| Type | Tornado outbreak |
|---|---|
| Duration | November 22–24, 2004 |
| Lowest pressure | 997 |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 104 (Record for a continuous outbreak in November) |
| Max. rating1 | F3 tornado |
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 | ~3 Days 16 hours |
| Fatalities | 4 deaths, 39 injuries |
| Damage | $34.265 million (2004 USD) |
| Areas affected | Southern United States |
Part of Tornadoes of 2004 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado | |
A record-breaking large and destructive tornado outbreak impacted the Southern United States at the end of November 2004. The outbreak started with numerous weak tornadoes from Central Texas through Louisiana from November 22 through the afternoon of November 23 before more significant tornadoes occurred through November 24. Over a dozen intense tornadoes touched down, including four deadly tornadoes in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Overall, 104 tornadoes were confirmed, setting the record for the largest continuous outbreak in November.
In November and December 2004, the prevailing pattern was conducive for severe weather across the Southern United States, with a large ridge over the northern Pacific Ocean supporting a southerly storm track toward the Gulf Coast. The fall season contributed to an already active year, solidifying 2004 as the busiest year for tornadoes on record in the United States. [1]
This particular tornado outbreak began on November 22 as a potent cold-core low over Southern California began to move eastward toward Texas, where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a Slight risk of severe weather. [2] At the surface, a warm front became increasingly defined stretching from Central Louisiana westward through Central Texas. To the south of this boundary, a weakening capping inversion, dewpoints reaching the lower 70s °F, and mixed layer convective available potential energy upwards of 1,500 J/kg indicated an environment supportive of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. [3] [4] Series of strong to severe thunderstorms developed along this boundary, [5] including a persistent supercell near the Houston metropolitan area. [6] Low-level wind shear was locally enhanced along this front, allowing the storms to produce brief tornadoes as they interacted with it throughout the afternoon. [5]
On November 23, the cold-core low and associated mid- to upper-level winds of 90 kn (105 mph; 165 km/h) shifted eastward from the Texas Panhandle toward the Mississippi River Valley. With a low-pressure area forming over North Texas and advancing toward Arkansas, the warm front began the day just inland from the northwestern Gulf Coast but soon began to lift northward. [7] South of this boundary, MLCAPE values of 2,000-2,500 J/kg were prevalent, while initially weak shear profiles improved as the upper-level disturbance approached from the west. [8] By the afternoon hours, tornadic supercells developed north of I-10 before spreading eastward into Louisiana and Mississippi with time. [9] [10] Trailing this activity, an intense squall line developed across coastal sections of Texas and progressed eastward with increasing damaging wind potential. [11] Even as this line overtook previously discrete supercells, [12] additional ones developed across Mississippi and Alabama through the morning hours. [13] Finally, as convection spread eastward into Georgia and the Carolinas, the combination of continued strong shear but marginal instability caused the event to transition to more of a damaging wind episode. [14]
Complimenting the Moderate risk that shifted eastward into Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle early on November 24, the SPC issued another Moderate risk for a secondary threat of severe weather farther north. [15] Here, the deepening surface low supported an arced warm front across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. In the presence of strong wind shear and MLCAPE values of 500-800 J/kg, [16] bands of convection developed across the region, particularly focused along a pre-frontal trough. [17] Tornadic supercells tracked across southeastern Indiana toward the Ohio border over ensuing hours. By the evening, these storms were undercut by a surging cold front, and loss of daytime heating eroded the instability necessary for severe storms to continue. [18] [19]
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 61 | 25 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 104 |
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F0 | Pasadena | Harris | TX | 29°42′N95°12′W / 29.7°N 95.2°W | 18:30 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A power pole was downed. [20] |
| F0 | Iowa | Calcasieu | LA | 30°14′00″N93°01′00″W / 30.2333°N 93.0167°W | 19:30–19:35 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | A small, narrow tornado touched down briefly, destroying a brick dugout, damaging a shed, a porch, and a trampoline at nearby buildings. [21] |
| F0 | SW of Fenton | Jefferson Davis | LA | 30°19′00″N92°57′00″W / 30.3167°N 92.95°W | 20:05 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | Two doors and a roof were ripped off a home near Woodlawn. [22] |
| F0 | Jersey Village | Harris | TX | 29°53′00″N95°34′00″W / 29.8833°N 95.5667°W | 20:42 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A trained storm spotter reported a brief tornado. [23] |
| F0 | Houston | Harris | TX | 29°44′00″N95°22′00″W / 29.7333°N 95.3667°W | 21:53 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Local residents reported a tornado. [24] |
| F0 | NW of Iota | Acadia | LA | 30°27′00″N92°37′00″W / 30.45°N 92.6167°W | 22:42 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | A roof was blown off of a tin building. [25] |
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F0 | NW of Taylor | Williamson | TX | 30°35′00″N97°26′00″W / 30.5833°N 97.4333°W | 16:40–16:41 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A member of the public reported a brief tornado; it did not cause damage. [26] |
| F0 | NW of Round Rock | Williamson | TX | 30°32′00″N97°43′00″W / 30.5333°N 97.7167°W | 16:51–16:52 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Members of the publics reported another brief tornado; it did not cause damage. [27] |
| F0 | SSW of Jonah | Williamson | TX | 30°37′00″N97°33′00″W / 30.6167°N 97.55°W | 17:05–17:06 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | An amateur radio spotter reported a small tornado. [28] |
| F0 | E of Cut and Shoot | Montgomery | TX | 30°20′00″N95°20′00″W / 30.3333°N 95.3333°W | 19:10 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Roof damage occurred to a flea market and several nearby homes. [29] |
| F0 | La Grange | Fayette | TX | 29°54′00″N96°52′00″W / 29.9°N 96.8667°W | 19:34–19:36 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A small structure was knocked over, and several cars and buildings sustained damage. [30] |
| F0 | Lake Livingston | Polk | TX | 30°38′00″N95°00′00″W / 30.6333°N 95°W | 19:49 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 15 yd (14 m) | A waterspout came ashore from Lake Livingston, crossing over the Lake Livingston Dam. [31] |
| F0 | S of West Livingston | San Jacinto | TX | 30°39′N95°00′W / 30.65°N 95.0°W | 19:55 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A tornado was spotted north of Lake Livingston Dam. [32] |
| F0 | Brenham | Washington | TX | 30°10′00″N96°24′00″W / 30.1667°N 96.4°W | 20:20 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A tornado downed trees, along with residential and vehicle damage. [33] |
| F0 | ESE of Stilson | Liberty | TX | 30°00′00″N94°53′00″W / 30.0°N 94.8833°W | 20:52 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | The public reported a brief tornado over open land; it did not cause damage. [34] |
| F0 | Todd Mission | Grimes | TX | 30°16′00″N95°50′00″W / 30.2667°N 95.8333°W | 21:25 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Law enforcement reported a brief tornado over open land; it did not cause damage. [35] |
| F0 | N of Montgomery | Montgomery | TX | 30°24′00″N95°41′00″W / 30.4°N 95.6833°W | 21:30 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | A couple of trees were downed. [36] |
| F0 | N of Elm Creek | Maverick | TX | 28°56′00″N100°30′00″W / 28.9333°N 100.5°W | 21:35–21:36 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Deputies with the Maverick County Sheriff's Department reported a small and brief tornado in open country. [37] |
| F0 | Willis | Montgomery | TX | 30°25′00″N95°29′00″W / 30.4167°N 95.4833°W | 21:50 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A tree was downed onto a road. [38] |
| F1 | NE of Honey Island to SSE of Fred | Hardin | TX | 30°24′00″N94°26′00″W / 30.4°N 94.4333°W | 22:08–22:28 | 16 mi (26 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Many trees were downed, of which several fell on homes. [39] |
| F0 | W of Portland | Chicot | AR | 33°14′00″N91°24′00″W / 33.2333°N 91.4°W | 22:10–22:12 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A tornado downed power lines. [40] |
| F0 | S of Start | Richland | LA | 32°07′00″N91°18′00″W / 32.1167°N 91.3°W | 22:24–22:25 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | A trained spotter spotted a weak tornado as it moved briefly across an open field. [41] |
| F2 | S of Fred | Hardin, Tyler, Jasper | TX | 30°29′00″N94°10′00″W / 30.4833°N 94.1667°W | 22:27–22:50 | 16 mi (26 km) | 600 yd (550 m) | 1 death – A 75-year-old woman was killed when several trees smashed a mobile home. Between 10 and 20 homes were also damaged or destroyed. [42] |
| F0 | WNW of La Pryor | Zavala | TX | 28°57′00″N99°56′00″W / 28.95°N 99.9333°W | 22:38–22:39 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Deputies from the Zavala County Sheriff's Department observed a brief, small tornado over open country; it did not cause damage. [43] |
| F0 | NE of Elm Creek (1st tornado) | Maverick | TX | 28°54′00″N100°17′00″W / 28.9°N 100.2833°W | 22:40–22:41 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Deputies from the Maverick County Sheriff's Department observed a brief, small tornado over open country; it did not cause damage. [44] |
| F2 | W of Kirbyville to SSE of Newton | Jasper, Newton | TX | 30°39′N94°00′W / 30.65°N 94.0°W | 22:55–23:15 | 15 mi (24 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | A tornado damaged or destroyed 10-15 homes in Bon Ami and another 5-10 homes in Pine Grove. Many trees were downed. [45] |
| F0 | NE of Elm Creek (2nd tornado) | Maverick | TX | 28°55′00″N100°16′00″W / 28.9167°N 100.2667°W | 23:12–23:14 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A second tornado was spotted near Elm Creek. [46] |
| F1 | NE of Bon Wier | Newton | TX | 30°47′00″N93°44′00″W / 30.7833°N 93.7333°W | 23:12–23:20 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | A tornado damaged several homes before dissipating near a high school. [47] |
| F1 | SE of Burkeville, TX to Evans, LA | Newton (TX), Vernon (LA) | TX, LA | 30°58′00″N93°35′00″W / 30.9667°N 93.5833°W | 23:40–23:50 | 9 mi (14 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | A tornado damaged or destroyed several homes near Evans. Trees and power lines were knocked down. [48] |
| F0 | WSW of Natchez | Natchitoches | LA | 31°40′00″N93°04′00″W / 31.6667°N 93.0667°W | 00:00–00:05 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | A weak tornado caused some isolated, minimal damage to structures in Natchez. [49] |
| F0 | SE of Bertram | Burnet | TX | 30°43′00″N98°01′00″W / 30.7167°N 98.0167°W | 00:08–00:09 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Deputies from the Burnet County Sheriff's Department reported a brief tornado; it did not cause damage. [50] |
| F1 | Leesville | Vernon | LA | 31°09′00″N93°16′00″W / 31.15°N 93.2667°W | 00:08–00:09 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A tornado touched down in a subdivision in Leesville, damaging several homes. [51] |
| F0 | W of Jarrell | Williamson | TX | 30°49′00″N97°36′00″W / 30.8167°N 97.6°W | 00:08–00:10 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | Minor vegetation damage occurred. [52] |
| F1 | WSW of Jamestown | Jasper, Newton | TX | 30°53′00″N93°53′00″W / 30.8833°N 93.8833°W | 00:10–00:13 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Trees and power lines were reportedly blown down. [53] |
| F1 | Burkeville | Newton | TX | 30°58′00″N93°41′00″W / 30.9667°N 93.6833°W | 00:30–00:43 | 10 mi (16 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Between 5-10 homes were destroyed. Many trees and power lines were downed. [54] |
| F2 | NW of Simpson | Vernon | LA | 31°19′00″N93°04′00″W / 31.3167°N 93.0667°W | 00:35–00:42 | 10 mi (16 km) | 600 yd (550 m) | A tornado struck the town of Hutton, damaging about 15 houses and injuring 3 people. [55] |
| F2 | S of Mora to SW of Chopin | Natchitoches | LA | 31°20′00″N92°57′00″W / 31.3333°N 92.95°W | 00:49–01:20 | 20 mi (32 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Extensive tree damage occurred, along with minor damage to farm outbuildings. Many other trees were either snapped or uprooted on a stretch of over two miles. Several homes sustained moderate to major damage, including two frame homes were destroyed. Two mobile homes were also destroyed, and one woman suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. [56] |
| F1 | Burr Ferry to SW of Leesville | Vernon | LA | 31°04′00″N93°30′00″W / 31.0667°N 93.5°W | 00:50–01:05 | 14 mi (23 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | A tornado tore down many trees, power lines, and damaged several homes near the southwestern side of Anacoco Lake. [57] |
| F1 | Fort Polk South | Vernon | LA | 31°03′N93°12′W / 31.05°N 93.2°W | 01:20–01:25 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A small tornado downed trees. [58] |
| F0 | N of Colfax to Williana | Grant | LA | 31°34′00″N92°43′00″W / 31.5667°N 92.7167°W | 01:20–02:00 | 12 mi (19 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | A small tornado downed trees. [59] |
| F0 | NW of Davilla | Bell | TX | 30°52′00″N96°36′00″W / 30.8667°N 96.6°W | 01:32 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A house and a building were damaged. [60] |
| F0 | Kenedy | Karnes | TX | 28°49′00″N97°51′00″W / 28.8167°N 97.85°W | 01:46–01:47 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | The Karnes County Sheriff's Department reported a brief tornado in an open area; it did not cause damage. [61] |
| F0 | Yorktown | De Witt | TX | 28°59′00″N97°30′00″W / 28.9833°N 97.5°W | 02:00–02:01 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Amateur radio operators reported a brief tornado in open country; it did not cause damage. [62] |
| F3 | SW of Olla to E of Copenhagen | La Salle, Caldwell | LA | 31°53′00″N92°15′00″W / 31.8833°N 92.25°W | 02:05–02:30 | 15 mi (24 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | 1 death – A high school sustained significant roof damage consistent with an F2 tornado. The damage path extended into the middle of Olla where numerous homes sustained severe damage. Some homes lost the roof, exterior walls, and a few interior walls. Across the northeast part of town, five mobile homes were completely destroyed and a pickup was launched 200 feet (61 m) and smashed upside down. In the community of Standard, four homes and a store were destroyed. Total damage consisted of minor to major damage to 106 homes and the high school. The tornado continued into Caldwell Parish, where numerous trees were blown over and snapped off at the parish line. The tornado then tracked northeast to the community of Spaulding where a few homes sustained roof damage. Three miles northeast of Spaulding, hundreds of trees were snapped off in a ravine. In Holum, several homes were heavily damaged, including a home that was unroofed, warranting an F2 rating. Before lifting, numerous trees were snapped and a home sustained roof damage near Copenhagen. Twenty people were injured. [63] |
| F1 | N of Cuero | De Witt | TX | 29°09′00″N97°17′00″W / 29.15°N 97.2833°W | 02:13–02:15 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Two mobile homes were destroyed. [64] |
| F0 | NNE of Rapides | Grant | LA | 31°23′00″N92°34′00″W / 31.3833°N 92.5667°W | 02:30–02:50 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Damage occurred to trees and a home that was not built yet, which collapsed. [65] |
| F0 | Sublime | Lavaca | TX | 29°29′00″N96°48′00″W / 29.4833°N 96.8°W | 02:58–02:59 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | The Lavaca County Sheriff's Department reported a brief tornado over open country; it did not cause damage. [66] |
| F0 | NE of Glen Flora | Wharton | TX | 29°22′00″N96°10′00″W / 29.3667°N 96.1667°W | 03:20 | 0.4 mi (0.64 km) | 35 yd (32 m) | Four homes were damaged. [67] |
| F1 | SE of Detroit to SE of Hamilton | Lamar, Marion | AL | 34°01′00″N88°09′00″W / 34.0167°N 88.15°W | 03:38–04:02 | 13.9 mi (22.4 km) | 250 yd (230 m) | Numerous outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and three grain silos were damaged. One of the silos was tossed over 200 yards (180 m) from where it was anchored. Several manufactured homes and residential houses sustained varying levels of damage, some of which were rendered uninhabitable. Hundreds of trees and power lines were snapped or downed. [68] |
| F2 | SE of Apple Springs | Trinity | TX | 31°10′00″N94°53′00″W / 31.1667°N 94.8833°W | 04:00 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | A strong tornado occurred in Davy Crockett National Forest, stranding seven hunters and severely damaging their vehicles. Along its path, 70-90 percent of trees were downed or damaged. [69] |
| F0 | W of Pecan Grove | Fort Bend | TX | 29°37′00″N95°46′00″W / 29.6167°N 95.7667°W | 04:05 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A tree was downed. [70] |
| F0 | SSE of Beechwood | Warren | MS | 32°16′00″N90°47′00″W / 32.2667°N 90.7833°W | 05:31–05:33 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | A few large trees were downed, and branches were snapped off about a dozen more. [71] |
| F3 | E of Church Hill to WSW of Pattison | Jefferson, Claiborne | MS | 31°43′00″N91°12′00″W / 31.7167°N 91.2°W | 05:40–06:05 | 18.5 mi (29.8 km) | 600 yd (550 m) | A large and intense tornado caused damage to countless trees. At one point, it snapped or uprooted every tree in a forest, consistent with F3 damage. A large tractor shed, with a frame made of large I-beams, was completely destroyed; the beams were snapped from their base as the structure blew away. One residential house lost nearly its entire roof and had every window blown out. One mobile home and two sheds sustained minor damage. A string of seven power poles were snapped. [72] |
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F2 | NW of Slidell | St. Tammany | LA | 30°18′N89°51′W / 30.3°N 89.85°W | 06:30–06:45 | 4 mi (6.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A tornado damaged 152 homes near Slidell, with 9 of the homes being declared uninhabitable. Four people sustained injuries. [73] |
| F0 | SE of Utica | Copiah, Hinds | MS | 32°04′00″N90°36′00″W / 32.0667°N 90.6°W | 06:33–06:34 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A few trees were damaged. [74] |
| F0 | Northwestern Madison | Madison | MS | 32°29′00″N90°10′00″W / 32.4833°N 90.1667°W | 06:35–06:45 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Scattered trees were toppled or snapped. [75] |
| F2 | S of Georgetown to N of Magee | Lawrence, Simpson | MS | 31°45′00″N90°07′00″W / 31.75°N 90.1167°W | 06:54–07:36 | 28 mi (45 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Several hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. Several chicken houses sustained major damage, including a few that were completely destroyed. Three homes sustained major damage, and nine mobile homes sustained major damage. A Veterans of Foreign Wars building sustained severe damage, and an RV was rolled. [76] |
| F2 | NW of Ludlow to E of Good Hope | Scott, Leake | MS | 32°36′N89°45′W / 32.6°N 89.75°W | 07:15–07:28 | 10.5 mi (16.9 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | This strong tornado damaged hundreds of homes. Four mobile homes had pieces of their siding torn off and small parts of their roofs peeled back. Two residential homes sustained significant roof damage, and a third home was destroyed by fallen trees. A chicken house was severely damaged, and three farm buildings were destroyed as well. [77] |
| F1 | SW of Oak Vale | Lawrence | MS | 31°22′00″N90°05′00″W / 31.3667°N 90.0833°W | 07:32–07:43 | 7 mi (11 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | A few hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. [78] |
| F1 | NE of Walnut Grove | Leake | MS | 32°39′N89°24′W / 32.65°N 89.4°W | 07:43–07:48 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and one home was severely damaged by two fallen trees. A chicken house had a large portion of its roof ripped off and scattered for 0.25 miles (0.40 km). [79] |
| F2 | S of Raleigh to Montrose to SE of Hickory | Smith, Jasper, Newton | MS | 32°01′00″N89°32′00″W / 32.0167°N 89.5333°W | 07:53–08:39 | 38 mi (61 km) | 600 yd (550 m) | A long-tracked and strong tornado destroyed and uprooted a few thousand trees. It likewise destroyed 21 chicken houses, 3 mobile homes, and 1 residential home. Another 11 chicken houses and 23 homes sustained damage. Two people were injured in a destroyed mobile home. [80] |
| F0 | W of Wiggins | Stone | MS | 30°51′00″N89°08′00″W / 30.85°N 89.1333°W | 08:10–08:12 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A brief tornado downed trees. [81] |
| F1 | SE of Stallo | Neshoba | MS | 32°54′00″N89°05′00″W / 32.9°N 89.0833°W | 08:19–08:26 | 4 mi (6.4 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A few hundred trees were toppled, and an abandoned house was destroyed by fallen trees. Power lines were downed as well. [82] |
| F3 | SE of Stallo to SW of Macon | Neshoba, Winston, Noxubee | MS | 32°55′00″N89°00′00″W / 32.9167°N 89.0°W | 08:25–08:51 | 21 mi (34 km) | 600 yd (550 m) | 1 death – A long-tracked, significant tornado destroyed four large chicken houses and a residential home. Pieces of the house were scattered for 0.25 miles (0.40 km), and three vehicles at the location were moved. One death and two injuries occurred in the house. Thousands of trees were blown down, additional homes sustained lesser roof damage, a few sheds were blown over, and power lines were toppled as well. [83] |
| F0 | N of Janice | Perry | MS | 31°02′00″N89°02′00″W / 31.0333°N 89.0333°W | 08:40–08:42 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Trees were downed. [84] |
| F1 | S of Hickory to Southern Meridian | Newton, Lauderdale | MS | 32°17′00″N89°01′00″W / 32.2833°N 89.0167°W | 08:41–08:56 | 12 mi (19 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Several homes sustained minor roof damage. Several hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. [85] |
| F1 | SE of Bogue Chitto | Lincoln | MS | 31°22′00″N90°23′00″W / 31.3667°N 90.3833°W | 08:50–08:55 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | A few hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. [86] |
| F1 | SE of Mashulaville | Noxubee | MS | 33°03′N88°42′W / 33.05°N 88.7°W | 08:50–09:01 | 7.5 mi (12.1 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | This tornado began just 1 mile (1.6 km) south of where the F3 tornado ended. A few hundred trees were snapped or uprooted, and a few power lines were downed. [87] |
| F1 | NE of Macon | Noxubee | MS | 33°10′00″N88°20′00″W / 33.1667°N 88.3333°W | 09:07–09:13 | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Numerous trees were snapped and downed. A grain silo was dented and had its roof ripped off. Several power lines were downed as well. [88] |
| F0 | ESE of Richton | Greene | MS | 31°18′N88°45′W / 31.3°N 88.75°W | 09:10–09:13 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Trees were downed. [89] |
| F0 | State Line | Wayne | MS | 31°26′00″N88°29′00″W / 31.4333°N 88.4833°W | 09:25–09:27 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Trees were downed. [90] |
| F2 | S of Thomaston | Marengo | AL | 32°10′00″N87°44′00″W / 32.1667°N 87.7333°W | 10:10–10:31 | 11.9 mi (19.2 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | A strong tornado caused extensive damage to three mobile homes and moderate damage to two residential homes. Another mobile home and carport were damaged as well. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down or snapped. Two people were injured. [91] |
| F1 | W of Fulton | Clarke | AL | 31°47′00″N87°51′00″W / 31.7833°N 87.85°W | 10:35–10:40 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | An F1 tornado destroyed 3 manufactured homes and damaged 13 residential homes. [92] |
| F0 | SE of Silas | Choctaw | AL | 31°46′00″N88°20′00″W / 31.7667°N 88.3333°W | 10:40–10:43 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Several trees were damaged. [93] |
| F0 | E of Thomaston | Marengo, Dallas | AL | 32°16′00″N87°29′00″W / 32.2667°N 87.4833°W | 10:43–10:52 | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Numerous trees were downed or snapped. [94] |
| F1 | Westwego to Harvey | Jefferson | LA | 29°54′00″N90°08′00″W / 29.9°N 90.1333°W | 10:50–11:00 | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | The tornado caused significant damage in Westwego, where 25 to 30 commercial buildings sustained primarily minor damage to roofs and plate glass windows. In Harvey, an air conditioning unit was ripped off of a school building and several trees were downed. [95] |
| F1 | Marion Junction to W of Valley Grande | Dallas | AL | 32°26′00″N87°14′00″W / 32.4333°N 87.2333°W | 11:07–11:33 | 14.7 mi (23.7 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Several structures were damaged, and numerous trees were snapped or blown down. One person was injured. [96] |
| F0 | Beatrice | Stone | MS | 30°44′00″N88°57′00″W / 30.7333°N 88.95°W | 11:10–11:12 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Several trees were damaged. [97] |
| F0 | S of McCalla | Jefferson | AL | 33°17′00″N87°01′00″W / 33.2833°N 87.0167°W | 11:28–11:29 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Two residential homes and at least four manufactured homes sustained minor damage. A few outbuildings were damaged as well, with debris from one thrown into a tree 40 feet (12 m) above the ground. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. [98] |
| F2 | N of Jones to SE of Weogufka | Autauga, Chilton, Coosa | AL | 32°36′N86°54′W / 32.6°N 86.9°W | 11:49–12:46 | 49.1 mi (79.0 km) | 1,400 yd (1,300 m) | A very large and long-tracked strong tornado severely damaged or destroyed several homes, businesses, mobile homes, and outbuildings along its path. Thousands of trees were downed or snapped as well. The tornado may have been stronger than officially assessed, but it occurred over largely rural areas. [99] |
| F0 | SE of Selma | Dallas | AL | 32°18′N86°54′W / 32.3°N 86.9°W | 11:56–11:58 | 1.1 mi (1.8 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Numerous trees were downed or snapped, and a few mobile homes sustained minor damage. [100] |
| F2 | Gulfport | Harrison | MS | 30°26′00″N89°05′00″W / 30.4333°N 89.0833°W | 12:00–12:05 | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A strong tornado in Gulfport destroyed a large church under construction, caused severe damage to 3 homes and 5 businesses, and caused minor damage to 20 homes. [101] |
| F2 | E of Autaugaville | Autauga | AL | 32°23′00″N86°40′00″W / 32.3833°N 86.6667°W | 12:24–12:37 | 9.7 mi (15.6 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | Several mobile homes, travel campers, and boats were destroyed. Two high-voltage power line towers were crumpled. Several structures were partially damaged or completely destroyed. One person was injured. [102] |
| F1 | SE of Childersburg | Talladega | AL | 33°15′N86°21′W / 33.25°N 86.35°W | 12:36–12:37 | 0.9 mi (1.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | One mobile home was destroyed and another was heavily damaged. One residential home sustained minor damage, and several outbuildings and barns sustained moderate damage. [103] |
| F0 | S of Riverside | Talladega, St. Clair | AL | 33°33′00″N86°14′00″W / 33.55°N 86.2333°W | 12:41–12:52 | 5.7 mi (9.2 km) | 250 yd (230 m) | Many homes sustained roof damage. Numerous trees and power lines were downed. Several vehicles and one home were damaged by fallen trees. [104] [105] |
| F0 | NW of Millbrook | Elmore | AL | 32°31′00″N86°24′00″W / 32.5167°N 86.4°W | 12:48–12:50 | 2.4 mi (3.9 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Several houses were damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were downed or snapped. Several churches sustained damage from fallen trees, and a 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) gas main was broken as well. [106] |
| F0 | SW of Winterboro | Talladega | AL | 33°19′00″N86°12′00″W / 33.3167°N 86.2°W | 12:48–12:52 | 3.3 mi (5.3 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | One home had its roof destroyed while two others suffered minor roof damage. Numerous trees were downed or snapped. [107] |
| F2 | Talladega Superspeedway to Southwestern Anniston | Talladega, Calhoun | AL | 33°35′00″N86°04′00″W / 33.5833°N 86.0667°W | 12:59–13:22 | 15.2 mi (24.5 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | 1 death – A strong tornado began at the Talladega Superspeedway. It blew the roofs off two concession stands within the infield area of the race track. Buildings in the Bush Garage area were damaged and had their garage doors bowed out. A digital leaderboard was completely destroyed and another one sustained major damage. Along the remainder of the track in Talladega County, several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees were downed or snapped. Two homes sustained major roof damage and had their porches destroyed before the tornado crossed into Calhoun County. There, two mobile homes were severely damaged by fallen trees, killing an elderly woman. A residential home was significantly damaged, and a shed was destroyed. Near the end of the tornado's track in southwestern Anniston, a cinder block building sustained major damage, and an animal shelter sustained major roof damage. Several other businesses were damaged as well. [108] |
| F1 | S of Millerville | Tallapoosa, Clay | AL | 33°07′00″N85°55′00″W / 33.1167°N 85.9167°W | 13:09–13:23 | 13.7 mi (22.0 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. At least 10 residential homes sustained varying degrees of damage in the Bluff Springs community. Numerous outbuildings, garages, and sheds were demolished. Several vehicles were damaged by fallen trees. [109] |
| F0 | Mon Louis | Mobile | AL | 30°26′00″N88°06′00″W / 30.4333°N 88.1°W | 13:10–13:12 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Several trees were damaged. [110] |
| F0 | SW of Cecil | Montgomery | AL | 32°16′00″N86°02′00″W / 32.2667°N 86.0333°W | 13:24–13:28 | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Several trees were downed or snapped. Several outbuildings and at least two barns were damaged or destroyed. A garage had its roof blown off, and at least three homes sustained shingle damage. [111] |
| F0 | SE of Daviston | Tallapoosa | AL | 33°02′00″N85°37′00″W / 33.0333°N 85.6167°W | 13:35–13:36 | 0.8 mi (1.3 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Several large trees were snapped. [112] |
| F0 | Fairhope | Baldwin | AL | 30°31′00″N87°54′00″W / 30.5167°N 87.9°W | 13:55–13:56 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A large waterspout over Mobile Bay moved onshore in Fairhope but did not cause damage. [113] |
| F0 | SE of Opelika | Lee | AL | 32°37′00″N85°20′00″W / 32.6167°N 85.3333°W | 14:09 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A very brief tornado caused minor damage to several structures. A few trees and power lines were blown down as well. [114] |
| F1 | Milton | Santa Rosa | FL | 30°38′00″N87°02′00″W / 30.6333°N 87.0333°W | 14:55–14:57 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Several FEMA trailers, brought into the area after Hurricane Ivan, and several roofs were damaged. [115] |
| F1 | S of Freeport | Walton | FL | 30°27′00″N86°08′00″W / 30.45°N 86.1333°W | 16:41 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Several homes were damaged. [116] |
| F0 | NE of Freeport | Walton | FL | 30°35′00″N85°56′00″W / 30.5833°N 85.9333°W | 16:55 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | One home sustained minor damage. [117] |
| F0 | Panama City Beach | Bay | FL | 30°11′00″N85°48′00″W / 30.1833°N 85.8°W | 17:50 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A waterspout moved onshore and caused minor structural damage to a construction site. [118] |
| F0 | NW of Santuc | Union | SC | 34°39′00″N81°32′00″W / 34.65°N 81.5333°W | 19:25 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A brief tornado caused minor damage. [119] |
| F0 | NE of Aiken | Aiken | SC | 33°39′N81°36′W / 33.65°N 81.6°W | 20:03–20:04 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 80 yd (73 m) | Trees were uprooted on a horse farm. [120] |
| F0 | NW of Greensburg | Decatur | IN | 39°22′00″N85°32′00″W / 39.3667°N 85.5333°W | 22:10–22:11 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | The roof of a barn was ripped off, cars were blown off I-74, and trees were downed. [121] |
| F1 | SE of Rushville | Rush, Franklin | IN | 39°30′N85°18′W / 39.5°N 85.3°W | 22:25–22:31 | 2.1 mi (3.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A garage and a barn were completely destroyed. Several homes and buildings sustained structural damage. A shed was moved 30 feet (9.1 m). Numerous trees and a power pole were snapped. [122] |
| F0 | S of Boston | Wayne | IN | 39°43′00″N84°51′00″W / 39.7167°N 84.85°W | 23:02–23:04 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | Three power poles were downed and moved about 1 foot (0.30 m). [123] |
The 2002 Veterans Day weekend tornado outbreak was an unusually severe and expansive severe weather event across portions of the Central and Eastern United States from the evening hours of November 9 into the early morning hours of Veterans Day, November 11, 2002. A series of troughs tracked eastward across the United States, providing strong wind shear, while anomalously warm and unstable air surged northward into the Ohio River Valley. As a result, multiple tornadoes occurred across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri on November 9. A far more widespread and severe event occurred the following day, with three distinct tornado outbreaks focused across areas from Illinois to Pennsylvania; Tennessee and Kentucky; and areas from Mississippi to South Carolina. The most intense tornado of the outbreak was a violent F4 tornado that occurred near Van Wert, Ohio. A total of 76 tornadoes occurred during the 3-day period, collectively resulting in 36 deaths and 303 injuries. As of 2022, the event ranks as the third-largest tornado outbreak on record in November.
A widespread, destructive tornado outbreak affected Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska on April 27, 2002, and Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia on the following day, April 28. Generally, tornado reports were widely scattered in each state, but significant to severe damage was noted in multiple states. Overall, 48 tornadoes were confirmed along with 6 deaths, 256 injuries, and $224 million in damage, with wind and hail adding to the damage total.
The Tornado outbreak of November 1992, sometimes referred to as The Widespread Outbreak, was a devastating, three-day outbreak of tornadoes that struck the Eastern and Midwestern United States on November 21–23. This exceptionally long-lived and geographically large outbreak produced 95 tornadoes over a 41-hour period, making it one of the longest-lasting and largest outbreaks ever recorded in the US, and published studies of the outbreak have indicated the possibility of even more tornadoes. There were 26 fatalities, 641 injuries, and over $300 million in damage.
Accompanying Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic coastal impacts was a moderate tornado outbreak spawned by the cyclone's outer bands. The event spanned August 26–31, 2005, with 57 tornadoes touching down across 8 states. One person died and numerous communities suffered damage of varying degrees from central Mississippi to Pennsylvania, with Georgia sustaining record monetary damage for the month of August. Due to extreme devastation in coastal areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, multiple tornadoes may have been overlooked—overshadowed by the effects of storm surge and large-scale wind—and thus the full extent of the hurricane's tornado outbreak is uncertain. Furthermore, an indeterminate number of waterspouts likely formed throughout the life cycle of Hurricane Katrina.
The Hurricane Ivan tornado outbreak was a three-day tornado outbreak that was associated with the passage of Hurricane Ivan across the Southern United States starting on September 15, 2004, across the Gulf Coast states of Alabama and Florida as well as southern Georgia before ending in the Middle Atlantic Coast on September 18.
From May 3 to May 11, 2003, a prolonged and destructive series of tornado outbreaks affected much of the Great Plains and Eastern United States. Most of the severe activity was concentrated between May 4 and May 10, which saw more tornadoes than any other week-long span in recorded history; 335 tornadoes occurred during this period, concentrated in the Ozarks and central Mississippi River Valley. Additional tornadoes were produced by the same storm systems from May 3 to May 11, producing 363 tornadoes overall, of which 62 were significant. Six of the tornadoes were rated F4, and of these four occurred on May 4, the most prolific day of the tornado outbreak sequence; these were the outbreak's strongest tornadoes. Damage caused by the severe weather and associated flooding amounted to US$4.1 billion, making it the costliest U.S. tornado outbreak of the 2000s. A total of 50 deaths and 713 injuries were caused by the severe weather, with a majority caused by tornadoes; the deadliest tornado was an F4 that struck Madison and Henderson counties in Tennessee, killing 11.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1961, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1962, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although tornadoes events can take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
On April 22, 2020, an outbreak of discrete supercell thunderstorms across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana led to widespread severe weather, including multiple strong tornadoes. Two people were killed by a high-end EF2 that struck the town of Madill, Oklahoma, and three more were killed by an EF3 wedge tornado that moved through Onalaska, Texas. Dozens of others were injured as well. The event came to fruition as a trough progressed eastward across the United States, interacting with a moist and unstable environment. Tornado activity continued into Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia overnight into the day on April 23. Isolated tornado activity also occurred during the overnight hours on April 21.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1954, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
Between April 23–30, 1961, a tornado outbreak sequence struck the Midwest, Ohio, and Mississippi Valleys, and the Eastern United States. Large hailstorms accompanied the tornadoes as well and numerous other weather events also occurred. Three people were killed, 38 others were injured and losses totaled $26.810 million. Two additional fatalities also occurred due to flooding and lightning.
A destructive outbreak of 14 tornadoes hit the Southeast. Seven of the 14 tornadoes were significant (F2+) and multiple populated areas were struck. Overall, the outbreak injured 11 and caused $460,030 in damage.
Hurricane Carla triggered a destructive and deadly outbreak of 21 tornadoes in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Michigan that occurred from September 10–13, 1961. A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana, and eight more in Texas. The strongest tornado of the outbreak was a 1 mile (1.6 km) long, 100 yards (91 m) wide F4 tornado that moved across Galveston Island in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 12, 1961, killing eight people. This was the first of only two known violent tornadoes ever spawned by a hurricane with the other one happening during Hurricane Hilda in 1964. By the time it was over, the outbreak had killed 14 people, injured 337 others, and caused over $3.461 million in damage.
Several destructive tornadoes struck the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeastern United States on February 13, 1952. Multiple intense tornadoes touched down throughout the day, three of which were killers. The worst one was an F4 tornado that touched down in south central Tennessee, killing three and injuring 44. In all, the outbreak killed five, injured 102, and caused $6.402 million (1952 USD) in damage.
Between March 29–31, 2022, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms and multiple supercells swept through portions of the United States and brought widespread wind damage and several strong tornadoes across a large part of the Midwestern, Southern, and Eastern United States. An EF3 tornado was confirmed in Springdale, Arkansas, while an EF1 tornado passed close to downtown Jackson, Mississippi. Numerous tornadoes, some of which were strong occurred over Mississippi, Alabama the evening of March 30 and into the early morning of March 31. Multiple tornadoes also occurred in the Florida Panhandle, including an intense EF3 tornado that killed two people and injured three others near Alford, Florida, and in other states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Producing a total of 90 tornadoes, this was the largest tornado outbreak of 2022.
A four-day tornado outbreak affected the Central and Southern United States in mid-December 2022. The outbreak produced strong tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, resulting in severe damage and three fatalities. On December 13, a high-end EF1 tornado was caught on video from multiple angles as it caused considerable damage in Grapevine, Texas, where five people were injured, and multiple EF2 tornadoes caused significant damage in other parts of Texas and Oklahoma that morning. Two large EF2 tornadoes occurred near DeBerry, Texas and Keachi, Louisiana to the southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana, with the second one causing severe damage and two fatalities. An EF3 tornado struck the northern fringes of Farmerville, causing major structural damage and 14 injuries.
