Tornadoes of 2007

Tracks of all U.S. tornadoes in 2007.
Timespan	January to December 2007
Maximum rated tornado	EF5 tornado Greensburg, Kansas / Elie, Manitoba (using Fujita scale) May 4 / June 22
Tornadoes in USA	1,092
Damages (USA)	$1.4 Billion
Fatalities (USA)	81
Fatalities (worldwide)	at least 128
Tornado seasons 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks that occurred in 2007, primarily (but not entirely) in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe, e. g. in the United Kingdom or in Germany.

Preliminary reports suggest that there were 1,305 reported tornadoes in the U.S. (of which 1,092 were confirmed), with 81 confirmed fatalities. It was the deadliest year for tornadoes in the U.S. since 1999, when 95 deaths were reported.^[1] In addition, three fatalities took place in Mexico, 14 in Chad, one in South Africa, three in Vietnam, one in the Philippines and 25 in China for a worldwide known total of at least 127.

Notably, the system for classifying tornado damage in the United States changed from the Fujita scale to the Enhanced Fujita Scale on February 1.^[2]

Synopsis

2007 started quickly in terms of tornadoes, with the first tornado fatalities taking place in the first week of January. After few other significant events in the rest of January, a deadly period took place in the latter part of the winter. Two deadly outbreaks and several other major tornado events marred February and March, especially in the southern US.

The spring was also fairly active, with several significant tornado events in April and May, including a major outbreak in the first weekend of May producing the first ever EF5 tornado (and first F5 tornado on any scale in the 21st century). While June was not as active with fewer tornadoes, it produced another F5 tornado and Canada's first such tornado.

The tropics in the Western Hemisphere produced few significant tornadoes in 2007, but Typhoon Sepat produced a deadly tornado in China. Otherwise, the summer and early fall were fairly quiet, with a few local exceptions. The most severe outbreak in the second half of the year took place in October, when the largest outbreak ever recorded in that month took place.

The year ended slowly with no major outbreaks in November or December and only a few isolated tornadoes, mostly related to larger winter storms.

Events

Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 2007 in the United States. January tornadoes were rated using the old Fujita scale, but are included in the chart below using the EF scale keeping their intensity number.^[3]

January

29 tornadoes were reported in the US in January, of which 22 were confirmed.

January 4–5

The first severe weather event of 2007 was a scattered but deadly tornado event in the U.S. Gulf Coast region on January 4. Two people were killed in New Iberia, Louisiana, and 15 were injured. It was confirmed to have been an F1 as all the severe damage took place to mobile homes. At least four other tornadoes have been confirmed. One of them was an F2 tornado near Blackwater, Mississippi that injured nine people.^[4][5]

The activity continued farther east into Georgia and the Carolinas on January 5, with at least one, and likely more, possible tornadoes. At least 15 people were injured in a tornado in Liberty, South Carolina.^[6]

January 7

More severe weather developed in the South on January 7. The worst damage from tornadoes took place in the Lake Blalock area in Coweta County, Georgia. One house was destroyed, but no one was injured by the F2 tornado.^[7] An F1 tornado was confirmed in Barbour County, Alabama.^[8]

January 12-13

Before the winter storm hit Texas on January 13, a tornado touched down in the central Texas town of San Marcos. It registered F1 by local weather and police authorities. No one was reported injured or killed, but moderate damage was sustained, including damage near the local police station and a light fixture manufacturing business. No other tornadoes were reported from the storm. The tornado was an estimated 100 yards (91 m) wide and three-tenths of a mile long.^[9]

In the final review of 2007, an F0 tornado was found to have touched down in Texas on January 12.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $90,000.

January 18 (Europe)

The cold front of severe winter storm "Kyrill" spawned tornadoes in Germany, three of which were confirmed as of February 22. The first one caused severe damage in the city of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt. It hit at about 6:40 p.m. local time (1740 UTC). Roofs were blown away and trees virtually torn apart. It is estimated to have been an F2 to F3 tornado. ^[10] Two more tornadoes were confirmed from Brandenburg—one T6/F3 tracked through Brachwitz and Kemnitz, two small villages 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Berlin. The strongest tornado that day, T7/F3, took place in Lauchhammer in southern Brandenburg, which leveled massively built barns and snapped high tension poles. This twister tracked a distance of about 34 kilometres (21 mi).

More tornadoes were confirmed from Poland. In the late evening hours, a T3/F1 tornado struck a forest area near Silna in Lubuskie region (western Poland). Furthermore, two other tornadoes struck the village of Czermin near Wroclaw and the small town of Andrespol near Lódz in central Poland. The confirmed intensity of the Andrespol-Tornado was T4/F2.

February

87 tornadoes were reported in the US in February, of which 54 were confirmed.

February 1, 2007 also marked the changeover to the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

February 2

Main article: 2007 Central Florida Tornadoes

In the early morning hours of February 2, four separate tornadoes ran across Central Florida. The most severe damage occurred in Lake County, where 21 people were killed. Two of the tornadoes were rated EF3 on the new Enhanced Fujita scale.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $204 Million.

February 12–13

Main article: February 2007 North America winter storm#Gulf States severe weather outbreak

Beginning in the late evening hours of February 12 and overnight into February 13, 17 tornadoes touched down across southern Louisiana and Mississippi. The most significant were around Lafayette, Louisiana and in Greater New Orleans. Some of the tornadoes produced significant damage, including one in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana which killed one woman and left dozens injured. ^[11]

More tornadoes developed across Alabama in the late afternoon on February 13 with several reports of damage across the state.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $8.32 Million.

February 23–24

A moderate severe weather event took place on February 23 and 24 across the south-central United States. It was expected to have been much larger, on February 23, as a moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center for both days over large areas.

Cleanup after the tornado in Dumas, Arkansas.

The activity on February 23 was quite modest due to a late start and low dew points. Six tornadoes were reported (and two were confirmed), and no significant damage was reported. The area primarily affected was the southern High Plains.

At least 13 tornadoes were confirmed on February 24. The strongest tornado was reported in Dumas, Arkansas, where buildings were destroyed or flattened, including an entire industrial park. At least 40 people were injured, but, no one was killed. Extensive looting was reported in the community after the tornado hit. The main employer in the town was also badly damaged by the EF3 tornado.^[12] Other tornadoes were recorded across Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, with the strongest being EF2.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $48.41 Million.

February 25

In the final review of 2007, an EF0 was confirmed to have touched down in California.

March

214 tornadoes were reported in the US in March, of which 181 were confirmed.

February 28–March 2

Extensive tornado damage in Eastern Kansas on February 28, 2007.

Main article: February-March 2007 Tornado Outbreak

A large storm system spawned a significant tornado outbreak, which began February 28 in Kansas and Missouri and continued March 1 in Alabama and Georgia. On February 28, a moderate risk was issued for both days, and on March 1 a high risk was issued for western Alabama, eastern Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle and southern and central Georgia. It was the first such issuance since April 7, 2006.

On February 28, 12 tornadoes were reported, eight in Kansas and four in Missouri. One of them destroyed a house in Linn County, Kansas and the tornado associated with this was rated EF4. Structural damage was also reported near Adrian, Missouri, from a different tornado. Hail as large as baseballs were also reported.^[13]

As of March 1, there were at least 53 tornadoes reported that day. Significant damage was reported near Caulfield, Missouri, and one person was killed in a mobile home there.^[14] In the early afternoon, supercells became widespread across the region.

A tornado in Enterprise, Alabama heavily damaged a high school and homes while killing nine people when the roof of the school collapsed. One other person was killed in Alabama as well as nine in Georgia including six in a single tornado in Baker County.^[15] A total of 34 tornadoes were confirmed during the outbreak which killed 20. This outbreak was part of a large storm that produced a winter storm across the Midwest states, the Great Lakes, Quebec, Ontario, the Canadian Maritimes and the US Northeast killing an additional 19 people.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $458.86 Million.

March 3

A tornado killed one and injured 350 in suburbs of Klerksdorp, South Africa. ^[16]

March 10

In the final review of 2007, an EF1 tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Texas leaving $30,000 in damages.

March 13-16

In the final review of 2007, four EF0 tornadoes were confirmed during a four day severe weather event. Each tornado touched down in a different state. Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Florida were the four states.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $410,000.

March 21

In the final review of 2007, an EF0 tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Iowa leaving $150,000 in damages.

March 23–31

Demolished home in Holly, Colorado on March 28, 2007

Main article: Late-March 2007 Tornado Outbreak

A severe weather event developed on the afternoon of March 23 across West Texas into the Texas Panhandle and particularly across eastern New Mexico. Several of the cells formed into tornadic supercells that evening, with at least 15 tornadoes reported and 11 tornadoes confirmed. A tornado rated EF2 hit Clovis, New Mexico, with as many as 12 injured reported, and a tornado rated EF1 hit Logan, New Mexico, where three people were injured and many campers and mobile homes were destroyed.^[17][18] In total, 16 people were injured, and two people died after the tornadoes.^[19]

Severe activity was not as widespread as expected on March 24. Four tornadoes were reported in northeastern Colorado, one of which was reported to be a multiple vortex tornado.^[20]

Several tornadoes associated with the same system continued on March 25, 26, and 27.

A slow-moving system developed across the High Plains on the dry line on March 28. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center as widespread severe weather, including tornadoes, were expected throughout the afternoon and evening. In all, 65 tornadoes were reported in the region, with several destructive and large tornadoes taking place in numerous communities across the region.^[21] Many other severe weather reports came in, including hail as large as softballs. Five people lost their lives.

The system gradually moved east on March 29, but the squall line leftover from events the previous night prevented a major outbreak. Even so, four tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, two in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, which injured several people.

The SPC had issued a moderate risk again for March 30 and March 31 over portions of southern Texas. Few tornadoes were reported across the Midwest but one tornado hit midtown St. Louis causing damage to roofs, trees and signs including parts of a billboard sign that flew over and blocked Interstate 64.^[22]

April

187 tornadoes were reported in the US in April, of which 167 were confirmed.

April 3–4

Another severe weather outbreak took place on April 3, exactly 33 years after the Super Outbreak. However, damaging hail and wind were the primary effects, although 10 tornadoes were reported in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama. Nearly 400 reports of hail were reported throughout the day with the majority occurring during the afternoon hours in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Kentucky with also reports of golf ball to baseball size hail. The majority of the wind reports were from a bow echo that developed across central Kentucky and Tennessee during the evening hours and causing damage to trees, power lines, antennas and trailers. A total of 10 tornadoes were confirmed; all of them were EF0 or EF1. No fatalities were reported, but several people were injured.^[23][24]

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to $2.73 Million.

April 10

In the final review of 2007, an EF0 tornado was confirmed in Florida leaving $10,000 in damages.

April 11

A severe weather outbreak occurred across the eastern central states on April 11, exactly 42 years after the deadly Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. The system spanned from Illinois and Indiana down to the southern states spawning seven tornadoes, 4 in Indiana (two EF0, one EF1 and one EF2 ^[25]) and 3 in Alabama (all rated EF1^[26]). The system also created damaging winds and a great amount of hail.^[27]

April 13–15

Main article: April 2007 Nor'easter

On April 13, severe weather developed across the Southern Plains, with the first storms affecting north-central Texas. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for April 13 over portions of North Central, Northeast Texas, Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.^[28] It was also issued for the central Gulf Coast for April 14. During the mid-afternoon hours, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high risk for the second time in 2007.^[29] In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, there have been a couple of unconfirmed tornadoes throughout the region. Hail as large as 3.25 inches (8.3 cm) and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) have been reported as well. ^[30] One fatality has been reported although it may have been either from the tornado in Haltom City or from straight-line winds according to WFAA coverage. The tornadoes were reported in Seymour, Texas and Haltom City, Texas where one (or two) deaths has occurred. Two tornadoes of one EF0 and an EF1 tornado were later confirmed in Tarrant County near Fort Worth while another EF0 was confirmed in Dallas County and a third EF0 in Rockwall County.^[31] The severe weather caused cancellation of qualifying for the 2007 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, forcing the field to be established via owner's points. Nonetheless, the overall activity was much lower than expected and the high risk busted.

For April 14, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and northwestern Florida. Several more scattered tornadoes were reported.

While most of the activity on April 15 was straight-line winds, an isolated EF3 tornado touched down in Sumter County, South Carolina that morning. Several mobile homes were demolished and one person was killed, with three injured. Two other tornadoes were later confirmed in South Carolina : an EF1 in Lee County and an EF0 in Orangeburg County. Several tornadoes also affected Georgia where at least 8 tornadoes and three injuries were documented.^[32][33]

April 17

On April 17, although the SPC issued a slight risk of storms, a storm system progressed through Texas. The system spawned ten tornadoes through northern Texas, such as Anton, Lubbock and Haslet, which is only a few miles from where a number of tornadoes hit the Friday before, April 13, 2007. The system also created penny to ping-pong ball-sized hail and created dangerous wind speeds. Six tornadoes were confirmed, one EF1 and the others all EF0.^[34]

April 20–22

Main article: Late April 2007 tornado outbreak sequence

Activity was not widespread on April 20, but eight tornadoes were reported in southwestern Nebraska, all from a single supercell that suddenly developed. Two have been confirmed as of April 23. A tornado near Moorefield, Nebraska has been rated EF3. It destroyed six farmsteads and had a path length of 11 miles (18 km). ^[35][36] Another EF2 tornado was confirmed in Dawson County, Nebraska, which was over 1 mile (1.6 km) wide at its peak but fortunately remained in sparsely populated areas.^[37]

On April 20, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and the southwestern part of Kansas for April 21 which was extended into Nebraska later. Widespread severe weather developed that evening, although the primary result of the supercells was large hail. The meteorological synopsis was virtually identical to March 28 except for the fact that the air mass was not as unstable.^[38] In total, 19 tornadoes were reported.^[39] The hardest hit community was Tulia, Texas where many houses were reported to have been destroyed. That tornado was rated as a high-end EF2. Another strong tornado (also a high-end EF2) hit Cactus, Texas where significant structural damage was reported (including total destruction to at least 10 mobile homes) and 14 people were injured, but remarkably, no one was killed. The tornado was 0.75 miles (1.21 km) wide at its widest point.^[40]

April 23–25

Main article: Piedras Negras-Eagle Pass Tornadoes

A severe weather outbreak was forecast for April 23 and 24 across the southern Plains. In the early morning hours of April 22, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for South Central Kansas, Central Oklahoma, and North Central Texas. Such is an extremely rare issuance; only twice has such a risk been issued so far out—the others being for June 10, 2005^[41] and January 2, 2006^[42] (neither time did it result in a major outbreak). ^[43]

Several tornadic storms were reported across northwest and south-central Texas, far western Oklahoma, and southwest Kansas on April 23. At least 29 tornadoes have been reported. Some were reported to have been large and powerful in the sparsely populated area. However, no injuries were reported.^[44]

The activity quickly redeveloped late in the morning of April 24. Later in the afternoon, the risk that day was upgraded to a high risk over parts of East Texas. Tornadoes, along with large hail and damaging winds, occurred in the afternoon and evening hours across the Plains. 22 tornadoes were reported.^[45] One large tornadic supercell also moved through Piedras Negras, Coahuila in Mexico, and moved into Eagle Pass, Texas, with reports of significant damage on the U.S. side of the border and at least seven deaths and 74 injuries from that EF3 tornado, plus at least three deaths and at least 40 injuries across the river in Piedras Negras.^[46] There was virtually no activity in the high risk area, however, and that busted.

April 26

Several tornadoes developed across the Midwest and into the Tennessee Valley on the afternoon and evening of April 26. The hardest hit communities were LaPorte, Indiana (by two EF1 tornadoes) and New Tazewell, Tennessee (also by an EF1 tornado where structural damage was reported in both communities, and dozens of houses were damaged or destroyed.^[47] Several other scattered tornadoes were reported, along with widespread wind damage.^[48] In total, seven people were injured. Four other tornadoes were confirmed in Ohio and Illinois.

April 27

In the final review of 2007, three EF0 tornadoes were confirmed on April 27. Two of which were in Missouri and the other touched down in Virginia.

April 29-30

In the final review of 2007, seven EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. Six of which touched down in Texas and one in New Mexico.

May

282 tornadoes were reported in the US in May, of which 251 were confirmed.

May 1

On May 1, a tornado hit the village of Vershinino in the central region of Tomsk (Tomskaya Oblast') in central-southern Siberia. Some roofs were blown away and destroyed, windows were smashed and power lines as well as telephone lines were seriously demaged. An eyewitness reported that her child was whirled around as the tornado struck their street area.^[49] Fortunately, no one was seriously injured or killed. According to a damage report, this tornado was ranked as a F2.

May 1–6

Main article: May 2007 Tornado Outbreak

The center of Greensburg, Kansas, twelve days after being hit by an EF5 tornado.

On the afternoon of May 2, supercells developed across several parts of Texas. 10 tornadoes were reported, including two in the city of El Paso, however, the damage was relatively minor. Tornado watches were spread throughout Texas. However, the supercells redeveloped into a hybrid derecho across Central and North Texas that evening, stretching from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to south of Waco and extending eastward to about Longview. Widespread wind damage with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) were reported.^[50] In the Metroplex, more than 300,000 customers lost power as a result of the high winds. Some of the most severe damage included the loss of a roof at an apartment complex, extensive tree and power line damage (with many trees crashing into houses) and flipped tractor-trailers and mobile homes.^[51] However, no fatalities were reported.

A significant severe weather event developed across the central Plains on the evening of May 4. Early in the morning, The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for May 4 over portions of Central Nebraska, Western Kansas, Western Oklahoma, Eastern Colorado and portions of the Texas Panhandle.^[52] Around 6:35 pm CDT (2335 UTC), a tornado was reported by KWTV storm spotters on the ground near Arnett, Oklahoma. The tornado stayed in mostly sparsely-populated rural areas, but there were reports of a house 7 miles (11 km) west of Arnett being hit. At around 9:50 pm CDT (0250 UTC), there was a violent and destructive tornado in southwest Kansas near Greensburg. The tornado also moved into other communities including Trousdale, Macksville, Ellinwood, Claflin and Holyrood which have taken direct hits from significant tornadoes.^[53] City administrator Steve Hewitt has said that 90% of Greensburg was destroyed and at least 16 people were critically injured, according to Fox.^[54] Much of Macksville was also damaged or destroyed. 12 people died and 63 were injured according to the National Weather Service and CNN. The tornado was rated an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale ^[55], the first since the new scale was implemented and the first category 5 tornado since the Bridge Creek tornado during the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak on May 3, 1999.^[56] Another person was killed when a tornado destroyed structures in Ottawa County, Kansas, and another died in Stafford County, Kansas for an outbreak total of 14.^[57]

On the morning of May 5, the Storm Predicton Center issued a high risk across central Kansas and Nebraska. The Storm Prediction Center also issued a moderate risk for southern South Dakota and northwest Oklahoma and a slight risk for most of Oklahoma, northern South Dakota, southern North Dakota, eastern Nebraska, western Iowa and northeastern Colorado. ^[58]

There were 149 tornadoes reported across the area during the outbreak, including 7 on May 3 in Colorado and 30 on May 4. Three other tornadoes were reported in Illinois from a different system. 102 tornadoes were reported on May 5, across the same areas except Illinois. ^[59] Ten tornadoes were reported across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas on May 6. A tornado that was reported in Florida was separate from the system in the plains and was not included in the count.^[60]

May 6 (Europe)

Also on May 6, a tornado hit the village of Borod in Bihor region in western Romania, 40 km east of Oradea. The tornado moved a truck, damaged roofs and snapped trees. This event was ranked as F1.

May 9 (Northern Ireland)

A tornado struck Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) resulting in roof damage and vehicle damage. There was 1 injury in the second tornado in 5 months to strike eastern Northern Ireland.^[61] The tornado of Carrickfergus was ranked as T2/F1 event.

May 9 (Chad)

Also on May 9, a strong tornado struck Bebejia, Chad destroying the town and killing 14 people.^[62]

May 10

In the final review of 2007, three EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. Two of which touched down in Kansas and the other in Pennsylvania.

May 11

During the late afternoon hours two tornadoes struck eastern Poland. One of them hit the small villages of Chodorówka Stara and Kopciówka near Suchowola in Podlaskie (north-eastern Poland). The F1 tornado caused serious damage to roofs of houses and barns.

The second tornado struck the village of Opole Lubelskie in Lubelskie (eastern Poland), destroying a circus tent. Up to 40 people were injured, most of them were children, who watched a circus show as the tornado struck the area.

Also on May 11, a tornado hit the areas of Dunboyne and Ashbourne in County Meath (eastern Ireland) and caused light damage to roofs in this area.

May 14-15

Around 5:30 p.m. on May 15, a cluster of strong thunderstorms rolled through Southeast Michigan and Southwestern Ontario, causing one tornado touchdown near Bad Axe, Michigan, tracking towards Lake Huron before dissipating. This tornado was detected by radar from numerous Flint and Detroit-area television stations' radar systems as upper level cyclonic rotation. After crossing Lake Huron, the same system once again intensified and a strong F1 tornado touched down in a rural area north of Mitchell, Ontario causing some damage ^[63] There was also an EF0 tornado in northern Indiana as well as in southern Ohio.

May 16