Significant Tornado Events

[Aaron Rider]

MEG was also responsible for surveying the 3/31/2023 McNairy County, TN long-tracker. At first I honestly thought they were doing a decent job with the survey - credit where credit is due, their survey of this tornado was far more thorough than their "surveys" of New Wren 2011 and Holly Springs 2015. But of course, this wouldn't be NWS Memphis if they didn't find some other way to screw it up...

Enter the damage in Purdy. Specifically, to that of the Purdy Community Center, a small but well-built brick building that was completely leveled and all but slabbed. Do you know what damage description they gave this DI? 145MPH EF3, "interior walls remain standing"

"interior walls remain standing"

Now, I don't work for the NWS or anything, but does anyone else see where these allegedly still standing interior walls are? Because I sure don't...

Some may assume that "maybe the photo is post-cleanup" but I find that too to be a highly unlikely scenario, as the survey date for this DI specifically states it was surveyed the day after the tornado.

Not to mention, this occurred nearby:

As another user put it: "Just MEG doing MEG things."

Wow. I had never heard about this one. Were there any other significant missed damages? Do you think this tornado should have been 4 or 5?

 

[UK_EF4]

Wow. I had never heard about this one. Were there any other significant missed damages? Do you think this tornado should have been 4 or 5?

This southern TN long tracker was probably the 2nd or 3rd most violent tornado from the 3/31 outbreak, behind Keota in no.1 and probably Robinson-Sullivan in no.2. Surprise surprise, the most intense damage was not surveyed by the NWS as far as I know. Understandable though given the large track.



Unsure of the exact location of this row of homes, but they were destroyed with debris somewhat wind rowed and moderately granulated. Seems quite indicative of EF4 intensity though hard to gauge construction.



Not sure if this damage photo is from the same set of homes or not, but the debris pattern does seem quite typical of EF3/4 tornadoes, with some nasty tree damage in the background.

But the best candidate for EF4 damage probably comes from this home:


It was large with brick construction (see image below) so I assume it was at least somewhat well constructed. You can also see what looks like some sill plates on the foundation so I assume it wasn't a completely flat slab. The core of the tornado passed slightly to the right hence the entire structure is not destroyed. You can see the debris carried downwind and some fairly intense tree damage, too.



On top of structural damage, there was the asphalt scouring as posted above. Tree damage was quite consistently suggestive of intense/violent strength, with some areas of near complete blowdown and some minor debarking. All these things considered I'm fairly confident this was at least a low end EF4 intensity tornado, probably a little higher.

 

[NewFoundWeatherNerd]

This southern TN long tracker was probably the 2nd or 3rd most violent tornado from the 3/31 outbreak, behind Keota in no.1 and probably Robinson-Sullivan in no.2. Surprise surprise, the most intense damage was not surveyed by the NWS as far as I know. Understandable though given the large track.

View attachment 34475

Unsure of the exact location of this row of homes, but they were destroyed with debris somewhat wind rowed and moderately granulated. Seems quite indicative of EF4 intensity though hard to gauge construction.

View attachment 34476

Not sure if this damage photo is from the same set of homes or not, but the debris pattern does seem quite typical of EF3/4 tornadoes, with some nasty tree damage in the background.

But the best candidate for EF4 damage probably comes from this home:
View attachment 34477 View attachment 34478

It was large with brick construction (see image below) so I assume it was at least somewhat well constructed. You can also see what looks like some sill plates on the foundation so I assume it wasn't a completely flat slab. The core of the tornado passed slightly to the right hence the entire structure is not destroyed. You can see the debris carried downwind and some fairly intense tree damage, too.

View attachment 34479

On top of structural damage, there was the asphalt scouring as posted above. Tree damage was quite consistently suggestive of intense/violent strength, with some areas of near complete blowdown and some minor debarking. All these things considered I'm fairly confident this was at least a low end EF4 intensity tornado, probably a little higher.
View attachment 34482

General rule of large outbreaks:

-Intense tornado in lower-populated area
-Worse damage not surveyed resulting in a underrated tornado

 

[TH2002]

This southern TN long tracker was probably the 2nd or 3rd most violent tornado from the 3/31 outbreak, behind Keota in no.1 and probably Robinson-Sullivan in no.2. Surprise surprise, the most intense damage was not surveyed by the NWS as far as I know. Understandable though given the large track.

View attachment 34475

Unsure of the exact location of this row of homes, but they were destroyed with debris somewhat wind rowed and moderately granulated. Seems quite indicative of EF4 intensity though hard to gauge construction.

View attachment 34476

Not sure if this damage photo is from the same set of homes or not, but the debris pattern does seem quite typical of EF3/4 tornadoes, with some nasty tree damage in the background.

But the best candidate for EF4 damage probably comes from this home:
View attachment 34477 View attachment 34478

It was large with brick construction (see image below) so I assume it was at least somewhat well constructed. You can also see what looks like some sill plates on the foundation so I assume it wasn't a completely flat slab. The core of the tornado passed slightly to the right hence the entire structure is not destroyed. You can see the debris carried downwind and some fairly intense tree damage, too.

View attachment 34479

On top of structural damage, there was the asphalt scouring as posted above. Tree damage was quite consistently suggestive of intense/violent strength, with some areas of near complete blowdown and some minor debarking. All these things considered I'm fairly confident this was at least a low end EF4 intensity tornado, probably a little higher.
View attachment 34482

That large brick home was surveyed. The home, while impressive in size and appearance, was very poorly anchored and thus given an EF3 rating, which I can live with.

It's also apparent that what appears to be an attached garage or other small room was left standing. One could argue that it was due to the tornado's multiple vortex nature, and I think that's a valid argument to an extent, but in this particular case I think it also attests to the poor construction quality of the home in question.

I do agree that the assigned wind speed estimate of 155MPH for that DI was a bit to low however. 160 or 165MPH would have been fine, but admittedly I could also see an argument for a 170MPH EF4.

Personally though, I think the damage in Purdy is the strongest candidate for a low-end EF4 rating. Regarding the homes in the first photo you posted, I'm not 100% positive, but I believe they are located along Emerald Ln in Morris Chapel, which did indeed go mostly unsurveyed.

 

[buckeye05]

I will say this about the community center building in Purdy, it was a spacious “gathering hall” type building that didn’t have interior walls. That leads to sort of a thought exercise, which is: If a building with no interior walls loses all four of its exterior walls and its roof, which is the “textbook” definition of EF3 damage, what would be left? All we can say for sure, would be the foundation.

Not saying such a low wind speed estimate is remotely appropriate for that building, especially given the context, but it is food for thought, and something I always take into account when dealing with a structure that has a largely hollow interior.

Now regarding the big house that was slabbed, I actually do agree with EF3 because:

1). The house, as mentioned, did technically still did have one room standing.

2.) More importantly, if you look at the photo posted above, you’ll see that those are actually small carpentry nails being used as the only anchoring mechanism. That’s even smaller and weaker than the larger cut nails that you frequently see used to anchor homes that aren’t bolted. It’s pretty much barely a step up from being unanchored entirely.

 

[TH2002]

I will say this about the community center building in Purdy, it was a spacious “gathering hall” type building that didn’t have interior walls. That leads to sort of a thought exercise, which is: If a building with no interior walls loses all four of its exterior walls and its roof, which is the “textbook” definition of EF3 damage, what would be left? All we can say for sure, would be the foundation.

Not saying such a low wind speed estimate is remotely appropriate for that building, especially given the context, but it is food for thought, and something I always take into account when dealing with a structure that has a largely hollow interior.

Now regarding the big house that was slabbed, I actually do agree with EF3 because:

1). The house, as mentioned, did technically still did have one room standing.

2.) More importantly, if you look at the photo posted above, you’ll see that those are actually small carpentry nails being used as the only anchoring mechanism. That’s even smaller and weaker than the larger cut nails that you frequently see used to anchor homes that aren’t bolted. It’s pretty much barely a step up from being unanchored entirely.

You do make a valid point about the Purdy Community Center.

What's also some food for thought is the well-anchored Chastain Manor clubhouse that was destroyed in the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado. Very similar type of building, very similar damage. The clubhouse in Tuscaloosa was given a 190MPH EF4 rating, which actually seems quite high for a building with no interior walls, though I'm sure contextual damage played a huge part in the rating for that DI.

I think based on the contextual damage (pavement scouring, partial debarking of hardwood trees) you could make a valid argument that the McNairy Co. tornado was a low-end EF4 at its peak. I don't think it was much stronger than that though. Nowhere close to being an EF5 candidate.

 

[SpotlightForRareTornadoes]

Here is every Generation's tornado experience

Greatest Generation -




Worst Tornado Year: 1925 (Tri State Tornado)


Silent Generation -

Worst Tornado Year: 1936 (Tupelo and Gainesville)

Baby Boomers -


Worst Tornado Years: 1953 and 1955 (Flint-Beecher, Waco, Worcester, Vicksburg, Blackwell, and Udall)
Best Tornado Year: 1957 (Advancement in Tornado Research & The Rise of Ted Fujita)

Generation X -

Worst Tornado Year: 1974 (1974 Super Outbreak) *

Best year: 1971 (The Creation of the Fujita Scale)

*Actually, nearly EVERY year was terrible right off the bat, meaning that these years are the worst of the worst and best of the best.



Millennials -





Worst year: 1985 (U.S - Canadian Tornado Outbreak)

Best year: 1996 (The Release of Twister )

Millennials would see the rise of amateur tornado videos, including the ultimate classics!



Gen Z -


Worst Tornado Year: 2011 (2011 Super Outbreak & Joplin)

Gen Zers would see the rise of tornado chasing celebrities such as Reed Timmer & Pecos Hank!


Gen Alpha -



Worst Tornado Years: 2013 & 2021 (Moore & Mayfield)




And that is every generation's tornado experience in a nutshell! I wanted to do this for a while since I noticed this "Every Generation" trend cropping up all over the internet. Hope you like it!

 

[NewFoundWeatherNerd]

Here is every Generation's tornado experience

Greatest Generation -

View attachment 34580


Worst Tornado Year: 1925 (Tri State Tornado)


Silent Generation -View attachment 34581

Worst Tornado Year: 1936 (Tupelo and Gainesville)

Baby Boomers -
View attachment 34582

Worst Tornado Years: 1953 and 1955 (Flint-Beecher, Waco, Worcester, Vicksburg, Blackwell, and Udall)
Best Tornado Year: 1957 (Advancement in Tornado Research & The Rise of Ted Fujita)

Generation X - View attachment 34583

Worst Tornado Year: 1974 (1974 Super Outbreak) *

Best year: 1971 (The Creation of the Fujita Scale)

*Actually, nearly EVERY year was terrible right off the bat, meaning that these years are the worst of the worst and best of the best.



Millennials -



View attachment 34584

Worst year: 1985 (U.S - Canadian Tornado Outbreak)

Best year: 1996 (The Release of Twister )

Millennials would see the rise of amateur tornado videos, including the ultimate classics!



Gen Z -
View attachment 34585

Worst Tornado Year: 2011 (2011 Super Outbreak & Joplin)

Gen Zers would see the rise of tornado chasing celebrities such as Reed Timmer & Pecos Hank!


Gen Alpha -
View attachment 34586


Worst Tornado Years: 2013 & 2021 (Moore & Mayfield)




And that is every generation's tornado experience in a nutshell! I wanted to do this for a while since I noticed this "Every Generation" trend cropping up all over the internet. Hope you like it!

I love how you can see right where the rating situation (no EF5s) hits lol. What I find very cool is how each climate-max of tornadoes per year makes it look like a heartbeat as well

 

[Aaron Rider]

In exciting news, I saw on Twitter that Trey @ ConvectiveChronicles is planning on doing one of his analysis videos for each of these outbreaks:

Tri-State 3/18/65 (100th anniversary)
Palm Sunday 4/11/65 (60th anniversary)
5/31/85 (40th anniversary)

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

A few things:

1. Anyone know of any videos of the Bakersfield Valley, TX F4 or damage from it? I swear there was one out there but I can't find it now.

2. Anyone found anything new on the Tri-State tornado? Centennial anniversary is coming up in two weeks.

 

[NewFoundWeatherNerd]

A few things:

1. Anyone know of any videos of the Bakersfield Valley, TX F4 or damage from it? I swear there was one out there but I can't find it now.

2. Anyone found anything new on the Tri-State tornado? Centennial anniversary is coming up in two weeks.

I searched on the Texas Film and Video archive, along with YouTube to no avail with Bakersfield; that tornado is just so wrapped in mystery for something rather recent. I hope you're right with the existence of that video; anything more on Bakersfield Valley is a monumental thing of note. I pray we someday find something more on it; if anything just another photo of the damage. Maybe ask Upton County Texas History & Genealogy; they're on Facebook; they have posted rare things on it that I believe they own. Anything more on this tornado really captivates me as a Texan myself

Edit: I believe I've found yall a lead on Bakersfield Valley. Michael Davis, who runs the Ole Iraan Facebook has photos of the damage. I think searching around Old Iraan (or simply Iraan) might be the key to finding more

 

[Aaron Rider]

I searched on the Texas Film and Video archive, along with YouTube to no avail with Bakersfield; that tornado is just so wrapped in mystery for something rather recent. I hope you're right with the existence of that video; anything more on Bakersfield Valley is a monumental thing of note. I pray we someday find something more on it; if anything just another photo of the damage. Maybe ask Upton County Texas History & Genealogy; they're on Facebook; they have posted rare things on it that I believe they own. Anything more on this tornado really captivates me as a Texan myself

Edit: I believe I've found yall a lead on Bakersfield Valley. Michael Davis, who runs the Ole Iraan Facebook has photos of the damage. I think searching around Old Iraan (or simply Iraan) might be the key to finding more

I can message the Upton County H&G page. I mention that so we don't have multiple people badgering them at once lol

Edit: here's a post they had from 2021

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

I can message the Upton County H&G page. I mention that so we don't have multiple people badgering them at once lol

Edit: here's a post they had from 2021

Wow, locomusic posted lots of these but a few I haven't seen before.
I'd love to see colorized pics of the Storm Data pics.

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

I can message the Upton County H&G page. I mention that so we don't have multiple people badgering them at once lol

Edit: here's a post they had from 2021

So it looks like there was a video of damage from it once but now it's gone:

Significant Tornado Events

I forgot about this one! This thing produced some of the most severe shrubbery damage I’ve seen. Was this in the same area as the more infamous 1990 tornado? A little bit SE to the 1990 one I think. This one mostly in Terrell co. while the 1990 one in Iraan TX

talkweather.com

 

[SpotlightForRareTornadoes]

2025 is the 35th anniversary of the most remarkable tornado outbreak in the Midwest

 

[NewFoundWeatherNerd]

Interesting eBay discovery the other day with this album of tornado photos; I dont know from what tornado. But something within the 80's-90's Midwest according to the seller. Hopefully someone can narrow it down!! (look at the attachments)

 

[BennyILWX]

I know how you found these!

Interesting eBay discovery the other day with this album of tornado photos; I dont know from what tornado. But something within the 80's-90's Midwest according to the seller. Hopefully someone can narrow it down!! (look at the attachments)View attachment 34870

 

[Aaron Rider]

Does anyone have any photos or info on the tornado that struck San Angelo the same day as Waco in 1953? I remember reading somewhere that it might have been more violent than Waco.

 

[Juliett Bravo Kilo]

So based on my last email it's less than 24 hours before TornadoTalk releases the first 5 chapters of their 18-chapter project on Guin. It'll be behind a paywall but I'll try and bring as much info as I can about it on this thread. It's amazing how information on this tornado was so hard to come by for such a long time.
Also, next Tuesday is the 100th anniversary of the Tri-State Tornado, so I'm curious if any new information on NWS/NOAA or other weather organizations will come to light on it.

 

[SpotlightForRareTornadoes]

We have a Mod risk for the SE



Get ready for a tornado outbreak