April 2010 tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The April 2010 tornado outbreak was a multi-day tornado outbreak
across a large portion of the Southern United States
, originally starting in the High Plains
on April 22, 2010 and continuing through the Southern Plains on April 23, and the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys on April 24. The most severe activity was on April 24, particularly in Mississippi
. The outbreak was responsible for ten tornado-related fatalities on April 24, all in Mississippi from a single supercell that crossed the entire state.
region late during the afternoon and then moved into the southeast Texas Panhandle
and the Osage Plains
during the evening and overnight hours. Large hail occurred with the stronger storms, but the most severe storms produced damaging winds and tornadoes. By late evening, new activity developed into a line of storms which swept through the Osage Plains. Many tornadoes were produced in southeastern Colorado, but they occurred over open fields and did not cause a significant amount of damage. However, one tornado in south central Kiowa County
destroyed a small (15 foot x 30 foot) barn. In Kansas, numerous tornado-producing storms caused damage across a number of southwest Kansas counties. The public first reported a mile-wide tornado at around 4:40 pm west of Lakin
. The storm tracked two miles southwest of Lakin at about 5:10 pm and was spotted again six miles northwest of Deerfield
at approximately 5:40 pm. A tornadic storm in Kearny County
uprooted trees and caused power outages at residences west of Lakin. No injuries were reported from it. In Finney County
, no damage or injuries were reported from tornadic activity that traveled mostly above open farmland. In Scott County
, a tornado was spotted four miles south of Scott City
at about 7:10 p.m. Grain bins near Scott City were damaged, a barn partially collapsed with part of its roof torn off and some trees and power lines were reported down from it. The strongest tornado in Kansas occurred in Kearny County and was rated EF2. There were numerous tornadoes in the Texas Panhandle and one tornado in the Oklahoma Panhandle, which included one that was rated EF3 in Cottle County, Texas.
On April 23, an upper level storm system increased in strength as it moved from the southern Rockies to the southern Great Plains region. A cold front moved across east-central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and the Missouri River Valley through the night. Moist air ahead of the cold front in the south central states allowed for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across the Mississippi Valley. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued across the Ark-La-Tex
region and lower Mississippi Valley. There were five EF0 tornadoes in east Texas and southwest Arkansas during the late night and into the early morning of April 24. One tornado in Missouri traveled for 22 miles (35.4 km), but did not cause any significant damage.
issued a rare high risk of severe weather for portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the first such issuance since April 26, 2009. Four "particularly dangerous situation"
tornado watch
es were issued that day for areas of Missouri
, Kentucky
, Illinois
, Arkansas
, Louisiana
, Mississippi
, Tennessee
, and Alabama
. The outbreak of severe weather caused NASCAR
to call off the Aaron's 312 race in Talladega, Alabama
. In Tennessee, there were three EF1 tornadoes and an EF0 tornado on April 24, and an EF2 early on April 25. The EF2 struck after 2 a.m. and caused damage in three counties. Despite extensive structural damage, there were no injuries.
Alabama was hard hit by tornadoes on this day. An EF4 tornado struck southeastern DeKalb County
in the Mount Vernon
area. The most serious damage occurred near the intersection of County Roads 80 and 55, where a church and a two-story home were destroyed. Several mobile homes were destroyed and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Five injuries occurred from this tornado. An EF3 tornado touched down in south Albertville
. Throughout the event, the tornado skipped and hit other places along its path from Marshall County
to Geraldine
in DeKalb County. The first damage reports came in at around 10:15 p.m. The storm left the downtown area of Albertville in complete destruction, then downed trees and power lines in DeKalb County. Fifty-nine homes in Albertville were destroyed by the tornado. Another 198 had major damage while 157 had minor damage - a total of 414 homes impacted by the storm. It also caused damage to the middle and high school in Albertville. Another EF3 tornado touched down in Parrish
and tracked through Cordova
and Corner
. Significant damage to buildings occurred in Parrish and Cordova, while Corner and Blount County
primarily suffered uprooted or broken trees, with at least one travel trailer overturned and some minor structural damage. Arkadelphia Road near Skyline Road was blocked for a time by fallen trees and debris. A total of 70 to 80 homes and businesses sustained damage from the tornado. A third EF3 tornado in Alabama struck a trailer park in Mentone
. The tornado destroyed nine of the 11 manufactured homes in the park. Seven people were injured from it.
The severe weather and tornadoes also wreaked havoc across Mississippi. Near Starkville
, an EF2 tornado destroyed an unoccupied mobile home and damaged 20 homes, as well as snapping and uprooting numerous trees, damaging a barn and snapped three power poles. Ten people were killed and 146 others were injured when an EF4 tornado, which started in Louisiana, tore through the state of Mississippi. An EF2 tornado that moved over Jasper
and Lauderdale
counties caused significant structural damage to a church and destroyed an outbuilding. An EF1 tornado that moved over Lauderdale and Kemper
counties damaged or destroyed four barns and destroyed one shed. In all, 319 homes were damaged in Yazoo County; 114 in Choctaw County; 60 in Holmes County; 48 homes and three businesses were damaged in Monroe County; 63 homes damaged in Union County; 42 homes damaged in Warren County; and 35 homes damaged in Attala County.
during the late morning hours of April 24. The tornado became strong almost immediately, bending and destroying several high-tension power poles west of Tallulah
. The tornado then crossed Interstate 20
, blowing an 18-wheeler off the road. As the tornado passed northwest and north of
Tallulah, it heavily damaged or destroyed a number of homes. Before crossing the Mississippi River
, it caused near total destruction of a chemical plant near the Omega community. It crossed the Mississippi River shortly thereafter, and damaged or destroyed numerous homes on the north side of Eagle Lake. The tornado then moved across the Delta National Forest
in Issaquena
and Sharkey
Counties, causing major tree damage. The tornado again caused significant home damage northwest of Satartia
, and again as it crossed Highway 3 near the Crupp community. The tornado then moved through rural areas southwest of Yazoo City
, causing major damage or total destruction of a number of homes, as well as intense tree damage. As the tornado approached the intersection of U.S. Route 49
and Highway 16 on the south side of Yazoo City, it reached its widest point and maximum intensity. Several buildings, including a church and several businesses, were totally destroyed or even flattened. The tornado continued moving through residential areas on the southeast side of Yazoo City, heavily damaging or destroying numerous homes. The tornado continued northeast through rural eastern Yazoo
and southern Holmes
Counties, causing intense tree damage and damaging or destroying a number of rural residences. As the tornado moved by the Franklin
community in rural Holmes County, it again reached EF4 intensity as it completely destroyed two brick homes and heavily damaged or destroyed a number of other homes.
The tornado then crossed Interstate 55
, causing significant tree damage and blowing a number of vehicles off the road. As the tornado approached the area just south of Durant
and crossed U.S. Route 51
, it narrowed and reached one of its weaker points in its track, but was still on the ground.
However, shortly thereafter it re-intensified somewhat and began causing significant tree damage in rural western Attala County
. The tornado continued across northern Attala County, causing tree damage and heavily damaging a number of rural residences, including in the community of Hesterville. The tornado intensified further as it crossed the Natchez Trace Parkway
, and once again produced high-end EF3 damage as it passed northwest of Weir
. Numerous homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in this area. The tornado maintained strong intensity as it crossed the remainder of Choctaw County
, including damaging a number of homes as it cross Highways 415, 9 and Highways 15. The tornado rapidly narrowed and weakened as it crossed into Oktibbeha County
, and dissipated north of the town of Sturgis
after being on the ground for nearly 3 hours.
The tornado tracked 149.25 miles (240.2 km), making it the fourth longest in Mississippi history. The tornado was up to 1.75 miles (2.8 km) wide at its widest point, making it the widest tornado ever to tear through Mississippi. The ten fatalities and 146 injuries made it Mississippi's ninth deadliest tornado since 1900. The tornado was rated as an EF4, producing its most severe damage in Yazoo and Holmes Counties. The tornado's wind speed peaked at 170 miles per hour (76 m/s). It was the state's worst natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina
in 2005.
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...
across a large portion of 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...
, originally starting in the High Plains
High Plains (United States)
The High Plains are a subregion of the Great Plains mostly in the Western United States, but also partly in the Midwest states of Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota, generally encompassing the western part of the Great Plains before the region reaches the Rocky Mountains...
on April 22, 2010 and continuing through the Southern Plains on April 23, and the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys on April 24. The most severe activity was on April 24, particularly 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...
. The outbreak was responsible for ten tornado-related fatalities on April 24, all in Mississippi from a single supercell that crossed the entire state.
April 22-23
A complex weather system began to track across the central and southern United States beginning on April 22. Scattered thunderstorms initially developed across the central and eastern 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...
region late during the afternoon and then moved into the southeast Texas Panhandle
Texas Panhandle
The Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a rectangular area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east...
and the Osage Plains
Osage Plains
The Osage Plains are a physiographic section of the larger Central Lowland province, which in turn is part of the larger Interior Plains physiographic division. The area is sometimes called the Lower Plains, North Central Plains, and the Rolling Plains...
during the evening and overnight hours. Large hail occurred with the stronger storms, but the most severe storms produced damaging winds and tornadoes. By late evening, new activity developed into a line of storms which swept through the Osage Plains. Many tornadoes were produced in southeastern Colorado, but they occurred over open fields and did not cause a significant amount of damage. However, one tornado in south central Kiowa County
Kiowa County, Colorado
Kiowa County is the second least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 1,622 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Eads...
destroyed a small (15 foot x 30 foot) barn. In Kansas, numerous tornado-producing storms caused damage across a number of southwest Kansas counties. The public first reported a mile-wide tornado at around 4:40 pm west of Lakin
Lakin, Kansas
Lakin is a city in and the county seat of Kearny County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,216.-History:The city of Lakin is named after David Long Lakin, former treasurer of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway....
. The storm tracked two miles southwest of Lakin at about 5:10 pm and was spotted again six miles northwest of Deerfield
Deerfield, Kansas
Deerfield is a city in Kearny County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 700.-Geography:Deerfield is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 884...
at approximately 5:40 pm. A tornadic storm in Kearny County
Kearny County, Kansas
Kearny County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,977. Its county seat and most populous city is Lakin...
uprooted trees and caused power outages at residences west of Lakin. No injuries were reported from it. In Finney County
Finney County, Kansas
Finney County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 36,776. Its county seat and most populous city is Garden City...
, no damage or injuries were reported from tornadic activity that traveled mostly above open farmland. In Scott County
Scott County, Kansas
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,936...
, a tornado was spotted four miles south of Scott City
Scott City, Kansas
Scott City is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,816.-Geography:Scott City is located at...
at about 7:10 p.m. Grain bins near Scott City were damaged, a barn partially collapsed with part of its roof torn off and some trees and power lines were reported down from it. The strongest tornado in Kansas occurred in Kearny County and was rated EF2. There were numerous tornadoes in the Texas Panhandle and one tornado in the Oklahoma Panhandle, which included one that was rated EF3 in Cottle County, Texas.
On April 23, an upper level storm system increased in strength as it moved from the southern Rockies to the southern Great Plains region. A cold front moved across east-central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and the Missouri River Valley through the night. Moist air ahead of the cold front in the south central states allowed for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across the Mississippi Valley. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued across the Ark-La-Tex
Ark-La-Tex
The Ark-La-Tex, Arklatex, or ArkLaTex is a U.S. socio-economic region where Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma intersect. Some prefer the more inclusive Arklatexoma...
region and lower Mississippi Valley. There were five EF0 tornadoes in east Texas and southwest Arkansas during the late night and into the early morning of April 24. One tornado in Missouri traveled for 22 miles (35.4 km), but did not cause any significant damage.
April 24
On April 24, an energetic upper level storm system strengthened as it moved from Texas to the southern Great Lakes Region. A cold front moved eastward across the middle and lower Mississippi River Valley before heading into the Ohio River Valley and stretched into the Mid-South portion of the United States. In front of the cold front, a warm, moist and unstable air mass spread northward from the lower Mississippi River Valley and northern Gulf Coast States into the middle Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. There were already thunderstorms that had formed during the morning hours and the conditions would only become more numerous throughout the day. This set the stage for a significant severe weather outbreak with the potential for strong and violent tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. As a result, 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...
issued a rare high risk of severe weather for portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the first such issuance since April 26, 2009. Four "particularly dangerous situation"
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...
es were issued that day for areas 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...
, 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...
, 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,...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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 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...
. The outbreak of severe weather caused NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
to call off the Aaron's 312 race in Talladega, Alabama
Talladega, Alabama
Talladega is a city in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 15,143. The city is the county seat of Talladega County. Talladega is approximately 50 miles east of Birmingham, Alabama....
. In Tennessee, there were three EF1 tornadoes and an EF0 tornado on April 24, and an EF2 early on April 25. The EF2 struck after 2 a.m. and caused damage in three counties. Despite extensive structural damage, there were no injuries.
Alabama was hard hit by tornadoes on this day. An EF4 tornado struck southeastern DeKalb County
DeKalb County, Alabama
As of the 2010 Census DeKalb County had a population of 71,109. The median age was 37.5. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 81.6% non-Hispanic white, 1.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander , 9.9% from some other race, 2.2% reporting two or...
in the Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Alabama
Mount Vernon is a town in Mobile County, Alabama, United States. It is included in the Mobile metropolitan statistical area. At the 2000 census the population was 844.-Geography:Mount Vernon is located at .According to the U.S...
area. The most serious damage occurred near the intersection of County Roads 80 and 55, where a church and a two-story home were destroyed. Several mobile homes were destroyed and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Five injuries occurred from this tornado. An EF3 tornado touched down in south Albertville
Albertville, Alabama
Albertville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 21,160.- History :...
. Throughout the event, the tornado skipped and hit other places along its path from Marshall County
Marshall County, Alabama
Marshall County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. As of 2010 the population was 93,019...
to Geraldine
Geraldine, Alabama
Geraldine is a town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 896.-Geography:Geraldine is located at ....
in DeKalb County. The first damage reports came in at around 10:15 p.m. The storm left the downtown area of Albertville in complete destruction, then downed trees and power lines in DeKalb County. Fifty-nine homes in Albertville were destroyed by the tornado. Another 198 had major damage while 157 had minor damage - a total of 414 homes impacted by the storm. It also caused damage to the middle and high school in Albertville. Another EF3 tornado touched down in Parrish
Parrish, Alabama
Parrish is a town in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,268.A long-track EF3 tornado struck Parrish on April 24, 2010. The rotation later crossed into Cordova, and Empire, a town northeast of Sumiton on Highway 78...
and tracked through Cordova
Cordova, Alabama
Cordova is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,423.-History:Cordova was originally a settlement on the Warrior River Called "Dent" or "Dent's Place." The city was dubbed "Cordova" by Captain Benjamin M. Long in 1859. He named the city after a...
and Corner
Corner, Alabama
Corner is a small unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Alabama.-Geography:Corner is located in the corner of Jefferson County, Walker County, and Blount County, hence the name. . The community is about 6 miles west of Warrior...
. Significant damage to buildings occurred in Parrish and Cordova, while Corner and Blount County
Blount County, Alabama
Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 57,322. Its county seat is Oneonta.Blount County is a dry county.-History:...
primarily suffered uprooted or broken trees, with at least one travel trailer overturned and some minor structural damage. Arkadelphia Road near Skyline Road was blocked for a time by fallen trees and debris. A total of 70 to 80 homes and businesses sustained damage from the tornado. A third EF3 tornado in Alabama struck a trailer park in Mentone
Mentone, Alabama
Mentone is a town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 451.Mentone is home to many private summer camps, including Camp Desoto for girls, Camp Riverview for girls, Camp Laney for boys, Alpine Camp for boys, Camp Skyline Ranch for girls, Lookout...
. The tornado destroyed nine of the 11 manufactured homes in the park. Seven people were injured from it.
The severe weather and tornadoes also wreaked havoc across Mississippi. Near Starkville
Starkville, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,869 people, 9,462 households, and 4,721 families residing in the city. The population density was 851.4 people per square mile . There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile...
, an EF2 tornado destroyed an unoccupied mobile home and damaged 20 homes, as well as snapping and uprooting numerous trees, damaging a barn and snapped three power poles. Ten people were killed and 146 others were injured when an EF4 tornado, which started in Louisiana, tore through the state of Mississippi. An EF2 tornado that moved over Jasper
Jasper County, Mississippi
-History:Jasper County was formed in 1833 from the middle section of what been Jones County. It was named for Sgt. William Jasper who first distinguished himself in the defense of Fort Moultrie in 1776. When a shell from a British warship shot away the flagstaff, he recovered the flag, raised it on...
and Lauderdale
Lauderdale County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 78,161 people, 29,990 households, and 20,573 families residing in the county. The population density was 111 people per square mile . There were 33,418 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
counties caused significant structural damage to a church and destroyed an outbuilding. An EF1 tornado that moved over Lauderdale and Kemper
Kemper County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,453 people, 3,909 households, and 2,787 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
counties damaged or destroyed four barns and destroyed one shed. In all, 319 homes were damaged in Yazoo County; 114 in Choctaw County; 60 in Holmes County; 48 homes and three businesses were damaged in Monroe County; 63 homes damaged in Union County; 42 homes damaged in Warren County; and 35 homes damaged in Attala County.
Tallulah-Yazoo City-Durant tornado
The most catastrophic storm of the entire outbreak cultivated over northern LouisianaLouisiana
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...
during the late morning hours of April 24. The tornado became strong almost immediately, bending and destroying several high-tension power poles west of Tallulah
Tallulah, Louisiana
Tallulah is a city in and the parish seat of Madison Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 9,189 at the 2000 census...
. The tornado then crossed Interstate 20
Interstate 20
Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
, blowing an 18-wheeler off the road. As the tornado passed northwest and north of
Tallulah, it heavily damaged or destroyed a number of homes. Before crossing the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, it caused near total destruction of a chemical plant near the Omega community. It crossed the Mississippi River shortly thereafter, and damaged or destroyed numerous homes on the north side of Eagle Lake. The tornado then moved across the Delta National Forest
Delta National Forest
Delta National Forest is a U.S. National Forest in western Mississippi. It is located in Sharkey County and has an area of . The forest is headquartered in Jackson, as are all six National Forests in Mississippi, but there are local ranger district offices located in Rolling Fork...
in Issaquena
Issaquena County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,274 people, 726 households, and 509 families residing in the county. The population density was 5.15 people per square mile . There were 877 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
and Sharkey
Sharkey County, Mississippi
-National protected area:*Delta National Forest*Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,580 people, 2,163 households, and 1,589 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 2,416 housing...
Counties, causing major tree damage. The tornado again caused significant home damage northwest of Satartia
Satartia, Mississippi
Satartia is a village in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 68 at the 2000 census.Satartia is an American Indian word for pumpkin or "pumpkin patch," rumored to be due to the small gourds that grow around the area. It was founded in the mid-19th century and was famous for...
, and again as it crossed Highway 3 near the Crupp community. The tornado then moved through rural areas southwest of Yazoo City
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
, causing major damage or total destruction of a number of homes, as well as intense tree damage. As the tornado approached the intersection of U.S. Route 49
U.S. Route 49
U.S. Route 49 is a north–south United States highway. The highway's northern terminus is in Piggott, Arkansas, at an intersection with U.S. Route 62. Its southern terminus is in Gulfport, Mississippi, at an intersection with U.S. Route 90. US 49 is approximately 516 miles in length.It...
and Highway 16 on the south side of Yazoo City, it reached its widest point and maximum intensity. Several buildings, including a church and several businesses, were totally destroyed or even flattened. The tornado continued moving through residential areas on the southeast side of Yazoo City, heavily damaging or destroying numerous homes. The tornado continued northeast through rural eastern Yazoo
Yazoo County, Mississippi
-National protected area:*Hillside National Wildlife Refuge *Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge-History:The area which is now Yazoo County was acquired by the State of Mississippi from the Choctaw Indians in 1820. Yazoo County was established on January 21, 1823. It was the 19th county...
and southern Holmes
Holmes County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:*Hillside National Wildlife Refuge *Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge *Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge*Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:...
Counties, causing intense tree damage and damaging or destroying a number of rural residences. As the tornado moved by the Franklin
Franklin, Mississippi
Franklin is an unincorporated community located in Holmes County, Mississippi. Franklin is located on Mississippi Highway 17 and is approximately south of Lexington and approximately north of Pickens....
community in rural Holmes County, it again reached EF4 intensity as it completely destroyed two brick homes and heavily damaged or destroyed a number of other homes.
The tornado then crossed Interstate 55
Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
, causing significant tree damage and blowing a number of vehicles off the road. As the tornado approached the area just south of Durant
Durant, Mississippi
Durant is a city in Holmes County, Mississippi, United States. It was founded in 1858 as a station on the Mississippi Central Railroad, later part of the Illinois Central. Durant was named for Louis Durant, a Choctaw chief, who had lived on a bluff just across the nearby Big Black River...
and crossed U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39...
, it narrowed and reached one of its weaker points in its track, but was still on the ground.
However, shortly thereafter it re-intensified somewhat and began causing significant tree damage in rural western Attala County
Attala County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,661 people, 7,567 households, and 5,380 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 8,639 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
. The tornado continued across northern Attala County, causing tree damage and heavily damaging a number of rural residences, including in the community of Hesterville. The tornado intensified further as it crossed the Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a National Park Service unit in the southeastern United States that commemorates the historic Old Natchez Trace and preserves sections of the original trail....
, and once again produced high-end EF3 damage as it passed northwest of Weir
Weir, Mississippi
Weir is a town in Choctaw County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Weir is located at , along the Yockanookany River....
. Numerous homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in this area. The tornado maintained strong intensity as it crossed the remainder of Choctaw County
Choctaw County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:* Natchez Trace Parkway * Tombigbee National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,758 people, 3,686 households, and 2,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile . There were 4,249 housing units at an...
, including damaging a number of homes as it cross Highways 415, 9 and Highways 15. The tornado rapidly narrowed and weakened as it crossed into Oktibbeha County
Oktibbeha County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:*Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge *Tombigbee National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,902 people, 15,945 households, and 9,264 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 17,344 housing...
, and dissipated north of the town of Sturgis
Sturgis, Mississippi
Sturgis is a town in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 206 at the 2000 census.Sturgis, Mississippi has hosted "", an all-bike motorcycle rally for the past 10 years. According to Scott Smith, former Mayor of Sturgis, in 2005 around 20,000 visitors attended that...
after being on the ground for nearly 3 hours.
The tornado tracked 149.25 miles (240.2 km), making it the fourth longest in Mississippi history. The tornado was up to 1.75 miles (2.8 km) wide at its widest point, making it the widest tornado ever to tear through Mississippi. The ten fatalities and 146 injuries made it Mississippi's ninth deadliest tornado since 1900. The tornado was rated as an EF4, producing its most severe damage in Yazoo and Holmes Counties. The tornado's wind speed peaked at 170 miles per hour (76 m/s). It was the state's worst natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in 2005.
Tornadoes
External links
- Satellite images from the 24 April 2010 tornado outbreak (CIMSS Satellite Blog)
- TornadoVideos.Net: Devastating Yazoo City, MS tornado - Video of the Mississippi tornado, uploaded to YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
by TornadoVideos.Net - Tornado coverage from WLBTWLBTWLBT, 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:...