March 2009 tornado outbreak sequence

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March 2009 tornado outbreak sequence
Corydon tornado damage.JPG
Damage from the EF3 Corydon tornado
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationMarch 2329, 2009
Tornadoes
confirmed
56 confirmed
Max. rating1 EF3 tornado
Duration of
tornado outbreak2
~6 days
FatalitiesNone (41 injuries)
Damage$14.2 million

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

The March 2009 tornado outbreak sequence was a series of tornado outbreaks which affected large portions of the Central, Southern, and Eastern United States from March 23 to March 29. A total of 56 tornadoes touched down during the event, two of which were rated as EF3.

Contents

Meteorological synopsis

Radar image of the supercell thunderstorm which spawned the EF3 Corydon, Kentucky tornado Corydon tornado radar image.PNG
Radar image of the supercell thunderstorm which spawned the EF3 Corydon, Kentucky tornado

An upper trough moved from the Four Corners region into the southern Great Plains and lower Missouri Valley during the day on March 23. During this, a surface low in western portions of Nebraska pushed into eastern South Dakota. A cold front combined with the low moved across the central and southern Great Plains and was the main area where thunderstorm development would occur. Although moisture was limited, strong wind shear created favorable conditions for supercells to develop and rotate. As a result, the supercells had the potential to produce tornadoes. [1] A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for portions of central and eastern Kansas and northern Oklahoma. [2] During the day, a fast-moving supercell produced several tornadoes in eastern Nebraska and across the state line into the west central portion of Iowa. Five tornadoes occurred in eastern Nebraska, with eight people injured in Eagle. In Iowa, an EF2 tornado destroyed one home, damaged another home, a barn and seven outbuildings and derailed 54 empty grain rail cars in Harrison County. The supercell then moved into Montgomery County, where it produced two EF0 tornadoes. [3]

Several days of severe weather began with an EF1 tornado near Meridian, Mississippi on March 25. During the early morning hours of March 26, severe thunderstorms produced six tornadoes in central sections of Mississippi. The most powerful tornado spawned was an EF3 that struck Magee. Sixty homes were either damaged or destroyed with 25 people injured from the tornado. A church was destroyed and a warehouse was severely damaged. An EF2 tornado, three EF1, and an EF0 also occurred as the severe weather moved through the area. [4] A state of emergency was declared for 12 counties by the Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour. [5] The thunderstorms also produced three tornadoes, one rated EF1 and the other two rated EF0, in southeastern Louisiana and coastal regions of Mississippi. The EF1 tornado damaged seven homes, extensively damaged one trailer and injured one person in Tangipahoa Parish. [6]

Another round of severe weather developed late that evening, producing another intense squall line with embedded tornadoes across the northern Gulf Coast region early on March 27, where several tornadoes were reported. [7] Later during the afternoon, various tornadoes developed in North Carolina, causing structural damage in eastern North Carolina. [8] [9] [10] The tornadoes formed after a disturbance moved into the area from Alabama. [11] One of the tornadoes near Parkton was rated as an EF2 and injured one person. [12]

On March 28, a strong 997  millibar upper-level low pressure area located over Oklahoma was forecast to produce widespread thunderstorms, with a moderate risk of severe weather in most of northern Louisiana, much of Mississippi, and southern Arkansas. A warm front was likely to develop along the leading edge of the system, allowing for atmospheric instability, a necessary component of severe thunderstorms. In areas farther north, relatively cool temperatures were anticipated to limit convective activity but very strong dynamics in the area would allow storms to develop. This would allow a thunderstorm which became separated from the main squall line to become severe and possibly tornadic. [13] Later in the day, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a slight risk for a large area which encompassed much of the Southeast United States. Tornadic activity was less imminent due to lower due points but strong wind shear was able to provide fuel for severe storms. [14]

More tornadoes occurred on March 28, as they affected Tennessee and Kentucky during the afternoon. A supercell that tracked through three different counties in western areas of Kentucky produced two tornadoes. One of them was an EF3 tornado that destroyed six homes, caused major damage to 10 homes and minor damage to 60 homes and businesses in Corydon. [15] In Tennessee, an EF1 tornado caused damage to several businesses in Murfreesboro, including the local Boys and Girls Club and a shopping plaza, which was heavily damaged. Another EF1 tornado destroyed a modular home and damaged three other homes in Ashland City. [16]

Severe thunderstorms caused widespread damage throughout Pennsylvania on March 29. [17] An EF1 tornado was produced in Lancaster County, damaging 238 structures across a path of 10 miles (16 km) from Lititz to Denver, most of which were 200 homes that were damaged by hail. Thirty barns suffered moderate damage, one barn sustained major damage, six trailer homes were destroyed with two others suffering major damage. Three people were injured by the tornado, which altogether cost an estimated $3 million in damage. [18]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFUEF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Total
02227520056

March 23 event

List of reported tornadoes - Monday, March 23, 2009
EF# LocationCountyCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
South Dakota
EF1SW of Springfield Bon Homme 42°49′N97°58′W / 42.81°N 97.97°W / 42.81; -97.97 (Springfield (Mar. 23, EF1)) 2115unknownA machine shed was heavily damaged.
Nebraska
EF1S of Eagle Lancaster, Otoe, Cass 40°47′N96°26′W / 40.79°N 96.43°W / 40.79; -96.43 (Eagle (Mar. 23, EF1)) 21459 miles (14 km)Tornado hit a garage and sent a car rolling, injuring five people.
EF1NE of Eagle Cass 40°51′N96°26′W / 40.85°N 96.43°W / 40.85; -96.43 (Eagle (Mar. 23, EF1)) 21504 miles (6.4 km)A tree fell on a truck, injuring three people.
EF1NE of Alvo Cass 40°49′N96°26′W / 40.82°N 96.43°W / 40.82; -96.43 (Alvo (Mar. 23, EF1)) 22005 miles (8.0 km)
EF1SE of Hickman Lancaster unknown2 miles (3.2 km)
EF2NE of Hickman Lancaster unknown1 mile (1.6 km)
Iowa
EF2 Missouri Valley area Harrison 41°35′N95°52′W / 41.58°N 95.87°W / 41.58; -95.87 (Missouri Valley (Mar. 23, EF2)) 23059 miles (14 km)A farm house was heavily damaged and seven outbuildings were destroyed. 54 rail cars were also overturned.
EF0W of Villisca Montgomery 40°59′N94°55′W / 40.98°N 94.91°W / 40.98; -94.91 (Villisca (Mar. 23, EF0)) 01003 miles (4.8 km)A grain bin was overturned and an outbuilding was damaged.
EF0ESE of Lyman Cass 41°14′N94°53′W / 41.23°N 94.89°W / 41.23; -94.89 (Cumberland (Mar. 23, EF0)) 01105 miles (8.0 km)Narrow tornado path with damage to silos and outbuildings.
EF0S of Wiota Cass 01201 mile (1.6 km)Narrow tornado path with minor damage.
EF0 Sciola Montgomery unknown1.25 miles (2.01 km)A weak outbuilding was destroyed and some trees were damaged.
Kansas
EF1E of Bern Nemaha 39°58′N95°58′W / 39.96°N 95.97°W / 39.96; -95.97 (Bern (Mar. 23, EF1)) 23338.5 miles (13.7 km)Numerous buildings and power poles were damaged.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/23/09, NWS Des Moines, NWS Omaha, NWS Topeka

March 24 event

List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
EF# LocationCounty/
Parish
Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Louisiana
EF1WNW of Jonesboro Jackson 32°14′N92°44′W / 32.24°N 92.73°W / 32.24; -92.73 (Jonesboro (Mar. 24, EF1)) 04101 mile (1.6 km)
Oklahoma
EF0SE of Pawnee Pawnee 06293.5 miles (5.6 km)A mobile home was damaged and a storage barn was destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/24/09, NWS Tulsa

March 25–26 event

This event covers through the morning of March 26, which was due to a continuous bow echo/line.

List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, March 25, 2009
EF# LocationCounty/
Parish
Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Mississippi
EF1S of Meridian Lauderdale 32°15′N88°43′W / 32.25°N 88.71°W / 32.25; -88.71 (Meridian (Mar. 25, EF1)) 15595.5 miles (8.9 km)Many trees were knocked down, damaging a church. A house also lost its roof.
EF0S of Edwards Hinds 04443 miles (4.8 km)A house lost its roof and several other houses sustained minor damage.
Louisiana
EF0E of Pleasant Hill Natchitoches 31°51′N93°25′W / 31.85°N 93.42°W / 31.85; -93.42 (Pleasant Hill (Mar. 25, EF0)) 0050unknownBrief tornado in a wooded area with damage limited to trees.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/25/09, NWS Jackson
List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, March 26, 2009
EF# LocationCounty/
Parish
Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Mississippi
EF1N of Clinton Hinds, Madison 050012 miles (19 km)Hundreds of trees were uprooted along its track.
EF1NW of Madison (1st tornado) Madison 05174.5 miles (7.2 km)Several houses sustained damage, mostly to their roofs. Many trees were snapped.
EF0NW of Madison (2nd tornado) Madison 05201 mile (1.6 km)Minor shingle damage to several houses and minor tree damage.
EF3 Magee area Simpson, Smith 063717.5 miles (28.2 km)Severe damage to 60 houses, many of which were destroyed. A large well-built church was also destroyed. A warehouse and a radio tower also sustained major damage and extensive tree damage was reported. 25 people were injured.
EF1E of Montrose Jasper, Newton 073117 miles (27 km)Several houses were damaged, at least four of which were heavily damaged. An old church building was destroyed.
EF2N of Soso Jones 07439 miles (14 km)Numerous houses were damaged, with a well-built house heavily damaged. Several warehouses were destroyed. Several mobile homes were damaged, one of which was destroyed. One person were injured.
EF0 Pascagoula Jackson 30°22′N88°33′W / 30.37°N 88.55°W / 30.37; -88.55 (Pascagoula (Mar. 26, EF0)) 1033250 yards (230 m)Brief tornado touched down at Pascagoula High School with minor damage at its fields. Several traffic lights were damaged.
Louisiana
EF1E of Independence Tangipahoa 30°38′N90°28′W / 30.64°N 90.47°W / 30.64; -90.47 (Independence (Mar. 26, EF1)) 06580.75 miles (1.21 km)Seven houses were damaged and two mobile homes were heavily damaged, one of which was destroyed. One person was injured.
EF0SSE of Slidell St. Tammany 30°15′N89°46′W / 30.25°N 89.76°W / 30.25; -89.76 (Slidell (Mar. 26, EF1)) 0843250 yards (230 m)Brief tornado in a residential subdivision with minor tree damage but no building damage.
Alabama
EF1WNW of Ashcraft Corner Lamar, Fayette 33°32′N87°57′W / 33.54°N 87.95°W / 33.54; -87.95 (Ashcraft Corner (Mar. 26, EF1)) 08203.33 miles (5.36 km)Two homes, one business and five outbuildings were damaged.
EF0 Alabaster Shelby 33°13′N86°52′W / 33.21°N 86.86°W / 33.21; -86.86 (Alabaster (Mar. 26, EF0)) 09503.75 miles (6.04 km)Brief tornado damaged three houses near exit 238 on Interstate 65.
EF1E of Appleton Escambia 31°13′N87°07′W / 31.22°N 87.11°W / 31.22; -87.11 (Appleton (Mar. 26, EF1)) 11552.09 miles (3.36 km)Several houses and outbuildings were damaged and a barn was destroyed.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/25/09, NWS Jackson, NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge, NWS Mobile, NWS Birmingham

March 26–27 event

This event covers through the morning of March 27, which was due to a continuous bow echo/line.

List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, March 26, 2009
EF# LocationCounty/
Parish
Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Louisiana
EF1E of Gonzales Ascension 30°13′N90°52′W / 30.22°N 90.87°W / 30.22; -90.87 (Gonzales (Mar. 26, EF1)) 04121.25 miles (2.01 km)Tornado embedded in an evening line of activity. One structure was destroyed and 30 others were damaged, 10 of them heavily including a large commercial building.
EF1N of Pearl River St. Tammany 30°25′N89°45′W / 30.42°N 89.75°W / 30.42; -89.75 (Pearl River (Mar. 27, EF1)) 06300.33 miles (0.53 km)Brief tornado with heavy roof damage to three houses.
Mississippi
EF1N of Diamondhead Hancock 30°38′N89°22′W / 30.64°N 89.37°W / 30.64; -89.37 (Diamondhead (Mar. 27, EF1)) 06457 miles (11 km)A church sustained significant roof damage and an outbuilding was destroyed.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/26/09, NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge

March 27 event

This event covers activity in the afternoon and evening of March 27.

List of reported tornadoes - Friday, March 27, 2009
EF# LocationCounty/ParishCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
North Carolina
EF0SE of Lumberton Robeson 34°34′N78°58′W / 34.56°N 78.97°W / 34.56; -78.97 (Lumberton (Mar. 27, EF0)) 20322.3 miles (3.7 km)Narrow tornado track with a shed destroyed and a mobile home damaged.
EF2E of Parkton Robeson 34°53′N78°58′W / 34.89°N 78.96°W / 34.89; -78.96 (Parkton (Mar. 27, EF2)) 21022 miles (3.2 km)Narrow but strong tornado roughly paralleled Interstate 95. An empty house was destroyed and a mobile home was also destroyed, injuring an occupant.
EF1SE of Hope Mills Cumberland 34°57′N78°56′W / 34.95°N 78.93°W / 34.95; -78.93 (Hope Mills (Mar. 27, EF1)) 21135 miles (8.0 km)Several houses and businesses - including a large research building - sustained damage, mostly to roofs. A tractor-trailer was overturned on Interstate 95.
EF1 Greenville Pitt 35°36′N77°22′W / 35.60°N 77.37°W / 35.60; -77.37 (Greenville (Mar. 27, EF1)) 22050.5 miles (800 m)Brief tornado with minor damage to about 40 houses.
EF1W of Hookerton Greene 35°25′N77°37′W / 35.42°N 77.62°W / 35.42; -77.62 (Hookerton (Mar. 27, EF1)) 22051.5 miles (2.4 km)
EF0N of Salemburg Sampson unknownunknownConfirmed tornado according to NWS Raleigh tornado summary [19]
EF0S of Four Oaks Sampson, Johnston unknownunknownConfirmed tornado according to NWS Raleigh tornado summary [19]
Louisiana
EF0W of Gardner Rapides 31°16′N92°47′W / 31.27°N 92.78°W / 31.27; -92.78 (Gardner (Mar. 27, EF0)) 21102 miles (3.2 km)Damaging limited to trees with two of trees falling on houses while some vehicles were trapped
EF0SSW of Brownsville-Bawcon Ouachita 32°22′N92°16′W / 32.36°N 92.26°W / 32.36; -92.26 (Gardner (Mar. 27, EF0)) 0357unknownDamage to trees and a fence
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/27/09, NWS Wilmington (NC), NWS Raleigh, NWS Newport/Morehead City, NWS Lake Charles, LA, NWS Raleigh (Event Summary)

March 28 event

List of reported tornadoes - Saturday, March 28, 2009
EF# LocationCountyCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Mississippi
EF1SE of Raleigh Smith 31°55′N89°28′W / 31.91°N 89.46°W / 31.91; -89.46 (Raleign (Mar. 28, EF1)) 07581 mile (1.6 km)Four houses sustained minor to moderate damage. Two sheds were also destroyed and trees were damaged.
Georgia
EF0NW of Vienna Dooly 32°08′N83°50′W / 32.13°N 83.84°W / 32.13; -83.84 (Vienna (Mar. 28, EF0)) 1450500 yards (460 m)Brief tornado touchdown
Kentucky
EF1SE of Morganfield Union 37°41′N87°55′W / 37.68°N 87.91°W / 37.68; -87.91 (Morganfield (Mar. 28, EF1)) 21232.5 miles (4.0 km)Two camper trailer were overturned and a barn lost its roof. Several trees were damaged.
EF3 Corydon area Union, Henderson 37°47′N87°43′W / 37.79°N 87.71°W / 37.79; -87.71 (Corydon (Mar. 28, EF3)) 214312 miles (19 km) See section on this tornado
EF0SE of Owensboro Daviess 37°42′N87°01′W / 37.700°N 87.017°W / 37.700; -87.017 22380.1 miles (0.16 km)A small rope tornado briefly touched down in an open field. [20]
South Carolina
EF1SE of Summerton Clarendon 33°34′N80°17′W / 33.567°N 80.283°W / 33.567; -80.283 21314 miles (6.4 km)Tornado touched down in a wooded area, downing numerous trees. [21]
Tennessee
EF1NE of Ashland City Cheatham 36°17′N87°04′W / 36.28°N 87.06°W / 36.28; -87.06 (Ashland City (Mar. 28, EF1)) 22355 miles (8.0 km)A modular home was destroyed with damage to three other homes. Numerous trees were snapped.
EF1 Murfreesboro Rutherford 35°51′N86°26′W / 35.85°N 86.43°W / 35.85; -86.43 (Murfreesboro (Mar. 28, EF1)) 23501.1 miles (1.8 km)Several businesses were damaged, including the local Boys and Girls Club and a shopping plaza which were heavily damaged. Numerous houses were also damaged. Damages from the tornado were estimated to be over $4.4 million. [22]
EF1 Huntland Franklin 35°09′N86°16′W / 35.15°N 86.27°W / 35.15; -86.27 (Huntland (Mar. 28, EF1)) 00151.5 miles (2.4 km)Minor damage to a house and a barn. Numerous trees snapped or broken.
EF0SE of Dunlap Sequatchie 35°21′N85°22′W / 35.35°N 85.36°W / 35.35; -85.36 (Dunlap (Mar. 28, EF0)) 01531 mile (1.6 km)Damage to trees.
North Carolina
EF2N of Clarkton Bladen 34°32′N78°40′W / 34.54°N 78.67°W / 34.54; -78.67 (Clarkton (Mar. 28, EF2)) 01081.6 miles (2.6 km)One home was significantly damaged with a cinder block storage being destroyed and part of the back of the home being lifted from the foundation. Three other homes were damaged. Damage to farm and other storage/cinder block buildings.
EF0NW of White Lake Bladen 34°44′N78°31′W / 34.73°N 78.52°W / 34.73; -78.52 (White Lake (Mar. 28, EF0)) 01360.25 miles (0.40 km)Brief touchdown with damage limited to trees.
Alabama
EF1W of Valley Head DeKalb 34°34′N85°39′W / 34.56°N 85.65°W / 34.56; -85.65 (Valley Head (Mar. 28, EF1)) 01202.6 miles (4.2 km)Many trees, mostly tall pines, were uprooted. Some of them fell on a house, heavily damaging it.
EF0NE of Pisgah Jackson unknown1.6 miles (2.6 km)Two houses sustained roof damage and a barn was heavily damaged.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/28/09, NWS Jackson, MS, NWS Nashville, NWS Paducah, NWS Wilmington, NC, NWS Huntsville, NWS Columbia

March 29 event

List of reported tornadoes - Sunday, March 29, 2009
EF# LocationCountyCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Pennsylvania
EF1 Lititz area Lancaster 40°09′N76°18′W / 40.150°N 76.300°W / 40.150; -76.300 20421.25 miles (2.01 km)A short lived EF1 tornado touched down in the town of Litiz and tracked 1.25 miles (2.01 km) before lifting near Ephrata. At least 200 structures were damaged by the tornado and six mobile homes were destroyed. Three people were injured by the tornado and damages amounted to $1 million. [23]
Sources: SPC Reports 03/29/2009, NWS State College

Corydon, Kentucky

Corydon, Kentucky
EF3 tornado
Corydon truck thrown quarter mile.JPG
The remains of a truck, crushed by trees, which was thrown roughly a quarter mile by the tornado.
Max. rating1 EF3 tornado
Fatalities2 injuries
Damage$540,000
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

Surface heating throughout the day destabilized the atmosphere ahead of a cold front in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. At 2:20 pm CST, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma issued a tornado watch for western Kentucky, central Tennessee, and northern Alabama. Not long after, supercell thunderstorms began to develop over southern Illinois, [24] producing hail up to 1 inch in diameter. [25] By 4:00 pm CST, a supercell thunderstorm developed in western Kentucky, near the border with Illinois, and a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the storm. Shortly after, a tornado warning was issued around 4:30 pm CST for Union County, Kentucky as doppler radar images depicted rotation in the thunderstorm. Around 4:43 pm CST, a tornado touched down about 5 miles south-southwest of Waverly, Kentucky and tracked towards the northeast along Kentucky Route 141. Not long after the tornado touched down, it crossed into Henderson County. At 4:48 pm CST, the tornado intensified into an EF3 and passed directly over the town of Corydon. After causing severe damage in Corydon, the tornado continued towards the northeast before dissipating south of the Henderson County Airport around 5:00 pm. The tornado was on the ground for roughly 12 miles over a 17-minute span. [26]

Although four tornado sirens failed to sound when the tornado warning was issued for Corydon, no fatalities were reported as a result of the tornado. [26] About 70 structures were damaged [27] and six were destroyed [28] by the tornado and two people were injured. [26] [29] One of the injuries was caused after a man was struck by a television which was thrown by the tornado. [30] Numerous residents were caught off guard by the tornado, with some people remaining outside after the warning was issued. [29] Concrete and brick structures collapsed, mobile homes were destroyed with debris wrapped around trees, and power lines were downed throughout the area. [31] One truck was picked up by the tornado and thrown about 0.25 miles. [26] An oil well also leaked into a creek as a result of the tornado. [27] Most homes in the town of 780 people were left without power. [32] Damages from the tornado amounted to $540,000. [33] [34]

Aftermath

A state of emergency was declared for Henderson County on March 30, two days after the tornado hit Corydon. [31] The following day, Red Cross workers arrived in the town and set up their operations center in the Old Corydon School; however, not many people went to the center to receive aid. [35]

Siren malfunction

Following the impact of the EF3 tornado, emergency management officials discovered that four [29] of the ten sirens which were supposed to go off when the tornado warning was issued for Henderson County did not function. Emergency management personnel worked to replace the batteries in all ten sirens in the days after the tornado but lacked the supplies to complete this. Since the battery replacement was not completed, two more sirens failed on April 2 when a possible tornado touched down in the same area. [36] After the April 2 event, the repair of the tornado sirens was completed and they were all working. [29]

Non-tornadic events

March 23 Iowa squall line

Ahead of the developing low pressure area, a squall line of thunderstorms developed along a low-level jet stream. The line was first noted around 3:35 am CDT in Cass County, Iowa where 61 miles per hour (98 km/h) winds were recorded at the Atlantic Municipal Airport. [37] Later that day, a much stronger line of severe thunderstorms developed in Plymouth County. Wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) were recorded in the county, two barns and a horse shed were shifted off their foundation and several trees were uprooted. [38] In Cherokee County, a semi-truck was blown over by high winds. [39]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of April 9–11, 2011</span> Tornado outbreak in the United States

One of several tornado outbreaks in the United States to take place during the record month of April 2011, 49 tornadoes were produced across the Midwest and Southeast from April 9–11. Widespread damage took place; however, no fatalities resulted from the event due to timely warnings. In Wisconsin, 16 tornadoes touched down, ranking this outbreak as the state's largest April event on record as well as one of the largest single-day events during the course of any year. The strongest tornado of the outbreak was an EF4 tornado that touched down west of Pocahontas, Iowa on April 9, a short-lived satellite to a long-track EF3 tornado. Between 0256 and 0258 UTC that day, five tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously in Pocahontas County, Iowa, all of which were from one supercell thunderstorm. Other tornadoes impacted parts of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee on April 9, hours before the event in Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Super Outbreak</span> Largest, costliest tornado outbreak in United States history

The 2011 Super Outbreak was the largest, costliest, and one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks ever recorded, taking place in the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern United States from April 25 to 28, 2011, leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake. Over 175 tornadoes struck Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, which were the most severely damaged states. Other destructive tornadoes occurred in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, and Virginia, with storms also affecting other states in the Southern and Eastern United States. In total, 360 tornadoes were confirmed by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) and Government of Canada's Environment Canada in 21 states from Texas to New York to southern Canada. Widespread and destructive tornadoes occurred on each day of the outbreak. April 27 was the most active day, with a record 216 tornadoes touching down that day from midnight to midnight CDT. Four of the tornadoes were rated EF5, which is the highest ranking on the Enhanced Fujita scale; typically these tornadoes are recorded no more than once a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012</span> Windstorms in the southern United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012</span> Tornado outbreak in the United States

The Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012 was a long lasting tornado outbreak that occurred due to a slow moving, but powerful trough and cutoff low. The outbreak began in the Great Plains, where, over a two-day period, several tornadoes touched down, some of which were significant. The North Platte area was damaged by an EF3 that was produced by a supercell that spawned many tornadoes throughout its lifespan. The tornadic activity then shifted the Southern United States over subsequent days, particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi. These states were struck by a series of tornadoes for 3 days, most of which were relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. However, a few reached EF2 intensity and caused considerable damage. Tornado activity continued across the Ohio Valley on the 23rd, with one confirmed fatality in southern Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Hattiesburg tornado</span>

On Sunday, February 10, 2013, a large EF4 multiple-vortex wedge tornado devastated the cities of West Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg, and Petal, Mississippi. The tornado was one of eight that touched down in southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama that day. It reached a maximum path width of 0.75 miles (1.21 km) in its path through the Hattiesburg area and reached estimated maximum sustained winds of 170 mph (270 km/h) in Oak Grove neighborhood of West Hattiesburg. It destroyed many structures and impacted University of Southern Mississippi and two high schools. Mississippi was declared a federal disaster area by President Barack Obama, and a state of emergency was issued by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013</span> Natural disaster

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2014</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2014. 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">Tornado outbreak of December 23–25, 2015</span> Storm

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.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Nashville tornado outbreak</span> Severe weather event in the United States

A small but deadly tornado outbreak affected West and Middle Tennessee on the night of March 2 and into the morning of March 3, 2020, including a high-end EF3 tornado that hit Nashville and Mount Juliet, becoming the 6th costliest tornado in United States history, and a violent EF4 tornado that impacted areas in and just west of Cookeville. A total of 25 people were killed by the tornadoes, with an additional 309 being injured, and more than 70,000 lost electricity. The path of the Nashville tornado was very similar to the one that hit East Nashville in 1998. A few additional tornadoes were also confirmed in Alabama, southeastern Missouri, and western Kentucky. Total damage from the event reached $1.607 billion according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Easter tornado outbreak</span> Tornado outbreak in southeast US

A widespread and deadly tornado outbreak affected the Southeastern United States on Easter Sunday and Monday, April 12–13, 2020. Several tornadoes were responsible for prompting tornado emergencies, including the first one to be issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina. A large squall line formed and tracked through the mid-Atlantic on April 13, prompting more tornado warnings and watches. A total of 15 watches were produced during the course of the event, two of which were designated Particularly Dangerous Situations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of March 5–7, 2022</span> Early spring tornado outbreak in the Midwestern United States

A significant early spring tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of March 5, 2022 in the Midwest, primarily in the state of Iowa, before transitioning to a damaging wind event across northern parts of Illinois and Indiana. Multiple tornadoes were reported, several of which were produced by a dominant supercell thunderstorm in central Iowa. One long-track, low-end EF4 tornado caused major damage near the towns of Winterset and Norwalk, resulting in six fatalities. Multiple other supercells spawned along an area of moderate destabilization in northern Missouri, prompting further tornado warnings in southern Iowa, as they entered a highly favorable environment for maturing. Large hail and damaging wind gusts accompanied the storms, which continued their passage across the Midwestern states into overnight. More tornadic weather was confirmed in Arkansas and Missouri the next day and into the early morning of March 7. In addition to that, straight line winds killed one person near Hazel, Kentucky when a semi trailer was blown over on US 641. Another non-tornadic fatality occurred in western New York as the storm approached.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of March 29–31, 2022</span> Late March tornado outbreak

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.

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