On June 18–22, 2011, a large and damaging tornado outbreak produced widespread tornado activity across much of the Midwest and Central U.S. The most intense activity occurred on June 20, when multiple supercell thunderstorms produced numerous tornadoes across the Great Plains. Some of these tornadoes were large and intense, but for the most part only affected rural areas. The strongest of these tornadoes impacted Kansas and Nebraska. Another notable event occurred on June 22, when a series of 5 tornadoes struck the Louisville metropolitan area. One of these tornadoes caused severe damage at the famous Churchill Downs racetrack. Despite the number and intensity of some of the tornadoes, the outbreak caused no fatalities.
Meteorological synopsis
On June 18, a total of 11 tornadoes touched down across the Great Plains and Midwest. These tornadoes were mostly weak or remained over open country. The worst of the damage was to trees and outbuildings.
On June 19, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for the Central Plains. By the evening, several tornadoes had touched down over rural areas. Most of these tornadoes were weak. However, an EF2 tornado caused significant damage near Cherryville, Missouri, and injured 3 people. Another EF2 tornado also caused considerable damage in Breckinridge County, Kentucky as well. An EF1 tornado caused severe damage south of Du Quoin, Illinois and injured 1 person.
During the afternoon of June 20, a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch was issued for much of central Nebraska and north-central Kansas due to the threat of significant tornadoes. Additionally, very large hail, at least in diameter, was expected within the watch area. Around 1:00 p.m. local time, storm chasers reported a large EF3 tornado on the ground north of Hill City, Kansas and again later that afternoon near Elm Creek, Nebraska. Numerous other tornadoes were reported across the region including near Ravenna and in York County, some reported to have been very large and intense, but mostly over open country. However, some of the tornadoes impacted numerous rural farmsteads, and caused severe damage. Several of these tornadoes reached EF3 intensity. Tornado warnings stretched from North Dakota to Kansas. Additionally, a major derecho event developed farther south – a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for parts of Oklahoma and North Texas as well. On June 21, tornado watches were issued for several areas, including central Minnesota and Wisconsin, southern Illinois and parts of Missouri, and lower Michigan. Tornadoes were reported in Anoka County, Minnesota, and Green Lake and Fond du Lac Counties in Wisconsin. Several tornadoes touched down across the area, causing mostly minor damage. Additionally, local law enforcement reported a tornado in Allegan County in Michigan, with photos taken also showing what looked like a tornado, but no damage was seen in the area, and the National Weather Service determined it to have been low hanging clouds. Meanwhile, a major derecho event impacted the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The worst damage was in Wheeling, Illinois. A tornado touched down in Downers Grove, Illinois
A series of tornadoes tracked across the Louisville, Kentucky area late on June 22. A total of five tornadoes were confirmed in the area, including two that were rated EF2. One of the tornadoes directly hit Churchill Downs racetrack severely damaging several buildings on the site. Other significant damage was reported in several industrial parks in the metropolitan area with buildings heavily damaged. A few other tornadoes caused minor damage in Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Michigan.
Tornadoes
June 18 event List of reported tornadoes – Saturday, June 18, 2011EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path Length Comments/DamageOklahoma EF0W of HulahOsage0125Tornado lasted for 10 to 15 minutes over an open field, producing no known damage. EF0E of CopanWashingtonunknownBrief tornado remained over open country with no damage. EF0E of GrainolaOsageunknownBrief tornado remained over open country with no damage. EF0SW of BoulangervilleOsageunknownBrief tornado remained over open country with no damage.Missouri EF0SE of BrightonPolk, Greene0503A metal barn was destroyed, a home had minor siding damage and several trees were felled. EF1NE of EvertonDade, Greene0435Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. EF1SE of DadevilleDade, PolkUnknownNumerous trees were snapped and uprooted and outbuildings were destroyed.Colorado EF0NE of Wild HorseCheyenneunknownunknownTornado remained over open fields with no damage. EF0SW of FirstviewCheyenneunknownunknownTornado remained over open fields with no damage.Kansas EF0SW of GoveGoveunknownunknownTornado remained over open fields with no damage.Nebraska EF0W of MitchellScotts BluffunknownunknownTornado remained over open fields with no damage.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 06/18/11
June 19 event List of reported tornadoes – Sunday, June 19, 2011EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageMissouri EF0W of Cherryville (1st tornado)Crawford0700Extensive tree damage occurred. EF2W of Cherryville (2nd tornado)Crawford0710Numerous trees snapped and uprooted along the path. Two homes were also damaged, one of which lost a significant portion of its roof and parts of the walls. Support beams were found up to from the home. Three people inside the home sustained minor injuries. EF0NW of Westboro AtchisonunknownTornado remained over open country with no damage.Kentucky EF2S of HarnedBreckinridge1139A house sustained significant roof damage and two barns were heavily damaged. Trees were uprooted and snapped. Power poles were pushed over and sheet metal was found thrown up to 300 yards as well. EF0SE of HarnedBreckinridge1142Brief tornado damaged a barn.Indiana EF0S of Sulphur SpringsPerry1531Brief tornado uprooted several treesWisconsin EF0S of TheresaDodge2156UnknownBrief tornado flattened grass in a swirl pattern and snapped tree limbs.Kansas EF0E of WoodbineMorris0112UnknownBrief touchdown with no damage. Tornado lasted less than one minute.Colorado EF0NW of Sedgwick SedgwickunknownunknownBrief tornado over open country with no damage.Iowa EF0E of Rake WinnebagounknownunknownLandspout tornado over open country with no damage. Tornado was very slow moving.Illinois EF1S of Du QuionPerryunknownTornado struck the Du Quion State Fairgrounds and caused severe damage. Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted in the area, some of which landed on a shower/restroom building and the Farm Service Building, destroying them both. Several RV's were flipped or demolished, in one of which 3 people were trapped and required rescue. An arena building sustained damage to its doors and had air conditioning units torn from its roof. Several nearby homes had shingles torn off and sustained damage from falling trees. Uprooted trees ruptured gas lines in the area as well. One person was injured.Nebraska EF0NW of Max(1st tornado)DundyunknownTornado damaged the roof of a barn and overturned an irrigation pivot. EF0NW of Max(2nd tornado)DundyunknownTornado remained over open country with no damage. EF0N of PerryRed WillowunknownLarge dusty tornado remained over open country with no damage.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 06/18/11 and 06/19/11
June 20 event