Late December 2015 North American storm complex

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Late December 2015 North American storm complex
Southern US storm complex Dec 26 2015 2230 UTC.jpg
GOES-13 satellite image of the storms over the Southern United States on December 26
Type Extratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Ice storm
Blizzard
Tornado outbreak
Flood
Duration December 26, 2015 (2015-12-26) – December 30, 2015 (2015-12-30)
Lowest pressure 989 mb (29.21 inHg)
Tornadoes confirmed 28
Max rating1 EF4 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak2 2 days, 1 hour, 58 minutes
Highest winds 180 mph (290 km/h)
(Garland, TX EF4 tornado on December 26)
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion 41 in (1,000 mm) at Bonito Lake, New Mexico
Damage At least $1.2 billion
Power outages ≥65,000
Casualties 58 fatalities
Areas affected Southwestern, Central, and New England regions in the United States; Northern Mexico; Southeastern Canada.

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Part of the 2015–16 North American winter

In late December 2015, a major tornado outbreak and winter storm affected the Southern and Midwestern regions in the United States. New Mexico and Oklahoma were hit by a blizzard and ice storm before the storm system headed to the Northern Plains, Great Lakes and New England regions.[1] Tornadoes impacted areas around Dallas, Texas.[2] Several states, especially Missouri, were hit with heavy rain and snow causing severe floods. As the system moved through the Great Lakes region, heavy rain, ice pellets and heavy snow fell in the entire region. Wintry mix moved through southern Ontario and Quebec had significant snowfall on December 29. More than 50 people were killed in the storm system and its aftermath, which made it one of the deadliest of such systems of the year.[1]

Tornado outbreak[edit]

On December 26, 2015, the tornado outbreak portion of the storm system, with 28 tornadoes total confirmed, began when ten tornadoes impacted Texas that evening, mostly in and around the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, killing 12 people,[3][4][5] which made it the deadliest tornado disaster in the area since the Dallas tornado of 1957, and added to the highest tornado death count in the U.S. for the month of December since 1953.[6][7] An EF3 tornado moved through multiple subdivisions in Ovilla and Glenn Heights, Texas on the south side of the metroplex, destroying numerous homes and two churches. Nine people in Garland, Texas died as a result of a large and powerful EF4 wedge tornado that also destroyed many homes in the neighboring suburb of Rowlett. An EF2 tornado killed two people in Copeville, while an EF1 caused another fatality near Blue Ridge. Additional tornadoes touched down across the Southern United States on December 27 and 28. Most of these tornadoes were weak, though EF2 tornadoes caused considerable damage near Marianna, Arkansas and Marshall, Texas.[8] More than 65,000 people lost power in the area due to the tornadoes.[9][10]

Damage from tornadoes in Texas alone is estimated at $1.2 billion.[5]

Flooding[edit]

The storm system was responsible for heavy rain that caused severe flooding in 13 states, with Missouri being especially impacted.[11][12] Parts of the state were hit with over 10 in (0.25 m) of heavy rainfall.[3] At least 14 people died due to the floods in Missouri alone.[13] In Union, Missouri, the Bourbeuse River rose to 34.22 ft (10.43 m), above the preceding record of 33.79 ft (10.30 m) which occurred on December 5, 1982.[14][15][12][16] More than 180 roads, including portions of Interstates 44, 55, and 70, and several bridges were closed.[17][18] The Meramec River, near St. Louis, crested 2 ft (0.61 m) above its previous record height, inundating nearby communities. At least 380 homes and 70 businesses were flooded in Franklin County.[17]

Approximately 140,000 sandbags were brought in to protect portions of the Bayshore subdivision in Arnold. At least 150 homes succumbed to flooding in the city.[17] More than 100 boat rescues were conducted in Eureka.[19]

Nine levees were topped—five along the Mississippi River, three along the Missouri River, and one along the Kaskaskia River—though the affected areas were predominantly unpopulated.[19][20] Large stretches of the Mississippi River were placed on alert due to projected major flooding.[21]

Flash flooding also claimed seven lives in Illinois, two in Oklahoma, one in Arkansas, and one in Georgia.[22][23][4][1]

Winter storm[edit]

Heavy snow as it appears on the weather radar on the night of December 28, covering portions of western New England. White indicates snow, where brightest spots indicate heavier snow.

The combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and bitterly cold temperatures resulted in blizzard conditions across most of New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, western Oklahoma and West Texas. Some places in this area had over 1–3 ft (30–91 cm) of snow but also snow drifts up to 12 feet (370 cm) high.[24] In the path of this Texas low, a swath of snow and ice impacted the central Plains and Midwest from Oklahoma to Wisconsin as the storm system moved northeastward toward the eastern Great Lakes. The storm system spread a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to New York State and New England, disrupting travel in the region. At least 1 person in New Mexico, and 4 people in Oklahoma died as a direct result of the winter storm system.[25][4][1][26][27]

More than 750 flights were cancelled at Chicago O'Hare international airport, and hundreds more at Detroit, Toronto and Montreal. Due to a strong artic air mass north of the system, parts of northern Michigan, Ontario and all Quebec suffered blizzard conditions, with moderate snow bands and moderate winds as well. 20-30 cm of snow (8-12 in) fell in Ottawa–Gatineau, less than 10 cm (4 in) in Toronto, and the greater Montreal region had 30–40 cm of snow (12–16 in).[28][3][29][30][4][31][1][32]

Four people died in Minnesota in a car accident linked to snow-covered roads.[33] Two people died from overexertion while clearing snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[34] Other similar indirect deaths from the winter storm were reported in New Mexico (1 death), Missouri (2), Michigan (1), New York (1), Vermont (3), New Hampshire (1), and Maine (1).[1][25][35][36][37]

The dairy industry in eastern New Mexico and western Texas lost 30,000 cows to the storm.[38]

Confirmed tornadoes[edit]

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
7 16 3 1 1 0 28

December 26 event[edit]

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, December 26, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF0 N of Hubbard Hill TX 31°55′N 96°48′W / 31.92°N 96.80°W / 31.92; -96.80 (Hubbard (Dec. 26, EF0)) 2003–2007 3 miles (4.8 km) 50 yards (46 m) Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [39][40]
EF0 NE of Eustace Henderson TX 2044–2046 1 mile (1.6 km) 40 yards (37 m) Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [39][40]
EF0 NE of Emory Rains TX 2322–2323 1 mile (1.6 km) 75 yards (69 m) Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [39][40]
EF0 S of Sulphur Springs Hopkins TX 2333–2334 0.5 miles (0.80 km) 25 yards (23 m) Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [39][40]
EF3 E of Midlothian to Glenn Heights Ellis, Dallas TX 0001–0013 8.5 miles (13.7 km) 125 yards (114 m) This relatively narrow but strong tornado moved through multiple subdivisions in Ovilla and Glenn Heights, damaging or destroying numerous homes and tossing vehicles. Two churches were destroyed, and an elementary school sustained multiple exterior wall collapses. [39][40][10]
EF4 Sunnyvale to Rowlett to Lake Ray Hubbard Dallas, Rockwall TX 0045–0102 13 miles (21 km) 550 yards (500 m) 9 deaths – Violent wedge tornado damaged or destroyed numerous homes and businesses in Sunnyvale, Garland, and Rowlett. A few large, well-built homes in Garland were completely leveled with only piles of debris left behind. An apartment complex sustained major structural damage, and multiple self-storage units were destroyed as well. All fatalities occurred in Garland, when multiple vehicles were lofted and thrown long distances from an elevated highway bridge at the George Bush Turnpike and Interstate 30 interchange. Fifteen people were hospitalized; with one victim dying from his injuries on January 8, 2016. [39][40][10][5]
EF0 NE of Ennis Ellis TX 0100–0102 1 mile (1.6 km) 150 yards (140 m) Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [39][40]
EF2 N of Lavon to N of Copeville Collin TX 0109–0115 5.5 miles (8.9 km) 200 yards (180 m) 2 deaths – A gas station and convenience store in Copeville was completely destroyed, killing two people inside. A large garage structure was destroyed, with several other homes and businesses in the area sustaining major damage. [39][40][10]
EF1 W of Farmersville Collin TX 0117–0123 4 miles (6.4 km) 300 yards (270 m) Tornado destroyed a metal warehouse building, and heavily damaged or destroyed multiple mobile homes and frame homes. One person was injured. [39][40][10]
EF1 SE of Blue Ridge Collin TX 0133–0138 5 miles (8.0 km) 250 yards (230 m) 1 death – A log-construction frame home was damaged and a metal high-tension truss tower was blown over. Multiple mobile homes sustained major damage, with an infant being killed in one of them. Fence posts were pulled out of the ground and trees were downed as well. [39][40][10]

December 27 event[edit]

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, December 27, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF0 WSW of De Kalb Bowie TX 33°29′50″N 94°40′07″W / 33.4971°N 94.6687°W / 33.4971; -94.6687 (De Kalb (Dec. 27, EF0)) 2106–2110 3.26 miles (5.25 km) 75 yards (69 m) The roof of a mobile home was partially removed, and several trees were snapped. [41]
EF1 NW of Gilmer Upshur TX 32°43′55″N 94°59′07″W / 32.7319°N 94.9854°W / 32.7319; -94.9854 (Gilmer (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2124–2127 8.64 miles (13.90 km) 1,338 yards (1,223 m) A few outbuildings lost metal roofing panels, and several trees were downed, with a couple causing damage to two houses. [41]
EF1 NW of Hampton to ENE of Bearden Calhoun, Ouachita AR 33°38′32″N 92°39′05″W / 33.6422°N 92.6514°W / 33.6422; -92.6514 (Hampton/Bearden (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2132–2146 7.1 miles (11.4 km) 100 yards (91 m) Part of a roof was blown off of a couple industrial buildings at Highland Industrial Park, several empty rail cars were blown over, and, in Bearden, roofing material was ripped off several commercial buildings. Several trees were downed along the path. [42][10]
EF1 E of Patmos Hempstead AR 33°30′46″N 93°31′36″W / 33.5127°N 93.5267°W / 33.5127; -93.5267 (Patmos (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2136–2137 0.9 miles (1.4 km) 350 yards (320 m) Pine trees were downed and a mobile home was damaged. [41][10]
EF1 WNW of Artesian to SSW of Woodberry Calhoun AR 33°26′04″N 92°33′12″W / 33.4345°N 92.5534°W / 33.4345; -92.5534 (Artesian (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2156–2207 7.2 miles (11.6 km) 400 yards (370 m) Intermittent tornado destroyed two sheds, damaged the roof on a home, and downed several pine trees on a path that passed near Hampton. One pine tree fell on and crushed two cars. [42][10]
EF1 E of Willisville Willisville AR 33°28′30″N 93°16′54″W / 33.4751°N 93.2818°W / 33.4751; -93.2818 (Willisville (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2236–2244 3.88 miles (6.24 km) 353 yards (323 m) Several outbuildings were destroyed and a house sustained roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. [41]
EF2 NNE of Marshall to SSE of Jefferson Harrison TX 32°37′22″N 94°19′18″W / 32.6228°N 94.3216°W / 32.6228; -94.3216 (Marshall (Dec. 27, EF2)) 2239–2251 7.83 miles (12.60 km) 300 yards (270 m) Two mobile homes and several outbuildings were destroyed, with pieces tin roofing from one outbuilding being found at least a quarter-mile away. Multiple frame homes were damaged as well, and a pickup truck and storage trailer were tossed. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. [41][10]
EF1 Hermitage to NE of Farmville Bradley AR 33°26′58″N 92°10′21″W / 33.4495°N 92.1725°W / 33.4495; -92.1725 (Hermitage (Dec. 27, EF1)) 2306–2318 7.1 miles (11.4 km) 200 yards (180 m) An awning was damaged at Hermintage School, part of the roof was ripped off a chicken house, a shed was destroyed, and a home sustained minor damage. Many trees were downed. [42][10]
EF1 W of Wilmar Drew AR 33°35′03″N 91°57′23″W / 33.5843°N 91.9564°W / 33.5843; -91.9564 (Wilmar (Dec. 27, EF1)) 0006–0017 5.7 miles (9.2 km) 150 yards (140 m) The roof was ripped ripped off of a house and thrown onto a shed, and several pine trees were downed. [42][10]
EF1 NE of Longwood Caddo LA 32°35′56″N 94°01′30″W / 32.5989°N 94.0249°W / 32.5989; -94.0249 (Longwood (Dec. 27, EF1)) 0210–0211 0.09 miles (0.14 km) 40.6 yards (37.1 m) Trees were snapped and uprooted along the path, and a mobile home sustained damage to its skirting. [41]
EF1 NNE of Blanchard Caddo LA 32°36′26″N 93°52′40″W / 32.6071°N 93.8777°W / 32.6071; -93.8777 (Blanchard (Dec. 27, EF1)) 0216–0220 2.27 miles (3.65 km) 143.5 yards (131.2 m) Tornado moved through two mobile home parks, damaging numerous mobile homes. One of the mobile homes was blown off its foundation, while another was crushed by a tree. One outbuilding was destroyed and two others were damaged. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. [41]
EF1 SW of Homer Claiborne LA 32°45′50″N 93°07′32″W / 32.7639°N 93.1255°W / 32.7639; -93.1255 (Homer (Dec. 27, EF1)) 0510–0511 0.17 miles (0.27 km) 21 yards (19 m) Several trees were uprooted. [41]

December 28 event[edit]

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, December 28, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF1 ENE of Walker Livingston LA 30°29′N 90°50′W / 30.49°N 90.83°W / 30.49; -90.83 (Walker (Dec. 28, EF1)) 0853–0856 2.3 miles (3.7 km) 100 yards (91 m) A semi-truck was flipped and a trailer was moved. A building has its metal roof ripped off and a door blown inward. [43]
EF1 W of Laplace St. John the Baptist LA 30°04′N 90°31′W / 30.07°N 90.51°W / 30.07; -90.51 (Laplace (Dec. 28, EF1)) 0920–0925 1 mile (1.6 km) 150 yards (140 m) Roof and fence damage occurred, and several power poles were snapped. [44]
EF2 SW of Marianna Lee AR 34°42′07″N 90°54′58″W / 34.7020°N 90.9161°W / 34.7020; -90.9161 (Marianna (Dec. 28, EF2)) 0920–0925 5.75 miles (9.25 km) 50 yards (46 m) A mobile home was destroyed and homes sustained roof damage. [45]
EF1 NW of Seminary Covington MS 31°32′26″N 89°31′48″W / 31.5405°N 89.5301°W / 31.5405; -89.5301 (Seminary (Dec. 28, EF1)) 1138–1145 5.6 miles (9.0 km) 100 yards (91 m) One barn was destroyed, several homes sustained minor damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. [46]
EF1 SW of Chumuckla Santa Rosa FL 30°45′45″N 87°14′15″W / 30.7626°N 87.2375°W / 30.7626; -87.2375 (Chumuckla (Dec. 28, EF1)) 1430–1432 0.8 miles (1.3 km) 75 yards (69 m) Tornado tracked through a heavily forested area, uprooting pecan trees and snapping cedars and pines. The NWS survey team was unable to examine the entire path and the tornado may have touched down farther south. [47]
EF0 NNE of Trinity Union NC 34°52′30″N 80°31′41″W / 34.875°N 80.528°W / 34.875; -80.528 (Trinity (Dec. 28, EF0)) 2158–2201 0.8 miles (1.3 km) 75 yards (69 m) Preliminary survey results. Details unavailable at this time. [48]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
  2. ^ a b c All damage totals are in 2015 USD unless otherwise stated.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "News". The Weather Channel. December 30, 2015. 
  2. ^ "Tornadoes sweep through Dallas area; significant damage". Msn.com. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  3. ^ a b c "REPORTS: Severe storms slam Texas as flooding and blizzard conditions struck the Plains". AccuWeather. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Crippling blizzard follows deadly tornadoes in Texas". Cbsnews.com. December 27, 2015. 
  5. ^ a b c "Man injured by Garland tornado dies; death toll to 12". KSAT. Associated Press. January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016. 
  6. ^ "Weather". The Weather Channel. December 28, 2015. 
  7. ^ "Tornadoes: Deadliest December in 62 Years". The Weather Channel. December 29, 2015. 
  8. ^ "Five killed after tornadoes touch down near Dallas, as storms pummel Southeast". Fox News. 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  9. ^ "LIVE: Severe storms strike Texas, blizzard unfolds over New Mexico". Accuweather.com. Retrieved 2015-12-27. 
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit". Apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2016-01-02. 
  11. ^ Eric Sykes (29 December 2015). "Major flooding in Union, Mo; businesses underwater". Retrieved 31 December 2015. 
  12. ^ a b "Missouri Flooding Six Dead". CNN. 27 December 2015. 
  13. ^ ABC News. "See Dramatic Rescue of Man, Dog From Roof of Missouri Home in Historic Flood". ABC News. 
  14. ^ Eric Sykes (29 December 2015). "Major flooding in Union, Mo; businesses underwater". Retrieved 30 December 2015. 
  15. ^ "Flood Safety and Preparedness". The Weather Channel. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015. 
  16. ^ "Rain, sleet, snow, flooding continuing in Missouri Monday morning". Missourinet. 
  17. ^ a b c Tim O'Neil and Walker Moskop (January 1, 2016). "Meramec River's record flood wipes out commute for thousands". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  18. ^ "Flooding closes more than 180 roads in Missouri". WDAF. Associated Press. December 28, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  19. ^ a b "Roadways begin to reopen in flood-ravaged St. Louis area". Fox News. Associated Press. January 1, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  20. ^ "Towns south of St. Louis brace for Mississippi River floods". CBS News. Associated Press. January 1, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  21. ^ Ted Gregory and Robert McCoppin (December 31, 2015). "Mississippi River towns on high alert even as flooding forecast improves". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  22. ^ "UPDATE: 5 people die in flash flood in Illinois". Associated Press. 
  23. ^ Jonathan Andrews, Rodney Harris, Meghan Packer, Melinda Roeder (December 28, 2015). "2 deaths in Georgia linked to storms - CBS46 News". 
  24. ^ Sean Federico-O'Murchu. "New Mexico Couple Buried in Car for 20 Hours During Monster Snowdrift". NBC News. 
  25. ^ a b ABC News. "New Mexico Works to Unbury After Record Snow Storm". ABC News. 
  26. ^ ABC News. "At Least 3 Weather-Related Deaths in Oklahoma". ABC News. 
  27. ^ ABC News. "Craig Strickland: Country Singer's Body Found". ABC News. 
  28. ^ "Winter Storm Goliath: Historic Southern Plains Blizzard Within Huge Swath of Snow, Ice (RECAP)". The Weather Channel. December 23, 2015. 
  29. ^ "Winter Storm – December 26 – 29, 2015". GCCapitalIdeas.com. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
  30. ^ "Midwest flooding death toll rises as dangers remain". Cbsnews.com. December 30, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-30. 
  31. ^ ABC News. "Latest: More Than 2,800 Flights Canceled Amid Winter Storm". ABC News. 
  32. ^ Météo Média (40 cm in Montreal)(fr)
  33. ^ Forum News Service. "Minnesota family of four killed in Christmas weekend crash". INFORUM. 
  34. ^ Katie Delong and Bret Lemoine (December 29, 2015). "Two men pronounced dead in Milwaukee after collapsing while cleaning up snow". WITI. Retrieved January 1, 2016. 
  35. ^ "3-vehicle crash claims life of Arenac County man, 50". MLive.com. 
  36. ^ ABC News. "Truck, SUV Collide on Slushy Vermont Mountain Road; 3 Dead". ABC News. 
  37. ^ ABC News. "1 Dead in New Hampshire Crash With Secret Service Agents". ABC News. 
  38. ^ Hinckley, Story (2016-01-03). "How a freak blizzard wrecked Texas's dairy industry". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 3 January 2016. 
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "20151226's Storm Reports (1200 UTC - 1159 UTC)". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. December 27, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015. 
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j NWS Damage Survey for December 26th Tornado Event (Report). National Weather Service Office in Fort Worth, Texas. December 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h NWS Damage Survey for December 27, 2015 Tornado Event. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana (Report) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). January 4, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016. 
  42. ^ a b c d Flooding Rain/Severe Storms/Windy on December 25-28, 2015. National Weather Service Office in Little Rock, Arkansas (Report) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). December 29, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016. 
  43. ^ Preliminary Local Storm Report: Tornado (Report). National Weather Service Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
  44. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 12/28 Laplace Tornado Event (Report). National Weather Service Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. December 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
  45. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 12/28/2015 Tornado Event (Report). National Weather Service Office in Memphis, Tennessee. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
  46. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 12/28/2015 Tornado Event: Covington County Tornado (Report). National Weather Service Office in Jackson, Mississippi. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015. 
  47. ^ NWS Damage Survey for 12/28/15 Tornado Event: Tornado Near Chumuckla, Florida (Report). National Weather Service Office in Mobile, Alabama. December 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
  48. ^ Tornado Confirmed Near Trinity in Union County, North Carolina (Report). National Weather Service Office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina. December 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015. 
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