Candlestick Park Tornado
Encyclopedia
On March 3, 1966, a violent F5
tornado, dubbed the Candlestick Park tornado after the name of a Jackson, Mississippi shopping mall which was leveled by the storm, wrought catastrophic damage in Mississippi
and Alabama
along a 202.5 mi (325.9 km) track. The tornado first touched down in Hinds County, Mississippi
around 4:00 p.m. CST
and moved towards northeast before dissipating at 7:45 p.m. CST in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
.
over Mississippi
was ripe for a violent tornado. In the upper-levels of the troposphere
, a fairly strong jet stream
, with winds estimated at 140 to 150 mph (225.3 to 241.4 km/h), oriented itself northeastward over the state, providing strong diffluence. A large mid-level trough
, centered near Sioux Falls, South Dakota
, was the overall system that produced the tornado. It featured low millibar heights roughly four times below the standard mean. Additionally, an unusually strong mid-level jet stream with 105 mph (169 km/h) winds provided additional energy to the storm system. The final factor in the development of the Candlestick Park storm was a subtle wind shift near the surface. At the higher levels, winds flowed from the southwest to the northeast in relation to the jet stream; however, closer to the surface, the inflow from the low pressure system over South Dakota resulted in a south to north flow, allowing for rotation within storms.
In the hours prior to the tornado forming, convective available potential energy
(CAPE) values of 1554 j
/kg were present, indicating significant instability
. However, dry air at higher levels created a capping inversion
, limiting the number of thunderstorms that could develop. Later on, a warm front
moved passed Jackson, Mississippi
, allowing more moist air into the region and increasing lapse rate
s. This cap served to prevent a tornado outbreak
but allowed the formation of a few discrete strong storms. With this, a supercell thunderstorm developed over central Mississippi and produced a large tornado around 4:00 pm CST near the old Adams community in Hinds County
, several miles south-southwest of Raymond
.
Tracking generally to the northeast, the tornado moved through mostly rural areas, though several barns and a few homes were heavily damaged. Around 4:30 pm CST, the storm struck the southern limits of Jackson as an F4 or F5 tornado and mostly leveled the Candlestick Park shopping center. A number of homes and businesses were also destroyed in this area. Eyewitness reports indicate that a few cars were tossed upwards of 0.5 mi (0.80467 km) by the tornado. Once it moved through Jackson, the storm crossed the Pearl River and entered Rankin County
. In Rankin County, the tornado's progress became unclear as it passed through mostly rural areas and an industrial complex. Currently, it is believed to have continued a nearly straight northeastward track through the entire county. However, reports from locals indicate that the tornado turned slightly more northward.
Near the Leesburg community, the tornado reached its maximum strength of F5, causing complete devastation of homes and trees. Similar damage took place as the system moved into Scott County
, though specifics are scarce for this portion of the storm's history. Crossing into Leake County
along Mississippi Highway 35, the tornado took a more northeasterly track, passing near the communities of Madden
and Salem. In Neshoba County
, the storm began to weaken, though not considerably as about a dozen more homes were destroyed before the system crossed into Alabama. After crossing the border, significant damage continued through Pickens
and Tuscaloosa
Counties before the tornado finally dissipated near the city of Tuscaloosa
around 7:45 p.m. CST. During the storm's three hour and forty-five minute existence, it traveled roughly 202.5 mi (325.9 km), one of the longest paths ever recorded.
) ($ ( USD)). The most severe damage took place at the Candlestick Park shopping center in southern Jackson where 12 people were killed. Much of the building was leveled and only one wall remained standing.
tornado struck Smithville
. Overall, the tornado ranks as the second-deadliest and longest-tracked in the state's history, having killed 57 and traveling 202.5 mi (325.9 km); however, excluding outside portions of the track, it ranks third. In general, it is also regarded as one of the most devastating tornadoes to ever strike Mississippi.
In the decades following the tornado, reassessments on the history of the storm have been made; most notably the Jackson, Mississippi branch of the National Weather Service
and meteorologist Thomas P. Grazulis
both indicate that there were two separate tornadoes. Based on reports from residents who experienced the tornado, a second one formed as the original dissipated, a common occurrence in cycling supercell thunderstorms. Though there is agreement on this feature, the results have not been implemented into the National Climatic Data Center
's severe weather database, thus it is still officially considered one tornado. According to the study by Grazulis, the tornado dissipated over Leake County and a second tornado, estimated at F2 strength, touched down in Pickens County, Alabama. However, this leaves a gap in the track over Neshoba County where one person was killed.
On the 40th anniversary of the tornado, the National Weather Service in Jackson published a section on the tornado titled "If the Tornado Happened Today," briefly detailing the scale of damage in relation to the new developments since the tornado. Given that the exact same tornado took place in 2006, the loss of life would be considerably higher. Striking at rush hour
, numerous vehicles would be in the path of the tornado as it crossed Interstates
20
and 55
as well as U.S. Route 80
. Despite vastly improved warning systems, the population density of Jackson would lean towards a higher likelihood of fatalities.
Fujita scale
The 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...
tornado, dubbed the Candlestick Park tornado after the name of a Jackson, Mississippi shopping mall which was leveled by the storm, wrought catastrophic damage 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...
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...
along a 202.5 mi (325.9 km) track. The tornado first touched down in Hinds County, Mississippi
Hinds County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 250,800 people, 91,030 households, and 62,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 100,287 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile...
around 4:00 p.m. CST
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
and moved towards northeast before dissipating at 7:45 p.m. CST in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.It is named in honor of the pre-Choctaw chief Tuskaloosa. In 2010, the population was 194,656...
.
Meteorological synopsis
On March 3, 1966, the atmosphereAtmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
over 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...
was ripe for a violent tornado. In the upper-levels of the troposphere
Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapor and aerosols....
, a fairly strong jet stream
Jet stream
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth. The main jet streams are located near the tropopause, the transition between the troposphere and the stratosphere . The major jet streams on Earth are westerly winds...
, with winds estimated at 140 to 150 mph (225.3 to 241.4 km/h), oriented itself northeastward over the state, providing strong diffluence. A large mid-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
, centered near Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
, was the overall system that produced the tornado. It featured low millibar heights roughly four times below the standard mean. Additionally, an unusually strong mid-level jet stream with 105 mph (169 km/h) winds provided additional energy to the storm system. The final factor in the development of the Candlestick Park storm was a subtle wind shift near the surface. At the higher levels, winds flowed from the southwest to the northeast in relation to the jet stream; however, closer to the surface, the inflow from the low pressure system over South Dakota resulted in a south to north flow, allowing for rotation within storms.
In the hours prior to the tornado forming, convective available potential energy
Convective available potential energy
In meteorology, convective available potential energy , sometimes, simply, available potential energy , is the amount of energy a parcel of air would have if lifted a certain distance vertically through the atmosphere...
(CAPE) values of 1554 j
Joule
The joule ; symbol J) is a derived unit of energy or work in the International System of Units. It is equal to the energy expended in applying a force of one newton through a distance of one metre , or in passing an electric current of one ampere through a resistance of one ohm for one second...
/kg were present, indicating significant instability
Atmospheric instability
Atmospheric instability is a condition where the atmosphere is generally considered to be unstable and as a result the weather is subject to a high degree of variability through distance and time...
. However, dry air at higher levels created a capping inversion
Capping inversion
A capping inversion is an elevated inversion layer that caps a convective boundary layer.The boundary layer is the part of the atmosphere which is closest to the ground. Normally, the sun heats the ground, which in turn heats the air just above it. Thermals form when this warm air rises into the...
, limiting the number of thunderstorms that could develop. Later on, a warm front
Warm 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...
moved passed Jackson, Mississippi
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...
, allowing more moist air into the region and increasing lapse rate
Lapse rate
The lapse rate is defined as the rate of decrease with height for an atmospheric variable. The variable involved is temperature unless specified otherwise. The terminology arises from the word lapse in the sense of a decrease or decline; thus, the lapse rate is the rate of decrease with height and...
s. This cap served to prevent a 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...
but allowed the formation of a few discrete strong storms. With this, a supercell thunderstorm developed over central Mississippi and produced a large tornado around 4:00 pm CST near the old Adams community in Hinds County
Hinds County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 250,800 people, 91,030 households, and 62,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 100,287 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile...
, several miles south-southwest of Raymond
Raymond, Mississippi
Raymond is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,664. Raymond is one of the two county seats of Hinds County and is the home of the main campus of Hinds Community College....
.
| County | County total |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinds Hinds County, Mississippi As of the census of 2000, there were 250,800 people, 91,030 households, and 62,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 100,287 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile... |
19 | ||
| Leake Leake County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile... |
6 | ||
| Neshoba Neshoba County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,684 people, 10,694 households, and 7,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 11,980 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile... |
1 | ||
| Pickens (AL) Pickens County, Alabama Pickens County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 19,746. Its county seat is Carrollton, and it is a prohibition, or dry county.-History:... |
1 | ||
| Rankin Rankin County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,327 people, 42,089 households, and 31,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 149 people per square mile . There were 45,070 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile... |
5 | ||
| Scott Scott County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,423 people, 10,183 households, and 7,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 11,116 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile... |
26 | ||
| Total | 58 | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
Tracking generally to the northeast, the tornado moved through mostly rural areas, though several barns and a few homes were heavily damaged. Around 4:30 pm CST, the storm struck the southern limits of Jackson as an F4 or F5 tornado and mostly leveled the Candlestick Park shopping center. A number of homes and businesses were also destroyed in this area. Eyewitness reports indicate that a few cars were tossed upwards of 0.5 mi (0.80467 km) by the tornado. Once it moved through Jackson, the storm crossed the Pearl River and entered Rankin County
Rankin County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,327 people, 42,089 households, and 31,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 149 people per square mile . There were 45,070 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile...
. In Rankin County, the tornado's progress became unclear as it passed through mostly rural areas and an industrial complex. Currently, it is believed to have continued a nearly straight northeastward track through the entire county. However, reports from locals indicate that the tornado turned slightly more northward.
Near the Leesburg community, the tornado reached its maximum strength of F5, causing complete devastation of homes and trees. Similar damage took place as the system moved into Scott County
Scott County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,423 people, 10,183 households, and 7,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 11,116 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
, though specifics are scarce for this portion of the storm's history. Crossing into Leake County
Leake County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 20,940 people, 7,611 households, and 5,563 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 8,585 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
along Mississippi Highway 35, the tornado took a more northeasterly track, passing near the communities of Madden
Madden, Mississippi
Madden is a community in Leake County, Mississippi, United States. It has a population of 74.To mark the debut of Madden NFL 07, EA Sports released Madden NFL 07 in Madden, the only community in the United States to have the same name as John Madden. Each resident received a free Xbox 360 gaming...
and Salem. In Neshoba County
Neshoba County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,684 people, 10,694 households, and 7,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 11,980 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, the storm began to weaken, though not considerably as about a dozen more homes were destroyed before the system crossed into Alabama. After crossing the border, significant damage continued through Pickens
Pickens County, Alabama
Pickens County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 19,746. Its county seat is Carrollton, and it is a prohibition, or dry county.-History:...
and Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.It is named in honor of the pre-Choctaw chief Tuskaloosa. In 2010, the population was 194,656...
Counties before the tornado finally dissipated near the city of Tuscaloosa
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...
around 7:45 p.m. CST. During the storm's three hour and forty-five minute existence, it traveled roughly 202.5 mi (325.9 km), one of the longest paths ever recorded.
Impact
Throughout Mississippi, damage from the tornado amounted to $17.9 million (1966 USDUnited States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) ($ ( USD)). The most severe damage took place at the Candlestick Park shopping center in southern Jackson where 12 people were killed. Much of the building was leveled and only one wall remained standing.
Historic perspective
Prior to the Candlestick Park tornado, there had only been one other F5 (the other occurring on December 5, 1953) to touch down in Mississippi. The next storm of this intensity would not take place until April 27, 2011, when an EF5Enhanced 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:...
tornado struck Smithville
Smithville, Mississippi
Smithville is a town in Monroe County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 882 at the 2000 census. Smithville is the birthplace of Rod Brasfield, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.-Geography:...
. Overall, the tornado ranks as the second-deadliest and longest-tracked in the state's history, having killed 57 and traveling 202.5 mi (325.9 km); however, excluding outside portions of the track, it ranks third. In general, it is also regarded as one of the most devastating tornadoes to ever strike Mississippi.
In the decades following the tornado, reassessments on the history of the storm have been made; most notably the Jackson, Mississippi branch of the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
and meteorologist Thomas P. Grazulis
Thomas P. Grazulis
Thomas P. Grazulis is a meteorologist who has written extensively about tornadoes and is head of the Tornado Project....
both indicate that there were two separate tornadoes. Based on reports from residents who experienced the tornado, a second one formed as the original dissipated, a common occurrence in cycling supercell thunderstorms. Though there is agreement on this feature, the results have not been implemented into the National Climatic Data Center
National Climatic Data Center
The United States National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina is the world's largest active archive of weather data. The center became established in late 1951, with the move into the new facility occurring in early 1952....
's severe weather database, thus it is still officially considered one tornado. According to the study by Grazulis, the tornado dissipated over Leake County and a second tornado, estimated at F2 strength, touched down in Pickens County, Alabama. However, this leaves a gap in the track over Neshoba County where one person was killed.
On the 40th anniversary of the tornado, the National Weather Service in Jackson published a section on the tornado titled "If the Tornado Happened Today," briefly detailing the scale of damage in relation to the new developments since the tornado. Given that the exact same tornado took place in 2006, the loss of life would be considerably higher. Striking at rush hour
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
, numerous vehicles would be in the path of the tornado as it crossed Interstates
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
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...
and 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...
as well as U.S. Route 80
U.S. Route 80
U.S. Route 80 is an east–west United States highway, much of which was once part of the early auto trail known as the Dixie Overland Highway. As the "0" in the route number indicates, it was originally a cross-country route, from the Atlantic to the Pacific...
. Despite vastly improved warning systems, the population density of Jackson would lean towards a higher likelihood of fatalities.
See also
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks