An unusually prolific and very destructive late-winter tornado outbreak resulted in significant damage and numerous casualties across the southern and eastern half of the United States between February 23–24, 2016. Lasting over a day and a half, the outbreak produced a total of 61 tornadoes across eleven states, which ranked it as one of the largest February tornado outbreaks in the United States on record, with only the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak having recorded more. In addition, it was also one of the largest winter tornado outbreaks overall as well. The most significant and intense tornadoes of the event were four EF3 tornadoes that struck southeastern Louisiana, Pensacola, Florida, Evergreen, Virginia, and Tappahannock, Virginia. Tornadoes were also reported in other places like Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Severe thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds were also felt in the Northeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic states on February 24 as well.

In addition to the outbreak, non-tornadic impacts were felt in the Midwest, where the storm system produced blizzard conditions and cold temperatures in places including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and even parts of southern Ontario in Canada. Snowfall totals of up to were recorded in parts of the hardest hit areas by the snowstorm.

Meteorological synopsis

On February 23, a low pressure area developed near the east end of Texas and began to track northeastwards. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle, including a 15% risk area for tornadoes. The first significant tornadoes of the outbreak moved across southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi that evening, leaving significant damage and three deaths. The towns of Livingston and Laplace, Louisiana sustained heavy damage from strong EF2 tornadoes, and another EF2 tornado near Purvis, Mississippi killed one person in a mobile home. An EF3 tornado also caused major structural damage in Paincourtville, Louisiana before destroying an RV park near Convent, killing two people at that location. Three simultaneous waterspouts were observed over Lake Pontchartrain during the event as well. Later that night, a large supercell thunderstorm developed over the Gulf of Mexico and moved ashore, producing a destructive EF3 tornado in Pensacola, Florida. The tornado injured three people and destroyed homes, townhouses, apartments, and a GE warehouse.

Overnight into the early hours of February 24, the low-pressure area moved into the Mid-Atlantic States. With conditions continuing to favor widespread severe weather, the Storm Prediction center issued another moderate risk for Far South-Central Virginia and Central North Carolina in their 0600 UTC update, although it was originally because of a 45% hatched area of damaging winds. At the 1300 UTC outlook, however, that was omitted and replaced with another 15% hatched risk area for tornadoes across Southeastern Virginia and Eastern North Carolina. Strong tornadoes impacted the East Coast states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina on February 24 with many other tornadoes occurring elsewhere. An EF1 tornado struck the town of Waverly, Virginia, killing three people in a mobile home. An EF3 tornado struck the town of Evergreen, Virginia, causing severe damage and killing one person at that location. An EF2 tornado caused major damage to homes near Oxford, North Carolina, and another EF2 tornado touched down near White Horse, Pennsylvania, damaging up to 50 structures in the area. Another EF3 tornado occurred later that night near the Virginia town of Tappahannock, destroying multiple homes along its path. About 35,000 people in Virginia, 4,000 in Washington, D.C., and 47,000 in the Carolinas lost power due to the storms. Seven people in total were killed by tornadoes during the outbreak, and a total of 61 tornadoes were confirmed.

Confirmed tornadoes

February 23 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, February 23, 2016EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamage(2016 USD) EF0ESE of Boling-IagoWhartonTX1153–1157A brief, narrow tornado destroyed three sheds and damaged three homes. EF0Southwestern KennerJeffersonLA1711–1713A weak tornado developed close to the Mississippi River in the southwest part of Kenner, removing roofing shingles from one home. A church's poorly attached brick facade collapsed, and a small shed was destroyed. A nearby utility pole was downed as well. The tornado also destroyed part of another home's roof and damaged a tin awning. Further along the path, an air conditioning unit and a storage structure were damaged. One tree was snapped near the end of the path. EF0SW of White CastleIbervilleLA1720–1725Tin roofs were peeled back and power lines were damaged. Tree limbs were broken off as well. EF0PrairievilleAscensionLA1808–1813A Gold's Gym had its metal roofing torn off, allowing wind to rush into the building and blow out one of the exterior walls. Several businesses nearby sustained damage to their roofs and siding. Garage doors at a mechanic shop were blown in, and a Popeyes sign was blown over. Homes in town also sustained additional minor damage to outbuildings, roofs, and patios. EF2Western LivingstonLivingstonLA1842–1851A few homes had their roofs torn off while others sustained lesser damage. One of the homes sustained some failure of exterior walls, and a large commercial building sustained major roof damage. A tractor trailer was lifted and flipped onto several large storage containers, and many trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. EF0ENE of MontpelierSt. HelenaLA1914–1915A single–wide mobile home was shifted off of its block piers and lost part of its metal roof. A metal shed was destroyed and a few softwood trees were snapped as well. EF1SE of BaldwinSt. MaryLA2037–2039A total of 28 homes and two businesses were damaged by this high-end EF1 tornado. A restaurant and several mobile homes lost a majority of their metal roofs, a few homes were shifted off their pilings, and other homes sustained damage to their windows, sheet metal, garages, and carports. Many trees and at least 20 power poles were snapped. EF0SW of White CastleIbervilleLA2110–2113Garage doors were blown in, some structures sustained light roof damage, and sheds were demolished. One frail home had much of its poorly attached roof blown off. EF3SW of Paincourtville to NE of ConventAssumption, St. JamesLA2121–21422 deaths – See section on this tornado – 75 people were injured, some critically. EF1WSW of Bogue ChittoLincolnMS2145–2147Many large trees were snapped and uprooted, one of which landed on a home and caused minor roof damage. Skirting was blown off a mobile home and into a pasture. A feed house was damaged, with tin being strewn around. EF1SW of PoplarvillePearl RiverMS2149–2201Five homes were damaged, one of which had its metal roof ripped off. Numerous trees were downed along the path and a metal shed was destroyed. EF1E of Angie, LA to E of Sandy HookPearl River, MarionMS2150–2158A mobile home was shifted off its foundation, and trees and large branches were snapped. EF0WSW of BaxtervilleLamarMS2207Several trees were snapped and uprooted. EF1AkersSt. John the BaptistLA2215–2217Multiple cypress trees were snapped by a waterspout that moved ashore. EF2ENE of Baxterville to NW of PurvisLamarMS2215–22231 death – A double-wide mobile home was completely destroyed by this low-end EF2 tornado, killing one person. Debris from the home was scattered up to 125 yards away, and nearby car was rolled 75 yards. The roof of a chicken house was blown off, and multiple trees and power poles were snapped along the path. EF0ENE of ReformPickensAL2222–2231Trees were snapped or uprooted, and a home and a shed sustained minor roof damage. EF1SW of West HattiesburgLamarMS2229–2231Several trees were snapped and minor roof damage occurred. A mobile home was shifted off of its foundation and a shed was destroyed as well. EF2LaplaceSt. John the BaptistLA2232–2244A high-end EF2 tornado caused major damage in Laplace. Many homes and duplexes sustained severe damage, some sustaining total loss of roofs and exterior walls. One two-story house in town lost half of its second floor. A church and several businesses also sustained roof, window, and fascia damage. Trees, power poles, and light poles were snapped along the path, and some warehouse buildings were severely damaged as well. 17 people were injured. EF0MadisonvilleSt. TammanyLA2241–2242An open air Coast Guard boat shed was destroyed. A bar had minor fascia damage as well. EF0BentonYazooMS2242–2244A weak tornado damaged trees, signs, and fences in town, with several trees snapped or blown down. EF0NW of New HebronSimpsonMS2246–2247A brief tornado snapped and uprooted trees. EF0LacombeSt. TammanyLA2313–2315Plastic greenhouses were damaged at a nursery in town, two mobile homes sustained skirting and window damage, and homes sustained damage to their shingles, siding, and fascia. Multiple trees were uprooted along the path. EF1SE of Sand HillGreeneMS2325–2327Metal roofing material from a barn was lofted into a tree, with some structural damage to the barn observed as well. A trailer was overturned, a vehicle was moved, and numerous trees were downed or snapped as well. EF1ESE of Sand HillGreeneMS2332–2333A couple of trees were sheared off, snapped, or uprooted. EF1W of State LineGreene, WayneMS2345–2347Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted, and an outbuilding was destroyed by a falling tree. An old log cabin had its window panes blown out and large portions of its roof destroyed. EF1S of Pigeye to WSW of HackleburgMarionAL0001–0005A tornado developed near US 43 and moved north-northwest, with damage mostly confined to trees. One garage and a home sustained negligible damage as well, with damage to the home's roof. EF0ESE of LumbertonForrestMS0001–0009A power pole and a few trees were snapped. EF3NW of Pensacola International Airport to SSE of Pea RidgeEscambia, Santa RosaFL0210–0221See section on this tornado – Three people were injured. EF0SE of WicksburgHoustonAL0415–0419Barns and porches had their metal roofing uplifted and blown off, while trees in the area were downed. EF1SSE of Pinckard to SE of Midland CityHouston, DaleAL0424–0430Numerous pine trees were snapped and uprooted. EF1Northwestern DothanHoustonAL0431–0434Homes sustained minor roof damage, and a concrete block construction baseball dugout was leveled. Power poles were snapped as well. EF1NNW of Dothan to WNW of KinseyHoustonAL0434–0439Five power poles were snapped, several houses and a barn sustained roof damage, and trees were damaged. EF1WNW of HeadlandHenryAL0438–0440Large trees were uprooted, a house sustained roof damage, an RV was overturned, and a shed was destroyed. EF0NE of BalkumHenryAL0454–0455Large trees were snapped or uprooted, including one that sustained minor debarking. EF1SSE of Wills CrossroadsHenryAL0502–0503Many large trees were snapped or uprooted.

February 24 event