2002 жылғы сәуірдегі құйынтұзғыштар шабуылы

Tornado Outbreak in April 2002

A widespread, destructive tornado outbreak affected Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska on April 27, 2002, and Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia on the following day, April 28. Generally, tornado reports were widely scattered in each state, but significant to severe damage was noted in multiple states. Overall, 48 tornadoes were confirmed along with 6 deaths, 256 injuries, and $224 million in damage, with wind and hail adding to the damage total.

On April 25, the Storm Prediction Center first noted the potential for organized severe weather across the lower Missouri River Valley as an upper level trough ejected eastward across the United States. The organization delineated a Moderate risk across most of Missouri, portions of Illinois, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, and northern Arkansas the following day. On the morning of April 27, forecasters noted a coupled jet stream across the country, with a 250 mb jet over James Bay and a jet over Oklahoma. In response to this favorable configuration, potent 850 mb winds of overspread Missouri, enhancing the northward progression of moisture. Within this warm air advection regime, several clusters of elevated atmospheric convection developed throughout the morning hours coincident with steep mid level lapse rates—values representing the change in temperature with height—of 7.5 C/km, mainly posing a risk for marginally severe hail as they moved across Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. Given the strength of the surface low pressure area progressing across Nebraska, forecasters noted the potential for dewpoints in excess of to encroach as far north as southern Iowa, though the degree of destabilization (CAPE) was unclear given the coverage of cloud cover. Within hours, sunshine enveloped portions of central Kansas, where thunderstorms were expected to develop along the dryline stretching southward into central Texas. In this area, a moist and unstable environment materialized, but long and straight hodographs—plots showing the change in wind with height—favored a predominant large hail and damaging wind threat from any discrete activity before it congealed into a squall line overnight. Farther north in southern Nebraska and Iowa, a greater tornado threat was expected to evolve along the warm front and east of the surface low, where wind shear and barometric pressure falls were most conducive for supercell thunderstorms capable of producing strong—F2 or greater on the Fujita scale—tornadoes. Several weak tornadoes occurred in this region over ensuing hours. After sunset, the greatest risk for severe weather shifted across Missouri and eastward across several states into Ohio. Mid level CAPE of 1,000–1,500 J/kg, effective bulk wind shear of , and 0–1 km shear upwards of favored the formation of discrete supercell thunderstorms and bow echoes across much of the region into the overnight hours. The SPC noted that the isolated nature of supercells precluded the issuance of a High risk. Discrete or embedded supercells moved across Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky during the pre dawn hours, where wind shear remained very favorable for tornadoes given low level storm relative helicity in excess of 500 m2/s2. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed, many of which were significant. By sunrise, the formation of several bow echoes suggested a transition to a greater damaging wind event. During the morning of April 28, the SPC again outlined a Moderate risk of severe weather, this time stretching from Ohio eastward across much of the Mid Atlantic. The powerful upper level trough shifted eastward, now encompassing portions of the Ohio River Valley and Northeast in 200 mb winds greater than While a line of pre frontal convection was ongoing during the early morning hours, this activity was expected to weaken as it encountered stable air across the Appalachian Mountains. Meanwhile, with a sharp cold front moving eastward across portions of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and into Pennsylvania as well, a severe squall line was expected to take shape and pose a risk for widespread damaging winds, severe hail, and one or two tornadoes. Across the Delmarva region, forecasters expected 1,000–2,000 J/kg of CAPE to develop amid a lee trough despite lingering clouds and precipitation. With large scale forcing focused north of Virginia, only scattered thunderstorms were expected in this region, though the environment favored the potential for supercells. While much of this region had been located in stable air north of a warm front through the morning, that boundary lifted north after midday and allowed for rapid destabilization. Thus, as the supercell continued east across Virginia and Maryland, it notably produced a historic F4 tornado in La Plata, Maryland.

+ List of confirmed tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of April 27–28, 2002F#LocationCounty / ParishStateDateStart Coord. Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary F1W of CreteSalineNE20:06–20:104.5 mile (7 km)One barn and some fences were destroyed. A few irrigation pivots were overturned, and a few trees were uprooted. Some houses sustained minor damage. F0S of MilfordSewardNE20:250.1 mile (0 km)A storm chaser filmed a brief tornado in open country. F0SW of EffinghamAtchisonKS21:10–21:130.25 mile (0 km)A grain truck was blown over and one house's windows were blown out. Two sheds were destroyed, and hay bales, lumber, and debris were strewn across the property. F0NW of PercivalFremontIA21:41A storm chaser reported a brief tornado. F0NW of ThurmanFremontIA21:50A storm chaser reported a brief tornado. F0S of Pacific JunctionMillsIA21:58A storm chaser reported a brief tornado over an open field. F1E of BellevilleSt. ClairIL03:35–03:381.7 mile (3 km)An elementary school, two large buildings, and 32 houses were damaged. A number of trees were snapped or uprooted. F2N of Willow SpringsHowellMO03:40–03:451.5 mile (2 km)A house and numerous outbuildings, including a barn, were severely damaged. The roofs of six other houses were either damaged or completely removed by the tornado. A church was rotated 45 degrees off its foundation, and adjacent cemetery headstones were toppled. A 365 feet (111 m) radio tower was blown over and landed on a house, a bass boat was tossed, and century old trees were uprooted. F1E of KennerClayIL05:05–05:105 mile (8 km)A mobile home was demolished with debris tossed up to 1 mile (2 km) away, and its occupants suffered minor injuries. Three houses and another mobile home were damaged. An outbuilding was destroyed, and a propane tank was thrown 0.25 mile (0 km). A car was rolled three times and thrown into a ditch, injuring two of its occupants. F3SW of Marble HillBollingerMO05:40–05:454 mile (6 km)1 death – Six mobile homes were destroyed, and four others were severely damaged. Nineteen single family houses also sustained significant damage. A 12 year old boy was fatally injured after being tossed from his house as it was being destroyed, and six other residents were thrown into a nearby lake. The tornado also damaged or destroyed 50 outbuildings, tossed cars on top of one another, and downed a large number of trees. Sixteen people in total were injured, four of them seriously. F2GalatiaSalineIL06:07–06:167.5 mile (12 km)At least 55 structures were damaged or destroyed in the town of Galatia. The roof of a car wash was blown off, and its walls were collapsed. A trailer was overturned, injuring two people inside. Two brick houses had their roofs and walls ripped away. F3NE of Valley Mission to NE of CypressUnion, JohnsonIL06:18–06:3819 mile (31 km)1 death – An intense tornado touched down in the Shawnee National Forest and tracked east into Dongola where it damaged or destroyed 75 houses. One woman attempted to outdrive the tornado but was killed when her car was thrown across the road and under a building. A train was blown off its tracks, and a recreational vehicle was thrown across Lake Dongola and impaled into the ground. In Cypress, two trailers were destroyed. About 50 other structures were damaged, including a school that lost some of its roof and upper story walls. Ten people were injured. F2NW of GanntownJohnsonIL06:46–06:527 mile (11 km)A mobile home was demolished, and its two occupants were injured. Two other mobile homes sustained extensive damage. Numerous trees were downed. F3N of Reevesville to SE of Joy, KentuckyPope (IL), Livingston (KY)IL, KY06:59–07:2022 mile (35 km)A brick house and two mobile homes were destroyed, while farm buildings and a few homes were damaged. Thousands of trees were downed. F0SE of HaywardNew MadridMO07:290.1 mile (0 km)Several large trees were snapped at their base. F1N of SheridanCrittendenKY07:35–07:372 mile (3 km)A few trailers were heavily damaged or destroyed. Many trees were downed. F1SW of ReptonCrittendenKY07:39–07:411 mile (2 km)Numerous trees were downed. F1W of TiptonvilleLakeTN07:40–07:473.5 mile (6 km)Eleven mobile homes and a shed were destroyed. Twelve other mobile homes and five houses were damaged. F3SE of Piney to HansonCrittenden, Webster, HopkinsKY07:49–08:1022 mile (35 km)A long lived and intense tornado touched down in Crittenden County, where it damaged a dozen houses and farm buildings. Extensive damage occurred in Providence were 16 mobile homes and ten houses were destroyed, and 100 other houses were damaged. In Hopkins County, another ten (as many as 15) houses were significantly damaged and four chicken houses with 45,000 chickens inside them were blown off their foundations. In all, 26 people were injured by this storm and total damages were estimated at $16.9 million. F2+SE of Tobinsport, Indiana to SW of Garrett, KentuckyPerry (IN), Breckinridge (KY), Meade (KY)IN, KY08:05–08:4032.5 mile (52 km)1 death – Several houses, mobile homes, and outbuildings were destroyed, resulting in one death and 19 injuries. Other structures sustained lesser damage. Numerous trees were uprooted. A church had its roof ripped off. F1W of HartfordOhioKY08:40–08:509.5 mile (15 km)One mobile home and several outbuildings were destroyed. Other mobile homes were lifted and twisted. Sixteen houses in Hartford sustained structural damage with some of their roofs torn off. F1+NW of RadcliffHardinKY08:55–08:572 mile (3 km)Twenty six houses were damaged, including two that had their roofs torn off. Numerous trees were uprooted. F0E of WhitlockHenryTN09:00–09:105 mile (8 km)Three tall transmission towers were destroyed, and twenty houses were damaged. Several trees and power lines were toppled. F1S of MoutardierEdmonsonKY09:35–09:383 mile (5 km)Several houses lost their roofs, and 2x4s from structures were impaled into the ground. Numerous trees were snapped or downed. F3E of RuckerRutherfordTN12:34–12:403.2 mile (5 km)Seven mobile homes, five houses, and two barns were destroyed with two other mobile homes and 46 houses sustaining damage. Six horse/cattle were killed, and 31 people were injured. F2S of BradyvilleCannonTN12:45–12:470.9 mile (1 km)One house and three mobile homes were destroyed, and six other mobile homes were damaged. F2Crystal Springs to North CantonStarkOH17:58–18:087.2 mile (12 km)A strong tornado destroyed 25 structures and three businesses. Another 300 houses and 38 other buildings were damaged. A middle school building suffered extensive damage and was closed for nearly a week for repairs. A nearby high school was also damaged. Approximately 1,000 trees were downed by the tornado and over 300 vehicles were damaged. F0SharpsvilleMercerPA18:35–18:406 mile (10 km)A fire tower was downed. The windward side of a barn was blown out, and resulting debris punctured large holes in an adjacent building. A garage under construction sustained extensive damage. Numerous trees and telephone poles were toppled or snapped with some falling trees landing on homes. F1NW of Jackson Center to W of MapledaleMercer, VenangoPA18:45–19:0616 mile (26 km)Several decks, porches, signs, and a relatively new garage were significantly damaged. Some sheds, small garages, and houses lost their roofs, siding, or shingles. Numerous large trees, power lines, and telephones were toppled, some onto houses. A fish hatchery building had about of its metal roof torn off and thrown several hundred yards. A wooden 2x4 was driven through a mobile home, while pieces of wood were also driven into the front of a nearby car. Thousands of trees were snapped or uprooted. Microburst damage accompanied the tornado as it approached Venango County where four barns were destroyed, one house was moderately damaged, and three houses saw minor damage. Two tree farms sustained extensive damage, and a double wide mobile home was overturned onto its roof. F0NE of SpringvilleErieNY18:500.7 mile (1 km)The roof and back wall of an outbuilding were blown out, a pier was tossed across a pond, and trees were damaged. F1W of MeridianButlerPA19:01–19:067 mile (11 km)Several houses and a barn sustained roof or siding damage, including the roof of a house that was thrown Large swaths of trees were snapped or uprooted. F1N of St. JosephMarshallWV19:15–19:201 mile (2 km)One barn was destroyed and several others were damaged. Shingles were ripped off a house. Numerous trees were downed or snapped. F0NW of MaysvilleArmstrong, IndianaPA19:45–19:554 mile (6 km)A church steeple was toppled, and a swimming pool was destroyed. Some houses sustained damage from tornadic winds or fallen trees. A garage was also damaged while a house under construction was lifted from its foundation. F2SE of BelfastAlleganyNY19:50–20:006.5 mile (10 km)A barn, garage, and a two story house were destroyed. A silo, a barn, and another house were damaged. F2Indiana areaIndianaPA20:00–20:065 mile (8 km)One house was destroyed while at least eighteen others were damaged. Some garages and barns were also damaged, and a large sign from a hotel was blown into a car lot, crushing two cars and damaging many others. One person was injured. F1NE of Deckers PointIndianaPA20:10–20:132 mile (3 km)One house had its doors blown in, its opposite wall pushed outward, and its roof uplifted. A 100 year old home lost its entire roof, which was thrown nearly , and its garage was also destroyed with cinder blocks thrown nearly Numerous trees, power lines, and telephone poles were downed. Several sheds and small garages were damaged or destroyed, including one wooden garage that was picked up over the car inside. One person was injured. F1BedfordBedfordVA20:31–20:320.5 mile (1 km)Four businesses were destroyed. Twenty five homes, 58 businesses, several dozen cars, and one church were damaged. F0Mount PleasantMauryTN20:420.1 mile (0 km)A trained storm spotter reported a brief tornado. F2BedfordBedford, CampbellVA20:43–20:5710 mile (16 km)A second, stronger tornado struck the Bedford area, destroying 22 houses, six businesses, 24 farm buildings, and one church. Another 329 houses, several RV vehicles, 45 businesses, and two churches were damaged. Many trees and power lines were downed, and a “semi truck” was damaged as well. Twelve people were injured. F2N of AlpineShenandoahVA20:55–21:034 mile (6 km)A strong tornado destroyed four houses, while another 36 agricultural structures and 56 houses were damaged. A tractor trailer was overturned on Interstate 81. Two people were injured. F1S of JerseytownColumbiaPA21:55–22:056 mile (10 km)Unknown damage occurred. F1N of McGillstownLebanonPA22:13–22:181.5 mile (2 km)A tornado damaged or destroyed 12 houses and 15 barns. Dozens of large trees were affected as well. F4Rison to SE of Port RepublicCharles, CalvertMD22:56–23:4938 mile (61 km)3 deaths – See article on this tornado F2La PlataCharlesMD23:02–23:063 mile (5 km)A weaker, but still strong F2 tornado affected La Plata with unknown additional damage. F1W of EmporiaGreensvilleVA23:356 mile (10 km)Three mobile homes were destroyed and fifty houses, one business, and an apartment complex were damaged. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Three people were injured. F1NE of St. LeonardCalvertMD23:42–23:495 mile (8 km)Unknown damage occurred. F3NW of Golden Hill to W of Royal OakDorchesterMD23:5518 mile (29 km)One house and several outbuildings were destroyed. F0SE of WetipquinWicomicoMD00:284 mile (6 km)Numerous trees were snapped or sheared off.