April–May 2010 tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The April-May 2010 tornado outbreak is a multi-day tornado outbreak
across a large portion of the Southern United States
occurring at the end of April and the beginning of May 2010. Five people were killed from the tornadoes - one in Arkansas, one in Tennessee and three in Mississippi.
to Iowa
that day, but with little damage.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued on April 30 for a large swath from northern Illinois
to southern Arkansas
. Late that afternoon, tornadoes began to develop across the Ozarks and multiple tornado warning
s were issued. also, in less than a week, another PDS Tornado Watch was issued for Arkansas
, Oklahoma
, The Missouri Bootheel, and Texas
. That evening in central Arkansas, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high risk for the second time in less than a week. Significant damage was reported in several areas. KARK coverage reported that an tornado touched down in Scotland, Arkansas
and major damage, at least 25 injuries and 3 fatalities were reported there. In East End, Arkansas
, major damage was also reported with several injuries.
Another high risk was issued for May 1 for Arkansas, northern Mississippi
, West Tennessee
, southwestern Kentucky
and southeastern Missouri, the first occurrence of back-to-back high risk days since 2006
. Activity began in the afternoon on the warm front, where a destructive tornado touched down in northeastern Mississippi with severe damage near Ripley
.
Yet again, another PDS Tornado watch was issued for Arkansas
, Louisiana
, and Texas
. The activity, however, was confirmed primarily to areas closer to the Mississippi River
.
The same system also produced copious amounts of rain over much of the Mid-South, with widespread flooding reported in Tennessee. Interstates 40
and 24
had to be shut down in the Nashville area due to water covering those major highways. The flooding was so bad on those two Interstate highways, stranded motorists were rescued in boats.
, breaking the old two-day total record of 6.68 inches (17 cm) set in 1979 by the remnants of Hurricane Frederic
.
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...
occurring at the end of April and the beginning of May 2010. Five people were killed from the tornadoes - one in Arkansas, one in Tennessee and three in Mississippi.
Meteorological synopsis
A strong low pressure system tracked across the Midwest beginning on April 29. A few tornadoes were reported from KansasKansas
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...
to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
that day, but with little damage.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued on April 30 for a large swath from northern 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,...
to southern 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...
. Late that afternoon, tornadoes began to develop across the Ozarks and multiple tornado warning
Tornado warning
A tornado warning is an alert issued by government weather services to warn that severe thunderstorms with tornadoes may be imminent. It can be issued after a tornado or funnel cloud has been spotted by eye, or more commonly if there are radar indications of tornado formation...
s were issued. also, in less than a week, another PDS Tornado Watch was issued for 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...
, 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...
, The Missouri Bootheel, and Texas
Texas
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...
. That evening in central Arkansas, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high risk for the second time in less than a week. Significant damage was reported in several areas. KARK coverage reported that an tornado touched down in Scotland, Arkansas
Scotland, Arkansas
Scotland is an unincorporated community in southwestern Van Buren County, Arkansas, United States, near the head of the South Fork of the Little Red River. In April 2010, a tornado struck this community which resulted in extreme damage to just one street. Dancing was outlawed in Scotland, after a...
and major damage, at least 25 injuries and 3 fatalities were reported there. In East End, Arkansas
East End, Arkansas
East End is a census-designated place in Saline County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 6,998 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, major damage was also reported with several injuries.
Another high risk was issued for May 1 for Arkansas, northern 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...
, West 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...
, 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 southeastern Missouri, the first occurrence of back-to-back high risk days since 2006
Tornadoes of 2006
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2006. Since the greatest coverage is in the United States, most of these events listed were primarily in the US...
. Activity began in the afternoon on the warm front, where a destructive tornado touched down in northeastern Mississippi with severe damage near Ripley
Ripley, Mississippi
Ripley is a city in Tippah County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,478 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Tippah County....
.
Yet again, another PDS Tornado watch was issued for 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...
, and Texas
Texas
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...
. The activity, however, was confirmed primarily to areas closer to 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...
.
The same system also produced copious amounts of rain over much of the Mid-South, with widespread flooding reported in Tennessee. Interstates 40
Interstate 40 in Tennessee
In the state of Tennessee, Interstate 40 traverses the entirety of the state from west to east, running from the Mississippi River at the Arkansas border to the northern base of the Great Smoky Mountains at the North Carolina border...
and 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
had to be shut down in the Nashville area due to water covering those major highways. The flooding was so bad on those two Interstate highways, stranded motorists were rescued in boats.
Flooding
Flooding from thunderstorms in the areas affected was also common, with some places experiencing record flooding. At least 13 inch (0.3302 m) of rain fell in 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...
, breaking the old two-day total record of 6.68 inches (17 cm) set in 1979 by the remnants of Hurricane Frederic
Hurricane Frederic
Hurricane Frederic was the sixth tropical cyclone, third hurricane and second major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season. Frederic was the costliest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. Gulf Coast at that particular time...
.