Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012

The Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012 was a long lasting tornado outbreak that occurred due to a slow moving, but powerful trough and cutoff low. The outbreak began in the Great Plains, where, over a two-day period, several tornadoes touched down, some of which were significant. The North Platte area was damaged by an EF3 that was produced by a supercell that spawned many tornadoes throughout its lifespan. The tornadic activity then shifted the Southern United States over subsequent days, particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi. These states were struck by a series of tornadoes for 3 days, most of which were relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. However, a few reached EF2 intensity and caused considerable damage. Tornado activity continued across the Ohio Valley on the 23rd, with one confirmed fatality in southern Illinois.

Meteorological synopsis

March 18–19

March 20–22

March 23–24 A slight risk was issued for parts of the Ohio Valley, but notable tornado activity was not expected. However, several tornadoes touched down across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. Supercell thunderstorms developed and produced large hail as well. One high-end EF1 tornado caused considerable damage to homes in the Louisville metro area. An EF2 tornado caused one fatality in southern Illinois when a mobile home was thrown and completely destroyed. On the 24th, an isolated EF0 touched down in Florida as the outbreak moved eastward and came to an end.

Confirmed tornadoes

March 18 event List of reported tornadoes - Sunday, March 18, 2012EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageOklahoma EF0W of MangumGreer2350No damage reported with this tornado. EF0WSW of BrinkmanGreer0010No damage reported with this tornado. EF0WNW of WillowGreer0027No damage reported with this tornado. EF0NW of WillowGreer0037No damage reported. This tornado was from the same supercell that produced the other tornadoes in Greer County.Nebraska EF3SW of North PlatteLincoln0210 Two homes were damaged and a large metal truss tower was destroyed. Outbuildings are garages were destroyed or damaged, two irrigation pivots were overturned, and a wooden transmission tower was destroyed. Extensive tree and power line damage occurred along the path. Two people were injured. EF1WSW of North PlatteLincoln0213 A semi-truck and fence line were destroyed. A garage was damaged and an irrigation pivot was destroyed. Extensive tree damage occurred, debris was scattered through fields, and one person was injured. EF3NW of North Platte (1st tornado)Lincoln0214 Two homes were destroyed and two others suffered significant damage. Debris from impacted structures was scattered up to a mile and a half away. Fifteen train cars and an irrigation pivot were overturned. Two people were injured. EF2NW of North Platte (2nd tornado)Lincoln0218 Two homes were heavily damaged and a barn was destroyed, with debris from the barn driven into the ground. Garages and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and extensive tree damage occurred. EF0SSE of RinggoldMcPherson0239 A church and a small storage building were damaged, and a pivot irrigation system was twisted and overturned. Trees were uprooted and limbs were snapped as well. EF0NNW of ValentineCherry0319Brief touchdown with no damage. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/18/12, NWS Norman, OK, NWS North Platte, NE

March 19 event List of reported tornadoes - Monday, March 19, 2012EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageTexas EF2GardendaleEctor0628A camper was flipped, a cinder block fence was toppled, and a barn and trailer were destroyed. One house in Gardendale suffered significant roof damage and was shifted off of its foundation, and several power poles were damaged. A horse trailer and a cotton trailer were tossed, and a travel trailer was destroyed. Large amounts of debris was scattered throughout the area, some of which was speared into the walls of adjacent structures. Three people were injured. EF2WNW of DevineMedina0106 A semi-trailer was overturned and a mobile home was destroyed. Multiple permanent homes had roofs torn off or sustained major structural damage. A metal storage shed was largely destroyed, and trees and power lines were downed. 14 homes were destroyed, 11 sustained major damage, and 7 others sustained minor damage. EF1W of LytleMedina0120 Power lines were knocked down and an RV was flipped. EF2ENE of Lytle to E of LaCosteBexar0130 This strong tornado destroyed four frame homes and four mobile homes. Five other homes were severely damaged, and two others sustained minor damage. Four people were injured.Kansas EF0ESE of MontroseJewell1055A large machine shed was destroyed.Minnesota EF0S of ElysianWaseca, Le Sueur2325Numerous trees and several structures were damaged along the path. Homes sustained roof damage, a metal shed was destroyed, and boat docks were lifted and thrown at Lake Francis.Oklahoma EF0NW of VianSequoyah0120Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage.Arkansas EF1SW of Uniontown to WSW of ChesterCrawford0252The roof of a mobile home was damaged, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. EF0FayettevilleWashington0320Several homes and a Walmart in town sustained damage, and a few trees and tree limbs were snapped. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/19/12, NWS Odessa, TX, NWS San Antonio, TX, NWS Tulsa, OK

March 20 event List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, March 20, 2012EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageTexas EF0E of San Antonio International AirportBexar0555A post office and 10 homes suffered minor damage, with another home suffering major damage. Fences and vegetation sustained damage as well. EF0KirbyBexar0559A few homes sustained minor damage, along with fences and vegetation. EF0RungeKarnes0905Houses and outbuildings in Runge suffered minor damage. A few trees were downed as well.Louisiana EF0E of ZwolleSabine1636Several trees were snapped and uprooted and a few power lines were downed. EF0SE of GoldonnaNatchitoches, Winn1815Several trees were snapped or blown down, some of which landed on railroad tracks. Power lines were also downed. EF0E of NatchitochesNatchitoches0228Three mobile homes sustained damage, one with moderate roof damage. One tree was snapped as well. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/20/12, NWS Shreveport, LA

March 21 event List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, March 21, 2012EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageLouisiana EF0S of SikesWinn0814A few trees were snapped. EF1Lake ArthurJefferson Davis0930An estimated 30 to 40 homes were damaged, barns were destroyed, trees we’re downed, and an antenna was blown off the top of a water tower in town. EF2GueydanVermilion0945A tied-down mobile home in Gueydan was rolled upside down and completely destroyed. Five homes and city hall sustained significant roof damage. About 20 more homes received minor damage, and grave stones were blown over at a local cemetery. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees were downed. One minor injury occurred. EF0W of HenryVermilion1035Damage consisted of a roof blown off of a barn, several outbuildings damaged, and several trees snapped. EF1E of AbbevilleVermilion1045A garage and a portable building were destroyed, and trees and telephone poles were snapped. EF0PattersonSt. Mary1257A large industrial building had its garage doors blown in, and sheet metal was removed from other buildings and scattered throughout the area. EF1N of ClarksCaldwell1330Twenty homes were damaged, while one mobile home and several outbuildings were destroyed. Many trees were snapped or uprooted. EF1PrairievilleAscension1434Several homes in town sustained significant roof damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted by this high-end EF1 tornado. EF1E of KleinpeterEast Baton Rouge1443Several homes suffered roof damage and numerous trees were downed. EF1NE of CorbinLivingston1505Several trees were downed, and a house lost part of its roof. EF0NE of MadisonvilleSt. Tammany1716Brief tornado caused minor damage to two homes and downed trees. EF0NE of Abita SpringsSt. Tammany1735Several trees were downed, one of which fell through the roof of a house.North Carolina EF0ENE of WenonaWashington1500Brief tornado remained over an open field and caused no damage.Mississippi EF1E of McNairJefferson1523Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. EF2NNE of Port GibsonClaiborne, Warren1551Two mobile homes were destroyed and four power poles were snapped. A brick home sustained major roof damage, and three large outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which landed on a house and caused significant damage. EF1SE of VicksburgWarren1611A building had its metal roof peeled back, while a trailer and a mobile home were overturned. Many trees were downed, some of which landed on homes. EF2WSW of PelahatchieRankin1904Narrow but strong tornado tore much of the roof from a large home and partially collapsed the back exterior wall. Many large trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. EF0SE of EastabuchieForrest2100Brief tornado snapped several trees, one of which fell on and destroyed a fence. Shingles were torn off of a home. EF0SW of SosoJones2231Brief tornado heavily damaged the roof of a chicken house and uprooted a tree. EF0NW of Long BeachHarrison0132Brief tornado damaged a trailer. EF0ESE of PauldingJasper0203Brief tornado uprooted several trees. EF1NNE of GulfportHarrison0535A trailer was flipped and several homes lost part of their roofs. Trees were damaged as well. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/20/12, SPC Storm Reports for 03/21/12, NWS Shreveport, LA, NWS Lake Charles, LA, NWS Newport / Morehead City, NC, NWS Jackson, MS

March 22 event List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, March 22, 2012EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageMississippi EF0N of BiloxiHarrison1010A large shed had its door blown in and sustained roof damage. Several residences sustained fence and shingle damage, and a patio roof was lifted off. Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/21/12

March 23 event