2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak: Difference between revisions
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==Meteorological synopsis== |
==Meteorological synopsis== |
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[[Image:2-5-08CO.gif|thumb|250px|left|The SPC's 20 [[UTC]] convective outlook on February 5, 2008]] |
[[Image:2-5-08CO.gif|thumb|250px|left|The SPC's 20 [[UTC]] convective outlook on February 5, 2008]] |
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A series of strong low pressure systems formed across the southern Plains on February 4, which contributed to record warmth in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi River Valley on February 4 and 5, and a powerful [[cold front]] tracked across the region. Temperatures across many areas reached the 70s°F (21–26 °C) with local reports in the low-80s°F (27 °C) across portions of Alabama |
A series of strong low pressure systems formed across the southern Plains on February 4, which contributed to record warmth in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi River Valley on February 4 and 5, and a powerful [[cold front]] tracked across the region. Temperatures across many areas reached the 70s°F (21–26 °C) with local reports in the low-80s°F (27 °C) across portions of Alabama with dewpoint temperatures in the mid-60s°F (17–20 °C). <ref>http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/2008/02_06/</ref> The high temperature and dewpoint levels created a situation of moderate instability across the outbreak area. [[CAPE]] values, a measurement for the level of [[troposphere|tropospheric]] instability, was over 1000 J/kg, and [[Helicity (fluid mechanics)|helicity levels]], a measurement of the potential for rotating winds, reached over 200 m²/s².<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/svr0208.htm|publisher=National Weather Service|title=Severe Weather on February 5, 2008 (Pg1)|date=2008-02-06}}</ref> The upper level jet stream also contributed to a large amount of [[wind shear]], which provided the final ingredient for the outbreak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day1otlk_20080205_1630.html|title=Feb 5, 2008 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook|publisher=Storm Convection Center|date=2008-02-05}}</ref> |
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A [[List of SPC High Risk Days|high risk]] was issued by the [[Storm Prediction Center]] on the morning of February 5, the first such issuance in February since 1998. Early on the morning of February 5, a [[squall line]] developed across eastern Texas north into Missouri, where there was snow north of [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]] towards [[Iowa]] and [[Wisconsin]]. Ahead of the squall line, the cap took longer than expected to break, but once it did in the late afternoon, numerous [[supercell]] thunderstorms quickly formed across Arkansas and southern Missouri. Some of the most powerful storms were situated across the Memphis and Jackson areas between 5:00 PM CST and 7:30 PM CST while numerous other tornadoes were reported across northern Mississippi northwest of [[Tupelo, Mississippi]], where extensive damage was also reported in several areas. One of those supercells traveled across central Tennessee including the [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] metropolitan area and south-central Kentucky, where several strong and deadly tornadoes were reported between 8:30 PM CST and 11:00 AM CST. Meanwhile, the line of thunderstorms that developed from near [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] to Kansas City moved eastward causing numerous reports of damaging wind along with several spin-up tornadoes along its path throughout the evening and overnight hours from [[Louisiana]] to [[Ohio]] and [[Indiana]]. It then moved through the southeast during the early morning hours. A record five [[tornado emergency]] declarations were issued, four located in Tennessee, one in Alabama. |
A [[List of SPC High Risk Days|high risk]] was issued by the [[Storm Prediction Center]] on the morning of February 5, the first such issuance in February since 1998. Early on the morning of February 5, a [[squall line]] developed across eastern Texas north into Missouri, where there was snow north of [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]] towards [[Iowa]] and [[Wisconsin]]. Ahead of the squall line, the cap took longer than expected to break, but once it did in the late afternoon, numerous [[supercell]] thunderstorms quickly formed across Arkansas and southern Missouri. Some of the most powerful storms were situated across the Memphis and Jackson areas between 5:00 PM CST and 7:30 PM CST while numerous other tornadoes were reported across northern Mississippi northwest of [[Tupelo, Mississippi]], where extensive damage was also reported in several areas. One of those supercells traveled across central Tennessee including the [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] metropolitan area and south-central Kentucky, where several strong and deadly tornadoes were reported between 8:30 PM CST and 11:00 AM CST. Meanwhile, the line of thunderstorms that developed from near [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] to Kansas City moved eastward causing numerous reports of damaging wind along with several spin-up tornadoes along its path throughout the evening and overnight hours from [[Louisiana]] to [[Ohio]] and [[Indiana]]. It then moved through the southeast during the early morning hours. A record five [[tornado emergency]] declarations were issued, four located in Tennessee, one in Alabama. |
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Revision as of 13:41, 7 February 2008
| File:2-5-08 stormreports.png Map of reported tornadoes (tornadoes in red) | |
| Duration | 15 hours, 20 minutes |
|---|---|
| Tornadoes confirmed | 35 confirmed, 80 reported |
| Max. rating1 | EF4 tornado |
| Fatalities | 55 + 2 non-tornadic |
| Damage | unknown |
| Areas affected | Parts of the Southern United States |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale | |
The February 2008 tornado outbreak, also known as the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak, was a deadly tornado outbreak affecting the Southern United States and the lower Ohio Valley from February 5–6, 2008.
The event began on Super Tuesday, while 24 U.S. states were holding primary elections and caucuses for both Democratic Party and Republican Party presidential candidates for the upcoming 2008 United States presidential election. Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Tennessee are states among the affected regions where primaries were held. The approaching of the severe weather forced some polls to be closed in advance.[1]
At least 78 tornadoes have been reported. The outbreak has produced several destructive tornadoes in heavily populated areas, most notably in the Memphis metropolitan area, in Jackson, Tennessee and the northeastern end of the Nashville metropolitan area. Reports suggest that at least 57 people have been killed in the outbreak by severe weather (at least 55 by tornadoes) across five states and 19 counties, with hundreds of others injured.[2] Several other unconfirmed reports of fatalities have come in as well and those numbers may increase or decrease as new reports come in. The outbreak is the deadliest in the US since the May 31, 1985 outbreak that killed 76 across Ohio and Pennsylvania (and also killed 12 in Ontario, Canada). It was also the deadliest tornado outbreak in Kentucky since the 1974 Super Outbreak.
Meteorological synopsis
A series of strong low pressure systems formed across the southern Plains on February 4, which contributed to record warmth in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi River Valley on February 4 and 5, and a powerful cold front tracked across the region. Temperatures across many areas reached the 70s°F (21–26 °C) with local reports in the low-80s°F (27 °C) across portions of Alabama with dewpoint temperatures in the mid-60s°F (17–20 °C). [3] The high temperature and dewpoint levels created a situation of moderate instability across the outbreak area. CAPE values, a measurement for the level of tropospheric instability, was over 1000 J/kg, and helicity levels, a measurement of the potential for rotating winds, reached over 200 m²/s².[4] The upper level jet stream also contributed to a large amount of wind shear, which provided the final ingredient for the outbreak.[5]
A high risk was issued by the Storm Prediction Center on the morning of February 5, the first such issuance in February since 1998. Early on the morning of February 5, a squall line developed across eastern Texas north into Missouri, where there was snow north of Kansas City towards Iowa and Wisconsin. Ahead of the squall line, the cap took longer than expected to break, but once it did in the late afternoon, numerous supercell thunderstorms quickly formed across Arkansas and southern Missouri. Some of the most powerful storms were situated across the Memphis and Jackson areas between 5:00 PM CST and 7:30 PM CST while numerous other tornadoes were reported across northern Mississippi northwest of Tupelo, Mississippi, where extensive damage was also reported in several areas. One of those supercells traveled across central Tennessee including the Nashville metropolitan area and south-central Kentucky, where several strong and deadly tornadoes were reported between 8:30 PM CST and 11:00 AM CST. Meanwhile, the line of thunderstorms that developed from near Dallas to Kansas City moved eastward causing numerous reports of damaging wind along with several spin-up tornadoes along its path throughout the evening and overnight hours from Louisiana to Ohio and Indiana. It then moved through the southeast during the early morning hours. A record five tornado emergency declarations were issued, four located in Tennessee, one in Alabama.
For February 6, a slight risk of severe weather was issued for much of the eastern United States from Pennsylvania to the Florida Panhandle as the squall line raced ahead of the cold front. After two additionnal tornadoes touched down in Alabama during the morning hours, the primary threat became mostly damaging wind across much of the Mid-Atlantic States. No additional tornadoes were reported during the afternoon hours as the cold front exited into the Atlantic Ocean and only wind damage was reported across eastern Kentucky, eastern Pennsylvania and most of Georgia. Further north, snow and freezing rain at times heavy continued from Iowa to Quebec until February 7 as the center of the system it self slowly moved out of the area.
Tornadoes reported
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 35 |
February 5 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ||||||
| EF? | NW of Sulphur Springs | Hopkins | 33°8′3″N 95°36′7″W / 33.13417°N 95.60194°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function | 2115 | Unconfirmed tornado. Substantial roof damage and an airplane was damaged at a local airport. | |
| EF1 | NE of Arp | Smith | 32°14′N 95°04′W / 32.23°N 95.06°W | 2250 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A large barn was destroyed and several trees were damaged. |
| Arkansas | ||||||
| EF1 | E of Hamburg | Ashley | 33°13′39″N 91°47′54″W / 33.22750°N 91.79833°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function | 2132 | 0.25 miles (400 m) | A school lost part of its roof. Several trees were uprooted. |
| EF3 | Atkins area | Yell, Pope | 35°14′37″N 92°56′18″W / 35.243485°N 92.938212°W | 2302 | unknown | 4 deaths - Severe damage reported. Five others were injured.[6] |
| EF? | N of Wonderview | Conway | 35°15′52″N 92°41′56″W / 35.26444°N 92.69889°W (county) | 2316 | 2 deaths - Report of a tornado on the ground[7] | |
| EF? | Gassville | Baxter | 36°16′59″N 92°29′24″W / 36.283160°N 92.490124°W | 2316 | 1 death - Extensive gas leaks; town has been sealed off.[7] | |
| EF3 | Clinton area | Van Buren | 35°35′11″N 92°27′28″W / 35.586410°N 92.457736°W | 2342 | unknown | 3 deaths - Tornado in the town of Clinton. Some homes were reportedly according to the survey swept off their foundation including a newly built house. Rating is preliminary; a Quick Response Team to visit to determine its final rating, possibly EF4 or EF5. |
| EF? | Mountain View | Stone | 35°51′54″N 92°06′31″W / 35.864886°N 92.108497°W | 0020 | 1 death - Hospital hit by tornado | |
| EF? | S of Myron | Izard | 36°05′48″N 91°54′22″W / 36.09667°N 91.90611°W (county) | 0030 | 3 deaths - reported by CNN | |
| EF? | E of Ash Flat to Hardy | Sharp | 36°13′52″N 91°36′33″W / 36.231107°N 91.609163°W | 0055 | 3 deaths (unconfirmed) - Tornado reported in the area with houses damaged and a fire department destroyed. Fatalities initially reported in Hardy but not confirmed since. | |
| EF? | W of Colt | St. Francis | 35°07′51″N 90°48′41″W / 35.130750°N 90.811261°W | 0119 | Reported tornado in Colt and Wheatley | |
| EF? | W of Maynard | Randolph | 36°25′N 91°10′W / 36.42°N 91.17°W | 0120 | Unconfirmed tornado with roofs blown off several buildings. | |
| EF? | SE of Cherry Valley | Cross | 35°17′30″N 90°46′24″W / 35.29167°N 90.77333°W (county) | 0202 | ||
| EF? | W of Evening Star | Greene | 36°06′21″N 90°33′41″W / 36.10583°N 90.56139°W (county) | 0210 | ||
| EF? | N of Wynne | Cross | 35°13′39″N 90°47′22″W / 35.227435°N 90.789435°W | 0220 | Possible tornado touchdown | |
| EF? | Marmaduke | Greene | 36°11′22″N 90°23′08″W / 36.189365°N 90.385661°W | 0222 | Tornado reported on the ground in the community devastated on April 2, 2006. | |
| EF? | S of De Witt | Arkansas | 34°17′N 91°20′W / 34.29°N 91.34°W | 0243 | Unconfirmed report of a tornado along with large hail. | |
| EF? | W of Parkin | Cross | 35°15′55″N 90°33′18″W / 35.265392°N 90.554880°W | 0256 | Tornado on the ground | |
| EF? | E of Forrest City | St. Francis | 35°00′36″N 90°47′19″W / 35.010131°N 90.788716°W | 0310 | Possible tornado | |
| Mississippi | ||||||
| EF0 | E of Rosedale | Bolivar | 33°51′13″N 91°01′37″W / 33.853747°N 91.026829°W | 2248 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Gas tank blown over and a mobile home damaged. |
| EF? | Horn Lake | Desoto | 34°57′31″N 90°02′35″W / 34.958644°N 90.042924°W | 2323 | ||
| EF2 | Southaven/Memphis, TN | Desoto, Shelby (TN) | 35°7′3″N 89°58′16″W / 35.11750°N 89.97111°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function | 2335 | 11 miles (18 km) | 4 deaths - See section on this tornado |
| EF1 | NW of Oxford | Lafayette | 34°21′35″N 89°31′34″W / 34.359837°N 89.526242°W | 2359 | 7 miles (11 km) | Intermittent tornado track with damage to a house and numerous outbuildings. |
| EF3 | SW of Abbeville | Lafayette | 34°30′16″N 89°30′03″W / 34.504525°N 89.500713°W | 0002 | 8 miles (13 km) | Several houses, a church and two industrial buildings including a Caterpillar factory destroyed. One person was injured. |
| EF? | SW of Senatobia | Panola | 34°36′59″N 89°58′10″W / 34.616452°N 89.969425°W | 0002 | ||
| EF? | Walnut | Tippah | 34°57′N 88°54′W / 34.95°N 88.90°W | 0050 | Unconfirmed tornado with trees down. | |
| EF? | N of Theo | Alcorn | 34°53′N 88°35′W / 34.88°N 88.58°W (county) | 0106 | Damage and injuries reported | |
| Tennessee | ||||||
| EF2 | Arlington | Shelby, Tipton | 35°16′40″N 89°40′24″W / 35.277689°N 89.673273°W | 2303 | 25 miles (40 km) | Long-track tornado with severe damage in several areas. About 15 houses were damaged. |
| EF? | Puryear | Henry | 36°26′41″N 88°20′02″W / 36.444853°N 88.333770°W | 0005 | Two houses were destroyed. | |
| EF? | S of Stanton | Henry | 35°27′45″N 89°24′05″W / 35.462463°N 89.401253°W | 0005 | Trees were blown down, and trailers were damaged. | |
| EF3 | SE of Hebron | Fayette | 0025 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 1 death Fatality was inside a destroyed shed. Trees and power poles were down. | |
| EF? | E of Stanton | Haywood | 35°27′45″N 89°24′05″W / 35.462463°N 89.401253°W | 0025 | Trailer blown down | |
| EF3 | Jackson area (1st tornado) | Madison | 35°37′59″N 88°49′15″W / 35.633132°N 88.820805°W | 0050 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | 2 deaths - 1st tornado of the family - See section on this tornado |
| EF4 | Jackson area (2nd tornado) | Madison | 35°37′59″N 88°49′15″W / 35.633132°N 88.820805°W | 0100 | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) | 2nd tornado of the family - See section on this tornado |
| EF3 | Jackson area (3rd tornado) | Madison | 35°37′59″N 88°49′15″W / 35.633132°N 88.820805°W | 0111 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 3rd tornado of the family - See section on this tornado |
| EF? | Eastview area | McNairy | 35°04′52″N 88°33′03″W / 35.081209°N 88.550886°W | 0123 | ||
| EF? | Big Sandy | Benton | 36°14′03″N 88°05′09″W / 36.234203°N 88.085869°W | 0207 | Several trailers reported damaged, and widespread tree damage. | |
| EF? | E of Clifton | Wayne | 35°22′58″N 87°59′31″W / 35.382777°N 87.992060°W | 0210 | Several houses were reported to be damaged. | |
| EF? | S of Linden | Perry | 35°36′44″N 87°50′30″W / 35.612168°N 87.841601°W | 0210 | Numerous trees knocked down in the county. | |
| EF? | Morris Chapel | Hardin | 35°19′26″N 88°21′08″W / 35.32389°N 88.35222°W | 0230 | 3 deaths - Homes damaged with people trapped in Morris Chapel. Five others injured so far according to an NWS station report.[8] | |
| EF? | N of Hohenwald | Hickman | 35°37′N 87°38′W / 35.61°N 87.64°W | 0235 | Major damage reported in the area with trailers destroyed, barns and outbuildings flattened and several houses heavily damaged. Several injuries reported. | |
| EF? | SW of Centerville | Hickman | 35°47′18″N 87°27′21″W / 35.788218°N 87.455890°W | 0235 | 3 deaths (still unconfirmed) - Public report of a tornado with major damage. | |
| EF? | SE of Centerville | Hickman | 0245 | Trees down and houses damaged in the Brushy area. Possibly related to above tornado. | ||
| EF? | Fairview | Williamson | 35°58′55″N 87°07′45″W / 35.982071°N 87.129133°W | 0307 | Several houses destroyed. | |
| EF? | N of Ripley | Lauderdale | 35°46′N 89°38′W / 35.76°N 89.63°W (county) | 0350 | ||
| EF2 | Westmoreland to Lafayette | Sumner, Trousdale, Macon | 36°33′41″N 86°14′50″W / 36.561306°N 86.247123°W | 0407 | unknown | 21 deaths - Preliminary rating by NWS Nashville, subject to change. See section on this tornado |
| EF? | Reagan | Henderson | 35°39′N 88°23′W / 35.65°N 88.39°W (county) | 0500 | Reported tornado along with dime-size hail. | |
| Kentucky | ||||||
| EF1 | W of Boatwright | Calloway | 36°37′N 88°16′W / 36.62°N 88.27°W (county) | 0025 | 1.2 miles (1.9 km) | Several houses damaged including one blown roof. |
| EF? | SW of Crofton | Christian | 37°02′52″N 87°29′07″W / 37.047752°N 87.485260°W | 0135 | Numerous homes damaged or destroyed with people trapped inside | |
| EF3 | W of Greenville | Muhlenberg | 37°12′26″N 87°10′35″W / 37.207158°N 87.176499°W | 0144 | 12 miles (19 km) | 3 deaths - 113 houses were damaged with 49 destroyed in Greenville and Powderly, including many mobile homes flattened. Damage also reported in Central City. All fatalities occurred in a mobile home park. |
| EF3 | Tompkinsville, KY area | Monroe | 36°42′N 85°41′W / 36.70°N 85.69°W | 0447 | at least 12 miles (19 km) | Preliminary rating. Tornado crossed into Monroe County from Tennessee (possibly associated with the Sumner/Trousdale/Macon County tornado) Major damage reported in Beaumont community. A metal warehouse, two homes and two mobiles near Gamaliel were destroyed while several other structures suffered extensive damage. Some people were trapped inside damaged structures for up to 30 minutes. |
| EF1 | Brandenburg | Meade | 37°59′34″N 86°10′29″W / 37.992664°N 86.174657°W | 0454 | 7 miles (11 km) | Several buildings suffered significant damage along the path, including a church, an office building, a bank and two retail businesses. |
| EF2 | Cecilia area | Hardin | 37°40′N 85°57′W / 37.67°N 85.95°W | 0521 | 6.75 miles (10.9 km) | Tornado embedded in a larger squall line. Numerous houses were damaged along with several boats and outbuildings. Heavy damage to the football stadium at Central Hardin High School. |
| EF2 | E of Elizabethtown | Hardin | Coordinates: Longitude could not be parsed as a number: −85.866173 |
0527 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Two trailers sustained severe damage. |
| EF0 | SW of Taylorsville | Spencer | 38°02′05″N 85°20′38″W / 38.034837°N 85.343797°W | 0538 | 0.5 miles (800 m) | Two mobile homes were destroyed and other roof damage was reported. |
| EF0 | S of Taylorsville | Spencer | 38°02′05″N 85°20′38″W / 38.034837°N 85.343797°W | 0543 | 0.5 miles (800 m) | Significant damage to several barns and houses. |
| EF1 | SE of Springfield | Washington | 37°41′11″N 85°13′19″W / 37.686328°N 85.221955°W | 0601 | 0.67 miles (1.1 km) | Tornado embedded in wind damage blew a roof off a house. Several outbuildings destroyed. |
| EF2 | NE of Springfield | Washington | 37°41′11″N 85°13′19″W / 37.686328°N 85.221955°W | 0606 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A large, well-constructed building was destroyed and concrete joints were displaced. |
| EF1 | S of Owingsville | Bath | 38°05′N 83°46′W / 38.08°N 83.76°W | 0716 | unknown | Numerous barns blown over and trees down. |
| EF0 | N of Deniston | Menifee | 37°56′N 83°32′W / 37.94°N 83.54°W | 0716 | unknown | Time estimated and rating is preliminary. Confirmed tornado touchdown with a barn destroyed. |
| EF1 | E of Harrodsburg | Mercer | 37°45′50″N 84°50′46″W / 37.764019°N 84.845974°W | 0720 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Two industrial buildings were damaged and extensive tree damage was reported. |
| EF3 | SE of Scottsville | Allen | 36°40′N 86°09′W / 36.66°N 86.15°W | 0740 | 9 miles (14 km) | 4 deaths - Three others were injured. Several outbuildings, three homes and five mobiles homes were destroyed. The fatalities came from 3 separate mobile homes. |
| Missouri | ||||||
| EF1 | Burr area | Ripley | County, MO 36°40′N 90°52′W / 36.66°N 90.87°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (county) | 0135 | 16 miles (26 km) | Intermittent tornado path with four mobile homes destroyed along with several outbuildings. Extensive tree damage. |
| EF? | Poplar Bluff | Butler | 36°45′35″N 90°24′10″W / 36.759808°N 90.402731°W | 0151 | Possible tornado | |
| EF? | S of Gideon | Pemiscot | 36°27′17″N 89°55′07″W / 36.454799°N 89.918691°W | 0254 | Unconfirmed tornado report | |
| Indiana | ||||||
| EF1 | Bloomfield | Greene | 39°01′29″N 86°56′25″W / 39.024634°N 86.940307°W | 0315 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Several structures received significant wall and roof damage. Some damage to school playground. Multiple trees down or damaged. Car found submerged in a nearby lake; death likely weather-related (most likely thunderstorm rains) but not related to tornado.[9] |
| Sources:
Storm reports of February 5, 2008, NWS Jackson KY, NWS Louisville, NWS Indianapolis, NWS Jackson MS, NWS Paducah NWS Nashville NWS Memphis, NWS Little Rock, NWS Shreveport | ||||||
February 6 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ||||||
| EF1 | N of Beaverton | Lamar, Marion | 33°56′N 88°01′W / 33.93°N 88.02°W | 0804 | 6 miles (10 km) | Numerous trees uprooted or snapped off. Roof damage and trees on houses in Beaverton. |
| EF2 | NE of Samantha | Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Walker | 33°31′N 87°32′W / 33.51°N 87.53°W | 0903 | 28 miles (45 km) | Significant damage reported in the area with 15 structures damaged or destroyed by a large wedge tornado. At least 500 trees uprooted. |
| EF3 | Moulton area | Lawrence | 34°29′N 87°17′W / 34.48°N 87.28°W | 0915 | 18.7 miles (30 km) | 3 deaths - Extensive damage in the area. Many houses were damaged including a large house nearly flattened. 20 to 25 others were injured. |
| EF? | W of Oakman | Walker | 33°41′N 87°27′W / 33.69°N 87.45°W | 0916 | Unconfirmed tornado with a trailer damaged. One person was injured. | |
| EF? | Decatur area | Morgan | 34°29′N 87°05′W / 34.49°N 87.09°W | 0925 | Tornado reported in the Chapel Hill area. | |
| EF? | Jasper | Walker | 33°25′N 86°58′W / 33.41°N 86.96°W | 0929 | Unconfirmed tornado with a billboard damaged. | |
| EF? | NW of Huntsville | Madison | 34°47′N 86°45′W / 34.79°N 86.75°W | 0935 | Tornado reported on the ground. | |
| EF? | Pisgah | Jackson | 34°41′N 85°51′W / 34.68°N 85.85°W | 1120 | One house destroyed in the area. | |
| EF4 | Rosalie | Jackson | 34°42′N 85°46′W / 34.70°N 85.77°W | 1225 | unknown | 1 death - Destructive tornado reported in the area with houses destroyed. [10] |
| EF2 | S of Stewartville | Coosa, Talladega | 33°02′N 86°14′W / 33.04°N 86.24°W | 1235 | 14 miles (23 km) | 200 to 300 large trees snapped off or sheared by a 1/2 mile (800 m) wide wedge tornado. |
| Sources:
Storm reports of February 6, 2008, NWS Birmingham, NWS Huntsville | ||||||
Memphis area tornado
A supercell thunderstorm moved across the Tennessee and Mississippi state boundary and produced a tornado just after 5:30 PM CDT in Southaven, Mississippi. The tornado quickly tracked across the line into southeastern Memphis. National Weather Service officials issued a tornado emergency across most of the Memphis region and the suburbs. It produced a swath of extensive damage over residential and commercial areas.
WREG tower cameras showed the tornado tracking across the southeastern suburbs, particularly Southaven, Mississippi, with sightings of debris and power flashes. An eyewitness took pictures of the tornado. [11] Hickory Ridge Mall suffered damage when portions of a wall and roof were destroyed. Major damage has also been reported in the Pleasant Ridge area of Germantown and the south end of Memphis. Damage was also reported at Memphis International Airport, where a hangar lost its roof, the FedEx freight terminal's fire station suffered roof damage, airstair trucks were thrown 100 yards (110 m), and aircraft were moved around, including a Boeing 737 being moved one foot.[12] The airport was locked down before the tornado hit; the airport weather station's reporting equipment recorded a gust of 73 knots (84 mph, 135 km/h). [13] The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF2.
Five people in the metropolitan area are confirmed dead after four people were killed when a warehouse collapsed in the Hickory Hill section of Memphis. A spokesperson for the state's Emergency Management Agency also reported one fatality at the Hickory Ridge Mall. [14]One other death took place in Somerville in a motor vehicle, likely by straight-line winds. [15]
Shelby County Election Commission administrator James Johnson said the weather had not interfered with Super Tuesday voting locations.[16]
Jackson area tornado family
| State | Total | County | County total |
Tornado related |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4 | Jackson | 1 | 1 |
| Lawrence | 3 | 3 | ||
| Arkansas | 14 | Baxter | 1 | 1 |
| Conway | 2 | 2 | ||
| Izard | 3 | 3 | ||
| Pope | 4 | 4 | ||
| Stone | 1 | 1 | ||
| Van Buren | 3 | 3 | ||
| Indiana | 1 | Newton | 1 | 0 |
| Kentucky | 7 | Allen | 4 | 4 |
| Muhlenberg | 3 | 3 | ||
| Tennessee | 31 | Fayette | 1 | 0 |
| Hardin | 3 | 3 | ||
| Macon | 12 | 12 | ||
| Madison | 2 | 2 | ||
| Shelby | 4 | 4 | ||
| Sumner | 7 | 7 | ||
| Trousdale | 2 | 2 | ||
| Totals | 57 | 55 | ||
Another tornado emergency was issued at 7:00 PM CDT for Jackson, Tennessee from the same supercell that hit Memphis. Two more were issued for areas further north and east around 7:30 PM CDT. Some cars and at least 15 tractor trailers were overturned along Interstate 40 between mile markers 68 and 79. In addition, the areas southwest of Jackson also saw severe damage, including destroyed homes and major damage to a church and I-40 rest area. The most severe damage was at Union University which was devastated. Twelve students at the university were trapped but all were rescued. A total of 17 buildings received damage of varying degrees. Hurt, Watters, and McAfee dorms were the hardest hit with approximately 80% of the dorms rendered uninhabitable. Due to the damage, the university will be closed until at least February 18. For more information see Union University Tornado Outbreak. All Jackson-Madison county schools will be closed until Monday, February 11.[17] Major damage was also reported in a commercial area near the U.S. Route 45 bypass and to the northeast of Jackson. Over 60 people were treated for injuries as a result of the severe weather, 50 of whom were released immediately. Two fatalities have been reported in the Huntersville community, located west of Jackson.
The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF4 and later determined that there were three distinct tornado tracks, with two other EF3 tornadoes on either side of the main tornado. The segment that hit Union University was the strongest of the three. [18]
It was the third major tornado to hit Jackson in 10 years; two other tornadoes, both also F4, devastated the community on January 17, 1999 and May 4, 2003.
Northeast Nashville region supercell
Middle Tennessee was also very hard hit with at least 21 deaths from at least one tornado in the late evening hours. Reports indicate a tornado touched down near Castalian Springs and Westmoreland, Tennessee, a rural area to the northeast of Nashville, just after 10:00 pm CST (0400 UTC). At least seven fatalities were confirmed in Castalian Springs due to the severe weather. State roads have been shut down as search efforts for survivors continue. A major fire took place at a natural gas plant in Sumner County, due to a lightning strike. The area was evacuated and no one was injured at the plant.[19] [20] [2]
The tornado then tracked into Trousdale County and left 2 people dead at a home along Highway 231.[21] From there, the tornado continued just to the northeast to Macon County, Tennessee and left at least 12 people dead and widespread damage in the area has been reported to houses and trailers, particularly in the community of Lafayette where many houses were destroyed. Door-to-door searches for victims continue. 16,000 TVA customers in Macon and Trousdale Counties are currently without power.[22] [23] [24] Preliminary surveys by the National Weather Service confirmed that the 21 deaths were caused by a single tornado, rated at least an EF2 and likely stronger.[25]
The devastation was described by Governor Phil Bredesen as "it looks like the Lord took a Brillo pad and scrubbed the ground" while surveying by helicopter.[26] This tornado is the deadliest single tornado to strike Middle Tennessee in over 75 years, and the deadliest single US tornado since the Evansville Tornado of November 2005 (which killed 25).[27]
At the time the supercell came through, a National Hockey League game between the Nashville Predators and the Carolina Hurricanes, which was nationally televised on Versus, was being played at the Sommet Center. With just over nine minutes left in the third period, Predators head coach Barry Trotz was told that the game would probably have to be stopped, and everyone evacuated due to the weather. [28] The game continued, with Nashville winning 1-0 on a J.P. Dumont goal just past the midway point of the third. At game's end, fans were not allowed to leave the arena until the storm had passed. [29] There have been no significant damage reports from Nashville itself.
Non-tornadic events
Numerous reports of damaging wind was associated with cold front which caused one fatality. Wind gusts across many areas exceeded 50 mph (80 km/h) from Arkansas to Indiana which brought down numerous trees and power lines and causing numerous power outages across many areas. At Little Rock's Adams Field Airport, during the passage of the squall line, a 67 mph (108 km/h) wind gust was recorded. [30]
The same low pressure systems that are causing the tornado outbreak are also causing a major snowstorm. Winter storm warnings are in effect from the central Plains to the western Great Lakes. Upwards of a foot of snow is expected from eastern Iowa to southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, with locally 20 inches (51 cm) of snow expected near Lake Michigan.[31] Environment Canada has also issued freezing rain and winter storm warnings for Southern Ontario.[32] Some areas north of Lake Erie already received close 1 inch (25 mm) of ice with some rain [33]. In Toronto, two waves of moderate to heavy snow along with some ice pellets and even thunder and lightning, brought up to 1 foot (30 cm) of snow over a two-day period on February 6 and 7. [34] A wave ahead of the main event during the early morning hours of February 5 also produced freezing rain further east towards southern Quebec and eastern Ontario. A relatively heavy bout of rain brought unseasonal mild thunderstorms to parts of Southern Ontario in the late-night hours of February 4.
Flooding is expected in Indiana due to heavy rains and the melting of snow that is already on the ground.[35]
There are no reports of voting issues from the states affected by other weather impacts.
See also
References
- ^ "Voters turn out in droves for Super Tuesday". CNN. 2008-02-06.
- ^ a b "Severe weather, tornadoes kill dozens across South". 2008-02-06.
- ^ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/2008/02_06/
- ^ "Severe Weather on February 5, 2008 (Pg1)". National Weather Service. 2008-02-06.
- ^ "Feb 5, 2008 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Convection Center. 2008-02-05.
- ^ "Severe weather kills 23 in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee". CNN. 2008-02-05.
{{cite news}}: Text "http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/05/tornado.bad.weather/index.html" ignored (help) - ^ a b Bell, Robert (2008-02-05). "Update: 13 Dead As Tornadoes Rake Arkansas". Today's THV.
- ^ "Preliminary Local Storm Report". National Weather Service, Memphis TN. 2008-02-05.
- ^ http://www.theindychannel.com/weather/15238550/detail.html?rss=ind&psp=news
- ^ http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7829825
- ^ http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5688947&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
- ^ SPC Storm Reports for February 5, 2008
- ^ http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=7828184&nav=menu59_2
- ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/06/tornadoes/index.html
- ^ http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7829113
- ^ Callahan, Jody (2008-02-05). "Storms slice through Mid-South". Commercial Appeal. Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS01/80206049
- ^ http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod=PNS&node=KMEG
- ^ http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/NEWS/80206008
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080206/ap_on_re_us/gas_explosion
- ^ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=OHXLSROHX
- ^ http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7829825
- ^ http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS/80206056
- ^ http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS/80206067
- ^ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=OHXPNSOHX
- ^ http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=199755
- ^ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=OHXPNSOHX
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23026700/
- ^ http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7828577
- ^ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/svr0208a.htm
- ^ http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=mkx&storyid=12790&source=0
- ^ http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/son_e.html
- ^ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080206/to_storm_080206/20080206?hub=TopStories
- ^ http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_19360.aspx
- ^ http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=ind&storyid=12788&source=0