Significant Tornado Events

[pohnpei]

I've never heard anyone not agree that this was the most damage-intense tornado ever, and the slow ground speed absolutely played a role in that. As I understand it, at some parts of it's path it was moving at only 3-5 MPH; something like a fast walking or jogging pace. It moved faster after Double Creek but the 1-3 miles took much longer than what we normally see, so I can understand how the weakening would seem quick- only it really wasn't.

I don't think there was evidence that the tornado was moving at that types of low speed in Double Creek. Actually the stormed itself moved like 15mph based on radar.

 

[pohnpei]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid024hf3LLarUv29P5jFgtLeo8pkj4DydbZW9ipD27Pp6ngUP3o9qLpdP5PdBYD214SYl&id=1523239328

Close photo of the rebar remained on those flying parking lots.

 

[Lake Martin EF4]

Close photo of the rebar remained on those flying parking lots.

If tornadoes are making entire parking lots fly we need to get off this planet.

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

 

[Marshal79344]

I recently came across these aerials from the 1968 Tracy Tornado, which, albeit being a little low-quality, are quite remarkable.

 

[SouthFLwx]

I recently came across these aerials from the 1968 Tracy Tornado, which, albeit being a little low-quality, are quite remarkable.


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Seems to be quite a bit of wind rowing in some of these pics which further justifies it’s F5 rating.

 

[buckeye05]

Yeah, definitely some impressive wind rowing there, especially in the first photo.

 

[Sawmaster]

I don't think there was evidence that the tornado was moving at that types of low speed in Double Creek. Actually the stormed itself moved like 15mph based on radar.

Most of what I've read about it was many years ago so I can't point to any source, but I do know that several sources have said that or something very similar. With it's size, whichever speed is right still allowed the main circulation to hammer a homesite for minutes, not seconds as we usually see.

Phil

 

[pohnpei]

I just noticed that Grazulis labeled one F5 tornado in 2014/4/27 Outbreak.

 

[Lake Martin EF4]

I just noticed that Grazulis labeled one F5 tornado in 2014/4/27 Outbreak.

Confirmation that he does agree with EF5 Vilonia.

 

[tornado examiner]

yup. i'll also never treat vilonia as anything lower than EF5...its definitely not an EF4

 

[Sawmaster]

I'm watching a new KXAN documentary about the survivors of Jarrell on YouTube right now-



Phil

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

I just noticed that Grazulis labeled one F5 tornado in 2014/4/27 Outbreak.

Interestingly he also lists 3 F4s from the event. One of them is definitely Louisville but I wonder what the other ones might be? Tupelo, Crawford AL, or/and Lincoln TN maybe?

 

[A Guy]

Surprised the he seems to have gone against the official rating for Vilonia yet has kept 7 (instead of six) F5s for 3/4/74 despite there being no documentation giving Tanner II F5 until it was mysteriously changed. Also New Wren on 27/4/11, but I don't think remember anyone here discussing it as having violent potential until last year so it could easily slip under the radar.

 

[pohnpei]

Surprised the he seems to have gone against the official rating for Vilonia yet has kept 7 (instead of six) F5s for 3/4/74 despite there being no documentation giving Tanner II F5 until it was mysteriously changed. Also New Wren on 27/4/11, but I don't think remember anyone here discussing it as having violent potential until last year so it could easily slip under the radar.

I think there's a mix use of his opinion and SPC database here. Like he once argued the rating of F5 in 1982 outbreak but still counted It here.

 

[tornado examiner]

glad to see that most of the weather community agrees that vilonia WAS MOST DEFINITELY an EF5....the nws really really did screw up with that one. but i think we've covered that already. the recent western Kentucky tornado was also up there. you could say EF4 with that one but there is still quite a good amount of evidence for EF5. from the scouring, to vegetation and vehicle damage, to the weird and incredible phenomenon that occurred like the tore up concrete slab in bremen. and the extremally violent granulation of debris like ground up cinder blocks from another home. vilonia and mayfield are close to being neck and neck in terms of damage intensity. but obviously mayfield is now known as a far more infamous tornado. the fourth deadliest of the EF-scale era behind joplin, hackleburg, and tuscaloosa. the 9th longest tracking in history. and the worst December tornado ever.

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

Surprised the he seems to have gone against the official rating for Vilonia yet has kept 7 (instead of six) F5s for 3/4/74 despite there being no documentation giving Tanner II F5 until it was mysteriously changed. Also New Wren on 27/4/11, but I don't think remember anyone here discussing it as having violent potential until last year so it could easily slip under the radar.

He also only lists 1 F5 for Palm Sunday 1965 when he had 2 in his original 1880-1989 book.

 

[TH2002]

That first picture of the truck wrapped around the tree is just insane. I really wonder how strong the winds had to be to do that.

Joplin did this to a car as well:

Honestly there are COUNTLESS examples of vehicles being wrapped around trees/poles and being mangled beyond recognition from this tornado; gives further credence to its EF5 rating.

If tornadoes are making entire parking lots fly we need to get off this planet.

Joplin has you covered as well:

 

[locomusic01]

Honestly there are COUNTLESS examples of vehicles being wrapped around trees/poles and being mangled beyond recognition from this tornado; gives further credence to its EF5 rating.

This one always blows my mind:

 

[locomusic01]

Just saw that EWX posted a brief video w/Tim Marshall discussing his experiences with Jarrell and Cedar Park - worth a watch: