The following is a list of confirmed tornadoes confirmed by local offices of the National Weather Service during the tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 that occurred over the Midwestern and Southern United States. After a slow start to May, activity abruptly increased with a prolonged and violent tornado outbreak sequence taking place from May 21–26, resulting in 178 fatalities. An EF3 tornado struck Reading, Kansas on May 21, resulting in severe damage and one fatality. An EF5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri resulted in 158 direct fatalities on May 22, becoming one of the deadliest tornadoes in United States history. This tornado was the most severe of the outbreak, and it caused catastrophic damage across southern portions of the city of Joplin. Elsewhere on May 22, another person was killed by an EF1 tornado that struck Minneapolis, Minnesota and surrounding suburbs, and a high-end EF3 tornado moved from Delaware County, Oklahoma to McDonald County, Missouri, with numerous homes being destroyed. On May 24, a significant outbreak took place in Oklahoma and Arkansas, with another EF5 tornado and two EF4 tornadoes striking areas around Oklahoma City. These three tornadoes resulted in ten fatalities and nearly 300 injuries. Another EF4 tornado moved through Denning, Arkansas just before midnight, with four additional deaths. May 25 featured a large number of tornadoes across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, with several more tornadoes in other states. This activity continued into the next day, when an EF3 tornado impacted part of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana and injured four people. Tornadic activity wound down during the evening of May 26, after several tornadoes moved through Pennsylvania and Ohio, bring the outbreak sequence to a close.
Confirmed tornadoes
May 21 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, May 21, 2011EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamage EF0W of PurmelaCoryellTX21:24–21:25$A very brief tornado downed a few trees. EF0W of PaulineShawneeKS23:16–23:20UnknownThe tornado caused minor damage along its path. EF0Southeastern TopekaShawneeKS23:35–23:39UnknownMinor tree and structural damage was observed near Lake Shawnee along a narrow path accompanied by rear flank downdraft damage. EF0W of HamelHennepinMN23:36–23:38$This brief tornado touched down over an open field and moved through a grove of trees. EF0W of Iowa PointDoniphanKS23:57–23:59$Minor tree damage was observed. EF0WNW of SulphurMurrayOK00:00$A brief tornado caused no known damage. EF0S of OzawkieJeffersonKS00:20–00:21UnknownA waterspout over Perry Lake moved ashore, producing tree damage. One tree fell on a mobile home, briefly trapping the resident. EF0ESE of FillmoreAndrewMO00:30–00:33$Three homes sustained minor damage, and several trees were downed. EF1E of Hickory to SE of FitzhughMurray, PontotocOK00:39–00:53$A large multi-vortex tornado downed trees and power lines. EF0NW of VanossPontotocOK01:18–01:20$No known damage occurred with this tornado. EF0NNE of VanossPontotocOK01:29–01:33$No known damage occurred with this tornado. EF1WNW of AdaPontotocOK01:41–01:47UnknownA few homes were damaged in the small community of Center. EF1NE of EmporiaLyonKS01:50–01:54UnknownSome farm outbuildings were heavily damaged, a chimney collapsed onto a home, and several large trees were snapped. EF0E of AndiceWilliamsonTX02:00–02:05$Several mobile homes sustained minor damage, with a carport and deck destroyed. A screened-in porch was tossed over a house, large hay bales were rolled many yards (some into a road), and several trees were downed. The tornado was observed by several local residents. EF3SW of Reading to E of BarclayLyon, OsageKS02:10–02:30>$1 death – See article on this tornado – 5 people were injured. EF0S of BarclayOsageKS02:20–02:24UnknownThis was a satellite tornado to the Reading EF3 tornado. Several trees were blown down and a cow pen was pushed to the northeast. EF0ESE of WordenDouglasKS03:41$A very brief tornado with no damage. EF1QuenemoOsage, FranklinKS03:43–03:52UnknownSeveral houses were damaged, two garages were destroyed, and several trees were downed.
May 22 event