 miles (66.6 km) across the two states,remaining on the ground for 70 minutes. There were 40 injuries;one person died from their injuries a month later. [1] [42]
The system and the severe storms responsible for the tornado outbreak also produced widespread wind and hail damage over the Central Plains,Mississippi and Ohio valleys,and the Southeastern United States. Hailstones greater than 4.00 in (10.2 cm) in diameter fell in Ada,Oklahoma on March 14,including one hailstone with a diameter of 5.25 in (13.3 cm). Widespread wind and hail damage was reported throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area on March 13,while widespread hail damage was reported throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area on March 14 as well. [5] [53] Scattered wind and hail damage occurred south of Houston,Texas on March 15. [54]
The system also produced very heavy rainfall fell across parts of Tennessee,especially in the central part of the state,between March 14–15. Rainfall totals maxed out at 4.15 in (105 mm) in Leoma and 3.96 in (101 mm) in Hohenwald. The Nashville International Airport recorded 1.20 in (30 mm) of rain while nearby Joint Base Berry Field recorded 1.09 in (28 mm). [55] Two people needed to be rescued from a flooded creek in Lawrence County. [56]
Further west,snow from the storm system on March 13 led to roads on the eastern half of Rocky Mountain National Park closed. [57]
An extended period of tornado activity occurred between April 20–27, 2007. The outbreak sequence is best known for producing a deadly tornado that struck the border cities of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and Eagle Pass, Texas, along the United States-Mexican border on April 24, 2007, killing ten people. Other strong tornadoes also caused damage and injuries in or near the towns of Moorefield, Nebraska, Gothenburg, Nebraska, Cactus, Texas, and Tulia, Texas. In all, 91 tornadoes were confirmed causing 10 fatalities and injuring at least 270 others.
The 2008 Atlanta tornado outbreak was a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak that affected the Southeastern United States on March 14–15, 2008. The most infamous tornado of the outbreak occurred on March 14 when an isolated but strong EF2 tornado caused widespread damage across Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, including to the CNN Center and to the Georgia Dome, which was hosting the 2008 SEC men's basketball tournament. Other buildings that were damaged include the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena during an Atlanta Hawks game, and the Omni Hotel, which was evacuated after many windows were blown out. The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel suffered major window damage. The image of the building with all its windows blown out became famous and for a time was a symbol of the tornado. Centennial Olympic Park, SunTrust Plaza and historic Oakland Cemetery were also damaged.
The tornado outbreak of March 28–29, 2010 affected the Southeast United States and The Bahamas on March 28-29, 2010.
On March 2 and 3, 2012, a deadly tornado outbreak occurred over a large section of the Southern United States into the Ohio Valley region. The storms resulted in 41 tornado-related fatalities, 22 of which occurred in Kentucky. Tornado-related deaths also occurred in Alabama, Indiana, and Ohio. The outbreak was the second deadliest in early March for the U.S. since official records began in 1950; only the 1966 Candlestick Park tornado had a higher death toll for a tornadic system in early March.
On November 17, 2013, the deadliest and costliest November tornado outbreak in Illinois history took shape, becoming the fourth-largest for the state overall. With more than 30 tornadoes in Indiana, it was that state's largest tornado outbreak for the month of November, and the second largest outbreak recorded in Indiana. Associated with a strong trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the event resulted in 77 tornadoes tracking across regions of the Midwest United States and Ohio River Valley, impacting seven states. Severe weather during the tornado outbreak caused over 100 injuries and eleven fatalities, of which eight were tornado related. Two tornadoes—both in Illinois and rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale—were the strongest documented during the outbreak and combined for five deaths. In addition to tornadoes, the system associated with the outbreak produced sizeable hail peaking at 4.00 in (10.2 cm) in diameter in Bloomington, Illinois, as well as damaging winds estimated as strong as 100 mph (160 km/h) in three locations.
On December 23, 2015, an outbreak of supercell thunderstorms produced tornadoes across northern Mississippi and middle Tennessee, resulting in 13 tornado-related deaths and numerous injuries. Other tornadoes occurred as far north as Indiana and Michigan. Scattered tornado activity continued over the next two days before the outbreak ended. This was the first of two deadly tornado outbreaks to impact the southern United States during December 2015 with the other occurring just a day after this one ended.
An unusually prolific and very destructive late-winter tornado outbreak resulted in significant damage and numerous casualties across the southern and eastern half of the United States between February 23–24, 2016. Lasting over a day and a half, the outbreak produced a total of 61 tornadoes across eleven states, which ranked it as one of the largest February tornado outbreaks in the United States on record, with only the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak having recorded more. In addition, it was also one of the largest winter tornado outbreaks overall as well. The most significant and intense tornadoes of the event were four EF3 tornadoes that struck southeastern Louisiana, Pensacola, Florida, Evergreen, Virginia, and Tappahannock, Virginia. Tornadoes were also reported in other places like Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Severe thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds were also felt in the Northeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic states on February 24 as well.
A prolific and deadly winter tornado outbreak struck areas across the Southeast United States between January 21–23, 2017. Lasting just under two days, the outbreak produced a total of 81 tornadoes, cementing its status as the second-largest January tornado outbreak and the third-largest winter tornado outbreak since 1950. Furthermore, it was the largest outbreak on record in Georgia with 42 tornadoes confirmed in the state. The most significant tornadoes were three EF3 tornadoes that heavily damaged or destroyed portions of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Albany and Adel, Georgia. A total of 20 people were killed by tornadoes—mainly during the pre-dawn hours of the outbreak—making it the second-deadliest outbreak in January since 1950, behind the 1969 Hazlehurst, Mississippi tornado outbreak that killed 32 people. In addition, the tornado death toll was higher than the entire previous year. In the aftermath of the outbreak, relief organizations assisted in clean-up and aid distribution. Total economic losses from the event reached at least $1.3 billion.
The tornado outbreak of February 28 – March 1, 2017 was a widespread and significant outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather that affected the Midwestern United States at the end of February 2017 and beginning of March. Fueled by the combination of ample instability, strong wind shear, and rich low-level moisture, the event led to 71 confirmed tornadoes and thousands of other non-tornadic severe weather reports. The most notable aspect of the outbreak was a long-tracked EF4 tornado—the first violent tornado of 2017 and the first violent tornado during the month of February since the 2013 Hattiesburg tornado—that tracked from Perryville, Missouri to near Christopher, Illinois, killing one person. Three EF3 tornadoes were recorded during the event, including one that caused two fatalities in Ottawa, Illinois, one that caused a fatality near Crossville, and one that heavily damaged or destroyed homes in and around Washburn. In addition to the deaths, 38 people were injured by tornadoes and an additional 30 were injured by non-tornadic impacts, mainly by fallen trees.
A prolonged period of intense tornado activity affected the Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley during May 15–20, 2017. This outbreak sequence was the most prolific tornado event of 2017 in terms of number of tornadoes. It is also notable for producing the longest-tracked tornado in Wisconsin state history: an intense EF3 tornado that remained on the ground for over 82 miles (132 km) and killed one person while causing major damage near Chetek and Conrath. Overall, the outbreak sequence resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
A significant severe weather and tornado outbreak affected multiple regions of the Eastern United States in mid-April 2019. Over the course of 40 hours, 75 tornadoes touched down. The outbreak produced numerous strong tornadoes throughout portions of the Deep South, while additional significant tornadoes occurred as far north as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The most significant tornado of the event was a long-tracked, high-end EF3 tornado that struck Alto, Texas and killed two people. Numerous weak tornadoes were also confirmed, along with numerous reports of hail and damaging straight line winds.
A significant severe weather and tornado outbreak affected the Southern United States between December 16–17, 2019. Discrete supercells developed in the early morning on December 16 and moved northeast, spawning multiple strong, long-tracked tornadoes in cities such as Alexandria and in Laurel before congealing into an eastward-moving squall line. During the outbreak, the National Weather Service issued several PDS tornado warnings as well as a rare tornado emergency for Alexandria. In addition to this, the Storm Prediction Center issued six tornado watches for the outbreak. The event happened to take place on the same date of another outbreak in a similar area 19 years earlier.
A significant tornado outbreak sequence took place from March 24–28, 2021 in the Southern United States, just one week after another outbreak affected similar regions. There were 43 tornadoes confirmed across 11 states, with the bulk of activity primarily on March 25, which resulted in the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issuing its second high-risk outlook for the month of March, as well as the second high-risk outlook for 2021. Several intense tornadoes touched down on that day, including ones that prompted the issuance of rare tornado emergencies near Hoover, Alabama, Brent and Centreville, Alabama, and in the Newnan, Georgia area. March 27 also saw widespread tornado activity mainly across East Texas, Southern Arkansas, Louisiana, and Western Tennessee with several strong tornadoes touching down. Scattered to widespread wind and hail damage occurred throughout the outbreak sequence, and repeated rounds of heavy rain caused widespread severe flash and river flooding across much of Tennessee.
Hurricane Ida generated a tornado outbreak as it traversed the Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeastern United States. Thirty-six confirmed tornadoes touched down from Mississippi to Massachusetts; one person was killed in Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania, and several people were injured in Alabama, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The most active and destructive part of the outbreak occurred during the afternoon of September 1, when several strong tornadoes struck Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including an EF3 tornado which impacted Mullica Hill, New Jersey. The same storm later dropped an EF1 tornado that prompted a tornado emergency for Burlington, New Jersey and Croydon, and Bristol, Pennsylvania, the first of its kind in the Northeast, as well as the first such alert associated with a tropical cyclone or its remnants. This outbreak severely impacted New Jersey and the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, a region which had been significantly impacted by strong tornadoes from another outbreak that occurred just over a month prior, as well as several weak tornadoes from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred two weeks earlier. Overall, the 36 tornadoes killed one person and injured seven others.
A large tornado outbreak struck the Southern region of the United States on March 21–22, 2022, before transitioning to the Eastern United States on March 23. The outbreak started with numerous supercell thunderstorms and severe squall lines developing in central Texas and southern Oklahoma, prompting the issuance of numerous tornado warnings, including multiple PDS tornado warnings. An EF3 tornado caused considerable damage in Jacksboro, Texas while an EF2 tornado from the same storm caused a fatality in Sherwood Shores. Other strong tornadoes caused damage near College Station and in the Austin and Houston metropolitan areas. Severe and tornadic activity continued into the next day as the system moved eastward with numerous tornadoes reported in Mississippi and Alabama. On the evening of March 22, a supercell moved through the New Orleans metropolitan area, with an EF3 tornado producing severe damage in Arabi, resulting in one death and at least two injuries. Widespread flooding also accompanied the decaying squall line in Alabama. Tornadoes occurred on March 23 over the Eastern United States, associated with the same system, including EF2 tornadoes near Pickens, South Carolina, and Gladesboro, Virginia. In all, 85 tornadoes were confirmed.
From April 4–5, 2022, a mesoscale convective system and numerous discrete supercells produced a swath of severe weather and several tornadoes in the Southeastern United States, including several strong, long tracked tornadoes. An EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed several homes in Bonaire, Georgia while a large EF3 tornado prompted a tornado emergency for Allendale and Sycamore, South Carolina. A violent EF4 tornado in Black Creek, Georgia resulted in one fatality as it destroyed several neighborhoods, and another large EF3 tornado caused widespread heavy tree damage northeast of Ulmer, South Carolina. More severe storms occurred across a large portion of the Southeast ahead of a cold front on April 6–7, with more tornadoes reported in South and Central Georgia and further south into Florida, all of which were weak. Along with the one tornadic death, trees felled by straight-line winds killed one person each in Louisiana and Texas.
An early-season tornado outbreak impacted the Southeastern United States on January 12, 2023. The result of a mid-level trough moving through, moisture and the presence of a strong low-level jet aided in the development of numerous severe and tornadic thunderstorms. Early in the outbreak, a strong EF2 tornado caused considerable damage in Winston County, Alabama, while another EF2 tornado struck just south of Greensboro. A destructive high-end EF2 tornado struck Selma, causing widespread damage and two injuries. The same storm produced a long-lived EF3 tornado that moved through or near Old Kingston, Titus, Equality, and Lake Martin, resulting in seven fatalities and several injuries in Autauga County alone. Another EF2 tornado from the storm struck areas in or around Five Points and Standing Rock before crossing into Georgia. After the dissipation of that tornado, nine more tornadoes, five of which were strong, caused heavy damage across west-central Georgia, especially in LaGrange, Griffin, and Experiment, the second one of which was impacted by four tornadoes in the span of 10 minutes, including two that were rated EF2 and EF3 respectively. Another EF2 tornado from the storm caused major damage and another fatality in the Jackson Lake area as well; an indirect death from the tornado also occurred the following day. Elsewhere, other tornadoes caused damage in Sumter and Mobile counties in Alabama, as well as parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and the Carolinas. In all, 43 tornadoes were confirmed.