Tornadoes of 2008
Encyclopedia
This page documents the tornado
es and tornado outbreak
s that occurred in 2008, 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 Northern Hemisphere
's summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe
, e. g. in the United Kingdom
, Poland
or in Germany
.
There were 2,192 tornadoes reported in the United States (of which 1,691 were confirmed), with 125 confirmed fatalities. This made 2008 the deadliest year in that country since 1998. Nine other fatalities have been reported elsewhere in the world; three in France
, two each in Bangladesh
and Poland
, and one each in Russia
and China
. With 1,691 confirmed tornadoes, 2008 ranked as the second most active US tornado season on record; only 2004
had more tornadoes with 1,817 confirmed tornadoes. The U.S. State
of Kansas
received the most tornadoes in the United States in 2008 with 187.
The winter months of January and February (usually a fairly quiet time of year for severe weather) were unusually active in 2008 in the US, with several major outbreaks taking place. The first major outbreak took place on the week of January 7, which was unusually far north for January. February saw a new record for tornadoes in that month, with one of the most prolific outbreaks in recent years (and the deadliest since 1985) taking place on February 5, and three smaller outbreaks also taking place later in the month. March was also fairly active, but not at record levels. Steady activity in the first week of the month, an outbreak on March 15 and additional activity at month's end were mostly responsible. April was also active, which was due to steady tornado activity throughout the month despite the fact there were no prolific outbreaks.
From the beginning of May until mid-June, severe weather was frequent and widespread across the US. Beginning with a significant outbreak on May 2, there were many major outbreaks over that period with smaller outbreaks occurring almost daily. Over that six-week period, well over 600 tornadoes were reported in the US, with many destructive tornadoes over that time frame. The worst tornado events were on May 10, May 23, May 25 and June 11.
After that, activity calmed down somewhat to a more normal pace in the second half of June and into July with several smaller severe weather events. The summer and early fall months from July to September ran somewhat above average in the US; tropical cyclone
s and their remnants were mostly responsible from mid-August through mid-September, particularly from Tropical Storm Fay
, Hurricane Gustav
and Hurricane Ike
which each resulted in large numbers of tornadoes (mostly weak). Activity dropped significantly in October, with below normal activity and no major outbreaks. The relative inactivity continued into November, which was also below normal. Activity returned to a slightly above normal rate in December, with most of the activity in mid-month.
Overseas, the months of July and August were quite active in Europe though, with several significant tornado events, including at least one major outbreak.
NOAA concluded there "is no evidence for a detected change in tornado activity to date due to greenhouse gas emission increases."
A rarity for January in the Midwest, the first significant severe weather event of the year developed in the Central U.S
on January 7. Over 70 tornadoes were reported that day, including major tornadoes dominated by two supercell areas.
In the late afternoon, a rare series of tornadoes took place in northern Illinois
and southeastern Wisconsin
with major structural damage reported in the Wheatland
, Wisconsin area. WISN-TV
reported that 11 homes were destroyed or flattened and nine others heavily damaged. 15 people were injured there. That was only the second January tornado on record in Wisconsin, the other being on January 24, 1967 during the 1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak
. The community of Lawrence, Illinois was evacuated
after a tornado derailed railroad cars, including two carrying hazardous materials. Five people were injured in Illinois.
Another round of tornadoes took place in the Springfield
, Missouri area. A tornado emergency
was declared for Springfield as a large tornado tracked across the area in the early evening. Two people were killed near Marshfield
and another was killed near Strafford
, both in or near mobile homes as additional tornadoes developed across southwestern Missouri in the late evening hours. On January 8, more severe weather took place, including a tornado near Appleton, Arkansas, where one person was killed.
Hot on the heels of the previous outbreak, another severe weather event occurred across the Southern United States
on January 10 as a new system moved across the region. The Storm Prediction Center upgraded the threat to a moderate risk late that morning as tornadoes were expected, particularly in Alabama
, Mississippi
and Tennessee
. 20 tornadoes were reported and four EF3 tornadoes were confirmed including in Attala
, Lowndes County
in Mississippi and Tuscaloosa County
, Alabama. A tornado emergency
was also issued for Lamar County
, Alabama after one tornado caused extensive damage across the Mississippi-Alabama state line at an elementary school in Caledonia
and areas west of Vernon
.
, Washington area. The initial touchdown was at 12:14 pm PST (2014 UTC), near the intersection of NW 78th St. and NW Hazel Dell Blvd. The tornado was an EF1 that touched down intermittently over a 2 mile (3.2 km) path. It knocked down about 200 trees and left minor damage to 12 houses.
) tornado touched down in Limburg, Belgium
late on January 21. The tornado was on the ground for a short time, traveling 1.4 miles (2.3 km) with an average width of 55 yards (50.3 m). Substantial damage was caused to roofs and barns.
tracked across the central US on January 29, with extremely cold weather behind the front. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the lower Ohio Valley. Five tornadoes were reported across the region, although most of the damage was due to straight-line winds from a serial derecho
which caused significant and widespread damage across the Ohio Valley region with winds of up to 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) .
It was later found that two people were killed in a mobile home
in Posey County
, Indiana by an isolated EF2 tornado embedded in the squall line
. A third fatality took place in Clark County
, Indiana due to an EF1 tornado. Other tornadoes hit Speedway
, Indiana and a suburban area in Louisville
, Kentucky, both were EF1. Two other deaths took place in Arkansas
from straight-line wind damage.
A powerful low pressure system across the central Plains
started to move eastward beginning on February 4. On the morning of February 4, the Storm Prediction Center issued a slight risk of severe weather from central Texas
to the lower Ohio River
Valley. At the same time, a moderate risk of severe weather for February 5 was issued for parts of the lower Mississippi River
Valley and the lower Ohio River
Valley westward to the Ozarks, which was surrounded by a large slight risk area. However, on February 4, the thunderstorm cells remained elevated and linear, and no tornadoes were reported.
On the morning of February 5, a high risk was issued for part of the region, particularly Arkansas
, for the threat of strong to violent tornadoes. Later that morning, the high risk area was expanded to cover the lower Ohio Valley as well. It was the first high risk issued in February since 1998.
131 tornadoes were reported (87 confirmed). At 5:30 pm CST (2330 UTC), several tornadoes were reported in the Memphis
area and a tornado emergency
was issued for much of the Memphis metropolitan area after a large and dangerous tornado was reported near Horn Lake
, Mississippi. Major damage was reported across Southaven
and southeast Memphis, including industrial buildings destroyed and severe damage to Hickory Ridge Mall
. At Memphis International Airport
, an airline hangar had its roof removed, and the FedEx
fire station suffered roof damage. Four fatalities were reported, three in a metropolitan Memphis office complex and one in Somerville
, Tennessee.
Another tornado emergency
was declared around 7:00 pm CST (0100 UTC) for Jackson
, Tennessee, followed by another one around 7:30 pm CST (0130 UTC) for areas to the northeast. Union University
sustained heavy damage and was closed until February 18. Two fatalities were reported in Huntersville, Tennessee and two were killed near Morris Chapel in Hardin County
, Tennessee as a result of the severe weather.
Massive damage was reported in Sumner County
, Tennessee after a tornado sparked a natural gas explosion at a gas pumping plant in Macon County, Tennessee just northeast of Nashville
. Seven fatalities were confirmed in Sumner County and 13 were killed in Macon County, with reports of injuries numbering in the hundreds. Two additional deaths were reported in nearby Trousdale County. All 22 deaths were caused by one tornado, rated an EF3, making this the deadliest single tornado to hit Middle Tennessee in 75 years (deadliest in the US since Evansville Tornado of November 2005
). In total, 57 people died in the outbreak.
and Florida
on February 12. 21 tornadoes were reported across the region after a squall line
broke into bow echo
segments. One EF1 and five EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. A woman was killed in Independence
, Louisiana when she was picked up and thrown outside a hospital. Other tornadoes took place in Cocoa Beach
, Florida and Everglades City, Florida.
A cold front moved across the southern United States beginning on February 16. One confirmed tornado in Louisiana
's Pointe Coupee Parish
left damage over an 8 mile (13 km) long track with one home severely damaged. There were no reported deaths or injuries. Additional activity took place in Texas that afternoon, but far less than expected. This event continued into February 17 with the presence of a longwave trough and strong upper-level winds over the central Gulf Coast states, and new supercells developed later that day, producing tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle
and Alabama
. 24 tornadoes were confirmed out of 50 reports (however, some were later confirmed as straight-line winds). Severe damage was also reported in Prattville
, Alabama, however no fatalities were reported. An EF2 tornado in Greene, North Carolina
injured three people. Two mobile homes had their roofs torn off and a two story home was leveled. In the mid-afternoon, a tornado emergency
was issued for the area around Prattville
, Alabama, and a long-track EF3 tornado was confirmed in the area, with 50 injuries but no fatalities.
beginning late on February 25 and continuing into February 26. Several tornadoes took place embedded in a serial derecho
which hit the region hard with 90 miles per hour (144.8 km/h) winds. The strongest tornado was an EF3 near Carrollton
, Georgia in the early morning of February 26.
One person was killed in Leeds
, Alabama after a tree crashed into a mobile home. Initially thought to have been straight-line winds, it was later confirmed as an EF1 tornado.
.
The first round of activity began on the afternoon of March 2, with supercells developing across Oklahoma
with isolated severe weather reports, and a couple unconfirmed tornadoes in what was primarily a wind event. More activity took place on March 3, with a notable tornado in Amite County
severely damaging two homes. However, overall activity was much lower than expected. The severe weather continued on March 4 across the Southeast
and Mid-Atlantic States
, where several more tornado reports and widespread wind damage was reported. One person was killed in a mobile home in Blount County
, Tennessee by straight-line winds.
, including an EF1 in Corpus Christi
, Texas on March 6. In the overnight and early morning of March 7, a squall line
tracked across the Gulf of Mexico
and emerged in northern Florida
, with supercells forming within it. Other tornadoes took place near Lake City
, Florida where two people were killed and about 50 homes were damaged.
An isolated supercell developed in west-central Georgia
in the evening of March 14. An EF2 tornado was reported in downtown Atlanta
, which caused damage to several buildings, including the Georgia Dome
(while a SEC Tournament basketball game
was underway), the World Congress Center, Philips Arena
(during an Atlanta Hawks
game), and CNN Center
. Many windows were blown out of the Omni Hotel, which was evacuated. Nine people were injured and there was one death from the tornado. The tornado was later confirmed as an EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and had a path length of about 6 miles (9.7 km) long and 200 yards (182.9 m) wide. The Georgia insurance commissioner's office made a final cost tally of a half-billion dollars (100 million at the GWCC alone), making it one of the most expensive tornadoes in history.
On March 15, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for the same area, with more tornadoes possible. At midday, the risk area was extended to the Carolina Coast. Later that day, a high risk was issued for Northern Georgia
and part of South Carolina
. Two people were killed in Georgia by a tornado. A tornado emergency
was also issued on the afternoon of March 15 for Atlanta and its immediate suburbs for a tornado that did not occur, although the extremely ominous rotating cloud was shown live on TV towercam.
on the evening of March 30. Isolated supercells developed along the dryline in western Oklahoma
in the late evening hours, continuing into the overnight hours. The storms approached the Oklahoma City
metro area
after dark, and produced an EF1 tornado in Edmond
, Oklahoma, around 1:50 am CDT (0650 UTC) on March 31. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather from northeastern Texas
to southwestern Missouri
on the morning of March 31. There were 11 tornadoes confirmed in southwest Missouri, with the strongest being an EF2 near Buffalo
, Missouri.
On April 3, an EF2 tornado struck the Little Rock
metropolitan area
. The tornado damaged areas of the central part of Little Rock and moved past the National Weather Service office in North Little Rock, where the airport also sustained damage to hangars and aircraft. There were 10 confirmed tornadoes that struck central Arkansas on this day. More supercells developed on April 4 across the south. 21 tornadoes were reported in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Significant damage was reported near Vicksburg
and north of Jackson
, where 20 people were injured by an EF2 tornado in the area.
, Michigan, where it damaged a horse barn and a trailer.
Cells began to develop across parts of Texas
on the afternoon of April 9. An intense supercell in the late afternoon developed near Breckenridge
, Texas, where a tornado emergency
was declared. The tornado hit the southern edge of the town, where 15 people were injured. Several other tornadoes were reported across both Texas and Oklahoma
ahead of a powerful squall line
, and significant wind damage from a serial derecho
was reported in the overnight hours. Eight tornadoes were confirmed on April 9 and the early morning hours of April 10, including two EF0, four EF1 and two EF2.
Also on April 10, two tornadoes were reported with both of them being confirmed as EF0 tornadoes, which touched down in southeastern Missouri
with several others reported during the evening across southern Iowa
where there were reports of damage. Five tornadoes were reported across the Des Moines
, Iowa coverage area including two EF0 and three EF1.
While no tornadoes were reported across most of the areas of Arkansas and Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours, as a forecast major tornado outbreak did not materialize; one EF1 tornado was later confirmed in Grant and Saline Counties, but for earlier storms. One EF0 tornado in St. Joseph, Missouri left some minor damage and one person injured.
Another round of severe weather began on the morning of April 11, with two main supercell areas - one stretching from central Kentucky
to central Mississippi
, and another in the central Great Lakes
. One confirmed EF3 tornado caused extensive damage to some homes and buildings as well as one injury north of Lawrenceburg
in Lawrence County, Tennessee and continued into Wayne County
, Tennessee. Another tornado, rated a high-end EF1 in Warren County, Tennessee damaged 60 homes about 11 miles (17.7 km) west of to 5 miles (8 km) northeast of McMinnville
. 10 tornadoes were reported from Alabama to Kentucky. Damaging wind gusts as high as 86 miles per hour (138.4 km/h) caused significant structural damage in downtown Gadsden
, Alabama, while in Hoover
, Alabama, parts of the roof of an apartment complex collapsed. 11 tornadoes, including five in Kentucky (two EF1 and three EF2), four in Alabama (all of them EF0) and two in Tennessee (an EF1 and an EF3), were later confirmed.
's first significant tornado event of 2008 took place early on April 9 across the Iberian Peninsula
. The strongest tornado, a high-end F2 (T5
), tracked through parts of Amiãis de Baixo east of Torres Novas
in eastern Portugal
. Six people were injured in that tornado and significant damage was reported among a 6 mile (10 km) long path. Furthermore, two other tornadoes struck areas in Portugal (near Póvoa e Meadas) and near El Batán in the western Extremadura
region in western Spain
.
, Texas. On April 24, several severe storms spawned a few tornadoes in the Midwest, most of the activity occurring in northern Kansas. Four tornadoes were confirmed across Iowa and Wisconsin on the following day with the strongest being an EF2 in Muscatine County
, Iowa.
There were 15 confirmed tornadoes on April 28 as low-topped supercells developed in eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina. The three stronger tornadoes were in Suffolk
, Virginia, Colonial Heights, Virginia
, and Brunswick County
, Virginia near Freeman. The other three tornadoes were located in the Claremont area of Surry County
, Virginia, Carrsville in Isle of Wight County
, Virginia, and the border of Mathews County, and Gloucester County
, Virginia. These tornadoes were less damaging than the ones mentioned above. The tornadoes are reported to have injured more than 200 people. Many houses were damaged or destroyed. Also, the Southpark Mall
in Colonial Heights and one elementary school were heavily damaged. Damage was also reported to a Suffolk hospital after cars were tossed around by the wind. One fatality was reported, but was found to not be storm-related. Eight tornadoes in Virginia and one in North Carolina were confirmed and rated including the EF3 storm that hit Suffolk. The Brunswick County tornado as well as the storm in Colonial Heights were both rated EF1.
from east of Wichita
to near Kansas City
on May 1 and later was extended to northeastern Oklahoma
. Scattered tornadoes were reported from Iowa
to Oklahoma
. There were reports of a wedge tornado near Ralston
, Oklahoma according to KOCO-TV
and KFOR-TV
coverage and storm chasers. A total of 19 tornadoes were reported, although no significant damage from tornadoes were reported.
In the overnight hours, a strong squall line
/serial derecho
formed across the central US. Widespread tree and building damage was reported across the Kansas City metropolitan area
. Winds as strong as 85 mph (136 km/h) were reported, and many power outages also took place, impacting about 50,000 customers. About 200 buildings were destroyed and many others damaged.
The SPC had also issued a moderate risk for Day 2 for the Mississippi River Valley area from Springfield
, Illinois to near Shreveport
, Louisiana and was revised further south on May 2. The SPC lists six fatalities in Arkansas from three possible tornadoes in Conway, Van Buren, and Pulaski Counties. At least 50 tornadoes have been reported, most of them in central and southern Arkansas
districts of Bangladesh
on May 5. Two people were killed and seven others were injured as a result of a tornado that hit some corrugated structures. Straight-line winds caused numerous other fatalities in the area.
A moderate risk was also issued for southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas on May 7. A possible tornado reported in the Oklahoma City
Metropolitan Area produced some damage according to KFOR-TV
and KOCO-TV
including to the roof of a Sam's Club
store but mostly to trees and some power lines cutting power to 16,000 customers including in Bethany
and north Oklahoma City. A gas line in Bethany also ruptured causing a gas leak in the area. One report indicated a tornado near Wiley Post Airport
and was previously filmed as a wall cloud and funnel near 164th Street in South Oklahoma City. KOCO reported a wind of up to 124 mph (200 km/h) at the station snapping a tree. Damage was also reported to trees near KFOR-TV's station. Near Yukon
another tornado was reported causing localized roof damage. Widespread wind damage was also reported across eastern Oklahoma during the evening hours and one person was injured near Paoli
A total of ten tornadoes were reported including one in Casper
, Wyoming. Five tornadoes including four EF0 and an EF1 were confirmed.
On May 8, severe weather shifted east of the Mississippi River and produced a tornado in the Tupelo
area causing some damage to some buildings including a Department of Transportation building at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Damage was also reported near the Tupelo Regional Airport
as well as at the Tupelo Furniture Market. Residential damage was minimal with only portions of roofs removed from several homes. A tornado near the Alabama-Tennessee state line also caused some structural damage. 21 tornadoes were reported across three different areas including Kansas
and Ohio
and at least eight have been confirmed and rated including the EF3 in Tupelo, three EF0, three EF1 and an EF2
More tornadoes developed that evening across North Carolina
with unconfirmed reports in Virginia
and Maryland
as well. Central North Carolina was hardest hit, with several communities sustaining severe damage. Late on the 8th or early on the 9th, one person was killed and three were injured by a confirmed tornado near Greensboro
, North Carolina. It was given a preliminary rating of EF2, with windspeeds of around 130 miles per hour. Planes at the Piedmont Triad International Airport
and several buildings including warehouses and businesses were damaged. A confirmed EF3 tornado was reported to have hit Forsyth County, North Carolina, with windspeeds of up to 140 miles per hour. The worst damage occurred near Frye Bridge Road and Moss Creek Lane near Clemmons
, an area was also hit by an F3 almost exactly 10 years earlier causing major damage throughout the town. Two other tornadoes including an EF1 and an EF2 were confirmed in southwestern Virginia.
Hot on the heels of the previous severe weather event, another severe weather event developed May 10 and 11. A moderate risk of severe weather was forecast from the Carolina Coast southward through most of Georgia. Significant tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds have been reported, with at least 23 people killed.
The activity was slow to develop with only elevated hail-producing cells, but late in the afternoon, several supercells developed across eastern Oklahoma
with reports of large and dangerous tornadoes. The worst tornado caused EF4 damage in Newton County, Missouri. Significant damage has been reported in several communities, with at least 23 deaths reported (21 by tornadoes). Thirteen people were killed in Newton County, one near Purdy
, Missouri, one near Carthage
, Missouri, 6 deaths near Picher
, Oklahoma, and one in Laurens County
, Georgia. More are feared dead or trapped in the rubble. Another death was reported near Carthage
, Missouri due to straight-line winds.
and the Carolinas. While most of the reports were for wind or hail, several tornadoes touched down in the region. The most notable tornado was in the area of Holly Springs
, Georgia, where about 2500 houses were damaged by a strong(high-end EF2) but very large wedge tornado. Four people were injured there.
, California. It was reported from March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley
, California and produced generally minor damage to structures. Another touchdown was located in Corona
, California and more funnel clouds were reported near Hemet
, California and Lake Elsinore
, California. Some of the damage reported include a flipped semi-trailer truck and a train derailment. In the end, four tornadoes were confirmed, with the Moreno Valley tornado being an EF2 - the strongest in the state since 1998.
weekend for various regions across the Great Plains
and Midwest, including the risk for further tornadoes. The risk area was upgraded to a high risk for parts of Kansas
later in the afternoon of May 22. The Storm Prediction Center
stated that "a regional tornado outbreak appears likely".
At about 11:30 am MDT (1730 UTC) on May 22, a powerful tornado touched down in Weld County
, Colorado moving through the towns of Gilcrest
and Milliken
, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Denver
. A preliminary damage survey indicated that the tornado was likely an EF3. Weld County officials closed U.S. 85
at Highway 60 after two semi-trailers were blown over at that location. The truck drivers were not believed to be injured. As many as 60,000 customers were without electrical power in Greeley
and other communities in the area. The tornado slammed into a business park in Windsor
, reportedly flattening several buildings, and knocked a cut of railroad car
s off their axles. The area was described as "total destruction" by an emergency responder. A 52-year-old man was killed at a campground near Greeley, while thirteen people were treated at hospitals, and more than 100 others received medical attention for minor injuries. 596 homes were damaged, with 102 deemed unsafe to occupy Tornadoes were also reported in the Laramie
, Wyoming area with damage reported to two schools and a Wal-Mart
, and parts of Interstate 80
were closed due to many accidents. The Governor of Colorado
Bill Ritter declared a state of emergency
and activated the Colorado National Guard
in Weld County. Many more tornadoes took place in western Kansas and southwestern Nebraska later in the afternoon and evening, but most were in open country and no fatalities were reported.
On May 23, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe storms for most of the same areas affected by the previous day's tornadoes, including central Kansas
, southwestern Nebraska
, far northeastern Colorado
and far southeastern Wyoming
. Strong tornadoes and damaging hail are again expected in these and surrounding areas.
Tornadoes ripped through western and central Kansas. An estimated 20 tornadoes touched down in Gove
, Sheridan
, Ness
, Rooks
and Ellis
counties. Two people were injured in the Quinter
area. In Ellis
, The town was struck by two confirmed tornadoes that ripped a hole in a high school roof, broke windows, severely damaged small structures and left the town without power, but no homes were flattened and there were few injuries. The storm also wreaked havoc on Interstate 70
, as numerous tractor trailers were overturned, and one was even carried across the road to land on the other side.
On May 24, tornadoes battered Oklahoma and Kansas. A tornado destroyed three barns at a hog farm near Lacey in Kingfisher County
, Oklahoma, about 75 miles northwest of Oklahoma City
. No injuries were reported at the farm or elsewhere in the state. In Garfield County
, Oklahoma, a trailer was blown onto State Highway 74 near Covington
and power lines were downed. In Kansas, two people were killed when their car was blown about 150 yards off a highway near Pratt
.
On May 25, tornadoes touched down in Cedar Falls
, Dunkerton
, Parkersburg
, and on the Butler
/Grundy
County line in Iowa. Residents in Parkersburg were evacuated because of a gas leak. The damage in Parkersburg was extensive with damage to at least four major businesses and a high school, with more than 400 homes damaged and 222 of them destroyed Twenty-one commercial buildings, including City Hall, were also destroyed in Parkersburg.
A tornado was also spotted in Dunkerton that caused considerable damage. In Cedar Falls, trees were uprooted, but there was no further damage. Seven people (five in Parkersburg and two in New Hartford
) were killed and at least 50 people were injured in Iowa. The damage in Parkersburg and New Hartford was rated EF5 while damage was rated EF2/EF3 further east. An EF1 tornado touched down in Coon Rapids
, Minnesota and tracked six miles. An EF3 then touched down in Hugo
, killing a 2-year-old and seriously injuring nine others. 50 homes were destroyed and another 150 were damaged.
A major severe weather outbreak was expected over the Midwest, stretching eastward into the Great Lakes
region. The Storm Prediction Center issued a high risk of severe weather for portions of eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and extreme southeast South Dakota for May 29 with a moderate risk stretching from north central Kansas to southwestern Minnesota. Later during the day, a moderate risk was issued for May 30 from northeastern Missouri to northern Indiana.
Tornadoes struck central Nebraska, causing damage to businesses and homes. A tornado touched down near Aurora
, damaging a few businesses and at least one house on the outskirts of town. Tornadoes were also reported in Kearney
, where 90 rail cars were blown off the tracks outside the city limits. There were reports of downed trees and power lines throughout Kearney, and reports of damage on the University of Nebraska at Kearney
campus and at a county fairgrounds. A tornado also swept through a rural area near Belleville
in north-central Kansas, damaging about six homes, but no injuries were reported. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman
declared a state of emergency, which allowed access to state and federal resources for storm cleanup. On May 30, 18 people were injured as an EF2 tornado tore through the east side of Indianapolis
. A line of storms also struck Illinois, spawning one tornado that damaged four homes, several outbuildings, and a grain bin near Waverly
and Auburn
.
On May 31, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the Mid-Atlantic
and Northeastern United States
. Activity was mostly limited to hail and damaging wind events although a few tornadoes were reported.
More severe weather took place in the central US in the first week of June. A moderate risk was issued for June 3 across the Ohio Valley, with both significant tornadoes and a derecho event possible. In Indiana, an EF3 tornado ripped through Moscow
at about 10:30 pm EDT (0330 UTC). 10 people were injured in Moscow, with one victim who died two months later after getting impaled in the upper chest by a 3-inch (7.6 cm) diameter tree limb. Fifty buildings were damaged, along with military and civilian vehicles in Camp Atterbury
, with two soldiers suffering minor injuries. A covered bridge
was also destroyed. There were 18 reported tornadoes on June 3. The threat continued on June 4 with another moderate risk in the Mid-Atlantic States
, where a derecho event developed in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area
that afternoon, knocking out power to 200,000 customers. In Annandale
, Virginia, a woman was killed when a tree fell on top of her vehicle. The death was caused by straight-line winds. An EF0 tornado also struck Chesapeake Beach
, Maryland, injuring five people and damaging 14 homes and one business.
As that system passed, another unseasonably strong low pressure area tracked across the Great Plains
. The Storm Prediction Center anticipated a tornado outbreak beginning June 4 through June 6, including possible "strong...long-tracked tornadoes". A moderate risk of severe storms was issued for both June 4 and 5. In Nebraska, farm buildings were damaged or destroyed by a tornado that hit Ulysses
. Residents of Ceresco
were evacuated from their homes because of downed power lines and trees caused by two EF1 tornadoes that hit the area. Tornadoes also touched down in southern Iowa, causing isolated damage in rural areas. A tornado seriously damaged one house near Emerson
. On June 4, 40 tornadoes were reported (not including those related to the eastern systems).
In the 1300 UTC outlook on June 5, the Storm Prediction Center issued a large high risk area for much of the Great Plains and Upper Midwest, with the potential for many strong to violent tornadoes and/or a large derecho event. Forecasters had warned of a potentially historic outbreak, as computer forecasting models for June 5 resembled those on June 8, 1974, when 39 tornadoes raked the southern Plains and killed 22 people. Wichita State University
canceled evening classes because of the weather predictions. In Craig
, Missouri, three semi-trailer trucks were blown over by a tornado on Interstate 29
. One of the drivers needed to be extricated. 35 tornadoes were reported, but most were in sparsely populated areas. Winds as strong as 92 miles per hour (148.1 km/h) were also reported. While the threat was much lower on June 6, a tornado raked a half-mile (0.80 km) wide path of destruction in northwestern Minnesota, which caused widespread damage in Park Rapids
. A house overlooking Pickerel Lake near Emmaville
was destroyed. A turkey farm near Blueberry Lake was destroyed and a small housing development suffered minor damage.
On June 7, a moderate risk was issued for parts of southern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois and Iowa. Eight tornadoes were confirmed along the entire track from Livingston
to Cook County
including four EF2 tornadoes in Will County
, causing significant damage to some Chicago southern suburbs near the Indiana state line, including Chicago Heights
, Wilmington
, University Park
and Richton Park
. Six injuries were reported with one person injured at Interstate 57
. A tornado was also spotted in Lake County
north of Chicago during the early evening hours. In Wisconsin, six people suffered minor injuries after a tornado ripped through Columbia County
.
On June 8, two tornadoes touched down in Millard
, Nebraska at about 2:15 am CDT (0715 UTC) before merging into one. The EF1 and EF2 tornado caused damage to about one hundred homes and businesses. The Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine had its lobby blown off, and a Carquest
store also sustained major damage. In Florida, a tornado struck North Fort Myers, causing minor damage to 44 homes, moderate damage to 12 homes, and destroying one home. One person suffered a minor injury.
In Michigan, three people were killed by non-tornadic winds.
suburb of Rockingham
. The tornado had reached wind speeds of 93 miles per hour (149.7 km/h). The State Emergency Service responded to more than 200 calls for help and the tornado damaged more than 130 homes.
A severe weather event developed on June 11 across the central and northern Plains. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for the region. Four people were killed and 48 people were injured when a tornado struck the Little Sioux Scout Ranch
in Little Sioux
, Iowa. In Kansas, one person was killed in Chapman
when an EF3 tornado damaged 80 percent of the town, including the downtown area. The tornado destroyed 69 homes in Chapman. Another person was killed in the small town of Soldier
, where a tornado damaged 32 homes. In Manhattan
, an EF4 tornado caused significant damage to the southwest side. It also caused damage to Kansas State University
, where Cardwell Hall, Ward Hall, Burt Hall and the engineering complex suffered damage and the Wind Erosion Laboratory was destroyed. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house was also damaged. A tornado also destroyed nine homes and a cabinet manufacturing company in Salina
. On June 12, a total of 24 tornadoes were reported, with four confirmed tornadoes (three EF0 and one EF1) hitting Wisconsin, causing tree damage in Columbia, Green
, and Dane
Counties. An EF0 tornado was also confirmed in Manistee
, Michigan, which tracked through forested land. On June 13, 18 homes suffered damage after an EF0 tornado hit Cape Coral
, Florida. In Missouri, an EF1 tornado hit Grandin
. Two houses were damaged and a large barn had one wall and door blown off and large sections of roof missing.
, Missouri at around 3:30 pm CDT (2030 UTC). The tornado uprooted trees and damaged buildings, including causing a roof to collapse at a furniture store. It was the second tornado to hit the city in 2008; the first was an EF1 that hit the downtown area on January 8. An EF1 tornado also hit Chatham County
, Georgia, damaging a fire station and knocking a steeple
off a church.
province
of Anhui
caused one fatality and destroyed 650 homes in just five minutes. 45 people were injured by the tornado, which caused $2.8 million (18.5 million yuan
) in losses. More than 20,000 people were affected by the tornado and 950 were relocated.
, Missouri. The tornado uprooted trees with one tree falling on a home near Plainview, injuring two people. On June 29, an EF0 tornado hit Johns Island
, South Carolina at around 3:35 pm EDT (1935 UTC). The tornado damaged trees as well as some small structures in the area. Portions of a fence surrounding the St. John's High School stadium were also destroyed.
, with the fatality taking place in Udmurtiya where a house was destroyed. The strongest tornado was at least an F2. Other tornadoes were reported in Germany
, Italy
, Poland
, Croatia
, Latvia
, the Netherlands
and Denmark
.
/North Dakota
border causing damage to trees, roofs, and boats. Among the areas hit were Bottineau
, Rolette
and Towner
Counties in North Dakota as well as Lake Metigoshe and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
in Manitoba. An EF3 tornado destroyed 12 homes and damaged 18 homes in Rolla
and destroyed eight homes and damaged 47 homes in Belcourt
. An EF1 tornado also touched down in Green Lake County
, Wisconsin. On July 8, a barn roof was removed by an EF0 tornado that hit Whitley County
, Indiana. An EF1 tornado ripped off part of a warehouse roof in Petersburg
, Virginia on July 9.
On July 10, two EF0 tornadoes accompanied by strong downburst winds caused damage to homes, farms and crops in Southeast Minnesota
. An EF3 tornado hit Willmar
, Minnesota on July 11, injuring two people, while destroying three homes and damaging eight other homes, three turkey barns, and two businesses. The event on both July 10 and July 11 occurred as two powerful lines of storms including a bow echo crossed the I-94 corridor from the North Dakota/Minnesota border to the Chicago
area producing widespread damaging winds.
in Slovenia
, which was rated a T6 (F3). No injuries were reported but damage was extensive including several houses destroyed and numerous others damaged.
, Minnesota on July 19, destroying a few sheds and causing minor damage to homes. In Wisconsin, an EF1 tornado hit the town of Menasha
, causing damage to an apartment complex and three other buildings.
, Illinois. The tornado also destroyed a barn and ripped out corn stalks. An EF0 tornado touched down in Moraine State Park
in Butler County
, Pennsylvania on July 22; minor damage was reported. On July 23, an EF1 tornado hit Warren
, Rhode Island and Swansea
, Massachusetts, with the majority of damage caused to trees. In Canada, an EF0 tornado was also confirmed near Welland
, Ontario causing damage at a construction site on July 22 at around 5:30 PM
An intense line of storms moved through much of New England
during the day on July 24. The area hardest hit was in central New Hampshire
, particularly around the Epsom
–Deerfield
area, where a confirmed EF2 tornado touched down. The tornado killed one person, destroyed six homes, and damaged 200 other homes. Nine towns suffered heavy damage and six towns suffered minor damage in New Hampshire. A dozen people were injured according to New Hampshire Governor John Lynch. It was the first killer tornado in New England since 1995 and the first killer tornado in New Hampshire since 1946.
moved ashore in extreme South Texas
beginning on July 22 well ahead of landfall. Several tornadoes were reported across the region as a result. The strongest of the tornadoes toppled over a roof and uprooted trees in Bayview
, well to the north of the landfall location. On July 24, an EF0 tornado ripped off roofs from commercial buildings and damaged numerous homes just south of downtown
San Antonio.
A F2 tornado moved through New Hampshire
on July 24, 2008, and caused significant damage, killed one person, injured at least two, and prompted the issuance of a tornado watch for Maine
.
Balsam Lake
near Coboconk
, Ontario destroying a tall stand of forest.
and Boussieres-sur-Sambre in the late hours of the day, killing three people and injuring 13 others. Many homes were severely damaged, tearing the roof off some and collapsing or even blowing down others. Cars were reportedly flung through the air, and the tornado was rated T8 (F4) according to the European Severe Storms Laboratory.
A major progressive derecho
tracked across northern Illinois
and northwest Indiana
, particularly the Chicago metropolitan area, late on August 4 into the early hours of August 5. Three tornadoes were confirmed in the region, with the strongest tornado hitting Griffith
, Indiana, which was an EF2.
Tornado sirens went off in downtown Chicago and fans attending a Major League Baseball
game between the Chicago Cubs
and Houston Astros
were evacuated from the stands to the stadium's concourse. Structural damage was reported, both from the tornadoes and from straight-line winds. Winds as high as 94 miles per hour (151.3 km/h) were also reported. As the storms moved east onto the eastern shore of Lake Michigan
, widespread damage was reported in Lake
, Porter
, and LaPorte
Counties in Indiana. A man driving his car was killed in Michigan City
when high winds knocked a tree onto his car.
and Broward
Counties in Florida on August 14, where a EF1 tornado caused damage to five apartment complexes in Hialeah
. Police in Hialeah also reported that two cars were flipped over by high winds.
. More than 100 homes were damaged or destroyed. Many cars and trucks were flipped over on A4 highway
by strong winds. At least two people were killed and 25 others were injured. Another six tornadoes, which have damaged at least 800 homes, were reported so far. A bus carrying a Polish folk group was directly hit by a tornado and flipped over on national road number 1
. A small tornado was reported in Osipy Kolonia in Poland.
as a result of Tropical Storm Fay
making landfall. The most significant damage was reported in Wellington
, Florida where minor structural damage was reported and many doors and windows were blown out by an EF2 tornado. Damage was also reported near Barefoot Bay
from a possible tornado that resulted in three structures being uninhabitable. Tree damage was also reported in several communities.
Another round of tornadoes related to Fay took place on August 22 and 23. 11 more tornadoes were reported across Florida
into southern Georgia
.
A tornado also set ground on August 25, near the Florida city of Crestview. More tornadoes took place on August 25 through 27 across Alabama
, Georgia and the Carolinas, although most were weak and short lived.
, which made landfall early on September 1 in southern Louisiana
. Most of the tornadoes were weak, although a few were damaging. The most severe damage in the first wave of tornadoes was in Jefferson Parish
, Louisiana (which had already been hit by Gustav's winds and rain), where a tornado late on the afternoon of September 2 destroyed numerous houses, an apartment complex and a restaurant, and damaged many other buildings. More tornadoes were reported on September 2 and the early morning hours of September 3. In Evangeline Parish
, Louisiana near Mamou
, a tornado during the early hours of September 3 damaged several houses and killed two people as well as injuring several others. In total, over the four days, 68 tornadoes were reported and 50 were confirmed.
was confirmed by the National Weather Service
to have touched down in Allentown, PA before 3 pm as a result of Tropical Storm Hanna
. Some houses, many trees, and a portion of Louis E. Dieruff High School
were damaged due to the very brief tornado. No injuries were reported.
approached the upper Texas
coast, the outer bands spawned several tornadoes in Louisiana
. The most notable tornado damaged at least 15 houses in the community of Mamou
, not far from where a tornado killed 2 during Gustav.
At the same time, a cold front tracked across parts of the Midwest
. Several tornadoes were reported in the Kansas City metropolitan area
eastward into central Missouri
with structural damage reported. At least 3 tornadoes have been confirmed with the strongest storm being rated EF1 in Douglas County
, Kansas.
On September 13, the same two systems as they began to combine into one produced two separate tornado areas - one to the east of Ike's track from Louisiana to Missouri
, and another focused in southern Michigan
. An EF2 tornado struck Plymouth Township, Michigan; damaging an apartment complex, flipping over cars, and knocking out power to several hundred residents. A tornado touched down in the village of Paw Paw. Another tornado briefly touched down in Calhoun County by Battle Creek, and headed southeast toward the Homer area before dissipating. dissipating. In Arkansas
, six tornadoes - all rated EF1 - were confirmed.
. The worst tornado, an F2 (T4 on the TORRO scale
), snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees near Marienthal
, Brandenburg
, Germany.
as a small system moved through. The most significant damage was in Enterprise
, Alabama, which was previously devastated on March 1, 2007 by a violent tornado. The civic centre was heavily damaged and several houses and businesses were also damaged by an EF1 tornado there. Other tornadoes were reported in several other communities in the Florida Panhandle
and southern Alabama
, although no injuries were reported. Altogether, 12 tornadoes were confirmed.
after a house was destroyed in Elm City
. Another death was reported in Kenly
. Damage to homes and barns were reported in Sampson
, Johnston
and Wilson counties. At least one EF2 and one EF3 tornado were confirmed in Johnston and Wilson Counties.
es were issued for much of the south-central United States. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of Louisiana
and Mississippi
, including a risk of strong tornadoes. That morning, two tornadoes touched down near Alexandria
, Louisiana causing some damage. Late that afternoon, a strong cell moved into the Yazoo City
, Mississippi area, where a tornado emergency
was declared. A storm chaser reported that homes, outbuildings, and businesses were damaged in Yazoo City, and the tornado was confirmed as an EF2. The tornado risk continued into the Southeastern United States
in the early morning of December 10. A few isolated tornadoes were also reported along the Southeast coast on December 11.
There were a total of 33 tornadoes confirmed and seven people were injured by the tornadoes.
. That morning, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the region, and tornadoes and wind damage developed. At least three tornadoes have been reported, with the most serious damage taking place near Liberty
, Illinois where roofs were thrown off houses. The strongest tornadoes were rated as a high-end EF1, and eight tornadoes were confirmed.
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 that occurred in 2008, primarily (but not entirely) in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern 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...
during the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
's summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, e. g. in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
or in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
There were 2,192 tornadoes reported in the United States (of which 1,691 were confirmed), with 125 confirmed fatalities. This made 2008 the deadliest year in that country since 1998. Nine other fatalities have been reported elsewhere in the world; three in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, two each 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...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and one each 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...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. With 1,691 confirmed tornadoes, 2008 ranked as the second most active US tornado season on record; only 2004
Tornadoes of 2004
-March 4 – 5:-March 27:-April 14:A powerful tornado struck portions of North-Central Bangladesh, killing 111 and injuring nearly 1,500 others.-April 20 – 24:...
had more tornadoes with 1,817 confirmed tornadoes. The U.S. State
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
received the most tornadoes in the United States in 2008 with 187.
Synopsis
From the beginning of May until mid-June, severe weather was frequent and widespread across the US. Beginning with a significant outbreak on May 2, there were many major outbreaks over that period with smaller outbreaks occurring almost daily. Over that six-week period, well over 600 tornadoes were reported in the US, with many destructive tornadoes over that time frame. The worst tornado events were on May 10, May 23, May 25 and June 11.
After that, activity calmed down somewhat to a more normal pace in the second half of June and into July with several smaller severe weather events. The summer and early fall months from July to September ran somewhat above average in the US; tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s and their remnants were mostly responsible from mid-August through mid-September, particularly from Tropical Storm Fay
Tropical Storm Fay (2008)
Tropical Storm Fay was a tropical storm and the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Fay formed from a vigorous tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic...
, Hurricane Gustav
Hurricane Gustav
The name Gustav has been used for five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean:* 1984's Tropical Storm Gustav - Spent most of its existence as a tropical depression hovering over Bermuda, no major damage was reported....
and Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike was the second-costliest hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States, the costliest hurricane ever to impact Cuba and the second most active hurricane to reach the Canadian mainland in the Great Lakes Region after Hurricane Hazel in 1954...
which each resulted in large numbers of tornadoes (mostly weak). Activity dropped significantly in October, with below normal activity and no major outbreaks. The relative inactivity continued into November, which was also below normal. Activity returned to a slightly above normal rate in December, with most of the activity in mid-month.
Overseas, the months of July and August were quite active in Europe though, with several significant tornado events, including at least one major outbreak.
NOAA concluded there "is no evidence for a detected change in tornado activity to date due to greenhouse gas emission increases."
Events
US total tornadoes for 2008 - unofficial final totalsJanuary
There were 136 tornadoes reported in the United States in January, of which 84 were confirmed.January 7–10
Central 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...
on January 7. Over 70 tornadoes were reported that day, including major tornadoes dominated by two supercell areas.
In the late afternoon, a rare series of tornadoes took place in 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,...
and southeastern 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 major structural damage reported in the Wheatland
Wheatland, Wisconsin
Wheatland is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Wisconsin:*Wheatland, Kenosha County, Wisconsin*Wheatland, Vernon County, Wisconsin...
, Wisconsin area. WISN-TV
WISN-TV
WISN-TV, virtual channel 12.1 , is a television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin serving as an affiliate of the ABC television network. Its signal covers most of southeastern Wisconsin and parts of northeastern Illinois, including Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan and Waukesha...
reported that 11 homes were destroyed or flattened and nine others heavily damaged. 15 people were injured there. That was only the second January tornado on record in Wisconsin, the other being on January 24, 1967 during the 1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak
1967 St. Louis Tornado Outbreak
The 1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak was the rare winter outbreak that occurred on January 24, 1967. Thirty-two tornadoes broke out from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. Fourteen tornadoes struck Iowa, nine in Missouri, eight in Illinois, and one in Wisconsin....
. The community of Lawrence, Illinois was evacuated
Emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
after a tornado derailed railroad cars, including two carrying hazardous materials. Five people were injured in Illinois.
Another round of tornadoes took place in the Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri area. 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 Springfield as a large tornado tracked across the area in the early evening. Two people were killed near Marshfield
Marshfield, Missouri
Marshfield is a city in Webster County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,633 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat and part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and another was killed near Strafford
Strafford, Missouri
Strafford is a city in eastern Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population is 2,211 at the 2009 census, a small 2% of the population is African American and only .5% is Hispanic. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, both in or near mobile homes as additional tornadoes developed across southwestern Missouri in the late evening hours. On January 8, more severe weather took place, including a tornado near Appleton, Arkansas, where one person was killed.
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...
on January 10 as a new system moved across the region. The Storm Prediction Center upgraded the threat to a moderate risk late that morning as tornadoes were expected, particularly 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...
, 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 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...
. 20 tornadoes were reported and four EF3 tornadoes were confirmed including in Attala
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...
, Lowndes County
Lowndes County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,586 people, 22,849 households, and 16,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 25,104 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile...
in Mississippi and Tuscaloosa County
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...
, Alabama. 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 also issued for Lamar County
Lamar County, Alabama
Lamar County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, member of the United States Senate from Mississippi. As of 2010 the population was 14,564...
, Alabama after one tornado caused extensive damage across the Mississippi-Alabama state line at an elementary school in Caledonia
Caledonia, Mississippi
Caledonia is a town in Lowndes and Monroe Counties in the U.S. state of Mississippi. It is northeast of Columbus. The population was 1,015 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Caledonia is located at ....
and areas west of Vernon
Vernon, Alabama
Vernon is a city in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,143. The city is the county seat of Lamar County.- Geography :Vernon is located at .According to the U.S...
.
January 10 (Northwest US)
Also on the afternoon of January 10, a rare tornado took place in the Hazel DellHazel Dell, Washington
Hazel Dell is an unincorporated area of Clark County, Washington located north and west of Vancouver, Washington, USA. The area runs parallel to and is bisected by Interstate 5...
, Washington area. The initial touchdown was at 12:14 pm PST (2014 UTC), near the intersection of NW 78th St. and NW Hazel Dell Blvd. The tornado was an EF1 that touched down intermittently over a 2 mile (3.2 km) path. It knocked down about 200 trees and left minor damage to 12 houses.
January 21
A high-end F1 (T3TORRO scale
The TORRO tornado intensity scale is a scale measuring tornado intensity between T0 and T11. It was developed by Terence Meaden of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation , a meteorological organisation in the United Kingdom, as an extension of the Beaufort scale.- History and derivation from...
) tornado touched down in Limburg, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
late on January 21. The tornado was on the ground for a short time, traveling 1.4 miles (2.3 km) with an average width of 55 yards (50.3 m). Substantial damage was caused to roofs and barns.
January 29
A very powerful cold frontCold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
tracked across the central US on January 29, with extremely cold weather behind the front. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the lower Ohio Valley. Five tornadoes were reported across the region, although most of the damage was due to straight-line winds from a 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...
which caused significant and widespread damage across the Ohio Valley region with winds of up to 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) .
It was later found that two people were killed in a mobile home
Mobile home
Mobile homes or static caravans are prefabricated homes built in factories, rather than on site, and then taken to the place where they will be occupied...
in Posey County
Posey County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,061 people, 10,205 households, and 7,612 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile . There were 11,076 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...
, Indiana by an isolated EF2 tornado embedded in the 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....
. A third fatality took place in Clark County
Clark County, Indiana
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, located directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. At the 2010 Census, the population was 110,232. The county seat is Jeffersonville. Clarksville is also a major city in the county...
, Indiana due to an EF1 tornado. Other tornadoes hit Speedway
Speedway, Indiana
Speedway is a town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States. The population was 12,881 at the 2000 census. Speedway is the home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, from which the town derives its name, and is a complete enclave of Indianapolis....
, Indiana and a suburban area in Louisville
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...
, Kentucky, both were EF1. Two other deaths took place 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...
from straight-line wind damage.
February
There were 230 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of February, of which 147 were confirmed. That set a new monthly record for February.February 5–6
Great 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...
started to move eastward beginning on February 4. On the morning of February 4, the Storm Prediction Center issued a slight risk of severe weather from central 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...
to the lower Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
Valley. At the same time, a moderate risk of severe weather for February 5 was issued for parts of the lower 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...
Valley and the lower Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
Valley westward to the Ozarks, which was surrounded by a large slight risk area. However, on February 4, the thunderstorm cells remained elevated and linear, and no tornadoes were reported.
On the morning of February 5, a high risk was issued for part of the region, particularly 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...
, for the threat of strong to violent tornadoes. Later that morning, the high risk area was expanded to cover the lower Ohio Valley as well. It was the first high risk issued in February since 1998.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
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 issued for much of the Memphis metropolitan area after a large and dangerous tornado was reported near Horn Lake
Horn Lake, Mississippi
Horn Lake is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. Horn Lake is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, which is located just a few miles to the north. As of the 2000 U.S...
, Mississippi. Major damage was reported across Southaven
Southaven, Mississippi
-Households And Families:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,977 people, 11,007 households, and 8,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 857.9 people per square mile...
and southeast Memphis, including industrial buildings destroyed and severe damage to Hickory Ridge Mall
Hickory Ridge Mall
Hickory Ridge Mall is a community shopping mall located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is anchored by Sears and America's Incredible Pizza Company. It was severely damaged by a tornado on February 5, 2008...
. At Memphis International Airport
Memphis International Airport
Memphis International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Memphis, a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States....
, an airline hangar had its roof removed, and the FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
fire station suffered roof damage. Four fatalities were reported, three in a metropolitan Memphis office complex and one in Somerville
Somerville, Tennessee
Somerville is a town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area. The population was 3,094 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Fayette County.-History:...
, Tennessee.
Another 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 around 7:00 pm CST (0100 UTC) for Jackson
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
, Tennessee, followed by another one around 7:30 pm CST (0130 UTC) for areas to the northeast. Union University
Union University
Union University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown, Tennessee, and Hendersonville, Tennessee...
sustained heavy damage and was closed until February 18. Two fatalities were reported in Huntersville, Tennessee and two were killed near Morris Chapel in Hardin County
Hardin County, Tennessee
Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. State of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 26,026. The Hardin County seat is Savannah. The county was named posthumously for Col. Joseph Hardin, a Revolutionary War soldier and a legislative representative for the Province of North Carolina and...
, Tennessee as a result of the severe weather.
Massive damage was reported in Sumner County
Sumner County, Tennessee
Sumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 130,449. Its county seat is Gallatin, but its largest town is Hendersonville...
, Tennessee after a tornado sparked a natural gas explosion at a gas pumping plant in Macon County, Tennessee just northeast of Nashville
Nashville, 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...
. Seven fatalities were confirmed in Sumner County and 13 were killed in Macon County, with reports of injuries numbering in the hundreds. Two additional deaths were reported in nearby Trousdale County. All 22 deaths were caused by one tornado, rated an EF3, making this the deadliest single tornado to hit Middle Tennessee in 75 years (deadliest in the US since Evansville Tornado of November 2005
Evansville Tornado of November 2005
- Evansville area tornado :On Sunday, November 6, 2005 at around 1:50 am CST , a tornado touched down 2 miles north-northwest of Smith Mills in Henderson County, Kentucky, near the Indiana/Kentucky border, and then crossed the Ohio River into Vanderburgh County, Indiana...
). In total, 57 people died in the outbreak.
February 12–13
Another low pressure system tracked across the 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...
and Florida
Florida
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...
on February 12. 21 tornadoes were reported across the region after 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....
broke into bow echo
Bow echo
A bow echo is a term describing the characteristic radar return from a mesoscale convective system that is shaped like an archer’s bow. These systems can produce severe straight-line winds and occasionally tornadoes, causing major damage.-Research:...
segments. One EF1 and five EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. A woman was killed in Independence
Independence, Louisiana
Independence, originally known as Uncle Sam, is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,724 at the 2000 census...
, Louisiana when she was picked up and thrown outside a hospital. Other tornadoes took place in Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Cocoa Beach is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,482 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2008, the city had a population of 11,920...
, Florida and Everglades City, Florida.
February 16–18
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...
's Pointe Coupee Parish
Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
Pointe Coupee Parish, pronounced "Pwent Koo-Pay" and , is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Roads. As of 2000, the population was 22,763....
left damage over an 8 mile (13 km) long track with one home severely damaged. There were no reported deaths or injuries. Additional activity took place in Texas that afternoon, but far less than expected. This event continued into February 17 with the presence of a longwave trough and strong upper-level winds over the central Gulf Coast states, and new supercells developed later that day, producing tornadoes across 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...
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...
. 24 tornadoes were confirmed out of 50 reports (however, some were later confirmed as straight-line winds). Severe damage was also reported in Prattville
Prattville, Alabama
Prattville is a city in Autauga and Elmore counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 33,960. Nicknamed "The Fountain City" due to the many artesian wells in the area, Prattville is part of the Montgomery metropolitan statistical area and serves as...
, Alabama, however no fatalities were reported. An EF2 tornado in Greene, North Carolina
Greene County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 18,974 people, 6,696 households, and 4,955 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 7,368 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
injured three people. Two mobile homes had their roofs torn off and a two story home was leveled. In the mid-afternoon, 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 for the area around Prattville
Prattville, Alabama
Prattville is a city in Autauga and Elmore counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 33,960. Nicknamed "The Fountain City" due to the many artesian wells in the area, Prattville is part of the Montgomery metropolitan statistical area and serves as...
, Alabama, and a long-track EF3 tornado was confirmed in the area, with 50 injuries but no fatalities.
February 25–26
Another system tracked across the Deep SouthDeep South
The Deep South is a descriptive category of the cultural and geographic subregions in the American South. Historically, it is differentiated from the "Upper South" as being the states which were most dependent on plantation type agriculture during the pre-Civil War period...
beginning late on February 25 and continuing into February 26. Several tornadoes took place embedded in a 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...
which hit the region hard with 90 miles per hour (144.8 km/h) winds. The strongest tornado was an EF3 near Carrollton
Carrollton, Georgia
Carrollton is a city in West Georgia, United States, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,388...
, Georgia in the early morning of February 26.
One person was killed in Leeds
Leeds, Alabama
Leeds is a tri-county municipality located in Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a suburb of Birmingham. As of the 2009 population estimate, the population of the city is about 11,474.-History:...
, Alabama after a tree crashed into a mobile home. Initially thought to have been straight-line winds, it was later confirmed as an EF1 tornado.
March
There were 150 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of March, of which 129 were confirmed.March 2–4
On the morning of March 2, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather across parts of the lower Mississippi River Valley for March 3, as a significant severe weather event was expected. The Day 2 Convective Outlook cited the potential for strong tornadoes in the moderate risk area, as well as the potential for large hail and damaging winds. The threat carried over to Day 1 and was extended to the central 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...
.
The first round of activity began on the afternoon of March 2, with supercells developing across 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...
with isolated severe weather reports, and a couple unconfirmed tornadoes in what was primarily a wind event. More activity took place on March 3, with a notable tornado in Amite County
Amite County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,599 people, 5,271 households, and 3,879 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile . There were 6,446 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
severely damaging two homes. However, overall activity was much lower than expected. The severe weather continued on March 4 across the Southeast
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 Mid-Atlantic States
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
, where several more tornado reports and widespread wind damage was reported. One person was killed in a mobile home in Blount County
Blount County, Tennessee
Blount County is a U.S. county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Its population was 123,010 at the United States Census, 2010. The county seat is at Maryville, which is also the county's largest city....
, Tennessee by straight-line winds.
March 6–7
A low pressure system tracked across the southern US on March 6 and 7. It produced several tornadoes along the immediate 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...
, including an EF1 in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
, Texas on March 6. In the overnight and early morning of March 7, 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....
tracked across 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...
and emerged in northern Florida
Florida
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...
, with supercells forming within it. Other tornadoes took place near Lake City
Lake City, Florida
Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, Florida, in the United States. In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 12,614. In addition, it is the Principal City of the Lake City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is composed of Columbia County, and had an...
, Florida where two people were killed and about 50 homes were damaged.
March 14–15
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...
in the evening of March 14. An EF2 tornado was reported in downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta is the first and largest of the three financial districts in the city of Atlanta. Downtown Atlanta is the location of many corporate or regional headquarters, city, county, state and federal government facilities, sporting facilities, and is the central tourist attraction of the city...
, which caused damage to several buildings, including the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
(while a SEC Tournament basketball game
2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2008 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 13–16, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds were televised by Raycom/LF Sports, and the SEC Championship Game was produced by CBS and televised by ESPN2...
was underway), the World Congress Center, Philips Arena
Philips Arena
Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia.Completed in 1999 to replace The Omni, at a cost of $213.5 million, it is home to the Atlanta Hawks, of the National Basketball Association, and the Atlanta Dream, of the Women's National Basketball Association...
(during an Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
game), and CNN Center
CNN Center
The CNN Center is the world headquarters of the Cable News Network . The main newsrooms and studios for several of CNN's news channels are located in the building...
. Many windows were blown out of the Omni Hotel, which was evacuated. Nine people were injured and there was one death from the tornado. The tornado was later confirmed as an EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and had a path length of about 6 miles (9.7 km) long and 200 yards (182.9 m) wide. The Georgia insurance commissioner's office made a final cost tally of a half-billion dollars (100 million at the GWCC alone), making it one of the most expensive tornadoes in history.
On March 15, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for the same area, with more tornadoes possible. At midday, the risk area was extended to the Carolina Coast. Later that day, a high risk was issued for Northern 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...
and part of 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...
. Two people were killed in Georgia by a tornado. 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 also issued on the afternoon of March 15 for Atlanta and its immediate suburbs for a tornado that did not occur, although the extremely ominous rotating cloud was shown live on TV towercam.
March 30–31
A low pressure system tracked across the 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 the evening of March 30. Isolated supercells developed along the dryline in western 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...
in the late evening hours, continuing into the overnight hours. The storms approached the Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
metro area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
after dark, and produced an EF1 tornado in Edmond
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,405, making it the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
, Oklahoma, around 1:50 am CDT (0650 UTC) on March 31. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather from northeastern 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...
to southwestern 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...
on the morning of March 31. There were 11 tornadoes confirmed in southwest Missouri, with the strongest being an EF2 near Buffalo
Buffalo, Missouri
Buffalo is a city in Dallas County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,238 at the 2009 census. It is the county seat of Dallas County.Buffalo is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Missouri.
April
There were 189 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of April, of which 189 were confirmed.April 3–4
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
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
. The tornado damaged areas of the central part of Little Rock and moved past the National Weather Service office in North Little Rock, where the airport also sustained damage to hangars and aircraft. There were 10 confirmed tornadoes that struck central Arkansas on this day. More supercells developed on April 4 across the south. 21 tornadoes were reported in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Significant damage was reported near Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg 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,...
and north of 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...
, where 20 people were injured by an EF2 tornado in the area.
April 8–11
On April 8, four tornadoes were reported with an EF1 tornado confirmed in Allegan CountyAllegan County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-196* I-196 Business Loop serves the city of Holland.-US highways:* US-31* US-131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-40* M-89* M-179* M-222-Allegan County Intercounty Highways:* A-2* A-37* A-42* A-45-Demographics:...
, Michigan, where it damaged a horse barn and a trailer.
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...
on the afternoon of April 9. An intense supercell in the late afternoon developed near Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Texas
Breckenridge is a city in Stephens County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,868 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Stephens County...
, Texas, where 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. The tornado hit the southern edge of the town, where 15 people were injured. Several other tornadoes were reported across both Texas 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...
ahead of a powerful 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....
, and significant wind damage from a 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...
was reported in the overnight hours. Eight tornadoes were confirmed on April 9 and the early morning hours of April 10, including two EF0, four EF1 and two EF2.
Also on April 10, two tornadoes were reported with both of them being confirmed as EF0 tornadoes, which touched down in southeastern 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...
with several others reported during the evening across southern 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...
where there were reports of damage. Five tornadoes were reported across the Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, Iowa coverage area including two EF0 and three EF1.
While no tornadoes were reported across most of the areas of Arkansas and Tennessee during the afternoon and evening hours, as a forecast major tornado outbreak did not materialize; one EF1 tornado was later confirmed in Grant and Saline Counties, but for earlier storms. One EF0 tornado in St. Joseph, Missouri left some minor damage and one person injured.
Another round of severe weather began on the morning of April 11, with two main supercell areas - one stretching from central 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...
to central 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 another in the central Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. One confirmed EF3 tornado caused extensive damage to some homes and buildings as well as one injury north of Lawrenceburg
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Lawrenceburg is a city in Lawrence County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,796 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County...
in Lawrence County, Tennessee and continued into Wayne County
Wayne County, Tennessee
As of the census of 2010, there were 17,021 people, 5,822 households, and 4,321 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile . There were 6,701 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
, Tennessee. Another tornado, rated a high-end EF1 in Warren County, Tennessee damaged 60 homes about 11 miles (17.7 km) west of to 5 miles (8 km) northeast of McMinnville
McMinnville, Tennessee
McMinnville is the largest city in and the county seat of Warren County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 13,605 at the 2010 census...
. 10 tornadoes were reported from Alabama to Kentucky. Damaging wind gusts as high as 86 miles per hour (138.4 km/h) caused significant structural damage in downtown Gadsden
Gadsden, Alabama
The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
, Alabama, while in Hoover
Hoover, Alabama
Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
, Alabama, parts of the roof of an apartment complex collapsed. 11 tornadoes, including five in Kentucky (two EF1 and three EF2), four in Alabama (all of them EF0) and two in Tennessee (an EF1 and an EF3), were later confirmed.
April 9 (Southwest Europe)
EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's first significant tornado event of 2008 took place early on April 9 across the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
. The strongest tornado, a high-end F2 (T5
TORRO scale
The TORRO tornado intensity scale is a scale measuring tornado intensity between T0 and T11. It was developed by Terence Meaden of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation , a meteorological organisation in the United Kingdom, as an extension of the Beaufort scale.- History and derivation from...
), tracked through parts of Amiãis de Baixo east of Torres Novas
Torres Novas
Torres Novas is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 270.0 km² and a total population of 37,155 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 17 parishes, and is located in the district of Santarém. The city of Torres Novas has about 15,000 inhabitants. This city has a castle...
in eastern Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Six people were injured in that tornado and significant damage was reported among a 6 mile (10 km) long path. Furthermore, two other tornadoes struck areas in Portugal (near Póvoa e Meadas) and near El Batán in the western Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
region in western Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
April 23–25
21 tornadoes were confirmed across northern and central Texas on April 23. One tornado, rated low-end EF2, produced extensive damage to some homes in CrowleyCrowley, Texas
Crowley is a city in Johnson and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas; virtually all of the city is in Tarrant County, with only about .01 sq mi in Johnson County...
, Texas. On April 24, several severe storms spawned a few tornadoes in the Midwest, most of the activity occurring in northern Kansas. Four tornadoes were confirmed across Iowa and Wisconsin on the following day with the strongest being an EF2 in Muscatine County
Muscatine County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 42,745 in the county, with a population density of . There were 17,910 housing units, of which 16,412 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa.
April 28
Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, United States, and is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,585. Its median household income was $57,546.-History:...
, Virginia, Colonial Heights, Virginia
Tri-Cities, Virginia
The Tri-Cities of Virginia is an area in the Greater Richmond Region which includes the three independent cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell and portions of the adjoining counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George in south-central Virginia...
, and Brunswick County
Brunswick County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,419 people, 6,277 households, and 4,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 7,541 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Virginia near Freeman. The other three tornadoes were located in the Claremont area of Surry County
Surry County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,058 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Virginia, Carrsville in Isle of Wight County
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,270 people, 11,319 households, and 8,670 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 12,066 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, Virginia, and the border of Mathews County, and Gloucester County
Gloucester County, Virginia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King Charles I of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula region, it...
, Virginia. These tornadoes were less damaging than the ones mentioned above. The tornadoes are reported to have injured more than 200 people. Many houses were damaged or destroyed. Also, the Southpark Mall
Southpark Mall
Southpark Mall may refer to:*South Park Mall *SouthPark Mall *Southpark Mall *SouthPark Mall *Southpark Mall *Southpark Mall...
in Colonial Heights and one elementary school were heavily damaged. Damage was also reported to a Suffolk hospital after cars were tossed around by the wind. One fatality was reported, but was found to not be storm-related. Eight tornadoes in Virginia and one in North Carolina were confirmed and rated including the EF3 storm that hit Suffolk. The Brunswick County tornado as well as the storm in Colonial Heights were both rated EF1.
May
There were 597 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of May, of which 461 were confirmed.May 1–2
The Storm Prediction Center issued a Moderate Risk of severe weather for eastern 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...
from east of Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
to near Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
on May 1 and later was extended to northeastern 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...
. Scattered tornadoes were reported from 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...
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...
. There were reports of a wedge tornado near Ralston
Ralston, Oklahoma
Ralston is a town in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 355 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ralston is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, Oklahoma according to KOCO-TV
KOCO-TV
KOCO-TV, virtual channel 5 , is the ABC affiliate in the Oklahoma City television market. The station is owned by Hearst Television, Inc., but uses "Ohio/Oklahoma Hearst Television, Inc." as their end tag during their newscasts, the same licensing purpose corporation as sister Cincinnati, Ohio...
and KFOR-TV
KFOR-TV
KFOR-TV, virtual channel 4 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. KFOR-TV is owned by Local TV, a subsidiary of the private equity group Oak Hill Capital Partners, in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate KAUT-TV ; its studios are located at 444 East Britton Road in...
coverage and storm chasers. A total of 19 tornadoes were reported, although no significant damage from tornadoes were reported.
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...
formed across the central US. Widespread tree and building damage was reported across the Kansas City metropolitan area
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is a fifteen-county metropolitan area that is anchored by Kansas City, Missouri and is bisected by the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas. As of the 2010 Census, the metropolitan area has a population of 2,035,334. The metropolitan area is the...
. Winds as strong as 85 mph (136 km/h) were reported, and many power outages also took place, impacting about 50,000 customers. About 200 buildings were destroyed and many others damaged.
The SPC had also issued a moderate risk for Day 2 for the Mississippi River Valley area from Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, Illinois to near Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport 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....
, Louisiana and was revised further south on May 2. The SPC lists six fatalities in Arkansas from three possible tornadoes in Conway, Van Buren, and Pulaski Counties. At least 50 tornadoes have been reported, most of them in central and southern Arkansas
May 5
A deadly tornado took place in the Barisal and MaguraMagura
Măgura may refer to several places in Romania:* Măgura, a commune in Bacău County* Măgura, a commune in Buzău County* Măgura, a commune in Teleorman County* Măgura, a village in Bucium Commune, Alba County...
districts of 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...
on May 5. Two people were killed and seven others were injured as a result of a tornado that hit some corrugated structures. Straight-line winds caused numerous other fatalities in the area.
May 7–15
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
Metropolitan Area produced some damage according to KFOR-TV
KFOR-TV
KFOR-TV, virtual channel 4 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. KFOR-TV is owned by Local TV, a subsidiary of the private equity group Oak Hill Capital Partners, in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate KAUT-TV ; its studios are located at 444 East Britton Road in...
and KOCO-TV
KOCO-TV
KOCO-TV, virtual channel 5 , is the ABC affiliate in the Oklahoma City television market. The station is owned by Hearst Television, Inc., but uses "Ohio/Oklahoma Hearst Television, Inc." as their end tag during their newscasts, the same licensing purpose corporation as sister Cincinnati, Ohio...
including to the roof of a Sam's Club
Sam's Club
Sam's Club is a chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., founded in 1983 and named after Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. , the Sam's Club chain serves more than 47 million U.S. members...
store but mostly to trees and some power lines cutting power to 16,000 customers including in Bethany
Bethany, Oklahoma
Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethany is located at ....
and north Oklahoma City. A gas line in Bethany also ruptured causing a gas leak in the area. One report indicated a tornado near Wiley Post Airport
Wiley Post Airport
Wiley Post Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located seven nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Oklahoma City, in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States....
and was previously filmed as a wall cloud and funnel near 164th Street in South Oklahoma City. KOCO reported a wind of up to 124 mph (200 km/h) at the station snapping a tree. Damage was also reported to trees near KFOR-TV's station. Near Yukon
Yukon, Oklahoma
Yukon is a city in Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 22,709 at the 2010 census....
another tornado was reported causing localized roof damage. Widespread wind damage was also reported across eastern Oklahoma during the evening hours and one person was injured near Paoli
Paoli, Oklahoma
Paoli is a town in Garvin County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 649 at the 2000 census. It was named after Paoli, an unincorporated community outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where most of the railroad workers that basically built the town were from.-Geography:Paoli is located...
A total of ten tornadoes were reported including one in Casper
Casper, Wyoming
Casper is the county seat of Natrona County, Wyoming, United States.. Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming , according to the 2010 census, with a population of 55,316...
, Wyoming. Five tornadoes including four EF0 and an EF1 were confirmed.
On May 8, severe weather shifted east of the Mississippi River and produced a tornado in the Tupelo
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo is the largest city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Mississippi, smaller than Meridian, and larger than Greenville. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city's population was 34,211...
area causing some damage to some buildings including a Department of Transportation building at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Damage was also reported near the Tupelo Regional Airport
Tupelo Regional Airport
Tupelo Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles west of the city of Tupelo in Lee County, Mississippi, USA. The airport has a single runway. It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one commercial airline....
as well as at the Tupelo Furniture Market. Residential damage was minimal with only portions of roofs removed from several homes. A tornado near the Alabama-Tennessee state line also caused some structural damage. 21 tornadoes were reported across three different areas including 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 Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and at least eight have been confirmed and rated including the EF3 in Tupelo, three EF0, three EF1 and an EF2
More tornadoes developed that evening across 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...
with unconfirmed reports in 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...
and 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...
as well. Central North Carolina was hardest hit, with several communities sustaining severe damage. Late on the 8th or early on the 9th, one person was killed and three were injured by a confirmed tornado near Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, North Carolina. It was given a preliminary rating of EF2, with windspeeds of around 130 miles per hour. Planes at the Piedmont Triad International Airport
Piedmont Triad International Airport
Piedmont Triad International Airport is an airport just west of Greensboro, serving Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem as well as the entire Piedmont Triad Region in North Carolina. The airport has 3 runways; the third opened January 27, 2010 for traffic. The airport is located just off...
and several buildings including warehouses and businesses were damaged. A confirmed EF3 tornado was reported to have hit Forsyth County, North Carolina, with windspeeds of up to 140 miles per hour. The worst damage occurred near Frye Bridge Road and Moss Creek Lane near Clemmons
Clemmons, North Carolina
Clemmons is a village in Forsyth County, North Carolina and a suburb of Winston-Salem. The population was 18,627 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Clemmons is located at ....
, an area was also hit by an F3 almost exactly 10 years earlier causing major damage throughout the town. Two other tornadoes including an EF1 and an EF2 were confirmed in southwestern Virginia.
The activity was slow to develop with only elevated hail-producing cells, but late in the afternoon, several supercells developed across 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...
with reports of large and dangerous tornadoes. The worst tornado caused EF4 damage in Newton County, Missouri. Significant damage has been reported in several communities, with at least 23 deaths reported (21 by tornadoes). Thirteen people were killed in Newton County, one near Purdy
Purdy, Missouri
Purdy is a city in Purdy Township, Barry County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,103 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Purdy is located at ....
, Missouri, one near Carthage
Carthage, Missouri
Carthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
, Missouri, 6 deaths near Picher
Picher, Oklahoma
Picher is a ghost town and former city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. Formerly a major national center of lead and zinc mining at the heart of the Tri-State Mining District, over a century of unrestricted subsurface excavation dangerously undermined most of Picher's town buildings and...
, Oklahoma, and one in Laurens County
Laurens County, Georgia
Laurens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2000, the population was 44,874. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 47,520...
, Georgia. More are feared dead or trapped in the rubble. Another death was reported near Carthage
Carthage, Missouri
Carthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
, Missouri due to straight-line winds.
May 20
A frontal system produced widespread severe weather, especially over GeorgiaGeorgia (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...
and the Carolinas. While most of the reports were for wind or hail, several tornadoes touched down in the region. The most notable tornado was in the area of Holly Springs
Holly Springs, Georgia
Holly Springs is a city in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,195 at the 2000 census. Census Estimates for 2005 show a population of 4,328...
, Georgia, where about 2500 houses were damaged by a strong(high-end EF2) but very large wedge tornado. Four people were injured there.
May 22 (California)
A storm system (separate from the Great Plains storm system) produced several tornadoes in Riverside CountyRiverside County, California
Riverside County is a county in the U.S. state of California. One of 58 California counties, it covers in the southern part of the state, and stretches from Orange County to the Colorado River, which forms the state border with Arizona. The county derives its name from the city of Riverside,...
, California. It was reported from March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley, California
Moreno Valley is a city located in Riverside County, California.A relatively young city, its rapid growth in the 1980s and the first decade of the 21st century made it second-largest city in Riverside County by population, and one of the Inland Empire's population centers. As of the 2010 census,...
, California and produced generally minor damage to structures. Another touchdown was located in Corona
Corona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
, California and more funnel clouds were reported near Hemet
Hemet, California
Hemet is a city in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County, California, United States. It covers a total area of , about half of the valley, which it shares with the neighboring city of San Jacinto. The population was 78,657 at the 2010 census....
, California and Lake Elsinore
Lake Elsinore, California
For the lake see Lake Elsinore.Lake Elsinore or LE is a city in western Riverside County, California. The population was 51,821 at the 2010 census...
, California. Some of the damage reported include a flipped semi-trailer truck and a train derailment. In the end, four tornadoes were confirmed, with the Moreno Valley tornado being an EF2 - the strongest in the state since 1998.
May 22–25
The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for May 22 in the Central Plains, including a risk of strong tornadoes and destructive hail. A slight risk of severe weather was issued from May 23–26 throughout the Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend for various regions across the Great Plains
Great 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...
and Midwest, including the risk for further tornadoes. The risk area was upgraded to a high risk for parts of 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...
later in the afternoon of May 22. 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...
stated that "a regional tornado outbreak appears likely".
Weld County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
, Colorado moving through the towns of Gilcrest
Gilcrest, Colorado
The Town of Gilcrest is a Statutory Town located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,162 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gilcrest is located at ....
and Milliken
Milliken, Colorado
Milliken is a Statutory Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,888 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Milliken is located at ....
, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. A preliminary damage survey indicated that the tornado was likely an EF3. Weld County officials closed U.S. 85
U.S. Route 85
U.S. Route 85 is a north–south United States highway that runs for in the Mountain - Northern Plains states of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, connecting with Mexican Federal Highway 45...
at Highway 60 after two semi-trailers were blown over at that location. The truck drivers were not believed to be injured. As many as 60,000 customers were without electrical power in Greeley
Greeley, Colorado
The City of Greeley is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Weld County, Colorado, United States. Greeley is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Greeley is situated north-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. According to the...
and other communities in the area. The tornado slammed into a business park in Windsor
Windsor, Colorado
The Town of Windsor is a Home Rule Municipality in Larimer and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town was 18,644. Windsor is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Windsor is situated north of the Colorado State Capitol in...
, reportedly flattening several buildings, and knocked a cut of railroad car
Railroad car
A railroad car or railway vehicle , also known as a bogie in Indian English, is a vehicle on a rail transport system that is used for the carrying of cargo or passengers. Cars can be coupled together into a train and hauled by one or more locomotives...
s off their axles. The area was described as "total destruction" by an emergency responder. A 52-year-old man was killed at a campground near Greeley, while thirteen people were treated at hospitals, and more than 100 others received medical attention for minor injuries. 596 homes were damaged, with 102 deemed unsafe to occupy Tornadoes were also reported in the Laramie
Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie is a city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 30,816 at the . Located on the Laramie River in southeastern Wyoming, the city is west of Cheyenne, at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287....
, Wyoming area with damage reported to two schools and a Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, and parts of Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
were closed due to many accidents. The Governor of Colorado
Governor of Colorado
The Governor of Colorado is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the...
Bill Ritter 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...
and activated the Colorado National Guard
Colorado National Guard
The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a state agency of the Government of Colorado. It supervises both the Colorado National Guard , and non-military state safety agencies.The Department consists of the Department of Military Affairs, and the Division of Veterans' Affairs, and...
in Weld County. Many more tornadoes took place in western Kansas and southwestern Nebraska later in the afternoon and evening, but most were in open country and no fatalities were reported.
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...
, southwestern Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, far northeastern Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and far southeastern Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. Strong tornadoes and damaging hail are again expected in these and surrounding areas.
Tornadoes ripped through western and central Kansas. An estimated 20 tornadoes touched down in Gove
Gove County, Kansas
Gove County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,695...
, Sheridan
Sheridan County, Kansas
Sheridan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,556. Its county seat is Hoxie. The county was named in honor of Phillip H...
, Ness
Ness County, Kansas
Ness County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,107. The largest city and county seat is Ness City. Ness County was named for Corporal Noah V. Ness of the 7th Kansas Cavalry...
, Rooks
Rooks County, Kansas
Rooks County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,181. The county seat is Stockton and the largest city is Plainville. The county was named for Private John C...
and Ellis
Ellis County, Kansas
Ellis County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 28,452. Its county seat and most populous city is Hays...
counties. Two people were injured in the Quinter
Quinter, Kansas
Quinter is a city in Gove County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 918.-History:The city of Quinter is built at the location of an old railroad switching site called Melota. A town named Familton was built there in 1885, consisting originally of a two-story...
area. In Ellis
Ellis, Kansas
Ellis is a city in Ellis County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,062.- History :The Kansas Pacific Railway built a water station at the site of present-day Ellis in 1867 and then purchased the site under the Homestead Act. Three years later, in 1870, the U.S....
, The town was struck by two confirmed tornadoes that ripped a hole in a high school roof, broke windows, severely damaged small structures and left the town without power, but no homes were flattened and there were few injuries. The storm also wreaked havoc on Interstate 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
, as numerous tractor trailers were overturned, and one was even carried across the road to land on the other side.
On May 24, tornadoes battered Oklahoma and Kansas. A tornado destroyed three barns at a hog farm near Lacey in Kingfisher County
Kingfisher County, Oklahoma
Kingfisher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 14,384. Its county seat is Kingfisher.-History:...
, Oklahoma, about 75 miles northwest of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. No injuries were reported at the farm or elsewhere in the state. In Garfield County
Garfield County, Oklahoma
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma named after President James A. Garfield. As of 2010, the population was 60,580. Enid is the county seat and largest city within Garfield County...
, Oklahoma, a trailer was blown onto State Highway 74 near Covington
Covington, Oklahoma
Covington is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Covington is located at ....
and power lines were downed. In Kansas, two people were killed when their car was blown about 150 yards off a highway near Pratt
Pratt, Kansas
Pratt is a city in and the county seat of Pratt County in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,835. Pratt is home to Pratt Community College.-19th century:Pratt was founded in 1884 and named after Caleb S...
.
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar 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...
, Dunkerton
Dunkerton, Iowa
Dunkerton is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 749 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Parkersburg
Parkersburg, Iowa
Parkersburg is a city in Butler County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,870 in the 2010 census, a decline from 1,889 in the 2000 census. Parkersburg, although not the county seat, has the highest population of all the cities in Butler County....
, and on the Butler
Butler County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,867 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,682 housing units, of which 6,120 were occupied.-2000 census:...
/Grundy
Grundy County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,453 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,530 housing units, of which 5,131 were occupied.-2000 census:...
County line in Iowa. Residents in Parkersburg were evacuated because of a gas leak. The damage in Parkersburg was extensive with damage to at least four major businesses and a high school, with more than 400 homes damaged and 222 of them destroyed Twenty-one commercial buildings, including City Hall, were also destroyed in Parkersburg.
A tornado was also spotted in Dunkerton that caused considerable damage. In Cedar Falls, trees were uprooted, but there was no further damage. Seven people (five in Parkersburg and two in New Hartford
New Hartford, Iowa
New Hartford is a city in Butler County, Iowa, United States. The population was 516 at the 2010 census. It is the hometown of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.-Geography:...
) were killed and at least 50 people were injured in Iowa. The damage in Parkersburg and New Hartford was rated EF5 while damage was rated EF2/EF3 further east. An EF1 tornado touched down in Coon Rapids
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,627 people, 22,578 households, and 16,572 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,718.1 people per square mile . There were 22,828 housing units at an average density of 1,007.2 per square mile...
, Minnesota and tracked six miles. An EF3 then touched down in Hugo
Hugo, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,363 people, 2,125 households, and 1,742 families residing in the city. The population density was 187.2 people per square mile . There were 2,174 housing units at an average density of 64.0 per square mile...
, killing a 2-year-old and seriously injuring nine others. 50 homes were destroyed and another 150 were damaged.
May 29–31
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
region. The Storm Prediction Center issued a high risk of severe weather for portions of eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and extreme southeast South Dakota for May 29 with a moderate risk stretching from north central Kansas to southwestern Minnesota. Later during the day, a moderate risk was issued for May 30 from northeastern Missouri to northern Indiana.
Tornadoes struck central Nebraska, causing damage to businesses and homes. A tornado touched down near Aurora
Aurora, Nebraska
Aurora is a city in Hamilton County, Nebraska in the United States of America. The population was 4,225 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.-Geography:...
, damaging a few businesses and at least one house on the outskirts of town. Tornadoes were also reported in Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
Kearney is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska-Kearney....
, where 90 rail cars were blown off the tracks outside the city limits. There were reports of downed trees and power lines throughout Kearney, and reports of damage on the University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska at Kearney
The University of Nebraska at Kearney , founded in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney, is the Kearney, Nebraska, United States campus of the University of Nebraska system.-History:...
campus and at a county fairgrounds. A tornado also swept through a rural area near Belleville
Belleville, Kansas
Belleville is a city in and the county seat of Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,991.-Geography:Belleville is located at...
in north-central Kansas, damaging about six homes, but no injuries were reported. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman
Dave Heineman
David Eugene "Dave" Heineman is the 39th and current Governor of Nebraska. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
declared a state of emergency, which allowed access to state and federal resources for storm cleanup. On May 30, 18 people were injured as an EF2 tornado tore through the east side of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. A line of storms also struck Illinois, spawning one tornado that damaged four homes, several outbuildings, and a grain bin near Waverly
Waverly, Illinois
Waverly is a small city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area....
and Auburn
Auburn, Illinois
Auburn is a city in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census, and 4,445 in 2009. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Auburn is located at ....
.
On May 31, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
and Northeastern United States
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...
. Activity was mostly limited to hail and damaging wind events although a few tornadoes were reported.
June
There were 394 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of June, of which 294 were confirmed.June 3–8
Moscow, Indiana
Moscow is an unincorporated town in Orange Township, Rush County, Indiana. The town of approximately 80 residents was struck on June 3, 2008 by an EF3 tornado which destroyed its landmark 19th century covered bridge over the Big Flatrock river....
at about 10:30 pm EDT (0330 UTC). 10 people were injured in Moscow, with one victim who died two months later after getting impaled in the upper chest by a 3-inch (7.6 cm) diameter tree limb. Fifty buildings were damaged, along with military and civilian vehicles in Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Indiana, USA, is a training base of the Indiana National Guard. It was planned just months before the U.S. entry into World War II. Originally surveyed and researched by the Hurd Company, the present site was recommended to Congress in 1941. Construction commenced...
, with two soldiers suffering minor injuries. A covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
was also destroyed. There were 18 reported tornadoes on June 3. The threat continued on June 4 with another moderate risk in the Mid-Atlantic States
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
, where a derecho event developed in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area
Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area
The Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area is a combined statistical area consisting of the overlapping labor market region of the cities of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.. The region includes Central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Jefferson County in the Eastern Panhandle of West...
that afternoon, knocking out power to 200,000 customers. In Annandale
Annandale, Virginia
Annandale is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 41,008 at the 2010 census, down from 54,994 in 2000 due to the splitting off of the western part of it to form Wakefield and Woodburn CDP's.-Geography:...
, Virginia, a woman was killed when a tree fell on top of her vehicle. The death was caused by straight-line winds. An EF0 tornado also struck Chesapeake Beach
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
Chesapeake Beach is a town in Calvert County, Maryland, United States. Its major attractions include a Railway Museum & Trail, the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, marinas, piers, charter boat fishing, and a Veterans Memorial Park...
, Maryland, injuring five people and damaging 14 homes and one business.
As that system passed, another unseasonably strong low pressure area tracked across the Great Plains
Great 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...
. The Storm Prediction Center anticipated a tornado outbreak beginning June 4 through June 6, including possible "strong...long-tracked tornadoes". A moderate risk of severe storms was issued for both June 4 and 5. In Nebraska, farm buildings were damaged or destroyed by a tornado that hit Ulysses
Ulysses, Nebraska
Ulysses is a village in Butler County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 276 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ulysses is located at ....
. Residents of Ceresco
Ceresco, Nebraska
Ceresco is a farming village in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 920 at the 2000 census. It is located near U.S. Highway 77, just north of Lincoln, just south of Wahoo, and a short distance southwest of Omaha.-Overview:...
were evacuated from their homes because of downed power lines and trees caused by two EF1 tornadoes that hit the area. Tornadoes also touched down in southern Iowa, causing isolated damage in rural areas. A tornado seriously damaged one house near Emerson
Emerson, Iowa
Emerson is a city in Mills County, Iowa, United States. The population was 480 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Emerson is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. On June 4, 40 tornadoes were reported (not including those related to the eastern systems).
In the 1300 UTC outlook on June 5, the Storm Prediction Center issued a large high risk area for much of the Great Plains and Upper Midwest, with the potential for many strong to violent tornadoes and/or a large derecho event. Forecasters had warned of a potentially historic outbreak, as computer forecasting models for June 5 resembled those on June 8, 1974, when 39 tornadoes raked the southern Plains and killed 22 people. Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
canceled evening classes because of the weather predictions. In Craig
Craig, Missouri
Craig is a city in Holt County, Missouri, United States. The population was 309 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Craig is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Missouri, three semi-trailer trucks were blown over by a tornado on Interstate 29
Interstate 29
Interstate 29 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern United States. I-29 runs from Kansas City, Missouri, at a junction with Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 to the Canadian border near Pembina, North Dakota, where it connects with Manitoba Highway 75 via the short Manitoba Highway 29.-Route...
. One of the drivers needed to be extricated. 35 tornadoes were reported, but most were in sparsely populated areas. Winds as strong as 92 miles per hour (148.1 km/h) were also reported. While the threat was much lower on June 6, a tornado raked a half-mile (0.80 km) wide path of destruction in northwestern Minnesota, which caused widespread damage in Park Rapids
Park Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,476 households, and 788 families residing in the city. The population density was 547.5 people per square mile . There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 270.1 per square mile...
. A house overlooking Pickerel Lake near Emmaville
Emmaville, Minnesota
Emmaville is a small unincorporated community in Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States. The community is located at the intersection of County Roads 4 and 24 just in between Park Rapids and Lake George and features a gas station, convenience store and cafe...
was destroyed. A turkey farm near Blueberry Lake was destroyed and a small housing development suffered minor damage.
On June 7, a moderate risk was issued for parts of southern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois and Iowa. Eight tornadoes were confirmed along the entire track from Livingston
Livingston County, Illinois
Livingston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,950, which is a decrease of 1.8% from 39,678 in 2000. Its county seat is Pontiac....
to Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
including four EF2 tornadoes in Will County
Will County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 502,266 people, 167,542 households, and 131,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 600 people per square mile . There were 175,524 housing units at an average density of 210 per square mile...
, causing significant damage to some Chicago southern suburbs near the Indiana state line, including Chicago Heights
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 31,373 at the 2005 census. Chicago Heights is nicknamed 'Crossroads of the Nation'.-History:...
, Wilmington
Wilmington, Illinois
Wilmington is the name of two places in the U.S. state of Illinois:*Wilmington, Greene County, Illinois*Wilmington, Will County, Illinois...
, University Park
University Park, Illinois
University Park is a village in Will County, Illinois. A very small parcel is in Cook County. University Park has been the home of Governors State University since 1969...
and Richton Park
Richton Park, Illinois
Richton Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,533 at the 2000 census. It is bordered by Matteson to the north, Park Forest to the east, University Park and Crete to the south.-Geography:...
. Six injuries were reported with one person injured at Interstate 57
Interstate 57
Interstate 57 is an Interstate Highway in Missouri and Illinois that parallels the old Illinois Central rail line for much of its route. It goes from Miner, Missouri, at Interstate 55 to Chicago, Illinois, at Interstate 94. I-57 essentially serves as a shortcut route for travelers headed between...
. A tornado was also spotted in Lake County
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
north of Chicago during the early evening hours. In Wisconsin, six people suffered minor injuries after a tornado ripped through Columbia County
Columbia County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***...
.
On June 8, two tornadoes touched down in Millard
Millard, Nebraska
Millard is a former town and current neighborhood in southwest Omaha, Nebraska; the original downtown area is near 132nd St. and L St. After lengthy legal fights, the city of Millard was annexed by the city of Omaha in 1971...
, Nebraska at about 2:15 am CDT (0715 UTC) before merging into one. The EF1 and EF2 tornado caused damage to about one hundred homes and businesses. The Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine had its lobby blown off, and a Carquest
Carquest
Carquest Auto Parts is a chain of auto-supply stores. There are over 3,400 Carquest Auto Parts locations in North America. The company is a supplier to National Account customers like Goodyear, Firestone, CarMax, Meineke, Midas, American Tire Dealers. General Parts International Inc. is the largest...
store also sustained major damage. In Florida, a tornado struck North Fort Myers, causing minor damage to 44 homes, moderate damage to 12 homes, and destroying one home. One person suffered a minor injury.
In Michigan, three people were killed by non-tornadic winds.
June 9 (Western Australia)
On June 9, a tornado swept through the southern PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
suburb of Rockingham
Rockingham, Western Australia
Rockingham is a suburb and primary centre in Western Australia south-west of the Perth city centre and south of Fremantle. It has a beachside location at Mangles Bay, the southern extremity of Cockburn Sound. To its north stretches the maritime and resource-industry installations of Kwinana and...
. The tornado had reached wind speeds of 93 miles per hour (149.7 km/h). The State Emergency Service responded to more than 200 calls for help and the tornado damaged more than 130 homes.
June 11–13
A severe weather event developed on June 11 across the central and northern Plains. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued for the region. Four people were killed and 48 people were injured when a tornado struck the Little Sioux Scout Ranch
Little Sioux Scout Ranch
The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The first recorded Scouting in the area was in 1918 as the...
in Little Sioux
Little Sioux, Iowa
Little Sioux is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 217 at the 2000 census. The city is most known for Little Sioux Scout Ranch of the Boy Scouts of America.-Geography:Little Sioux is located at ....
, Iowa. In Kansas, one person was killed in Chapman
Chapman, Kansas
Chapman is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,393.-History:The first settlement was made at Chapman in 1868, and the same year Jackman's mill was built on Chapman creek a little northeast of the present town. James Streeter and S. M...
when an EF3 tornado damaged 80 percent of the town, including the downtown area. The tornado destroyed 69 homes in Chapman. Another person was killed in the small town of Soldier
Soldier, Kansas
Soldier is a city in Jackson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 136. It is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, where a tornado damaged 32 homes. In Manhattan
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
, an EF4 tornado caused significant damage to the southwest side. It also caused damage to Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
, where Cardwell Hall, Ward Hall, Burt Hall and the engineering complex suffered damage and the Wind Erosion Laboratory was destroyed. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house was also damaged. A tornado also destroyed nine homes and a cabinet manufacturing company in Salina
Salina, Kansas
Salina is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 47,707. Located in one of the world's largest wheat-producing areas, Salina is a regional trade center for north-central Kansas...
. On June 12, a total of 24 tornadoes were reported, with four confirmed tornadoes (three EF0 and one EF1) hitting Wisconsin, causing tree damage in Columbia, Green
Green County, Wisconsin
Green County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 33,647. Its county seat is Monroe.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, and Dane
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
Counties. An EF0 tornado was also confirmed in Manistee
Manistee, Michigan
Manistee is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,586. It is the county seat of Manistee County. The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain, but it may be from...
, Michigan, which tracked through forested land. On June 13, 18 homes suffered damage after an EF0 tornado hit Cape Coral
Cape Coral, Florida
Cape Coral is a municipality located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. With an area of , Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and...
, Florida. In Missouri, an EF1 tornado hit Grandin
Grandin, Missouri
Grandin is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 236 at the 2000 census. The city was established in 1887 by the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company and was named after E.B. Grandin, the primary stockholder...
. Two houses were damaged and a large barn had one wall and door blown off and large sections of roof missing.
June 19
On June 19, an EF1 tornado hit eastern SpringfieldSpringfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri at around 3:30 pm CDT (2030 UTC). The tornado uprooted trees and damaged buildings, including causing a roof to collapse at a furniture store. It was the second tornado to hit the city in 2008; the first was an EF1 that hit the downtown area on January 8. An EF1 tornado also hit Chatham County
Chatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, Georgia, damaging a fire station and knocking a steeple
Steeple (architecture)
A steeple, in architecture, is a tall tower on a building, often topped by a spire. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure...
off a church.
June 21
A tornado in the ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
province
Province (China)
A province, in the context of Chinese government, is a translation of sheng formally provincial level divisions, which is an administrative division. Provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, and the special administrative regions, make up the four types of province of administrative division...
of Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
caused one fatality and destroyed 650 homes in just five minutes. 45 people were injured by the tornado, which caused $2.8 million (18.5 million yuan
Chinese yuan
The yuan is the base unit of a number of modern Chinese currencies. The yuan is the primary unit of account of the Renminbi.A yuán is also known colloquially as a kuài . One yuán is divided into 10 jiǎo or colloquially máo...
) in losses. More than 20,000 people were affected by the tornado and 950 were relocated.
June 28–29
On June 28, an EF1 tornado moved through rural areas of McDonald CountyMcDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
, Missouri. The tornado uprooted trees with one tree falling on a home near Plainview, injuring two people. On June 29, an EF0 tornado hit Johns Island
Johns Island, South Carolina
Johns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...
, South Carolina at around 3:35 pm EDT (1935 UTC). The tornado damaged trees as well as some small structures in the area. Portions of a fence surrounding the St. John's High School stadium were also destroyed.
July
There were 120 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of July, of which 94 were confirmed.July 6–11 (Europe)
The largest severe weather outbreak in Europe in 2008 took place. At least 20 tornadoes were reported across a large section of the continent. At least one person was killed and one other was injured in northwestern RussiaRussia
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...
, with the fatality taking place in Udmurtiya where a house was destroyed. The strongest tornado was at least an F2. Other tornadoes were reported in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
July 7–11 (North America)
After a lull in activity, several small tornado events took place in the second week of July, mostly in the northern Plains region. On July 7, several tornadoes were reported near the ManitobaManitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
/North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
border causing damage to trees, roofs, and boats. Among the areas hit were Bottineau
Bottineau County, North Dakota
-Major highways:* U.S. Highway 83* North Dakota Highway 5* North Dakota Highway 14* North Dakota Highway 43* North Dakota Highway 60* North Dakota Highway 256-National protected areas:*J...
, Rolette
Rolette County, North Dakota
-National protected areas:*Lords Lake National Wildlife Refuge *Rabb Lake National Wildlife Refuge*School Section Lake National Wildlife Refuge*Willow Lake National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
and Towner
Towner County, North Dakota
-National protected areas:*Brumba National Wildlife Refuge*Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge *Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge*Snyder Lake National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
Counties in North Dakota as well as Lake Metigoshe and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the southwestern portion of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Within it is the Adam Lake and Max Lake campgrounds. The Park is known for its bike trails, fishing, back country cabins and canoe routes...
in Manitoba. An EF3 tornado destroyed 12 homes and damaged 18 homes in Rolla
Rolla, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,417 people, 599 households, and 357 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,141.2 people per square mile . There were 656 housing units at an average density of 528.3 per square mile...
and destroyed eight homes and damaged 47 homes in Belcourt
Belcourt, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,440 people, 806 households, and 561 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 417.0 people per square mile . There were 856 housing units at an average density of 146.3/sq mi...
. An EF1 tornado also touched down in Green Lake County
Green Lake County, Wisconsin
Green Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 19,105. Its county seat is Green Lake. The center of population of Wisconsin is located in Green Lake County in the city of Markesan.-Geography:...
, Wisconsin. On July 8, a barn roof was removed by an EF0 tornado that hit Whitley County
Whitley County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,707 people, 11,711 households, and 8,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile . There were 12,545 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
, Indiana. An EF1 tornado ripped off part of a warehouse roof in Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
, Virginia on July 9.
On July 10, two EF0 tornadoes accompanied by strong downburst winds caused damage to homes, farms and crops in Southeast Minnesota
Southeast Minnesota
Southeast Minnesota is the corner of Minnesota south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area extending east, and part of the multi-state area known as the Driftless Area. Rochester is the largest city in the area; other major cities include Winona, Owatonna, Faribault, Northfield, Austin, and Red...
. An EF3 tornado hit Willmar
Willmar, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile...
, Minnesota on July 11, injuring two people, while destroying three homes and damaging eight other homes, three turkey barns, and two businesses. The event on both July 10 and July 11 occurred as two powerful lines of storms including a bow echo crossed the I-94 corridor from the North Dakota/Minnesota border to the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area producing widespread damaging winds.
July 16 (Slovenia)
A strong tornado ripped through the community of MedvodeMedvode
Medvode is a town and a municipality in Slovenia. The Sava and Sora rivers join in Medvode, from which the town's name is derived. Two large factories, Color and Donit, are based in Medvode. The Sava River at Medvode is also the location of the Medvode Hydroelectric Power Plant.-External links:*...
in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, which was rated a T6 (F3). No injuries were reported but damage was extensive including several houses destroyed and numerous others damaged.
July 19
An EF0 tornado tracked for 4 miles (6.4 km) through Sherburne CountySherburne County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,417 people, 21,581 households, and 16,746 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
, Minnesota on July 19, destroying a few sheds and causing minor damage to homes. In Wisconsin, an EF1 tornado hit the town of Menasha
Menasha, Wisconsin
Menasha is a city in Calumet and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 16,331 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly in the Town of Menasha in Winnebago County; only a small portion is in the Town of Harrison in Calumet County. Doty Island is located...
, causing damage to an apartment complex and three other buildings.
July 21–24
On July 21, An EF1 tornado damaged two homes and several outbuildings in Edgar CountyEdgar County, Illinois
Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 18,576, which is a decrease of 5.7% from 19,704 in 2000...
, Illinois. The tornado also destroyed a barn and ripped out corn stalks. An EF0 tornado touched down in Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek, and Worth townships in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The main feature of the park is its man-made lake, Lake Arthur, formed by impounding Muddy Creek, which is and is used for...
in Butler County
Butler County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania on July 22; minor damage was reported. On July 23, an EF1 tornado hit Warren
Warren, Rhode Island
Warren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
, Rhode Island and Swansea
Swansea, Massachusetts
Swansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts.It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles south of Boston; and 12 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island....
, Massachusetts, with the majority of damage caused to trees. In Canada, an EF0 tornado was also confirmed near Welland
Welland, Ontario
Welland is a city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara in Southern Ontario, Canada.The city has been traditionally known as the place where rails and water meet, referring to the railways from Buffalo to Toronto and Southwestern Ontario, and the waterways of Welland Canal and Welland River,...
, Ontario causing damage at a construction site on July 22 at around 5:30 PM
An intense line of storms moved through much of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
during the day on July 24. The area hardest hit was in central 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...
, particularly around the Epsom
Epsom, New Hampshire
Epsom is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,566 at the 2010 census.-History:Incorporated in 1727, Epsom takes its name from Epsom, England. Although dotted with several small mountains, the land was suitable for grazing and growing grain...
–Deerfield
Deerfield, New Hampshire
Deerfield is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,280 at the 2010 census. Deerfield is home to the annual Deerfield Fair.- History :...
area, where a confirmed EF2 tornado touched down. The tornado killed one person, destroyed six homes, and damaged 200 other homes. Nine towns suffered heavy damage and six towns suffered minor damage in New Hampshire. A dozen people were injured according to New Hampshire Governor John Lynch. It was the first killer tornado in New England since 1995 and the first killer tornado in New Hampshire since 1946.
July 22–24 (Hurricane Dolly)
The outer bands of Hurricane DollyHurricane Dolly (2008)
Hurricane Dolly was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in extreme southern Texas in July 2008. Dolly was the fourth tropical cyclone and second hurricane to form during the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the first U.S. landfalling hurricane of the 2008 season. Dolly developed on July 20...
moved ashore in extreme South Texas
South Texas
South Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
beginning on July 22 well ahead of landfall. Several tornadoes were reported across the region as a result. The strongest of the tornadoes toppled over a roof and uprooted trees in Bayview
Bayview, Texas
Bayview is a town in Cameron County, Texas, United States. The population was 323 at the 2000 census. It may be included as part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas.-Geography:...
, well to the north of the landfall location. On July 24, an EF0 tornado ripped off roofs from commercial buildings and damaged numerous homes just south of downtown
Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is the central business district of San Antonio, Texas, United States.Downtown is encircled by three numerical freeways, I-35, I-37, and I-10...
San Antonio.
A F2 tornado moved through 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...
on July 24, 2008, and caused significant damage, killed one person, injured at least two, and prompted the issuance of a tornado watch for 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...
.
July 26
A tornado narrowly misses some lakefront properties just north ofBalsam Lake
Balsam Lake (Ontario)
Balsam Lake is a lake located in the Kawartha lakes region of south central Ontario, Canada. It is 16 km long and averages 3 km wide, though its actual width varies due to the many large bays the carve its shoreline...
near Coboconk
Coboconk, Ontario
Coboconk is a community in the city of Kawartha Lakes, in the south-central portion of the Canadian province of Ontario. The village lies at the junction of Highway 35 and former Highway 48, on the northern tip of Balsam Lake, the highest point on the Trent–Severn Waterway...
, Ontario destroying a tall stand of forest.
August
There were 145 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of August, of which 101 were confirmed.August 3
A tornado hit the Northern-French towns of HautmontHautmont
-Twin towns - sister cities:Kamianets-Podilskyi is twinned with: Kalisz in Poland -References:*...
and Boussieres-sur-Sambre in the late hours of the day, killing three people and injuring 13 others. Many homes were severely damaged, tearing the roof off some and collapsing or even blowing down others. Cars were reportedly flung through the air, and the tornado was rated T8 (F4) according to the European Severe Storms Laboratory.
August 4–5
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 northern Illinois
Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois is a region generally covering the northern third of the U.S. state of Illinois.-Economics:Northern Illinois is dominated by the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, which contain a majority of Illinois' population and economic activity, including...
and northwest Indiana
Northwest Indiana
Northwest Indiana, also known as the South Shore and The Calumet Region or simply The Region, comprises Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana. This region neighbors Lake Michigan and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
, particularly the Chicago metropolitan area, late on August 4 into the early hours of August 5. Three tornadoes were confirmed in the region, with the strongest tornado hitting Griffith
Griffith, Indiana
Griffith is a town in Calumet and St. John townships, Lake County, Indiana. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 16,893 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, Indiana, which was an EF2.
Tornado sirens went off in downtown Chicago and fans attending a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
game between the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
were evacuated from the stands to the stadium's concourse. Structural damage was reported, both from the tornadoes and from straight-line winds. Winds as high as 94 miles per hour (151.3 km/h) were also reported. As the storms moved east onto the eastern shore of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
, widespread damage was reported in Lake
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
, Porter
Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...
, and LaPorte
LaPorte County, Indiana
LaPorte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 111,467. The county seat is the city of La Porte. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, Northwest Indiana and Michiana. The largest city is Michigan City...
Counties in Indiana. A man driving his car was killed in Michigan City
Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston. Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, located at 317 Detroit St., is named after the founder....
when high winds knocked a tree onto his car.
August 14
Severe thunderstorms struck Miami–DadeMiami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
and Broward
Broward County, Florida
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
Counties in Florida on August 14, where a EF1 tornado caused damage to five apartment complexes in Hialeah
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 226,419. As of 2009, the population estimate by the U. S...
. Police in Hialeah also reported that two cars were flipped over by high winds.
August 15–16
An F4 tornado hit near Balcarzowice in PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. More than 100 homes were damaged or destroyed. Many cars and trucks were flipped over on A4 highway
Autostrada A4 (Poland)
The autostrada A4 in Poland is a motorway which runs from west to east through southern Poland, from the Polish-German border in Zgorzelec , through Wrocław, Katowice, Kraków, Tarnów, and Rzeszów to the Polish-Ukrainian border at Korczowa. The motorway is a part of the European route E40...
by strong winds. At least two people were killed and 25 others were injured. Another six tornadoes, which have damaged at least 800 homes, were reported so far. A bus carrying a Polish folk group was directly hit by a tornado and flipped over on national road number 1
National roads in Poland
National road in Poland refers to a public trunk road controlled by the Polish central government authority, the General Directorship of National Roads and Motorways...
. A small tornado was reported in Osipy Kolonia in Poland.
August 18–27 (Tropical Storm Fay)
The largest tropical-related tornado outbreak since 2005 began with at least eight tornadoes being reported across 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...
as a result of Tropical Storm Fay
Tropical Storm Fay (2008)
Tropical Storm Fay was a tropical storm and the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Fay formed from a vigorous tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic...
making landfall. The most significant damage was reported in Wellington
Wellington, Florida
Wellington is a village in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. As of 2006, the village had a population of 55,584 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Wellington is part of the South Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Florida where minor structural damage was reported and many doors and windows were blown out by an EF2 tornado. Damage was also reported near Barefoot Bay
Barefoot Bay, Florida
Barefoot Bay is an unincorporated community and Recreation District in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located in the southern part of the county, on the Atlantic coast. The population was 8,348 at the 2000 census...
from a possible tornado that resulted in three structures being uninhabitable. Tree damage was also reported in several communities.
Another round of tornadoes related to Fay took place on August 22 and 23. 11 more tornadoes were reported across Florida
Florida
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...
into southern 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...
.
A tornado also set ground on August 25, near the Florida city of Crestview. More tornadoes took place on August 25 through 27 across 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...
, Georgia and the Carolinas, although most were weak and short lived.
September
There were 133 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of September, of which 111 were confirmed.August 31–September 4 (Hurricane Gustav)
A tornado outbreak occurred as a result of Hurricane GustavHurricane Gustav
The name Gustav has been used for five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean:* 1984's Tropical Storm Gustav - Spent most of its existence as a tropical depression hovering over Bermuda, no major damage was reported....
, which made landfall early on September 1 in southern 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...
. Most of the tornadoes were weak, although a few were damaging. The most severe damage in the first wave of tornadoes was in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
, Louisiana (which had already been hit by Gustav's winds and rain), where a tornado late on the afternoon of September 2 destroyed numerous houses, an apartment complex and a restaurant, and damaged many other buildings. More tornadoes were reported on September 2 and the early morning hours of September 3. In Evangeline Parish
Evangeline Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 35,434 people, 12,736 households, and 9,157 families residing in the parish. The population density was 53 people per square mile . There were 14,258 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Louisiana near Mamou
Mamou, Louisiana
Mamou is a town in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,566 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mamou is located at ....
, a tornado during the early hours of September 3 damaged several houses and killed two people as well as injuring several others. In total, over the four days, 68 tornadoes were reported and 50 were confirmed.
September 6 (Tropical Storm Hanna)
An EF1 tornadoTornado
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...
was confirmed by 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...
to have touched down in Allentown, PA before 3 pm as a result of Tropical Storm Hanna
Hurricane Hanna (2008)
Hurricane Hanna was the deadliest storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm was the eighth tropical cyclone and fourth hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands on August 28...
. Some houses, many trees, and a portion of Louis E. Dieruff High School
Louis E. Dieruff High School
Louis E. Dieruff High School is a public high school located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The school is named after Louis E. Dieruff, a noted educator in the Allentown School District....
were damaged due to the very brief tornado. No injuries were reported.
September 12–14 (Hurricane Ike)
As Hurricane IkeHurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike was the second-costliest hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States, the costliest hurricane ever to impact Cuba and the second most active hurricane to reach the Canadian mainland in the Great Lakes Region after Hurricane Hazel in 1954...
approached the upper 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...
coast, the outer bands spawned several tornadoes in 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...
. The most notable tornado damaged at least 15 houses in the community of Mamou
Mamou, Louisiana
Mamou is a town in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,566 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mamou is located at ....
, not far from where a tornado killed 2 during Gustav.
At the same time, a cold front tracked across 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....
. Several tornadoes were reported in the Kansas City metropolitan area
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is a fifteen-county metropolitan area that is anchored by Kansas City, Missouri and is bisected by the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas. As of the 2010 Census, the metropolitan area has a population of 2,035,334. The metropolitan area is the...
eastward into central 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...
with structural damage reported. At least 3 tornadoes have been confirmed with the strongest storm being rated EF1 in Douglas County
Douglas County, Kansas
Douglas County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 110,826...
, Kansas.
On September 13, the same two systems as they began to combine into one produced two separate tornado areas - one to the east of Ike's track from Louisiana to 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 another focused in southern Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. An EF2 tornado struck Plymouth Township, Michigan; damaging an apartment complex, flipping over cars, and knocking out power to several hundred residents. A tornado touched down in the village of Paw Paw. Another tornado briefly touched down in Calhoun County by Battle Creek, and headed southeast toward the Homer area before dissipating. dissipating. 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...
, six tornadoes - all rated EF1 - were confirmed.
October
There were 28 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of October, of which 21 were confirmed.October 1
Four tornadoes were reported across northern Germany and the Netherlands (one of which may have been a 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...
. The worst tornado, an F2 (T4 on the TORRO scale
TORRO scale
The TORRO tornado intensity scale is a scale measuring tornado intensity between T0 and T11. It was developed by Terence Meaden of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation , a meteorological organisation in the United Kingdom, as an extension of the Beaufort scale.- History and derivation from...
), snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees near Marienthal
Zehdenick
Zehdenick is a town in the Oberhavel district, in Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated on the river Havel, 26 km southeast of Fürstenberg/Havel, and 51 km north of Berlin .-Subdivision:Zehdenick includes the following villages:...
, Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
, Germany.
October 8
Several tornadoes were reported across the Deep SouthDeep South
The Deep South is a descriptive category of the cultural and geographic subregions in the American South. Historically, it is differentiated from the "Upper South" as being the states which were most dependent on plantation type agriculture during the pre-Civil War period...
as a small system moved through. The most significant damage was in Enterprise
Enterprise, Alabama
Enterprise is a city in the southeastern part of Coffee and Dale Counties in the southeastern part of Alabama in the Southern United States. The population was estimated to be 25,909 in the year 2009....
, Alabama, which was previously devastated on March 1, 2007 by a violent tornado. The civic centre was heavily damaged and several houses and businesses were also damaged by an EF1 tornado there. Other tornadoes were reported in several other communities in 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...
and southern 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...
, although no injuries were reported. Altogether, 12 tornadoes were confirmed.
November
There were 20 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of November, of which 15 were confirmed.November 15
During the early morning hours of November 15, a supercell thunderstorm tracked across central North Carolina, where a total of eight tornadoes were confirmed. One death was reported in Wilson CountyWilson County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2006, there 73,814 people, 28,613 households, and 19,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 199 people per square mile . There were 30,729 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile...
after a house was destroyed in Elm City
Elm City, North Carolina
Elm City is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,209 in 2008.-Geography:Elm City is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. Another death was reported in Kenly
Kenly, North Carolina
Kenly, known as "Friendly Kenly," is a town in Johnston and Wilson counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 1,569 at the 2000 census...
. Damage to homes and barns were reported in Sampson
Sampson County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 63,431 people, 22,624 households, and 16,214 families residing in the county. The population density was 67.1 people per square mile . There were 26,476 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...
, Johnston
Johnston County, North Carolina
-Major highways:* Interstate 40* Interstate 95* U.S. Highway 70* U.S. Highway 301* U.S. Highway 701-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were...
and Wilson counties. At least one EF2 and one EF3 tornado were confirmed in Johnston and Wilson Counties.
December
There were 50 tornadoes reported in the United States in the month of December, of which 46 were confirmed.December 9–11
In the morning hours of December 9, tornado watchTornado 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 for much of the south-central United States. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of 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 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...
, including a risk of strong tornadoes. That morning, two tornadoes touched down near Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
, Louisiana causing some damage. Late that afternoon, a strong cell moved into the 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...
, Mississippi area, where 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. A storm chaser reported that homes, outbuildings, and businesses were damaged in Yazoo City, and the tornado was confirmed as an EF2. The tornado risk continued into 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....
in the early morning of December 10. A few isolated tornadoes were also reported along the Southeast coast on December 11.
There were a total of 33 tornadoes confirmed and seven people were injured by the tornadoes.
December 27
The final severe weather event of 2008 developed early on December 27 across parts of the MidwestMidwestern 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....
. That morning, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of the region, and tornadoes and wind damage developed. At least three tornadoes have been reported, with the most serious damage taking place near Liberty
Liberty, Illinois
Liberty is a village in Adams County, Illinois, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Liberty is located at ....
, Illinois where roofs were thrown off houses. The strongest tornadoes were rated as a high-end EF1, and eight tornadoes were confirmed.
See also
- List of 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:...
- Enhanced Fujita scale
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
External links
- Storm Prediction Center monthly tornado stats
- Storm Prediction Center deadly tornado stats
- Annual Severe Weather Report Summary 2008 (SPC)
- State of the Climate: Tornadoes: 2008 (NCDC)
- European Severe Weather Database (ESWD)
- U.S. tornadoes in 2008 - Tornado History Project
- Video of tornadoes flipping cars in Alabama