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Tornado outbreak and floods of April 28 – May 1, 2017

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Tornado outbreak and floods of April 28–30, 2017
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Blizzard
Flood
Tornado outbreak
FormedApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
DissipatedCurrently active
Highest winds
Lowest pressure992 mb (29.29 inHg)
Tornadoes
confirmed		3 confirmed, 17+ reported
Max. rating1EF3+ tornado
Largest hail2.75 inches (7.0 cm) in Pocola, Oklahoma
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		Snow – 39 in (99 cm) near San Isabel, Colorado[1]
Rainfall – 8.32 in (21.1 cm) in Stendal, Indiana
Fatalities10+ deaths, 56 injuries
Power outages61,200+
Areas affectedHigh Plains, Western United States (Rocky Mountains), Ohio Valley, Upper Midwest, Southeastern United States
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
Part of the 2016–17 North American winter and tornado outbreaks of 2017

The tornado outbreak and floods of April 28–30, 2017 are currently significant weather events causing havoc in the central United States. Part of a larger massive system that formed out of a disturbance in the Southwestern United States on April 28, it has caused massive impacts, including producing a heavy snowstorm in the Rockies, heavy rain and life-threatening flooding near the Mississippi Valley, and the potential for tornadoes in the southern United States.[2][3] So far, up to 3 feet (36 in) of snow has fallen on the cold side of the system, and several inches of rain have fallen in and around the central parts of the nation. In addition, severe weather has caused numerous tornadoes to form, one of which killed at least four people in Texas, and many others injured.

Meteorological history

In late April, a stationary front was draped across the central United States, associated with cloudiness and showers.[4] By 21:00 UTC, a surface low with a central pressure of 1,003 millibars (29.6 inHg) developed in central Kansas.[5] Shortly afterwards, thunderstorms erupted into existence along the stationary front, which required severe weather watches to be issued by the National Weather Service. With a ridge of high pressure centered over the Atlantic Ocean, this helped focus high levels of atmospheric moisture rising from the Gulf of Mexico along the front, causing immense clusters of heavy rain and thunderstorms to slowly progress eastwards – also known as thunderstorm training.[6] At the same time, after deepening slightly to 992 millibars (29.3 inHg), the elongated area of low pressure was cranking out heavy snowfall in parts of Nebraska and Colorado, including Denver. Little change occurred over the next six hours as the front moved slightly eastwards; although a squall line was beginning to form, increasing the threat for large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.[7]

Overnight into the early hours of April 30, however, some organisation took place and eventually the central low began to deepen and become the dormant one of the system, while a powerful squall line was sweeping through the Mississippi Valley.[8]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
FU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 0 1 1 1 0 0 6
  • Note: 3 tornadoes have been confirmed but are currently unrated.

April 28 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 28, 2017[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary Refs
EFU Southeastern Sumner Lawrence IL 38°43′N 87°52′W / 38.72°N 87.86°W / 38.72; -87.86 (Sumner (Apr. 28, EFU)) 2145 — — A rain-wrapped tornado damaged homes, destroyed outbuildings, snapped trees, and resulted in power outages. [9]
EF2 NW of Cameron Le Flore OK 35°10′N 94°35′W / 35.17°N 94.58°W / 35.17; -94.58 (Cameron (Apr. 28, EF2)) 0341 — — Radar indicated a prolonged debris signature. Preliminary rating of low-end EF2. [10]
EF1 Goshen Oldham KY 38°23′50″N 85°35′34″W / 38.3973°N 85.5929°W / 38.3973; -85.5929 (Goshen (Apr. 28, EF1)) 0353–0356 1 mi (1.6 km) 250 yd (230 m) Two buildings, including the main worship center, were damaged at a large church facility. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted; some trees damaged the roofs and gutters of houses. Power lines and power poles were downed. Several residences sustained significant roof and barn damage.. [11]

April 29 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, April 29, 2017[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary Refs
EFU Eustace to Western Canton Henderson, Van Zandt TX 32°31′N 95°52′W / 32.51°N 95.87°W / 32.51; -95.87 (Eustace (Apr. 29, EFU)) 2105 — — A large tornado caused significant damage. A damage survey is expected. [12][13]
EFU SE of Sallisaw Sequoyah OK 35°27′N 94°46′W / 35.45°N 94.77°W / 35.45; -94.77 (Sallisaw (Apr. 29, EFU)) 2118 — — A tornado caused damage on the southeastern side of Sallisaw and points northeast. A damage survey is ongoing. [12]
EFU Caney City Henderson TX 32°13′N 96°02′W / 32.21°N 96.04°W / 32.21; -96.04 (Caney City (Apr. 29, EFU)) 2232 — — NWS confirmed a tornado in Caney City. [12][13]
EF3+ Canton to Emory to Fruitvale Van Zandt, Rains TX 32°29′N 95°52′W / 32.48°N 95.87°W / 32.48; -95.87 (Canton (Apr. 29, EF3+)) 2313 — — 4 deaths – A long-lived, massive, and violent tornado caused significant damage to numerous structures. A car dealership was badly damaged, with dozens of vehicles tossed and mangled on Interstate 20. At least 39 people were injured. A damage survey is ongoing. Preliminary reports estimate that tornado was at least an EF3. [12][13]

April 30 event

Notable tornadoes

Canton, Texas

A tornado was first reported as touching down about 25 miles to the south of Canton, Texas, at 5:41 pm CDT, before it began moving north towards the city. By around 6 pm, a Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado warning was issued for the city, as reports of a very large tornado doing severe damage outside of Canton was received from Storm chasers in the local area. Continuing to intensify, the tornado passed through the center of the city, completely demolishing a Dodge automobile showroom, and scattering the debris around the local area. Cars from this location were also found up to half a mile away from this location with their showroom license plates still attached. [1]

Around this time, there were reports of cars being tossed into a ravine off the I-20, which was closed due to tornadic damages for a short time after the storms passage. By 6:15 pm, the now mile wide tornado had crossed the I20, and proceeded to make a direct hit on Fruitvale shortly after, where there were videos of homes reduced to their foundations by the tornado from local storm chasers. Also in this area, people were reported trapped under debris associated with the violent tornadoes passage, with a car that originated on I20 being tossed half a mile into an open field.

By 6:30 pm, the tornado began to weaken as it approached Emory, before finally lifting at 7:24 pm to the north of Emory. During the tornadoes life, as many as 4 people have been confirmed dead, with a further 49 being admitted to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

The following day, the Mayor of the city, Lou Ann Everett declaring a need for assistance following the event, which may have seen as may as 4 or 5 tornadoes in the county. She also reported during this speech that "The damage was extensive in the affected area. I have just driven through some of it and it is heartbreaking and upsetting to say the least," [2]. On the same day, it was announced that the damage in Canton would recieve a preliminary damage assessment of EF3-EF4, with the survey to be finished the next day. [3]

Impact

Late on April 28, a possible tornado caused damage in Sumner, Illinois, with reports of house damaged and power lines down.[14] Further east, near Stone Head, Indiana, a man was trapped inside a house after a tree had fallen into the building. No injuries were reported though. A likely tornado caused damage to one home and destroyed an outbuilding in Lawrence, Illinois.[14]

Multiple severe weather reports were confirmed during the night of April 28 and 29, including a wedge tornado which caused five deaths and 49 injuries in Texas.[15]

Flooding impacts

Late on April 28, a flood watch was issued for a large portion of the Central United States as high moisture clashing with the stationary front was expected to create life-threatening floods, potentially being caused by thunderstorm training.[16]

On April 29, in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Fire Department advised residents to stay home, due to downed trees and power lines.[14][17] In addition, multiple portions of interstates, including I-235 and I-40 had to be shut down because of downed power lines and flooding.[18] Lightning ignited a home fire according to news outlets, while a second was reported to have possibly triggered another. As much as 39,000 were reported to have been without power by early on April 29.

According to the NWS, multiple reports of flash flooding had impacted several states, in a range extending from Oklahoma to Missouri.[14] In addition, multiple water rescues were being carried out in places that had been deluged with heavy rainfall overnight, some areas picking up to 6 inches (15 cm) in only 12 hours.

Other non-tornadic impacts

On April 28, residents in Denver, Colorado and other major cities began preparing for the storm. Officials were also worried that because of the time of year where most trees were in full bloom, the heavy wet snow might cause branches to break and fall down, possibly causing power outages.[19] In Boulder, where a golf tournament was being held, officials were prepared for possible delays to the the tournament.[20] In the end, Denver picked up 5 inches (13 cm), with higher amounts in the mountains.[19] At the height of the storm, up to 9,200 were reported to be without power in Pubelo.[21]

Previously, the winter storm had dumped up to 2 feet (24 in) of snow in the higher elevations of Wyoming.[19] The state's Department of Transportation also urged residents to stay off the roadways if necessary. In addition, Highway 16 was shut down in the Bighorn Mountains because of the treacherous conditions.[22]

Blizzard warnings were issued for Kansas and the adjancent areas, as heavy snow and gusty winds were predicted.[19] After the storm subsided, about 100 evacuations and 36 rescues were reported.[23] In the northwestern part of the state, 130 miles (210 km) of Interstate 70 was shut down due to the treacherous conditions.[24][19]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References

  1. ^ "Winter Storm Ursa Will End April With Rockies, High Plains Snow; Upper Midwest Says, "Same," for May Day". The Weather Channel. April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "Latest Forecast: Denver Is Under A Winter Storm Warning". cbslocal.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  3. ^ Samenow, Jason; Samenow, Jason (28 April 2017). "A blast of snow in spring: Winter storm warning in Denver into Saturday". Retrieved 29 April 2017 – via washingtonpost.com.
  4. ^ Service, NOAA's National Weather. "WPC Surface Analysis Archive". noaa.gov. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  5. ^ "WPC Storm Summary 1". Weather Prediction Center. April 28, 2017.
  6. ^ "WPC Storm Summary 3". Weather Prediction Center. April 29, 2017.
  7. ^ "WPC Storm Summary 5". Weather Prediction Center. April 29, 2017.
  8. ^ "WPC Storm Summary 6". Weather Prediction Center. April 30, 2017.
  9. ^ Preliminary Local Storm Report (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Preliminary Local Storm Report (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  11. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 04/29/2017 Tornado Event (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  12. ^ a b c d SPC Storm Reports for 04/29/17 (Report). Storm Prediction Center. April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c "Five Dead After Three Tornadoes Strike East of DFW Area". NBC DFW. April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d "Severe Storms Bring Flooding, Downed Trees and Power Lines to Oklahoma City; Several States Face Life-Threatening Conditions". weather.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Large Tornado Hits Canton, Texas, East of Dallas; 1 Killed, 49 Injured". weather.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Life-Threatening Flash Flood Danger Will Persist Through the Weekend in the Ozarks, Mississippi Valley". weather.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  17. ^ "Oklahoma City Fire on Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  18. ^ Staff, KOCO (29 April 2017). "Storms cause flooding, power outages and damage across OKC metro". koco.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Winter Storm Ursa Dumps Snow on Higher Elevations; Denver Officials Prepare for Impacts". weather.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  20. ^ TEGNA. "Snow could impact Pac-12 golf championships". 9news.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  21. ^ zhillstrom@chieftain.com, By ZACH HILLSTROM. "Late spring snowstorm causes damage, electrical outages". chieftain.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  22. ^ writers, Star-Tribune staff. "Storm closes roads across Wyoming". trib.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  23. ^ "Relentless rain swamps Missouri as Greitens declares state of emergency". kansascity.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  24. ^ "KAKE News on Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
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