The Tornado outbreak of November 23–24, 2001 was a large and intense late season tornado outbreak which affected portions of the southern United States from Arkansas to Alabama on November 23–24, 2001, with additional tornadoes recorded in Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana and Georgia. Recorded as one of the most intense November outbreaks ever across that area, tornadoes from the event killed at least 13 across three states including 4 in Alabama, four in Arkansas and five in Mississippi.

Meteorological synopsis

A low-pressure system was situated, just after 5 AM on November 24, near Kansas City, Missouri. Its associated cold front traversed much of the outbreak-affected area with several supercells forming ahead of the front. Rich moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air aloft and wind shear provided the ingredients from a significant severe weather outbreak.

Supercells formed late across much of Arkansas and Mississippi during the evening hours of November 23 up into the early morning hours of November 24 produced several tornadoes including two F4 Mississippi tornadoes across Washington and Bolivar Counties at around 2 AM and in Madison County near the city of Madison at around 5 AM. The second tornado killed at least 2 (including a newborn baby) and injured 21. Another tornado in Mississippi, an F2, struck Quitman, Panola and Tate Counties just after 3 AM and killed at least three. In Arkansas, four people were killed by two separate tornadoes including three in Ashley County from a single tornado that moved from Louisiana.

+Outbreak death tollStateTotalCountyCountytotalAlabama4Cherokee2Lamar2Arkansas4Ashley3Johnson1Mississippi5Madison2Panola1Quitman2Totals13 All deaths were tornado-related Activity shifted into Alabama during midday on November 24 where numerous supercells traveled across the Birmingham coverage area. There were at least, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, 13 supercells that produced tornadoes including an F4 tornado that traversed Blount and Etowah Counties just after 1:00 PM. Activity ceased just after midnight with the final tornadoes touching down across Alabama in Dale County. In Alabama alone, 4 people were killed by two separate tornadoes including 2 from an F3 that moved from Pickens County northeastward and north of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa towards Walker County. Another tornado killed 2 in Cherokee County in the northeastern part of the state.

Confirmed tornadoes

November 23 event F#LocationCountyTime (UTC)Path lengthDamageArkansas F1SW of GreenwoodFranklin, Logan01258 miles (12.8 km)Several barns and one house was damaged. F2NW of Altus to N of SalusFranklin, Johnson, Newton013631.5 miles (50.4 km)1 death – Fatality was inside a mobile home and 4 others were injured. Several homes were damaged, some of them heavily. Several mobile homes, barns, outbuildings, six chicken houses and two turkey houses were destroyed. Numerous chickens that were inside chicken houses were killed. Numerous trees at a national forest were downed, and several vehicles were damaged as well. F1NE of AltusFranklin, Johnson01408.8 miles (14.1 km)Damage to barns, homes and power lines. F2NW of LimestoneNewton022418.5 miles (29.6 km)Major damage to an Inn and a restaurant. Several homes were damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. F1SW of PyattBoone, Marion03038 miles (12.8 km)Three barns, a house and garage were heavily or destroyed with several other homes receiving minor damage. F2SW of SearcyWhite07255.5 miles (8.8 km)A small house and trailer was destroyed, and one house was shifted from its foundation. Dozens of other structures were damaged. 3 people were injured. F1SW of FairviewChicot07311 miles (1.6 km)Four houses and a mobile home were damaged.Missouri F2N of ExeterBarry02284 miles (6.4 km)Significant damage to several residences. Two storage buildings were swept from their foundations. Damage also to chicken houses and grain bins and outbuildings were destroyed. 3 people were injured. F1NE of OpalLawrence03202 miles (3.2 km)Roof damage to a firehouse and several homes. A steeple from a church was also toppled. Poultry houses were destroyed as well.Louisiana F1W of ErosJackson, Ouachita05399 miles (14.4 km)Damage to a carport, a chicken house, and a mobile home. F3NE of Bastrop to NE of Parkdale, ArkansasMorehouse, Ashley (AR)064030 miles (48 km)3 deaths – In Arkansas, a tractor shed, a church, 14 mobile homes and homes were destroyed and five other homes were severely damaged in Wilmot, where three people were killed. In Louisiana, there was extensive damage to a potato plant, farm buildings and one house. F1S of FairclothGrant064311.5 miles (18.4 km)Damage was limited to trees. F0SE of CurryWinn07142.9 miles (4.6 km)Damage to trees and street signs. F1W of GraysonCaldwell07355 miles (8 km)Damage was limited to trees.Mississippi F4SW of Winterville to S of Mound BayouWashington, Bolivar075530.3 miles (48.5 km)Worst damage was in the Winterville area. A total of 48 people were injured by the storm. 16 homes, seven mobile homes, six businesses and a power substation were destroyed. A few of the destroyed homes were swept away. Numerous other structures including homes and mobile homes sustained minor to severe damage.

November 24 event