Tornadoes of 2011
Encyclopedia
This page documents the tornado
es and tornado outbreak
s of 2011. Extremely destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the U.S., Bangladesh 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.
As of November 16, there have been 1,836 tornadoes reported in the US in 2011 (of which at least 1,559 were confirmed). 2011 has been an exceptionally destructive and deadly year for tornadoes; worldwide, at least 576 people perished due to tornadoes: 12 in Bangladesh
, two in South Africa
and one in New Zealand
, one in the Philippines
, one in Russia
, one in Canada
and an estimated 552 in the United States
(compared to 564 US deaths in the prior ten years combined). Due mostly to several extremely large tornado outbreaks in the middle and end of April and in late May, the year is currently well above average in almost every category, with six EF5 tornadoes and nearly enough total tornado reports to eclipse the mark of 1,717 tornadoes recorded in in 2004, the current record year for tornadoes.
552 confirmed fatalities is also the second-most tornadic deaths in a single year for tornadoes in US history, only trailing 1925 which featured the infamous Tri-State Tornado
. This total is due in large part to the 324 tornadic deaths that occurred during the April 27 outbreak
across the Southeastern United States
and the 158 tornadic deaths in the 2011 Joplin tornado
.
at the end of 2010 continued into the first three hours of 2011. During that period seven tornadoes touched down in Mississippi. However, during the remainder of the month, tornadic activity was suppressed by a cold air mass, with nine additional tornadoes - all weak - taking place. This inactivity continued through much of February before a pattern shift. Two consecutive outbreaks took place on February 25 and 27 – 28, producing a combined 55 tornadoes. Overall, 63 tornadoes were confirmed in the month, ranking it as the fourth-busiest February on record. Activity in March was split between the start and end of the month, with a total of 75 tornadoes touching down, which ran slightly above average for the month.
In early April, a prolific severe weather event produced at least 42 tornadoes among more than 1,200 reports of wind damage, setting the tone for the month. A nearly continuous series of major tornado outbreaks followed thereafter in the remainder of April, including two extreme multi-day tornado outbreaks that were among the largest in US history (one of them also one of the deadliest and the costliest) and two other large tornado outbreaks, and combined they resulted in an incredibly active month from start to finish; it was easily the most active month for tornadoes on record and by an extremely large margin the most active April, with over 750 tornadoes touching down.
In an abrupt reversal, the activity did not continue into May (normally the most active month for tornadoes), however, and the first half was remarkably quiet and one of the least active Mays on record as of the middle of the month. That continued for three weeks until significant severe weather returned on May 21, and an extremely deadly tornado hit the following day in a major outbreak. The outbreak continued for the next several days, with over 180 confirmed touchdowns, bringing the month of May near average.
The first day of June brought a rare outbreak into Massachusetts, where several tornadoes touched down, some of them fairly destructive. However, another reversal took place afterward and much of June was fairly quiet, with the exception of an active period in the third week that produced a moderate outbreak. July was also relatively quiet for the most part with below normal activity mostly clustered in the northern Plains. August was more quiet with below normal activity and only 20 confirmed tornadoes. September and October were also below average.
Unofficial totals through November 17 (final through July)
continued though the early hours of January 1, with seven tornadoes touching down in Mississippi
over three hours. The strongest of these, rated EF3 with winds of 145 mph (233.4 km/h), reached 0.75 mi (1.2 km) in width along its 23.45 mi (37.7 km) track and caused significant damage along Mississippi Highway 19. Several structures were damaged or destroyed and two people were injured. Near Mississippi Highway 35, thousands of trees were uprooted by the tornado. Another EF3 touched down near Macon
, damaging or destroying several structures and one person was injured. Overall damage in the state from tornadoes amounted to $10.4 million.
and one in Greece
. In Kemalpaşa
, Turkey, an F1 tornado caused the wall of an industrial building to collapse. Several other structures sustained roof damage. The strongest of these tornadoes was an F2 that touched down in northern Rhodes
, destroying small structures and killing several heads of cattle. Hail up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter fell in some places, damaging farmland and greenhouses. Accumulations of hail also reached 15 cm (5.9 in) in Mersin Province
, Turkey.
In addition to the events listed below, there was an F2 tornado in Greece
on February 23 that destroyed a restaurant.
where significant damage was reported near Hickory Hollow Mall
and near Percy Priest Lake
in the evening (with widespread wind damage all across Middle Tennessee
), and a tornado emergency
was declared shortly thereafter for areas to the northeast in Wilson County where another tornado touched down with injuries. Both tornadoes were rated EF2. Other tornadoes touched down with varying degrees of damage in the Missouri Bootheel, West Tennessee
, Mississippi
, southwestern Kentucky
and parts of Arkansas
including three others rated EF2.
on the afternoon of February 28 where one person was killed by an EF2 tornado. It was the first killer tornado of 2011. Another strong tornado, rated EF3, resulted in houses destroyed near Eminence, Kentucky
. Concentrated tornado activity also occurred in parts of Missouri
and Illinois
with 22 tornadoes in the region, some as strong as EF2, related to a series of squall line
s with many embedded tornadoes. None of those tornadoes resulted in any fatalities.
. Another reportedly hit Greene County, Mississippi
on March 5. It formed in a squall line
, which hit portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. A deadly EF2 tornado struck Rayne, Louisiana early that afternoon, killing a mother while she protected her daughter. At least 12 others were injured. Initial assessments indicate that 62 homes were destroyed and 50 more damaged. Two EF0 tornadoes were also confirmed in eastern North Carolina
.
eastward to the Florida Panhandle
, with Louisiana
hardest hit. The most destructive tornadoes, rated EF2, touched down just north of New Orleans in St. Tammany Parish
.
, and it crossed Interstate 5
, but however caused no known damage, as it was on the ground for only a few minutes. The same system produced more severe weather ahead of a dry line across eastern Nebraska, where tornadoes were reported northeast of Omaha. Later, a cluster of supercell
s began producing tornadoes in south-central Iowa, where a tornado was reported in Greenfield, Iowa
, and at least 2 tornadoes were reported near Winterset, Iowa
. Several funnel clouds were reported in Des Moines, where there was a possible touchdown. These funnels were associated with the storm that produced the first tornado to hit Greenfield and Winterset.
On March 23, more tornadoes and severe weather developed with the most significant tornadoes touching down in East Tennessee
where significant damage was reported. Near Greenback in Blount County, a EF3 tornado was confirmed with severe damage in the area. Another notable tornado touched down in southwestern Pennsylvania
, most notably in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania
. It was rated EF2.
over the Gulf of Mexico
associated with an upper-level low over Texas moved northward into the Gulf Coast States
, bringing scattered severe weather. In Louisiana, three tornadoes touched down, including an EF1 which caused a three story building to collapse. In Mississippi
, one person was killed after lightning
caused a house fire. A strong microburst
also took place in Copiah County
, producing winds up to 110 mph (177 km/h). Activity shifted into central Florida on March 30 as a frontal boundary stalled out across the state. During the two day period, ten tornadoes touched down and a series of squall lines produced widespread wind damage on March 31. Significant damage took place in several communities and damage exceeded $5 million. Seven people were injured when one of the tornadoes hit a local festival.
That set a new all-time monthly record, significantly exceeding the previous record of 552 in May 2003 and nearly tripling the old record for April (267 in 1974). In Alabama, the monthly (for April) and yearly record was broken with 89 and 98 tornadoes respectively.
, a tornado, confirmed by local emergency services, caused significant damage to a manufacturing plant. Numerous buildings were reported to be destroyed, trapping residents within debris. In addition to the tornadoes, there was widespread wind damage (over 1,400 severe weather reports were received by the Storm Prediction Center
, with the vast majority being damaing winds) as an extremely large squall line
/serial derecho
tracked across the southern United States
with wind gusts as high as 90 mph (145 km/h) reported across 20 states, killing at least 9 people, one of the deaths was as a result of an EF2 tornado in Dodge County, Georgia
. Numerous power outages also took place due to the extensive wind damage. Nearly 100,000 and 147,000 residences lost power in Tennessee and Georgia respectively.
beginning on April 8. While initial severe weather was limited, a lone supercell
broke out ahead of a mesoscale convective system
in Pulaski County, Virginia
on the eastern end of the warm front that evening. Two tornadoes were confirmed, one of which was an EF2 that caused severe damage in Pulaski, Virginia
. Numerous houses were damaged and eight people were injured. During the afternoon of April 9, supercells developed along the warm front, and tracked through parts of Kentucky
, Tennessee
and North Carolina
, generating softball sized hail, and at least four tornadoes.
, destroying about 100 homes. Due to a 20 minute warning time, no fatalities took place and only 14 to 16 people were injured. Officials blocked off the town and Governor Terry Branstad issued a disaster proclamation for the town.
Additional tornadic activity developed on April 10 across Wisconsin
with several more tornadoes reported there.
) tornado watch was issued for much of eastern Oklahoma
. Supercells explosively developed over central Oklahoma. Storm chasers in the region reported several funnel clouds and two touchdowns, neither of which resulted in damage. Several tornadoes were confirmed through storm chaser video and local emergency management services. A large, intense tornado caused severe damage in the towns of Atoka
and Tushka
where many houses were destroyed or flattened. Numerous injuries were reported in the latter of these areas. Two people were killed and 25 more injured in Tushka. In Arkansas
, 2 people were killed when an EF1 downed a tree which landed on a house.
During the late-night hours into the morning of April 15, tornadic activity lessened. However, by the late morning hours, supercell thunderstorms developed again over parts of Mississippi
, and tornadoes began to touch down again. A tornado emergency
was declared for the northern Jackson
metropolitan area as a result at shortly after 11:00 am CDT (1600 UTC). A destructive tornado moved across the area with severe damage and possible injuries and reports of two fatalities according to WLBT
coverage. That afternoon, Mississippi State University
spotters confirmed a large tornado in east-central Mississippi and west-central Alabama
and another tornado emergency was issued. ABC 33/40
coverage reported that the tornado was 3/4 mile (1.2 km) in width. Over 90 tornado sightings were reported that day and at least eight people were killed in Mississippi and Alabama.
On April 16, another PDS tornado watch, along with a "high risk" alert from the SPC were issued for central and eastern North Carolina. At least 24 died and 135 were seriously injured in what became North Carolina's worst tornado outbreak in 25 years; tornadoes also struck South Carolina
, Virginia
, Maryland
and Pennsylvania
. Twelve of the North Carolina deaths took place in Bertie County
; tornado emergencies were issued for Raleigh
, Snow Hill
, and Wilson
at the height of the outbreak. In North Carolina, twelve supercells produced at least 25 tornadoes, with at least 32 counties affected. A total of 21 businesses and 440 homes were destroyed, 63 of those homes in Raleigh
; about 92 businesses and 6,189 homes suffered significant damage, 184 of those homes in Raleigh.
on April 19 as another dynamic low pressure system tracked across the area. Thunderstorms began in the late afternoon and early evening with large hail and several tornadoes. Significant damage was reported near Bowling Green, Missouri
and Girard, Illinois
as a result of tornadoes, the latter of which was rated EF3. Another large tornado was reported near Octavia, Oklahoma
before the supercells merged into a very large squall line
. Overnight, the squall line tracked eastward with widespread wind damage and many embedded tornadoes across several states, a few as strong as EF2 but most were brief and weak. In the early hours of April 20, 2011, a tornado tore through a neighborhood in Oregon, Ohio leaving some significant damage and no injuries. Also, 3 tornadoes hit New Albany, Indiana
, and Jeffersonville, Indiana
. Both cities are just north of Louisville, Kentucky
On April 22, the outbreak continued with several tornadoes causing damage in the Midwest, the most notable being a violent EF4 that struck St. Louis, Missouri
, causing extensive damage. A few more tornadoes were reported on April 23–24, however most did not cause any severe damage, though one EF2 tornado caused structural damage in the town of Bardwell, Kentucky
.
Severe weather once again developed across parts of the Midwest on April 22. The hardest-hit area was parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area. A destructive tornado tracked across the region with severe damage in several communities including houses destroyed in communities such as Bridgeton
, Ferguson
, Florissant
, Hazelwood
, Maryland Heights
and New Melle
. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
was hard hit with severe damage to numerous facilities there and injuries reported. Windows were blown out of the terminals there and airplanes were flipped in the field. The airport has been closed as officials investigate the damage, but should be partially operational by the end of April 23 (the heavily damaged Concourse C will be closed indefinitely). The tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF4 based on finding of flattened houses in Bridgeton. Following assessments by the local National Weather Service, it was determined that a single tornado tracked for 22 mi (35.4 km) through parts of Missouri and Illinois. It reached a maximum width of 0.4 mi (0.643736 km).Elsewhere, there were several reported tornadoes, including an EF2 which tracked through Henderson
, Webster
and Union County
.
as well as parts of the Midwest
and Northeast
. With over 300 confirmed tornadoes and 322 tornadic fatalities, the outbreak ranks as one of the worst in United States history. More than three dozen tornadoes were confirmed each day of the event, with 39 on April 25, 55 on April 26, a record 188 in 24 hours on April 27 and 45 on April 28. In terms of violent tornadoes, the event ranks third with 15 EF4/5 storms, behind the 1974 Super Outbreak
and 1965 Palm Sunday outbreak.
A large outbreak was possible for April 25–27 as the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for three consecutive days, centered over Arkansas
through Tennessee
. By the late-afternoon hours of April 25, several tornadoes had been reported across a few states, including two which caused significant damage in Oklahoma
and Texas. At 3:25 pm CST (2025 UTC), the SPC issued a PDS
tornado watch
for much of Arkansas and parts of Missouri
, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana
. Tornadoes were scattered that day until early evening, when an intense tornadic cell tracked near the Little Rock
metropolitan area and a tornado emergency
was declared for Vilonia, Arkansas
. A 0.5 mile (0.80 km) wide EF2 tornado then caused extensive damage in Vilonia. At least four people are known to have died in the town with many more injured.
On April 27, a large tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama
, killing at least 52 people. The Tuscaloosa mayor called the damage "catastrophic." The same tornado hit the northern suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama
, shortly thereafter. Television reporters in Birmingham, filming the tornado, reported that even from miles away, the
funnel was so wide that they could not zoom their cameras out
far enough to get the entire funnel into the frame at once. According to reports on The Weather Channel
on the morning of April 28, the parent supercell of the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham tornadoes was responsible for a long string of tornadoes
, first forming over Mississippi and persisting across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina before finally dissipating in southern North Carolina. Dr. Greg Forbes, TWC Severe Weather Expert, stated over the course of the outbreak, his radars kept showing pink debris balls in the supercell thunderstorms in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. He also said that he lost count of how many he had seen on the radar and that he saw more debris ball signatures on the 27th, than his entire career at the Weather Channel which began back in 1999.
In an interview with Jim Cantore
on The Weather Channel
at 8:34 AM EDT on April 28, a Tuscaloosa resident stated that "the hospitals are full" to the point of telling people not to go to them for simple broken bones, as there was no space or manpower available to treat non-life threatening injuries. Cantore also said that this outbreak will rival that of the 1974 Super Outbreak
and he called it "The Super Outbreak II".
Over 180 tornadoes were reported during the SPC's reporting day of 1200Z April 27 to 1200Z April 28. Over 305 deaths have been reported as a result of the outbreak, with as many as 204 in Alabama alone. The Wall Street Journal
put out an article at 10:05 ET on April 28. The article states that The overall toll includes 34 deaths in Tennessee, 33 in Mississippi, 14 in Georgia, 12 in Arkansas, five in Virginia, two in Missouri, and one in Kentucky, according to state officials.
On April 27 President Barack Obama approved Governor Robert Bentley's request for emergency federal assistance including search and rescue support.
On April 28, 2011, The National Weather Service had sent out people to survey the damage; however, with the large number of tornadoes across Alabama, the reports may not be finalized for months. On April 30, the death toll from the event stood at more than 340 people across six states.
In Fergus, Ontario a F0 downed trees and ripped siding of store buildings on April 27th.
In addition to the events listed below, two other tornadoes, one in the Philippines and Taiwan, also touched down. The former of these resulted in significant damage and killed one person in Calumpit, Bulacan
.
from the Tasman Sea
, bringing unsettled weather to much of the region. The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
(MetService) mentioned the possibility of strong thunderstorms being embedded within the line, producing small hail and gusty winds. Significant upward motion in the atmosphere developed in the region surrounding Auckland, prompting the MetService to issue a high-risk of thunderstorms in the area. With low-level wind shear and helicity, the possibility of tornadic activity was present. At 2:55 pm NZST
, a hook echo
was apparent on the weather radar, indicating strong rotation and a likely tornado.
Several minutes later, around 3:00 pm NZST, a tornado struck the Auckland suburb of Albany
. With winds estimated at 125 mph (201.2 km/h), the tornado ranked as a high-end EF2 and caused considerable damage along a 3.1 mi (5 km) long track in the area. Several cars were tossed up to 20 ft (6.1 m) in the air by the storm and pieces of iron roofing were reportedly seen 300 ft (91.4 m) above the ground. A total of 50 homes sustained varying degrees of damage along the tornado's track. The most severe damage took place at a local shopping mall where large portions of the roof were torn off. One person was killed and at least 20 others were injured here. Damage estimates from the storm were places in the tens of millions.
over the Mississippi River Valley produced a narrow axis of extreme instability from eastern Nebraska to central South Dakota. In light of this, the SPC issued a slight-risk of severe weather for much of South Dakota and Iowa as well as parts of Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. Enhanced by a mid-level jet, wind shear in the region increased, providing a more favorable environment for strong thunderstorms. During the course of the day, two tornadoes, rated EF1 and EF2, touched down in South Dakota. The stronger of the two crumpled a transmission tower
. Continuing into May 10, the system slowly moved eastward, shifting the center of severe activity in the Upper-Plains to Minnesota. Thunderstorms in the state mainly produced large hail, measured up to 2.5 in (6.4 cm) in diameter; however, one EF1 tornado touched down, causing significant damage to a garage.
es touched down across four states, most of which were in Nebraska. In Iowa, twin tornadoes, rated EF0 and EF1, struck the city of Lenox
, damaging several homes. Continuing eastward, the low became diffuse and produced scattered severe weather on May 12 and 13.
. At the same time, another system formed to the southeast of Emporia, Kansas
. The Brown county system developed into a tornado over Shawnee County, Kansas
and touched down over Topeka, Kansas for several seconds causing minor damage nearby. Meanwhile the Emporia system continued to move to the northeast, where an EF3 tornado heavily damaged the town of Reading, Kansas
. One person was killed there, several others were injured and at least 20 houses were destroyed. After hitting Topeka it hit several towns including Oskaloosa, Kansas
, doing extensive damage to that community. Several other tornadoes touched down in the region that evening.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for much of the Midwest south to Oklahoma
for May 22. The first tornadic supercell that day developed in the mid-afternoon hours over the western Twin Cities
with a swath of damage, especially in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota
. An intense tornado also tracked towards Harmony, Minnesota
that afternoon and a tornado emergency
was issued. Late that afternoon, at about 5:15 pm CDT (2215 UTC), a very large and intense multiple-vortex tornado resulted in catastrophic damage in Joplin, Missouri
. Many houses and businesses were flattened and some even were blown away in Joplin, the main hospital was heavily damaged and many people were reported to have been trapped in destroyed houses. The Weather Channel
video showed entire communities flattened. Early reports suggest there were at least 125 fatalities., with the death toll rising to at least 159, and another 1,000+ injured. This tornado was given a rating of EF5.
Late in the afternoon on May 24, supercells began forming over western Kansas
and Oklahoma
, as the National Weather Service predicted a dangerous tornado outbreak. As a line of powerful cells began to take shape, trained spotters reported large tornadoes near El Reno, Oklahoma and in rural Grady County, Oklahoma. One of these swept from Binger
to Guthrie
, destroying many homes and causing at least nine fatalities. This tornado was rated an EF5, the sixth of the year and second of the outbreak sequence. Three other EF4 tornadoes developed among the many other tornadoes that day.
At around 10:00 p.m. EDT on May 25, an EF3 tornado hit the city of Bedford, Indiana
. U.S. Route 50
was temporarily closed due to heavy debris. Also, a tornado had reportedly touched down in Keyser,WV and tracked as far as Berkeley Springs. On May 26th, strong thunderstorms travelled through the Cumberland Valley in South Central Pennsylvania with reports of EF1 tornadoes near Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Hershey. Tornadoes also destroyed the setup for the Harrisburg ArtsFest scheduled to take place the following weekend.
of California, north of Sacramento
. One tornado rated at EF-1
, struck east of Artois
uprooting hundreds of almond trees, and causing damage to farm equipment and roofing materials. Another tornado rated at EF-1, struck south of Durham
, uprooting thousands of almond trees, destroying an out building, and damaging a barn. A tornado rated at EF-2, struck northwest of Oroville
, causing heavy damage to a ranch and a garage.
EF1 tornado tore roofs off of numerous buildings. An EF1 tornado was confirmed to have struck Shiawassee County, near Perry.
In addition to the events listed below, two tornadoes caused moderate damage in the city of New Plymouth
in New Zealand
.
, Massachusetts
, Maine
, New Hampshire
, New Jersey
, New York
, Pennsylvania
and Rhode Island
. A rare tornado outbreak (for the region) began late that afternoon with several tornadoes confirmed in Maine and Massachusetts.
That afternoon, an EF3 tornado occurred in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts
and several surrounding towns. Major damage in the area was reported; there were some roof collapses in downtown businesses and damage to the brick structures. Numerous injuries were reported there. Significant damage was also reported in West Springfield
, Monson
and several other communities where houses were reported to have been destroyed or flattened. Three deaths have been attributed to the Springfield tornado thus far, the first killer tornado in Massachusetts since 1995.
.
During the afternoon of June 20, a PDS tornado watch
was issued for much of central Nebraska and north-central Kansas due to the threat of significant tornadoes. Additionally, very large hail, at least 4 in (10.2 cm) in diameter, is expected within the watch area. Around 1:00 p.m. local time, storm chasers reported a large EF3 tornado on the ground north of Hill City, Kansas
and again later that afternoon near Elm Creek, Nebraska
. Numerous other tornadoes were reported across the region, some reported to have been very large and intense, but mostly over open country. Tornado warnings are streaching from North Dakota to Kansas. Additionally, a major derecho event may develop farther south - a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for parts of Oklahoma and North Texas as well. On the 21st, tornado watches were issued for several areas, including central Minnesota and Wisconsin, southern Illinois and parts of Missouri, and lower Michigan. Tornadoes were reported in Anoka County, Minnesota, and Green Lake and Fond du Lac Counties in Wisconsin. Additionally, local law enforcement reported a tornado in Allegan County in Michigan, with photos taken also showing what looked like a tornado, but no damage was seen in the area, so it was decided by the National Weather Service that is was just low hanging clouds. Meanwhile, a major derecho event impacted the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The worst damage was in Wheeling, Illinois.
area late on June 22. A total of five tornadoes were confirmed in the area, including two that were rated EF2. One of the tornadoes directly hit Churchill Downs
severely damaging several buildings on the site. Other significant damage was reported in several industrial parks in the metropolitan area with buildings heavily damaged.
In Alberta, Canada, at least four tornadoes touched down on various days, causing relatively minor damage. 12 buildings over a one block area were affected. Some damaged roofs and flooded streets.
.
, Russia
. Remaining on the ground for 13 minutes, the storm damaged over 100 homes, 150 cars and uprooted 150 trees. One person was killed and twenty-eight were injured, four of whom were hospitalized. Losses from the tornado were estimated at €
1.2 to 2 million ($1.8 to 2.9 million). In the wake of the storm, officials declared a state of emergency
to help speed up recovery efforts.
) hit near Locust Grove, Oklahoma
embedded in a larger thunderstorm complex. The tornado destroyed a mobile home killing one person (the first killer tornado since June 1 in the US) and injuring two others. The tornado was rated as an EF2.
, killing one person.
striking the downtown area nearly directly with severe damage. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed in the community by the tornado, the strongest tornado in Ontario since 1996. There are early reports of 2 other tornadoes in the region. At least 37 people were injured and a 61-year-old worker at a salt mine was killed as winds of 300 kph raged. The storm was a F3 tornado according to Environment Canada. An EF2 tornado was also confirmed in western New York, near Conquest, New York
.
produced numerous tornadoes as it made landfall in North Carolina
and tracked northward. They were reported across several states along the immediate east coast. One tornado near Columbia, North Carolina
(rated EF2) resulted in severe destruction to several houses and injuries including manufactured homes destroyed, and another in Lewes, Delaware
also resulted in significant tornado-related damage.
beginning on September 3 and into September 4, inching inland on the afternoon of September 4. Several areas of damage, some significant, was reported from central Louisiana
to the western Florida Panhandle
.
A moderate risk of severe weather, a rare occurrence when associated with a tropical cyclone, was issued for September 5 in Alabama
and Georgia
, with numerous tornadoes possible. The most concentrated tornadic activity that day took place in northern and central Georgia, particularly around Atlanta. In addition, an EF1 tornado associated with a cold front touched down in New York.
and one in the East Rand, Gauteng
. Several homes were destroyed and there were 2 fatalities in the township of Duduza.
on October 13 as a result of low-topped supercells that developed in the area. The most severe damage was in New Kent County
where an elementary school was heavily damaged. Several houses were also damaged. Houses were also damaged in Louisa County
. One other tornado took place near Dumfries, Virginia
along Interstate 95
at the peak of rush hour, but no severe damage was reported. In total, five tornadoes were confirmed.
late on October 18th. Dozens of homes were damaged in Broward County by a tornado with winds of 120 mph, which left a damage path more than a mile long and half a mile wide. A second tornado with wind speeds of 85 mph struck Indiantown
, and a third tornado with winds up to 65 mph caused major damage to a home in Indiro.
and Oklahoma
, on November 7 and 8 as a storm system tracked across the region. A total of 16 tornadoes were reported across the region with varying degrees of damage. One of the tornadoes was rated as an EF4 which destroyed the Oklahoma State University agronomy research station near Tipton, Oklahoma
, the first F4 or EF4 tornado in Oklahoma in the month of November since records began in 1950. Most of the tornadoes, however, remained in very rural areas with no injuries reported.
, a rare occurrence there so late in the year. Farther south, more tornadoes occurred late on November 15 into early on November 16 across Mississippi
into Alabama
. Several of the tornadoes resulted in severe damage and injuries. The activity spread across Georgia into the Carolinas that afternoon with more destructive tornadoes. An EF-2 tornado just south of Rock Hill, South Carolina
resulted in three people being killed. Another EF-2 tornado 5 miles south of Thomasville, North Carolina
produced 2 deaths, and caused severe damage in the Noahtown Road community with houses destroyed and people trapped. Another fatality, possibly due to straight-line winds, occurred in Forsyth County, Georgia
.
, causing minor damage. Another tornado hit Manchester
in the United Kingdom causing damage to trees and buildings. One woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The Lancashire Police reported having received a report of a "small tornado" around 14:30 GMT.
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es and tornado outbreak
Tornado outbreak
While there is no single agreed upon definition, generally at least 6-10 tornadoes produced by the same synoptic scale weather system is considered a tornado outbreak. The tornadoes usually occur within the same day, or continue into the early morning hours of the succeeding day, and within the...
s of 2011. Extremely destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the U.S., Bangladesh 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.
As of November 16, there have been 1,836 tornadoes reported in the US in 2011 (of which at least 1,559 were confirmed). 2011 has been an exceptionally destructive and deadly year for tornadoes; worldwide, at least 576 people perished due to tornadoes: 12 in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, two in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and one in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, one in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, one in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, one in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and an estimated 552 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(compared to 564 US deaths in the prior ten years combined). Due mostly to several extremely large tornado outbreaks in the middle and end of April and in late May, the year is currently well above average in almost every category, with six EF5 tornadoes and nearly enough total tornado reports to eclipse the mark of 1,717 tornadoes recorded in in 2004, the current record year for tornadoes.
552 confirmed fatalities is also the second-most tornadic deaths in a single year for tornadoes in US history, only trailing 1925 which featured the infamous Tri-State Tornado
Tri-State Tornado
The Tri-State Tornado of Wednesday, March 18, 1925, was the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. With 695 confirmed fatalities, the tornado killed more than twice as many as the second deadliest, the 1840 Great Natchez Tornado...
. This total is due in large part to the 324 tornadic deaths that occurred during the April 27 outbreak
April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
An extremely large and violent tornado outbreak, the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded, and popularly known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred from April 25 to 28, 2011. The outbreak affected the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern United States, leaving catastrophic destruction in...
across the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
and the 158 tornadic deaths in the 2011 Joplin tornado
2011 Joplin tornado
The 2011 Joplin tornado was a devastating EF5 multiple-vortex tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, USA late in the afternoon of Sunday, May 22, 2011. It was part of a larger late-May tornado outbreak sequence and reached a maximum width of in excess of during its path through the southern part of...
.
Synopsis
An ongoing outbreak2010 New Year's Eve tornado outbreak
-December 30 event:-December 31 event:-January 1 event:-See also:*List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks*Tornadoes of 2010*Tornadoes of 2011...
at the end of 2010 continued into the first three hours of 2011. During that period seven tornadoes touched down in Mississippi. However, during the remainder of the month, tornadic activity was suppressed by a cold air mass, with nine additional tornadoes - all weak - taking place. This inactivity continued through much of February before a pattern shift. Two consecutive outbreaks took place on February 25 and 27 – 28, producing a combined 55 tornadoes. Overall, 63 tornadoes were confirmed in the month, ranking it as the fourth-busiest February on record. Activity in March was split between the start and end of the month, with a total of 75 tornadoes touching down, which ran slightly above average for the month.
In early April, a prolific severe weather event produced at least 42 tornadoes among more than 1,200 reports of wind damage, setting the tone for the month. A nearly continuous series of major tornado outbreaks followed thereafter in the remainder of April, including two extreme multi-day tornado outbreaks that were among the largest in US history (one of them also one of the deadliest and the costliest) and two other large tornado outbreaks, and combined they resulted in an incredibly active month from start to finish; it was easily the most active month for tornadoes on record and by an extremely large margin the most active April, with over 750 tornadoes touching down.
In an abrupt reversal, the activity did not continue into May (normally the most active month for tornadoes), however, and the first half was remarkably quiet and one of the least active Mays on record as of the middle of the month. That continued for three weeks until significant severe weather returned on May 21, and an extremely deadly tornado hit the following day in a major outbreak. The outbreak continued for the next several days, with over 180 confirmed touchdowns, bringing the month of May near average.
The first day of June brought a rare outbreak into Massachusetts, where several tornadoes touched down, some of them fairly destructive. However, another reversal took place afterward and much of June was fairly quiet, with the exception of an active period in the third week that produced a moderate outbreak. July was also relatively quiet for the most part with below normal activity mostly clustered in the northern Plains. August was more quiet with below normal activity and only 20 confirmed tornadoes. September and October were also below average.
Events
United States yearly total
January
There were 29 tornadoes reported in the US in January, of which 16 were confirmed.January 1
A late-season deadly tornado outbreak2010 New Year's Eve tornado outbreak
-December 30 event:-December 31 event:-January 1 event:-See also:*List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks*Tornadoes of 2010*Tornadoes of 2011...
continued though the early hours of January 1, with seven tornadoes touching down in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
over three hours. The strongest of these, rated EF3 with winds of 145 mph (233.4 km/h), reached 0.75 mi (1.2 km) in width along its 23.45 mi (37.7 km) track and caused significant damage along Mississippi Highway 19. Several structures were damaged or destroyed and two people were injured. Near Mississippi Highway 35, thousands of trees were uprooted by the tornado. Another EF3 touched down near Macon
Macon, Mississippi
Macon is a city in Noxubee County, Mississippi, United States, along the Noxubee River. The population was 2,461 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Noxubee County.-History:...
, damaging or destroying several structures and one person was injured. Overall damage in the state from tornadoes amounted to $10.4 million.
January 24 – 25
In late January, three tornadoes touched down in eastern Europe: two in TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and one in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. In Kemalpaşa
Kemalpasa
Kemalpaşa is a large town and the center of the district of the same name in İzmir Province, Turkey. Its district area extends immediately to the east of İzmir's eastern-most metropolitan district, Bornova, and Kemalpaşa town being at a distance of only from the historical and traditional center...
, Turkey, an F1 tornado caused the wall of an industrial building to collapse. Several other structures sustained roof damage. The strongest of these tornadoes was an F2 that touched down in northern Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, destroying small structures and killing several heads of cattle. Hail up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter fell in some places, damaging farmland and greenhouses. Accumulations of hail also reached 15 cm (5.9 in) in Mersin Province
Mersin Province
The Mersin Province is a province in southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast between Antalya and Adana. The provincial capital is the city of Mersin and the other major town is Tarsus, birthplace of St Paul...
, Turkey.
February
There were 61 tornadoes reported in the US in February, of which 63 were confirmed. The higher final total is due to a large number of late reports.In addition to the events listed below, there was an F2 tornado in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
on February 23 that destroyed a restaurant.
February 24
Several tornadoes touched down across parts of the Southern United States. The most significant tornado was in the southeastern part of Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
where significant damage was reported near Hickory Hollow Mall
Hickory Hollow Mall
Hickory Hollow Mall is a regional indoor shopping mall in Antioch, Tennessee, a neighborhood of Nashville. The mall was built in 1978. In 1982, a JCPenney and several other stores were added. Another expansion project in 1991 resulted in a new building for Dillard's, with a mall expansion built...
and near Percy Priest Lake
Percy Priest Lake
J. Percy Priest Lake is a reservoir in north central Tennessee. It is formed by J. Percy Priest Dam, located between miles six and seven of the Stones River. The dam is located about 10 miles east of downtown Nashville and impounds a lake 42 miles long...
in the evening (with widespread wind damage all across Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee is a distinct portion of the state of Tennessee, delineated according to state law as the 41 counties in the Middle Grand Division of Tennessee....
), and a tornado emergency
Tornado emergency
A Tornado Emergency is enhanced wording of tornado warnings used by the National Weather Service in the United States during significant tornado occurrences in highly populated areas...
was declared shortly thereafter for areas to the northeast in Wilson County where another tornado touched down with injuries. Both tornadoes were rated EF2. Other tornadoes touched down with varying degrees of damage in the Missouri Bootheel, West Tennessee
West Tennessee
West Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee. Of the three, it is the one that is most sharply defined geographically. Its boundaries are the Mississippi River on the west and the Tennessee River on the east...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, southwestern Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and parts of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
including three others rated EF2.
February 27 – 28
Another severe weather event developed on February 27 and continued into February 28 across the Midwest and South. While a large portion of the damage was due to damaging straight-line winds, at least 35 tornadoes were reported across several states. The most destructive tornado was in Franklin County, TennesseeFranklin County, Tennessee
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 41,052. Its county seat is Winchester.Franklin County is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
on the afternoon of February 28 where one person was killed by an EF2 tornado. It was the first killer tornado of 2011. Another strong tornado, rated EF3, resulted in houses destroyed near Eminence, Kentucky
Eminence, Kentucky
Eminence is a city in Henry County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,231 at the 2000 census. Eminence is the largest city in Henry County. Eminence is home to the world's largest loudspeaker manufacturing company, Eminence Speaker...
. Concentrated tornado activity also occurred in parts of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
with 22 tornadoes in the region, some as strong as EF2, related to a series of squall line
Squall line
A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front. In the early 20th century, the term was used as a synonym for cold front. It contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight-line winds, and possibly tornadoes and waterspouts....
s with many embedded tornadoes. None of those tornadoes resulted in any fatalities.
March
There were 95 tornadoes reported in the US in March, of which 75 were confirmed.March 5 – 6
One confirmed EF0 tornado hit the town of Crowley, LouisianaCrowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
. Another reportedly hit Greene County, Mississippi
Greene County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,299 people, 4,148 households, and 3,152 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile . There were 4,947 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile...
on March 5. It formed in a squall line
Squall line
A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front. In the early 20th century, the term was used as a synonym for cold front. It contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight-line winds, and possibly tornadoes and waterspouts....
, which hit portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. A deadly EF2 tornado struck Rayne, Louisiana early that afternoon, killing a mother while she protected her daughter. At least 12 others were injured. Initial assessments indicate that 62 homes were destroyed and 50 more damaged. Two EF0 tornadoes were also confirmed in eastern North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
March 8 – 9
Several tornadoes touched down once again on March 8 into March 9 from North TexasNorth Texas
North Texas is a distinct cultural and geographic area forming the central-northeastern section of the U.S. state of Texas. North Texas is generally considered to include the area south of Oklahoma, east of Abilene, and north of Waco...
eastward to the Florida Panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
, with Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
hardest hit. The most destructive tornadoes, rated EF2, touched down just north of New Orleans in St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
St. Tammany Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington....
.
March 21 – 23
A tornado developed in the afternoon of March 21 near Maxwell, CaliforniaMaxwell, California
Maxwell is a census-designated place and farm community in Colusa County, California. It lies at an elevation of 92 feet . Located off Interstate 5, it is home to Maxwell High School. The main crop grown is rice, though a variety of others such as grapes, almonds, squash, and sunflowers are grown...
, and it crossed Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
, but however caused no known damage, as it was on the ground for only a few minutes. The same system produced more severe weather ahead of a dry line across eastern Nebraska, where tornadoes were reported northeast of Omaha. Later, a cluster of supercell
Supercell
A supercell is a thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone: a deep, continuously-rotating updraft. For this reason, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms...
s began producing tornadoes in south-central Iowa, where a tornado was reported in Greenfield, Iowa
Greenfield, Iowa
Greenfield is a city in Greenfield Township, Adair County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,129 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Adair County. The current courthouse, which sits in the middle of the Greenfield Square, was built in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of...
, and at least 2 tornadoes were reported near Winterset, Iowa
Winterset, Iowa
Winterset is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County....
. Several funnel clouds were reported in Des Moines, where there was a possible touchdown. These funnels were associated with the storm that produced the first tornado to hit Greenfield and Winterset.
On March 23, more tornadoes and severe weather developed with the most significant tornadoes touching down in East Tennessee
East Tennessee
East Tennessee is a name given to approximately the eastern third of the U.S. state of Tennessee, one of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee defined in state law. East Tennessee consists of 33 counties, 30 located within the Eastern Time Zone and three counties in the Central Time Zone, namely...
where significant damage was reported. Near Greenback in Blount County, a EF3 tornado was confirmed with severe damage in the area. Another notable tornado touched down in southwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, most notably in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania
Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Hempfield Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 43,241 at the 2010 census, making it the largest suburb in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area by population.- Geography :...
. It was rated EF2.
March 29 – 31
On March 29, a warm frontWarm front
A warm front is a density discontinuity located at the leading edge of a homogeneous warm air mass, and is typically located on the equator-facing edge of an isotherm gradient...
over the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
associated with an upper-level low over Texas moved northward into the Gulf Coast States
Gulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
, bringing scattered severe weather. In Louisiana, three tornadoes touched down, including an EF1 which caused a three story building to collapse. In Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, one person was killed after lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
caused a house fire. A strong microburst
Microburst
A microburst is a very localized column of sinking air, producing damaging divergent and straight-line winds at the surface that are similar to, but distinguishable from, tornadoes, which generally have convergent damage. There are two types of microbursts: wet microbursts and dry microbursts...
also took place in Copiah County
Copiah County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,757 people, 10,142 households, and 7,494 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile . There were 11,101 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
, producing winds up to 110 mph (177 km/h). Activity shifted into central Florida on March 30 as a frontal boundary stalled out across the state. During the two day period, ten tornadoes touched down and a series of squall lines produced widespread wind damage on March 31. Significant damage took place in several communities and damage exceeded $5 million. Seven people were injured when one of the tornadoes hit a local festival.
April
There were 875 tornadoes reported in the United States in April, of which 748 were confirmed.That set a new all-time monthly record, significantly exceeding the previous record of 552 in May 2003 and nearly tripling the old record for April (267 in 1974). In Alabama, the monthly (for April) and yearly record was broken with 89 and 98 tornadoes respectively.
April 4 – 5
Several storms started to develop in the evening on April 3. Storms in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois brought severe thunderstorms to the areas. A tornado watch was issued for Iowa and Illinois as the storms rolled through, and later a severe thunderstorm watch for northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. However, there were no reported tornadoes. Continuing eastward, the system entered an environment favoring tornadic development. Two tornadoes were reported in Kentucky during the early afternoon, both rated EF2 and resulting in injuries. Near HopkinsvilleHopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
, a tornado, confirmed by local emergency services, caused significant damage to a manufacturing plant. Numerous buildings were reported to be destroyed, trapping residents within debris. In addition to the tornadoes, there was widespread wind damage (over 1,400 severe weather reports were received by the Storm Prediction Center
Storm Prediction Center
The Storm Prediction Center , located in Norman, Oklahoma, is tasked with forecasting the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the contiguous United States. The agency issues convective outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and watches as a part of this process...
, with the vast majority being damaing winds) as an extremely large squall line
Squall line
A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front. In the early 20th century, the term was used as a synonym for cold front. It contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight-line winds, and possibly tornadoes and waterspouts....
/serial derecho
Derecho
A derecho is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms in the form of a squall line usually taking the form of a bow echo...
tracked across the southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
with wind gusts as high as 90 mph (145 km/h) reported across 20 states, killing at least 9 people, one of the deaths was as a result of an EF2 tornado in Dodge County, Georgia
Dodge County, Georgia
Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 19,171. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,042. The county seat is Eastman. Dodge County lies in the Historic South region of Georgia, an area that has architectural wonders and shows the...
. Numerous power outages also took place due to the extensive wind damage. Nearly 100,000 and 147,000 residences lost power in Tennessee and Georgia respectively.
April 4 (Bangladesh)
During the afternoon of April 4, a powerful tornado struck seven districts in northern Bangladesh. At least 12 people were killed and more than 150 injured as the tornado destroyed hundreds of homes and uprooted large swaths of vegetation.April 8 – 9 (Eastern United States)
A large storm system with an associated frontal boundary moved northward and eastward across the central United StatesCentral United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
beginning on April 8. While initial severe weather was limited, a lone supercell
Supercell
A supercell is a thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone: a deep, continuously-rotating updraft. For this reason, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms...
broke out ahead of a mesoscale convective system
Mesoscale Convective System
A mesoscale convective system is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more...
in Pulaski County, Virginia
Pulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
on the eastern end of the warm front that evening. Two tornadoes were confirmed, one of which was an EF2 that caused severe damage in Pulaski, Virginia
Pulaski, Virginia
Pulaski is a town in Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,086 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pulaski County.Pulaski is part of the Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Numerous houses were damaged and eight people were injured. During the afternoon of April 9, supercells developed along the warm front, and tracked through parts of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, generating softball sized hail, and at least four tornadoes.
April 9 – 11 (Midwestern United States)
During the evening of April 9, several severe thunderstorms developed across Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. A single supercell became tornadic over extreme western Iowa, producing a family of ten tornadoes over the course of five hours. The first was 0.75 mi (1.2 km) wide and struck Mapleton, IowaMapleton, Iowa
Mapleton is a city in Monona County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,416 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mapleton is located at...
, destroying about 100 homes. Due to a 20 minute warning time, no fatalities took place and only 14 to 16 people were injured. Officials blocked off the town and Governor Terry Branstad issued a disaster proclamation for the town.
Additional tornadic activity developed on April 10 across Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
with several more tornadoes reported there.
April 14 – 16
During the afternoon of April 14, a possible significant tornado outbreak started setting up. A PDS (Particularly dangerous situationParticularly dangerous situation
A particularly dangerous situation is a type of enhanced wording first used by the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma on certain severe weather watches...
) tornado watch was issued for much of eastern Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. Supercells explosively developed over central Oklahoma. Storm chasers in the region reported several funnel clouds and two touchdowns, neither of which resulted in damage. Several tornadoes were confirmed through storm chaser video and local emergency management services. A large, intense tornado caused severe damage in the towns of Atoka
Atoka, Oklahoma
Atoka is a city in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,052 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Atoka County.-Geography:Atoka is located at ....
and Tushka
Tushka, Oklahoma
Tushka is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 345 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tushka is located at ....
where many houses were destroyed or flattened. Numerous injuries were reported in the latter of these areas. Two people were killed and 25 more injured in Tushka. In Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, 2 people were killed when an EF1 downed a tree which landed on a house.
During the late-night hours into the morning of April 15, tornadic activity lessened. However, by the late morning hours, supercell thunderstorms developed again over parts of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and tornadoes began to touch down again. A tornado emergency
Tornado emergency
A Tornado Emergency is enhanced wording of tornado warnings used by the National Weather Service in the United States during significant tornado occurrences in highly populated areas...
was declared for the northern Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
metropolitan area as a result at shortly after 11:00 am CDT (1600 UTC). A destructive tornado moved across the area with severe damage and possible injuries and reports of two fatalities according to WLBT
WLBT
WLBT, virtual channel 3 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Jackson, Mississippi, and it is owned by Raycom Media. WLBT transmits its signal from an antenna, 624 meters in height, located near Raymond.-History:...
coverage. That afternoon, Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
spotters confirmed a large tornado in east-central Mississippi and west-central Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and another tornado emergency was issued. ABC 33/40
WBMA-LP
WBMA-LD, channel 58, is the ABC television affiliate for Birmingham and central Alabama. Its transmitter is located in Birmingham, while its studio is in Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham....
coverage reported that the tornado was 3/4 mile (1.2 km) in width. Over 90 tornado sightings were reported that day and at least eight people were killed in Mississippi and Alabama.
On April 16, another PDS tornado watch, along with a "high risk" alert from the SPC were issued for central and eastern North Carolina. At least 24 died and 135 were seriously injured in what became North Carolina's worst tornado outbreak in 25 years; tornadoes also struck South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Twelve of the North Carolina deaths took place in Bertie County
Bertie County, North Carolina
-External links:**...
; tornado emergencies were issued for Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, Snow Hill
Snow Hill, North Carolina
Snow Hill is a town in Greene County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,564 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Greene County and is part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area...
, and Wilson
Wilson, North Carolina
Wilson is a city and the county seat of Wilson County in the Coastal Plain region of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The 18th largest city in the state, Wilson had a population of 49,167 according to the 2010 census.- Geography :...
at the height of the outbreak. In North Carolina, twelve supercells produced at least 25 tornadoes, with at least 32 counties affected. A total of 21 businesses and 440 homes were destroyed, 63 of those homes in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
; about 92 businesses and 6,189 homes suffered significant damage, 184 of those homes in Raleigh.
April 19 – 24
Yet another severe weather event developed across the Midwest and southern Great PlainsGreat Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
on April 19 as another dynamic low pressure system tracked across the area. Thunderstorms began in the late afternoon and early evening with large hail and several tornadoes. Significant damage was reported near Bowling Green, Missouri
Bowling Green, Missouri
Bowling Green is a city in Pike County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,260 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.Ameren's Peno Creek Power Plant, a combustion turbine generator power plant, is located in Bowling Green....
and Girard, Illinois
Girard, Illinois
Girard is a city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,245 at the 2000 census, and 2,152 at a 2009 estimate.-Geography:Girard is located at ....
as a result of tornadoes, the latter of which was rated EF3. Another large tornado was reported near Octavia, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
before the supercells merged into a very large squall line
Squall line
A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front. In the early 20th century, the term was used as a synonym for cold front. It contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight-line winds, and possibly tornadoes and waterspouts....
. Overnight, the squall line tracked eastward with widespread wind damage and many embedded tornadoes across several states, a few as strong as EF2 but most were brief and weak. In the early hours of April 20, 2011, a tornado tore through a neighborhood in Oregon, Ohio leaving some significant damage and no injuries. Also, 3 tornadoes hit New Albany, Indiana
New Albany, Indiana
New Albany is a city in Floyd County, Indiana, United States, situated along the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Kentucky. In 1900, 20,628 people lived in New Albany; in 1910, 20,629; in 1920, 22,992; and in 1940, 25,414. The population was 36,372 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of...
, and Jeffersonville, Indiana
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Jeffersonville is a city in Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. Locally, the city is often referred to by the abbreviated name Jeff. It is directly across the Ohio River to the north of Louisville, Kentucky along I-65. The population was 44,953 at the 2010 census...
. Both cities are just north of Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
On April 22, the outbreak continued with several tornadoes causing damage in the Midwest, the most notable being a violent EF4 that struck St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, causing extensive damage. A few more tornadoes were reported on April 23–24, however most did not cause any severe damage, though one EF2 tornado caused structural damage in the town of Bardwell, Kentucky
Bardwell, Kentucky
Bardwell is a city in Carlisle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 799 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carlisle County.-Geography:Bardwell is located at ....
.
Severe weather once again developed across parts of the Midwest on April 22. The hardest-hit area was parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area. A destructive tornado tracked across the region with severe damage in several communities including houses destroyed in communities such as Bridgeton
Bridgeton, Missouri
Bridgeton is a city in northwestern St. Louis County, Missouri, serving as a suburb and transport hub within Greater St. Louis. The population at the 2010 census was 11,550. Portions of Lambert-Saint Louis International Airport are within Bridgeton.-Location:...
, Ferguson
Ferguson, Missouri
Ferguson is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 21,203 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Ferguson is located at ....
, Florissant
Florissant, Missouri
Florissant is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.-History:...
, Hazelwood
Hazelwood, Missouri
Hazelwood is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northwestern St. Louis County, Missouri. The population was 25,703 as of the 2010 census. Hazelwood, a northern suburb of St. Louis, is located north of Lambert-St...
, Maryland Heights
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Maryland Heights is a second-ring west-central suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census. The city was incorporated in 1985. Edwin L. Dirck was elected the city's first mayor. Mark M. Levin has been City Administrator...
and New Melle
New Melle, Missouri
New Melle is a small country community in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. It is located about 37 miles west of St. Louis. The population was 235 as of the 2007 census...
. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
was hard hit with severe damage to numerous facilities there and injuries reported. Windows were blown out of the terminals there and airplanes were flipped in the field. The airport has been closed as officials investigate the damage, but should be partially operational by the end of April 23 (the heavily damaged Concourse C will be closed indefinitely). The tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF4 based on finding of flattened houses in Bridgeton. Following assessments by the local National Weather Service, it was determined that a single tornado tracked for 22 mi (35.4 km) through parts of Missouri and Illinois. It reached a maximum width of 0.4 mi (0.643736 km).Elsewhere, there were several reported tornadoes, including an EF2 which tracked through Henderson
Henderson County, Kentucky
Henderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1799. As the latest census data update of 2010, the population was counted 46,250. The county seat is the City of Henderson. The county was named for Colonel Richard Henderson who originally purchased of land...
, Webster
Webster County, Kentucky
Webster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Webster County was formed in 1860 from parts of the counties of Henderson, Hopkins, and Union. As of 2000, the population is 14,120. Its county seat is Dixon. The county was named for American statesman Daniel Webster...
and Union County
Union County, Kentucky
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1811. As of 2010, the population was 15,007. Its county seat is Morganfield.-Geography:Union County is part of the Western Coal Fields region of Kentucky...
.
April 25 – 28
Between April 25 and 28, a historic tornado outbreak now known as the 2011 Super Outbreak took place across much of the Southern United StatesSouthern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
as well as parts of the Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
and Northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. With over 300 confirmed tornadoes and 322 tornadic fatalities, the outbreak ranks as one of the worst in United States history. More than three dozen tornadoes were confirmed each day of the event, with 39 on April 25, 55 on April 26, a record 188 in 24 hours on April 27 and 45 on April 28. In terms of violent tornadoes, the event ranks third with 15 EF4/5 storms, behind the 1974 Super Outbreak
Super Outbreak
The Super Outbreak is the second largest tornado outbreak on record for a single 24-hour period, just behind the tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2011...
and 1965 Palm Sunday outbreak.
A large outbreak was possible for April 25–27 as the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for three consecutive days, centered over Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
through Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. By the late-afternoon hours of April 25, several tornadoes had been reported across a few states, including two which caused significant damage in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and Texas. At 3:25 pm CST (2025 UTC), the SPC issued a PDS
Particularly dangerous situation
A particularly dangerous situation is a type of enhanced wording first used by the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma on certain severe weather watches...
tornado watch
Tornado watch
A tornado watch is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. Since any thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is defined as severe, a tornado watch is also automatically a severe thunderstorm watch...
for much of Arkansas and parts of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Tornadoes were scattered that day until early evening, when an intense tornadic cell tracked near the Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
metropolitan area and a tornado emergency
Tornado emergency
A Tornado Emergency is enhanced wording of tornado warnings used by the National Weather Service in the United States during significant tornado occurrences in highly populated areas...
was declared for Vilonia, Arkansas
Vilonia, Arkansas
Vilonia is a town in Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 2,106 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. A 0.5 mile (0.80 km) wide EF2 tornado then caused extensive damage in Vilonia. At least four people are known to have died in the town with many more injured.
On April 27, a large tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
, killing at least 52 people. The Tuscaloosa mayor called the damage "catastrophic." The same tornado hit the northern suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, shortly thereafter. Television reporters in Birmingham, filming the tornado, reported that even from miles away, the
funnel was so wide that they could not zoom their cameras out
Wide-angle lens
From a design perspective, a wide angle lens is one that projects a substantially larger image circle than would be typical for a standard design lens of the same focal length; this enables either large tilt & shift movements with a view camera, or lenses with wide fields of view.More informally,...
far enough to get the entire funnel into the frame at once. According to reports on The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is a US cable and satellite television network since May 2, 1982, that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, along with entertainment programming related to weather 24 hours a day...
on the morning of April 28, the parent supercell of the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham tornadoes was responsible for a long string of tornadoes
Tornado family
A tornado family is a series of tornadoes spawned by the same supercell. These families form a line of successive or parallel tornado paths and can cover a short span or a vast distance. Tornado families are sometimes mistaken as a single continuous tornado, especially prior to the 1970s...
, first forming over Mississippi and persisting across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina before finally dissipating in southern North Carolina. Dr. Greg Forbes, TWC Severe Weather Expert, stated over the course of the outbreak, his radars kept showing pink debris balls in the supercell thunderstorms in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. He also said that he lost count of how many he had seen on the radar and that he saw more debris ball signatures on the 27th, than his entire career at the Weather Channel which began back in 1999.
In an interview with Jim Cantore
Jim Cantore
James D. Cantore is an American meteorologist. He is best known as an on-air personality for The Weather Channel.- Career :...
on The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is a US cable and satellite television network since May 2, 1982, that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, along with entertainment programming related to weather 24 hours a day...
at 8:34 AM EDT on April 28, a Tuscaloosa resident stated that "the hospitals are full" to the point of telling people not to go to them for simple broken bones, as there was no space or manpower available to treat non-life threatening injuries. Cantore also said that this outbreak will rival that of the 1974 Super Outbreak
Super Outbreak
The Super Outbreak is the second largest tornado outbreak on record for a single 24-hour period, just behind the tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2011...
and he called it "The Super Outbreak II".
Over 180 tornadoes were reported during the SPC's reporting day of 1200Z April 27 to 1200Z April 28. Over 305 deaths have been reported as a result of the outbreak, with as many as 204 in Alabama alone. The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
put out an article at 10:05 ET on April 28. The article states that The overall toll includes 34 deaths in Tennessee, 33 in Mississippi, 14 in Georgia, 12 in Arkansas, five in Virginia, two in Missouri, and one in Kentucky, according to state officials.
On April 27 President Barack Obama approved Governor Robert Bentley's request for emergency federal assistance including search and rescue support.
On April 28, 2011, The National Weather Service had sent out people to survey the damage; however, with the large number of tornadoes across Alabama, the reports may not be finalized for months. On April 30, the death toll from the event stood at more than 340 people across six states.
In Fergus, Ontario a F0 downed trees and ripped siding of store buildings on April 27th.
May
There were 370 tornadoes reported in the United States in May, of which 327 were confirmed.In addition to the events listed below, two other tornadoes, one in the Philippines and Taiwan, also touched down. The former of these resulted in significant damage and killed one person in Calumpit, Bulacan
Calumpit, Bulacan
CALUMPIT is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,017 people in 16,167 households.-Physical and Socio-Political:Land Area: 5,625 has.No...
.
May 10 (New Zealand)
On May 3, a line of showers and thunderstorms tracked into the NorthlandNorthland
Northland may refer to:Places:* Northland , an electoral district in New Zealand* Northland, Wellington, a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand...
from the Tasman Sea
Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, approximately across. It extends 2,800 km from north to south. It is a south-western segment of the South Pacific Ocean. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first recorded European...
, bringing unsettled weather to much of the region. The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited was established as a State-Owned Enterprise in 1992. It employs about 215 staff and its headquarters are in Wellington, New Zealand...
(MetService) mentioned the possibility of strong thunderstorms being embedded within the line, producing small hail and gusty winds. Significant upward motion in the atmosphere developed in the region surrounding Auckland, prompting the MetService to issue a high-risk of thunderstorms in the area. With low-level wind shear and helicity, the possibility of tornadic activity was present. At 2:55 pm NZST
UTC+12
UTC+12:00 is an identifier for a +12 hour time offset from UTC. This time is used in:-As standard time :*Kiribati**Gilbert Islands and Banaba*Marshall Islands*Nauru*Russia**Chukotka Autonomous Okrug**Kamchatka Krai**Kuril Islands...
, a hook echo
Hook echo
The hook echo is one of the classical hallmarks of tornado-producing supercell thunderstorms as seen on a weather radar. The echo is produced by rain, hail, or even debris being wrapped around the supercell...
was apparent on the weather radar, indicating strong rotation and a likely tornado.
Several minutes later, around 3:00 pm NZST, a tornado struck the Auckland suburb of Albany
Albany, New Zealand
Albany is a northern suburb of Auckland, one of the several cities in northern New Zealand. The name derives from Alba and its Latinisation. It is located to the north of the Waitemata Harbour, 15 kilometres northwest of the Auckland city centre. The suburb is in the Albany ward, one of the...
. With winds estimated at 125 mph (201.2 km/h), the tornado ranked as a high-end EF2 and caused considerable damage along a 3.1 mi (5 km) long track in the area. Several cars were tossed up to 20 ft (6.1 m) in the air by the storm and pieces of iron roofing were reportedly seen 300 ft (91.4 m) above the ground. A total of 50 homes sustained varying degrees of damage along the tornado's track. The most severe damage took place at a local shopping mall where large portions of the roof were torn off. One person was killed and at least 20 others were injured here. Damage estimates from the storm were places in the tens of millions.
May 9 – 10
On May 9, a strong upper-level ridgeRidge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over the Mississippi River Valley produced a narrow axis of extreme instability from eastern Nebraska to central South Dakota. In light of this, the SPC issued a slight-risk of severe weather for much of South Dakota and Iowa as well as parts of Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. Enhanced by a mid-level jet, wind shear in the region increased, providing a more favorable environment for strong thunderstorms. During the course of the day, two tornadoes, rated EF1 and EF2, touched down in South Dakota. The stronger of the two crumpled a transmission tower
Transmission tower
A transmission tower is a tall structure, usually a steel lattice tower, used to support an overhead power line. They are used in high-voltage AC and DC systems, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes...
. Continuing into May 10, the system slowly moved eastward, shifting the center of severe activity in the Upper-Plains to Minnesota. Thunderstorms in the state mainly produced large hail, measured up to 2.5 in (6.4 cm) in diameter; however, one EF1 tornado touched down, causing significant damage to a garage.
May 11 – 13
On May 11, an upper-level low moved out of the Four Corners Region into the Central Plains, prompting a moderate-risk of severe weather from the SPC. The main threat from these storms was expected to be large hail, with a considerable region being given a 45 percent chance of hail. Later that day, the moderate-risk was discontinued and replaced by a large area under a slight-risk. According to the SPC, the issuance of a moderate risk was due to an "improper handling of ongoing storms." Tornadic activity during the event was scattered and consisted of short-lived events. In all, at least nine tornadoes and a few gustnadoGustnado
A gustnado is a specific type of short-lived, low-level rotating cloud that can form in a severe thunderstorm. The name is a portmanteau of "gust front tornado", as gustnadoes form due to non-tornadic cyclonic features in the downdraft from the gust front of a strong thunderstorm, especially one...
es touched down across four states, most of which were in Nebraska. In Iowa, twin tornadoes, rated EF0 and EF1, struck the city of Lenox
Lenox, Iowa
Lenox is a city in Adams and Taylor counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,401 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lenox is located at ....
, damaging several homes. Continuing eastward, the low became diffuse and produced scattered severe weather on May 12 and 13.
May 21 – 26
On May 21, a small system of thunderstorms began to develop in Brown County, KansasBrown County, Kansas
Brown County is a county located in Northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,984. Its county seat and most populous city is Hiawatha...
. At the same time, another system formed to the southeast of Emporia, Kansas
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
. The Brown county system developed into a tornado over Shawnee County, Kansas
Shawnee County, Kansas
Shawnee County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States of America. Its most populous city, Topeka, is the state capital and county seat. The county's population was 177,934 for the 2010 census...
and touched down over Topeka, Kansas for several seconds causing minor damage nearby. Meanwhile the Emporia system continued to move to the northeast, where an EF3 tornado heavily damaged the town of Reading, Kansas
Reading, Kansas
Reading is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 231. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. One person was killed there, several others were injured and at least 20 houses were destroyed. After hitting Topeka it hit several towns including Oskaloosa, Kansas
Oskaloosa, Kansas
Oskaloosa is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,113. Oskaloosa is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, doing extensive damage to that community. Several other tornadoes touched down in the region that evening.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for much of the Midwest south to Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
for May 22. The first tornadic supercell that day developed in the mid-afternoon hours over the western Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
with a swath of damage, especially in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. An intense tornado also tracked towards Harmony, Minnesota
Harmony, Minnesota
Harmony is a city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,020 at the 2010 census. The town bills itself as the "Biggest Little Town in Southern Minnesota" and features the largest Amish community in the state.-Geography:...
that afternoon and a tornado emergency
Tornado emergency
A Tornado Emergency is enhanced wording of tornado warnings used by the National Weather Service in the United States during significant tornado occurrences in highly populated areas...
was issued. Late that afternoon, at about 5:15 pm CDT (2215 UTC), a very large and intense multiple-vortex tornado resulted in catastrophic damage in Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
. Many houses and businesses were flattened and some even were blown away in Joplin, the main hospital was heavily damaged and many people were reported to have been trapped in destroyed houses. The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is a US cable and satellite television network since May 2, 1982, that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, along with entertainment programming related to weather 24 hours a day...
video showed entire communities flattened. Early reports suggest there were at least 125 fatalities., with the death toll rising to at least 159, and another 1,000+ injured. This tornado was given a rating of EF5.
Late in the afternoon on May 24, supercells began forming over western Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, as the National Weather Service predicted a dangerous tornado outbreak. As a line of powerful cells began to take shape, trained spotters reported large tornadoes near El Reno, Oklahoma and in rural Grady County, Oklahoma. One of these swept from Binger
Binger, Oklahoma
Binger is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.Binger is the headquarters of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, who were settled here in the 1870s....
to Guthrie
Guthrie, Oklahoma
Guthrie is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metroplex. The population was 9,925 at the 2000 census.Guthrie was the territorial and later the first state capital for Oklahoma...
, destroying many homes and causing at least nine fatalities. This tornado was rated an EF5, the sixth of the year and second of the outbreak sequence. Three other EF4 tornadoes developed among the many other tornadoes that day.
At around 10:00 p.m. EDT on May 25, an EF3 tornado hit the city of Bedford, Indiana
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
. U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50 is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching just over from Ocean City, Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean to West Sacramento, California. Until 1972, when it was replaced by Interstate Highways west of the Sacramento area, it extended to San Francisco, near...
was temporarily closed due to heavy debris. Also, a tornado had reportedly touched down in Keyser,WV and tracked as far as Berkeley Springs. On May 26th, strong thunderstorms travelled through the Cumberland Valley in South Central Pennsylvania with reports of EF1 tornadoes near Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Hershey. Tornadoes also destroyed the setup for the Harrisburg ArtsFest scheduled to take place the following weekend.
May 25 (California)
Three tornadoes hit the Sacramento ValleySacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
of California, north of Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
. One tornado rated at EF-1
Enhanced Fujita Scale
The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the strength of tornadoes in the United States based on the damage they cause.Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational use on February 1, 2007. The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale:...
, struck east of Artois
Artois, California
Artois is a census-designated place in Glenn County, California. It is located north of Willows, at an elevation of 167 feet , in the northern Sacramento Valley of California. It is located on the former US Highway 99W, and is bypassed to the west by Interstate Highway 5...
uprooting hundreds of almond trees, and causing damage to farm equipment and roofing materials. Another tornado rated at EF-1, struck south of Durham
Durham, California
Durham is a census-designated place in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 5,518 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, uprooting thousands of almond trees, destroying an out building, and damaging a barn. A tornado rated at EF-2, struck northwest of Oroville
Oroville, California
Oroville is the county seat of Butte County, California. The population was 15,506 at the 2010 census, up from 13,004 at the 2000 census...
, causing heavy damage to a ranch and a garage.
May 29
On May 29, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for the lower Great Lakes. Severe thunderstorm watches were in place by the late morning/early afternoon for northern Illinois and a small portion of Indiana. A severe line of thunderstorms developed in Iowa and tracked eastward. It produced scattered wind and hail over Illinois. A tornado watch was issued for southern Michigan, northern Indiana, and northern Ohio. As the storms crossed Lake Michigan, they weakened, but grew stronger and began to exhibit rotation as they moved inland over southern Michigan, resulting in numerous tornado warnings. Cities under the warnings included Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Flint. A funnel cloud and possibly a brief touchdown were reported in Vicksburg, and widespread wind damage occurred in Battle Creek. In Coldwater, anEF1 tornado tore roofs off of numerous buildings. An EF1 tornado was confirmed to have struck Shiawassee County, near Perry.
June
There were 177 tornadoes reported in the United States in June, of which 159 were confirmed.In addition to the events listed below, two tornadoes caused moderate damage in the city of New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
June 1
In the Northeast, several severe thunderstorms began developing along the tail end of a cold front during the late morning hours of June 1. By the early afternoon, a tornado watch was issued for parts of ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. A rare tornado outbreak (for the region) began late that afternoon with several tornadoes confirmed in Maine and Massachusetts.
That afternoon, an EF3 tornado occurred in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
and several surrounding towns. Major damage in the area was reported; there were some roof collapses in downtown businesses and damage to the brick structures. Numerous injuries were reported there. Significant damage was also reported in West Springfield
West Springfield, Massachusetts
The Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 28,391 at the 2010 census...
, Monson
Monson, Massachusetts
Monson is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village of Monson Center lies at the center of the town....
and several other communities where houses were reported to have been destroyed or flattened. Three deaths have been attributed to the Springfield tornado thus far, the first killer tornado in Massachusetts since 1995.
June 19 – 21
On June 19, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for the Central Plains. By the evening hours, several tornadoes had touched down over rural areas. 48 tornadoes have been reported to the Storm Prediction CenterStorm Prediction Center
The Storm Prediction Center , located in Norman, Oklahoma, is tasked with forecasting the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the contiguous United States. The agency issues convective outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and watches as a part of this process...
.
During the afternoon of June 20, a PDS tornado watch
Tornado watch
A tornado watch is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. Since any thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is defined as severe, a tornado watch is also automatically a severe thunderstorm watch...
was issued for much of central Nebraska and north-central Kansas due to the threat of significant tornadoes. Additionally, very large hail, at least 4 in (10.2 cm) in diameter, is expected within the watch area. Around 1:00 p.m. local time, storm chasers reported a large EF3 tornado on the ground north of Hill City, Kansas
Hill City, Kansas
Hill City is a city in and the county seat of Graham County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,474.-History:...
and again later that afternoon near Elm Creek, Nebraska
Elm Creek, Nebraska
Elm Creek is a village in Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Kearney, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 894 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elm Creek is located at ....
. Numerous other tornadoes were reported across the region, some reported to have been very large and intense, but mostly over open country. Tornado warnings are streaching from North Dakota to Kansas. Additionally, a major derecho event may develop farther south - a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for parts of Oklahoma and North Texas as well. On the 21st, tornado watches were issued for several areas, including central Minnesota and Wisconsin, southern Illinois and parts of Missouri, and lower Michigan. Tornadoes were reported in Anoka County, Minnesota, and Green Lake and Fond du Lac Counties in Wisconsin. Additionally, local law enforcement reported a tornado in Allegan County in Michigan, with photos taken also showing what looked like a tornado, but no damage was seen in the area, so it was decided by the National Weather Service that is was just low hanging clouds. Meanwhile, a major derecho event impacted the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The worst damage was in Wheeling, Illinois.
June 22
A series of tornadoes tracked across the Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
area late on June 22. A total of five tornadoes were confirmed in the area, including two that were rated EF2. One of the tornadoes directly hit Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
severely damaging several buildings on the site. Other significant damage was reported in several industrial parks in the metropolitan area with buildings heavily damaged.
July
There were 92 tornadoes reported in the United States in July, of which 102 were confirmed.In Alberta, Canada, at least four tornadoes touched down on various days, causing relatively minor damage. 12 buildings over a one block area were affected. Some damaged roofs and flooded streets.
July 1
On July 1, an extreme straight-line wind and derecho event took place over South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Winds as high as 125 mph (201.2 km/h) caused extensive damage, especially along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to the straight-line winds, seven tornadoes touched down, two of which were rated EF2.July 16 – 17
Numerous tornadoes touched down over the northern Plains on both July 16 and 17 at the edge of a very hot, humid air mass. At least 16 tornadoes were reported, mostly in North Dakota. Most remained over open country but a few caused significant damage, including a house which was destroyed from a strong EF3 tornado in LaMoure CountyLaMoure County, North Dakota
LaMoure County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of 2010, the population was 4,139. Its county seat is LaMoure.-Geography:According to the U.S...
.
August
There were 52 tornadoes reported in the United States in August; however, 59 were confirmed for the month.August 1
On August 1, an F2 tornado struck the city of BlagoveshchenskBlagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. Population: -Early history of the region:The early residents of both sides of the Amur in the region of today's Blagoveshchensk were the Daurs and Duchers...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Remaining on the ground for 13 minutes, the storm damaged over 100 homes, 150 cars and uprooted 150 trees. One person was killed and twenty-eight were injured, four of whom were hospitalized. Losses from the tornado were estimated at €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.2 to 2 million ($1.8 to 2.9 million). In the wake of the storm, officials declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
to help speed up recovery efforts.
August 10
Early on August 10, a strong tornado (a rarity in mid-summer in OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
) hit near Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Locust Grove is a town in Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,423 at the 2010 census compared to 1,366 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Locust Grove is located at ....
embedded in a larger thunderstorm complex. The tornado destroyed a mobile home killing one person (the first killer tornado since June 1 in the US) and injuring two others. The tornado was rated as an EF2.
August 19
An isolated tornado, rated EF1 with winds up to 105 mph (169 km/h) struck Wausaukee, WisconsinWausaukee, Wisconsin
Wausaukee is a village in Marinette County, Wisconsin, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 572. The village is part of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, killing one person.
August 21
An intense tornado touched down late in the afternoon over Goderich, OntarioGoderich, Ontario
Goderich is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town...
striking the downtown area nearly directly with severe damage. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed in the community by the tornado, the strongest tornado in Ontario since 1996. There are early reports of 2 other tornadoes in the region. At least 37 people were injured and a 61-year-old worker at a salt mine was killed as winds of 300 kph raged. The storm was a F3 tornado according to Environment Canada. An EF2 tornado was also confirmed in western New York, near Conquest, New York
Conquest, New York
Conquest is a town in Cayuga County, New York, USA. The population was 1,819 at the 2010 census. The name was chosen to mark the victory of those who wished to form the town....
.
August 26 – 28
The outer bands and core of Hurricane IreneHurricane Irene (2011)
Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
produced numerous tornadoes as it made landfall in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and tracked northward. They were reported across several states along the immediate east coast. One tornado near Columbia, North Carolina
Columbia, North Carolina
Columbia is a town in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 819 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Tyrrell County.-Geography:...
(rated EF2) resulted in severe destruction to several houses and injuries including manufactured homes destroyed, and another in Lewes, Delaware
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is an incorporated city in Sussex County, Delaware, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000....
also resulted in significant tornado-related damage.
September
There were 65 tornadoes reported in the United States in September, of which at least 30 were confirmed.September 3 – 7
Slow-moving Tropical Storm Lee resulted in at least 55 tornado reports along the immediate northern Gulf CoastGulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
beginning on September 3 and into September 4, inching inland on the afternoon of September 4. Several areas of damage, some significant, was reported from central Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
to the western Florida Panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
.
A moderate risk of severe weather, a rare occurrence when associated with a tropical cyclone, was issued for September 5 in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, with numerous tornadoes possible. The most concentrated tornadic activity that day took place in northern and central Georgia, particularly around Atlanta. In addition, an EF1 tornado associated with a cold front touched down in New York.
October
There were 23 tornadoes reported in the United States in October, of which at least 12 were confirmed.October 2 (South Africa)
2 tornadoes occurred in South Africa on the 2nd of October 2011, one in the Free StateOrange Free State
The Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...
and one in the East Rand, Gauteng
East Rand, Gauteng
The East Rand is the name of the urban eastern part of the Witwatersrand that is functionally merged with the Johannesburg conurbation...
. Several homes were destroyed and there were 2 fatalities in the township of Duduza.
October 13
Several tornadoes touched down in central VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
on October 13 as a result of low-topped supercells that developed in the area. The most severe damage was in New Kent County
New Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
where an elementary school was heavily damaged. Several houses were also damaged. Houses were also damaged in Louisa County
Louisa County, Virginia
Louisa County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 33,153. The county seat is Louisa.- History :...
. One other tornado took place near Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries is a town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,937 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dumfries is located at ....
along Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
at the peak of rush hour, but no severe damage was reported. In total, five tornadoes were confirmed.
October 18
At least three tornadoes touched down in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
late on October 18th. Dozens of homes were damaged in Broward County by a tornado with winds of 120 mph, which left a damage path more than a mile long and half a mile wide. A second tornado with wind speeds of 85 mph struck Indiantown
Indiantown
Indiantown can refer to:Places in the United States:* Indiantown, Florida* Indiantown, Michigan in Saginaw County* Indiantown, Pennsylvania* Indiantown, South Carolina* Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois...
, and a third tornado with winds up to 65 mph caused major damage to a home in Indiro.
November
As of November 18, there were 57 tornadoes reported in the United States in November, of which at least 38 were confirmed.November 7 – 8
A series of tornadoes touched down across the south-central US, particularly TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, on November 7 and 8 as a storm system tracked across the region. A total of 16 tornadoes were reported across the region with varying degrees of damage. One of the tornadoes was rated as an EF4 which destroyed the Oklahoma State University agronomy research station near Tipton, Oklahoma
Tipton, Oklahoma
Tipton is a town in Tillman County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 847 at the 2010 census.Tipton also is home to a home for children, founded in 1928, when Sol Tipton donated a plot of land to the founders...
, the first F4 or EF4 tornado in Oklahoma in the month of November since records began in 1950. Most of the tornadoes, however, remained in very rural areas with no injuries reported.
November 14 – 16
An extended series of tornadoes occurred across a large part of the US beginning November 14 and continuing into November 15 and 16. On November 14, two EF2 tornadoes were confirmed in southwestern New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, a rare occurrence there so late in the year. Farther south, more tornadoes occurred late on November 15 into early on November 16 across Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
into Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. Several of the tornadoes resulted in severe damage and injuries. The activity spread across Georgia into the Carolinas that afternoon with more destructive tornadoes. An EF-2 tornado just south of Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
resulted in three people being killed. Another EF-2 tornado 5 miles south of Thomasville, North Carolina
Thomasville, North Carolina
Thomasville is a city in Davidson County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 21,354 at the 2010 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's...
produced 2 deaths, and caused severe damage in the Noahtown Road community with houses destroyed and people trapped. Another fatality, possibly due to straight-line winds, occurred in Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat is Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth County is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
.
November 29
An EF0 tornado tore through a Caravan Park near LlanfwrogLlanfwrog, Anglesey
Llanfwrog is a village in Anglesey, in north-west Wales. It lies about 4 miles to the northeast of Holyhead. The village lies near the coast about a mile east of Beach Gribin. A country road connects it with the A5025 road, one mile east, and Llanfaethlu, approximately 2.5 miles to the...
, causing minor damage. Another tornado hit Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in the United Kingdom causing damage to trees and buildings. One woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The Lancashire Police reported having received a report of a "small tornado" around 14:30 GMT.
See also
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes striking downtown areas
- Fujita scaleFujita scaleThe Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
- Enhanced Fujita scaleEnhanced Fujita ScaleThe Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the strength of tornadoes in the United States based on the damage they cause.Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational use on February 1, 2007. The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale:...
External links
- State of the Climate: Tornadoes: 2011 (NCDC)
- The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC) – spc.noaa.gov
- U.S. Severe Weather Map - Weather UndergroundWeather Underground (weather service)Weather Underground is a commercial weather service that provides real-time weather information via the Internet. Weather Underground provides weather reports for most major cities across the world on its Web site, as well as local weather reports for newspapers and Web sites...
- WSI Lightning Networks – USPLN, NAPLN and GLN – Lightning map
- The Tornado Monologues – April 2011 Tornado Story Archive