The severe weather sequence of May 2–8, 2009 was an unusually strong sequence of tornadoes and derecho events beginning on May 2, 2009, and continuing through May 8, which primarily affected the Southern United States. At least seven people were killed by the storms. An associated tornado outbreak also resulted in nearly 100 tornadoes, some strong, with most strong tornadoes, most damage, and all of the deaths on May 8. In total, nine people were killed, dozens were injured and at least $70 million in damage occurred, $58 million on May 8.
May 3: Deep South derecho On May 3, a moderate risk of severe weather was issued for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, mainly for a threat of intense downburst winds.May 3, 2009 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook Storm Prediction Center. Accessed 2009-05-03. A major progressive derecho with widespread and extensive wind damage - as strong as 110 mph (175 km/h) at times - and embedded tornadoes was confirmed to have traveled from East Texas all the way to Alabama with numerous reports of damage all across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and into northern Georgia. At least one person was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home. A number of "large and extremely dangerous" tornadoes were reported in Alabama in the afternoon of May 3 by Storm Spotters and the NWS. Significant damage was reported near Moody, Pell City and Ragland in Blount and St. Clair Counties from this tornado according to ABC 33/40 coverage while tornadoes were reported in southern Jefferson County and northern Shelby County. Another reported tornado in Crossville, Tennessee resulted in significant damage and injuries.
May 8: Plains to Ohio Valley derecho
Another major severe weather event developed early on May 8 over southwestern Kansas. It quickly formed into a major progressive derecho which tracked across the central Plains, the Ozarks and into the Ohio Valley. Several tornadoes also developed, primarily in the Springfield, Missouri area where damage was reported. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued primarily due to the wind threat. That was preceded by two PDS severe thunderstorm watches (a rare issuance) issued early that morning, and a tornado watch later in the morning mentioning winds of possible. Two people were killed near Poplar Bluff, Missouri when winds knocked a tree into their car. Another Missouri resident suffered a fatal heart attack after he was blown away from his home and thrown into a building. A woman was killed in southeastern Kansas after her mobile home was blown off its foundation. Eventually, the storm developed a tropical cyclone-like structure (a mesolow), with a well-defined eye feature. In addition, winds were measured as high as in Carbondale, Illinois. Another death occurred in Dallas County, Missouri from an EF2 tornado, as well as two others from an EF3 tornado in Kirksville, Kentucky. Dr. Joe Schaefer, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, commented that the "derecho complex is one of the worst I've seen in the past decade".
Other severe weather On May 2, an EF0 tornado hit Eggville, Mississippi where damage was reported as a slow-moving front continued southward. In Valley Ranch, Texas, the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys was destroyed by a microburst, injuring 12 people.
Tornadoes
May 2 event List of reported tornadoes - Saturday, May 2, 2009 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageMississippi EF0Eggville areaLee1850unknownPower lines and trees knocked down. EF0Mantachie areaItawamba1900unknownOne shed demolished, numerous trees broken EF0Fairview areaItawamba1922unknownDamage limited to treesTexas EF0SW of DeKalb Bowie2144Damage limited to trees EF1N of Douglassville Cass2251Numerous trees snapped or uprooted with minor shingle damage to some homes. EF0SE of Leesburg Camp0156Damage limited to trees that are snapped or uprootedAlabama EF0Luxapallila Fayette2220Brief tornado touchdown in a wooded area EF0Hightogy Lamar2227Damage limited to treesArkansas EF1NW of Fouke Miller2313Damage mostly to trees and power lines though a porch was blown off a home. There were 3 people injured. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for May 2, 2009, NWS Shreveport (PIS), NWS Memphis, NWS Birmingham (PIS)
May 3 event List of reported tornadoes - Sunday, May 3, 2009 EF# Location County/Parish Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageLouisiana EF0SE of Castor Bienville1238Damage limited to trees and power lines EF0W of Quitman Bienville1303Damage limited to trees EF2Dodson areaWinn134018 homes were damaged, some of them being destroyed. One mobile home was rolled off its foundation and destroyed, another was moved off 30 feet from its location and wrapped against the frame of another home. Two people were injured. EF0N of Harrisonburg Catahoula1351Damage limited to treesMississippi EF0SW of Thomastown Madison, Leake1200Damage limited to trees EF1SW of Port Gibson Claiborne1455Damage limited to trees EF1N of Clem Simpson, Jefferson Davis1607A travel trailer was destroyed while three chicken houses, a mobile home and a church were damaged. Trees were also uprooted or snapped EF1S of Mount Olive Covington, Smith1612Damage to numerous trees, street signs and one house. EF1E of Taylorsville Smith, Jasper1637One chicken house was destroyed, a second one damaged. A mobile and a shed had roof damaged and multiple trees were damaged. EF1NE of Stringer Jasper1641Large pines were uprooted and snappedAlabama EF1Sunshine Hale1832Brief tornado with roof damage to a barn and another structure. Trees were damaged. EF0Brook Highland Shelby185320 homes had roof damage and numerous trees were uprooted EF1Dunavant Shelby1903Damage limited to uprooted or snapped trees EF1Wolf Creek St. Clair1927Damage limited to trees and power poles though some fell on structures EF1Stewart Crossroads St. Clair2015Several trees fell including some on homes causing minor to moderate damage EF1E of Morgan City Marshall2040Damage to multiple trees and a shed EF1NE of Owens Crossroads Madison2300Two homes were damaged along with numerous trees.Tennessee EF1SW of Crossville Cumberland2220Numerous trees uprooted or snapped some of them causing roof damage to some homesVirginia EF0SW of Indian Valley Floyd2302Damage to numerous trees and a few structures including a shed that was flattened.North Carolina EF0N of Mayodan Rockingham0038Damage to trees and three structures Sources: SPC Storm Reports for May 3, 2009, NWS Birmingham, NWS Blacksburg, NWS Huntsville, NWS Jackson, MS (PIS), NWS Nashville, NWS Shreveport (PIS), NWS Jackson (Storm Summary)
May 4 event List of reported tornadoes - Monday, May 4, 2009 EF# Location County/Parish Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageLouisiana EF1Catahoula St. Martin1100A mobile home and camper trailer were destroyed with additional damage to several residences. One person was injured.South Carolina EF0SSE of Cross Hill Laurens2140Several trailers were damaged and moved, and an outbuilding was destroyed.Virginia EF0Chesapeake areaChesapeake2343Minor shingle damage to some homes and several trees being downed Sources:NWS Lake Charles, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, NWS Wakefield
May 5 event List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, May 5, 2009 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageNorth Carolina EF0N of WarsawDuplin1930Three turkey barns were damaged, one of them being destroyed EF0Moss Hill areaLenoir2005Three tin roofs were peeled off turkey barns. EF2S of BaileyJohnson, Wilson2025Significant damage to several homes. One building was destroyed. One person was injured. EF1Chicod areaPitt2130Several outbuildings were heavily damaged and an automobile was thrown. EF1Antioch areaJohnston, Nash2230Damage to several structures including mobile homes, houses and a fire department, mostly to roofs. One mobile home was blown off its foundation injuring one person. Another mobile was moved slightly from its foundation. Sources:NWS Newport/Morehead City, NC, NWS Raleigh, Storm Reports for May 5, 2009
May 6 event List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, May 6, 2009 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageArkansas EF1W of MarvellPhillips0703A supply feed store was damaged along with trees and power lines EF1NW of MonticelloDrew1000 EF0NW of ImmanuelArkansasunknownDamage limited to treesMississippi EF1Lyon areaCoahoma0834Roof damage to one home and damage to several trees EF1SE of WeirChoctaw1212A mobile home was destroyed by a tree, hundreds of trees were uprooted, five homes had light to moderate roof damage and a church and a mobile home had roof damage EF1W of BrooksvilleNoxubee1243A church was moved off its blocks, several camp cabins were damaged, a tractor-trailer was overturned and several homes had roof damage from trees.Alabama EF1Rogersville Camp areaPickens1320Several trees were snapped and fell with some landing on trailers. EF1Carrollton areaPickens1331Several trees were blown down damaging some homes EF1S of CaddoLawrence, Morgan1325Significant damage occurred to a mobile home and several trees were snapped and unrooted in the Caddo area. EF0Decatur areaMorgan1343Several homes and vehicles were damaged by downed trees. EF1Barbee Creek areaTuscaloosa1348Two homes had moderate damage and a pontoon boat was overturned. EF1Lake Arnedra areaTuscaloosa1357Two trees fell on houses, causing major damage to one of them. EF2Madison areaLimestone, Madison1403Three residential subdivisions were hit by the tornado. Significant roof damage to several homes with others sustaining lesser damage including blown windows and minor roof damage. One large garage was flattened. Significant tree damage reported with one tree falling on a mobile home. EF0Jasper areaWalker1411Damage to a bank drive-through and ATM area as well as 40 cars at two car dealerships EF1Cordova areaWalker142015 homes and train cars were damaged by fallen trees. EF0Powellville areaWalker1420A carport was destroyed, a trampoline was carried 200 yards and several trees were snapped and uprooted. EF0Arkadelphia areaBlount1445Brief touchdown where several trees were uprooted.Virginia EF0SE of GalaxaGrayson, Carroll0225Several trees were snapped or uprooted, one of them caused slight damage to a structure. Sources:NWS Huntsville, NWS Memphis (PIS), NWS Little Rock (PIS), NWS Birmingham (PIS), NWS Blacksburg, VA, NWS Jackson, Storm Reports for May 5, 2009, Storm Reports for May 6, 2009
May 7 event List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, May 7, 2009 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length DamageNorth Carolina EF0SW of VanceboroCraven2230Minor damage to several mobile homes and housesMissouri EF0W of Lock SpringsDaviess0100unknownDamage limited to treesSources:NWS Kansas City, NWS Newport/Morehead City
May 8 event