Tornadoes of 2000
Encyclopedia
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2000, primarily (but not entirely) in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the summer season.
. January was inactive with just 16 tornado reports. Activity in February was high, with several strong tornadoes throughout the South. March was also quite active, with a notable tornado in Fort Worth, Texas
taking place at the end of the month. The spring months saw normal activity, with substantial outbreaks in both April and May. Most of June was marked by below normal activity, with 135 tornadoes confirmed. The end of June and all of July had tornado reports nearly every day, resulting in an active early summer period. This activity continued into the beginning of August, but the latter part of the month saw few tornadoes, as well as the start of September. The rest of September was slightly more active. The fall months had normal activity, however a pattern shift at the end of November caused December as a whole to be inactive, even though the F4 storm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was the second-deadliest December tornado since 1950.
Synopsis
The 2000 tornado season as a whole was slightly below normal to near average. There were 1072 tornadoes confirmed in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. January was inactive with just 16 tornado reports. Activity in February was high, with several strong tornadoes throughout the South. March was also quite active, with a notable tornado in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
taking place at the end of the month. The spring months saw normal activity, with substantial outbreaks in both April and May. Most of June was marked by below normal activity, with 135 tornadoes confirmed. The end of June and all of July had tornado reports nearly every day, resulting in an active early summer period. This activity continued into the beginning of August, but the latter part of the month saw few tornadoes, as well as the start of September. The rest of September was slightly more active. The fall months had normal activity, however a pattern shift at the end of November caused December as a whole to be inactive, even though the F4 storm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was the second-deadliest December tornado since 1950.
February
There were 56 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in February.- February 13-14
- A storm system spawned strong tornadoes across the Southeast on February 13 which killed 19 people, all in Southwestern Georgia. The most noteable tornado was an F3 storm that caused 11 fatalities in the city of Camilla, GeorgiaCamilla, GeorgiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 5,669 people, 1,994 households, and 1,405 families residing in the city. The population density was 929.4 people per square mile . There were 2,128 housing units at an average density of 348.9 per square mile...
. Several other states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee were affected on the 13th, and a few weak tornadoes struck the Carolinas on the 14th.
March
There were 102 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in March.- March 28
- A low-end F3 tornado struck the city of Fort Worth, TexasFort Worth, TexasFort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
on March 28 killing 2 people and injuring 80. The storm took a 4-mile path through the city, damaging skyscrapers and other high-rise buildings. In addition to this tornado, a small outbreak of tornadoes produced another F3 storm which traveled one mile through Arlington, TexasArlington, TexasArlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
caused $500 million dollars in damage and left about 80 people homeless.
April
There were 135 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in April.- April 3
- A storm system spawned 29 tornadoes from Texas to South Carolina on April 3, mainly F0 and F1 storms. One of the stongest tornadoes, an F2, killed 1 person in Piedmont, AlabamaPiedmont, AlabamaPiedmont is a city in Calhoun and Cherokee counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 5,120 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. Many surrounding communities utilize the 36272 ZIP code, including Spring Garden, Rock Run,...
- April 23
- An outbreak of tornadoes on April 23, Easter Sunday, produced 33 tornadoes across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, with 3 of these being rated F3. An F1 tornado moved through Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, LouisianaShreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
injuring 6 people.
May
There were 241 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in May.- May 11-12
- On May 11, an F3 tornado killed 1 person near Cedar Falls, IowaCedar Falls, IowaCedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
. On May 12, another F3 storm caused 2 fatalities in Laguna Park, TexasLaguna Park, TexasLaguna Park is an unincorporated community in Bosque County in Central Texas. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 550 in 2000....
.
- May 17-18
- A storm system produced 69 tornadoes from May 17 to May 18, which occurred from Colorado to New York. Most were rated F0, but one powerful F3 storm near Brady, NebraskaBrady, NebraskaBrady is a village in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the North Platte, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 366 at the 2000 census...
injured 2 and can be seen on video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-tgDx_amc8.
July
There were 148 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in July.- July 14 (Canada)
- A severe thunderstorm over the rockies tracked eastward across the province during the early evening on July 14. At 7:00 MDTMDTMDT may refer to:* Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD® software for manufacturing, purpose-built to accelerate the mechanical design process.* Maggot Debridement Therapy, usage of live maggots to clean wounds with necrotic tissue...
, an F3 tornado touched down and moved toward Green Acres Campground at Pine LakePine Lake-United States:Communities* Pine Lake, Georgia* Pine Lake, Wisconsin, a town* Pine Lake, Iron County, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community* Pine Lake Township, Cass County, Minnesota* Pine Lake Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota...
. 12 at the campground were killed and over 100 were injured. Winds up to 300 km/h (190 mph) caused $15.2 million dollars (2000 Canadian Dollars) in damage to the campground. Overall, it ranks as the fourth-deadliest tornado in Canadian history.
- July 25
- On July 25, a moderate outbreak of 14 tornadoes took place across Minnesota. 12 of these were rated F0, however a violent F4 storm hit the city of Granite FallsGranite FallsGranite Falls can refer to:United States*Granite Falls, Minnesota*Granite Falls Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota*Granite Falls, North Carolina*Granite Falls, WashingtonCanada*Granite Falls...
, which killed one and injured 15. Millions of dollars in damage occurred across the city's residential areas. This tornado is ranked as one of the strongest in Minnesota's history.
September
There were 47 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in September.- September 20
- On September 20, 4 tornadoes touched down across Ohio. The most notable storm was an F4 tornado that moved through Xenia, OhioXenia, OhioXenia is a city in and the county seat of Greene County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio 21 miles from Dayton and is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. 1 person was killed and 100 were injured along its 21 mile path, which paralleled the path of the famous tornado in 1974. It was that tornado which prompted local officials to install 10 tornado sirens across Greene County, OhioGreene County, OhioGreene County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 161,573 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Xenia, and it was named for General Nathanael Greene, an officer in the Revolutionary War. Greene County was established on March 24, 1803.Greene County is part...
, which failed to function during the tornado, due to power outages and no battery backup system. In the end, 48 homes were destroyed and 125 were damaged by the tornado.
December
There were 26 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in December.- December 16
- After a lull in activity, a storm system produced a moderate outbreak of tornadoes on December 16, the strongest which killed 11 and injured 125 in TuscaloosaTuscaloosaTuscaloosa is the name of two places in the United States of America:*Tuscaloosa, Alabama*Tuscaloosa County, AlabamaThere is also:*USS Tuscaloosa , U.S. Navy New Orleans-class heavy cruiser*USS Tuscaloosa , U.S...
and was rated as a violent F4 storm. The tornado moved through portions of Southeastern Tuscaloosa destroying 110 homes and causing $12 million in damages (2000 US Dollar). This tornado is tied as the second-deadliest December tornado since 1950, only behind the F5 in Vicksburg, MississippiVicksburg, MississippiVicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
on December 5, 1953. In the end, the entire outbreak of 24 tornadoes was responsible for 12 fatalities and $35 million in damage across 7 states.
External links
- U.S. tornadoes in 2000 - Tornado History Project
- Storm Data "2000 Annual Summaries" (NCDC)