The April or Spring nor'easter of 2007 was a nor'easter that affected mainly the eastern parts of North America during its four-day course, from April 14 to April 17, 2007. The combined effects of high winds, heavy rainfall, and high tides led to flooding, storm damages, power outages, and evacuations, and disrupted traffic and commerce. In the north, heavy wet snow caused the loss of power for several thousands of homes in Ontario and Quebec. The storm caused at least 18 fatalities.

Meteorological history The storm that would become the April 2007 nor'easter started out in the Southwestern United States, as an upper-level disturbance in the jet stream, on April 13. It brought high wind and fire danger to California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. The storm then moved out into the southern Plains States, bringing heavy snow to Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, with hail, wind, and tornadoes, affected parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. The storm then moved across the Mid-Atlantic States, and into the Atlantic Ocean, following the East Coast. The storm then rapidly intensified into a major nor'easter, with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The storm stalled just offshore from New York City and continued to strengthen. The lowest barometric pressure recorded was 968 millibars (28.58 in Hg), equivalent to that of a moderate Category 2 hurricane.

Impact

The National Weather Service reported 7.57 inches (192 mm) of rain in Central Park by midnight of April 15, the second heaviest rainfall in 24 hours on record, and indicated that this storm caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Major airports in the New York area resumed flights on April 16, after having had to cancel over 500 flights before. Local rail and transit lines reported delays and cancellations affecting the MTA, NJ Transit, LIRR, and Metro-North Railroad. Power failures affected several thousand people.

On April 16, 2007, the storm caused sustained winds of nearly 100 mph (87 knots) on, and near New Hampshire's Mount Washington, with gusts topping out at 156 mph (136 knots).Patriot's Day Storm Packs a 156-mph Punch. Mount Washington Observatory. Retrieved on 2007-04-26

While areas closer to the shore received heavy rainfall, higher regions inland received unseasonal snow.A spring to remember Rutland Herald (April 17, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-30 Several towns suffered from flooding including Mamaroneck in New York, and Bound Brook and Manville in New Jersey, while coastal towns had to deal with damage from high tides. Most major highways in Westchester County, New York were closed on April 15 and April 16 due to extreme flooding. In Quebec, several regions including the Laurentides and Charlevoix regions received in excess of 6 inches (15 cm) of snow with areas exceeding well above 1 foot (30 cm) of snow. In the city of Ottawa, 17 cm (5 in) of heavy wet snow fell in just a few hours causing power lines and trees to fall down causing scattered blackouts in several parts of the city.Heavy snow brings cancellations, frustration. Ottawa Citizen (April 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-26 Similar damage was reported in the higher elevations north of Montreal and Ottawa.

In total, more than 175,000 homes in Canada suffered a power outage, including 160,000 Hydro-Québec customers mainly in areas from Gatineau towards Quebec City including Montreal, Lanaudière and the Laurentians with an additional 15,000 Hydro One and Hydro Ottawa customers.More than 100,000 without power as storm hits Ontario, Quebec. CBC News (April 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-26 In the US over a quarter million homes lost power with New York and Pennsylvania being the hardest hit states due to the strong winds.

Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York activated 3,200 members of the National Guard on alert. Richard Codey, acting governor of New Jersey, declared a state of emergency.

The storm was blamed for several fatalities, including one person in a tornado in South Carolina, two people in storm-related traffic accidents in New York and Connecticut, two people in West Virginia, three people in New Jersey, and prior to its arrival in the East, five deaths in Kansas and Texas. In Quebec, an accident between a van and a tractor trailer killed five occupants of the van in a highway north of Montreal. LCN Quebecor media, April 17, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-27. Numerous other accidents were reported by OPP and the Sûreté du Québec during the storm.

The Boston Marathon took place in what many considered to be the worst weather in its 110-year history. Race officials held serious talks about whether or not to cancel the race. The men's race had the slowest winning time in thirty years (1977). In the women's race, "[t]he rainy and windy conditions led to the slowest winning time since 1985".111th Boston Marathon Race Day Commentary. Boston Athletic Association. Retrieved on 2007-05-02

High winds during the storm prevented emergency medical services from using helicopters for evacuation of the injured at the Virginia Tech massacre.

The Internal Revenue Service delayed by two days the deadline for tax filing for victims of the nor'easter.

While filing for federal disaster relief, acting governor Codey of New Jersey indicated that the storm caused $180 million in property damage in New Jersey, making it the second-worst rain storm in its history, after Hurricane Floyd. In addition, New Hampshire received $30.5 million in aid following the storm, the most aid received for any storm in state history.New Hampshire's Most Costly Natural Disasters, New Hampshire Public Radio, September 6, 2017

Confirmed tornadoes

April 13 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 13, 2007EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF0NE of RuleHaskellTX18:45–18:50Brief tornado crossed Highway 6 and caused no damage. EF0S of SeymourBaylorTX19:38–19:48This large wedge tornado remained over open country, though it was likely capable of causing major damage. EF0BenbrookTarrantTX22:55–22:57A tornado damaged fences, trees, and street signs. The façade of a business was also slightly damaged. EF1Northern Fort Worth to Haltom CityTarrantTX23:09–23:151 death - Substantial roof damage was done to a grocery store, several homes, and a church. Another church suffered steeple damage, and commercial buildings were also damaged, including one that sustained total collapse of an east-facing wall. Tractor-trailers were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees and power lines were downed as well. Damage was $1 million. EF0Eastern DallasDallasTX00:00–00:02Several trees, tree limbs, and fences were downed in a residential area, and apartment buildings sustained roof damage. EF0S of Royse CityRockwall, HuntTX00:45–00:47Two barns were destroyed and fences were downed. EF0SW of GreenvilleHuntTX00:53–00:54Brief tornado caused damage to trees.

April 14 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, April 14, 2007EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary EF0PineburMarionMS15:10–15:11Trees were snapped and large limbs were blown down. EF0ESE of Oak BoweryJonesMS15:35–15:36Brief tornado remained in rural areas with no damage. EF1SE of PetalForrestMS1641–1642One home had significant damage with the carport being destroyed and other damage to sidings, roof and windows. Trees were snapped or uprooted and a power pole also snapped. EF1S of VredenburghMonroeAL18:33–18:36Following a large microburst, a tornado damaged two churches and an old home had its roof blown off and was pushed off its foundation. Trees were downed in a convergent pattern. EF0NW of SavilleCrenshawAL21:00–21:02A rope tornado damaged the tin roofs of three buildings on a poultry farm. A church had shingles taken off and a tree fell onto the roof. EF1NNW of CastleberryConecuhAL22:12–22:14One residence was damaged and trees were blown down. EF1W of TanyardPike, BullockAL23:11–23:15One barn was destroyed and several homes had minor roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted as well. EF1Northern OzarkDaleAL00:05–00:12A carport, two sheds, a barn and a greenhouse were destroyed. A residential gable collapsed, and several homes sustained moderate damage in the community of Post Oak. Trees were downed as well, including one that landed on a house. EF0N of MorganCalhounGA01:45–01:47One structure was damaged and numerous trees were knocked down. EF1NW of LeesburgLeeGA02:30–02:33Fifteen structures were damaged, including a mobile home and a frame home being destroyed. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as well.

April 15 event