| Date of tornado outbreak: | April 25-27 1994 |
| Duration1: | ~3 days |
| Maximum rated tornado2: | F4 tornado |
| Tornadoes caused: | 101 |
| Damages: | unknown |
| Fatalities: | 6 |
| Areas affected: | Central and Southern Plains, Midwest, Deep South of the United States |
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1Time from first tornado to last tornado |
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The April 1994 tornado outbreak was a widespread tornado outbreak that affected much of the Central and Southern Plains of the United States as well as the Midwest and the Deep South from Colorado to New York from April 25 to April 27, 1994. The entire outbreak killed at least six people across two states from two different F4 tornadoes near Dallas, Texas and Lafayette, Indiana.
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Several storm thunderstorm cells known as supercells were responsible for most of the tornadoes during the event. Several scattered strong storms/supercells developed during the afternoon and late-evening hours on April 25. The most notable storm of the day produced several tornadoes across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first tornado touchdown in the Fort Worth area but caused little if any damage.[1] An F2 tornado shortly caused extensive damage to the town of DeSoto in Dallas County. Numerous structures were destroyed and the City Hall itself sustained major damage that totaled about $50 million. No fatalities were reported by this tornado.[2] However, further east, the same storm intensified and produced a violent F4 tornado that traveled through the Lancaster area killing 3 and injured nearly 50 others while destroying much of the historic downtown square.[3] In addition to the tornadoes, extensive hail was recorded across much of the Metroplex region. Total tornado and hail figures in Texas alone on this date was estimated at $300 million.[4]
On April 26, the most productive storm affected portions of eastern Illinois just southeast of Chicago and portions of northern and central Indiana. Shortly before 11:00 PM, an F4 tornado through a mobile home park and a subdivision north of Lafayette killing three and injuring 70 others across Tippecanoe County. The mobile home park was very heavily damaged with numerous structures being totally demolished. A factory where one of the fatalities was also heavily damaged while the two other fatalities were inside the same home.[5] Another tornado earlier in the day caused extensive damage to the town of Gainesville, Texas and injuring eight people. Several other tornadoes were reported in and around the Gainesville tornado at the same time the parent storm tore through most of the city.[6][7] Across North Texas near the Red River Valley, over 20 tornadoes were confirmed along that area alone on April 26 from roughly near Wichita Falls to west of Texarkana, Arkansas.[4] Activity ended on April 27 with weaker tornadoes across Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee and minimal damage reported.
| Confirmed Total |
Confirmed F0 |
Confirmed F1 |
Confirmed F2 |
Confirmed F3 |
Confirmed F4 |
Confirmed F5 |
| 101 | 65 | 24 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| F# | Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | ||||||
| F0 | Widefield area | El Paso | 2003 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown in an open field without damage | |
| F0 | E of Fountain | El Paso | 2019 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown in an open field without damage | |
| F0 | SW of Lindon | Washington | 2118 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown in an open field without damage | |
| F0 | S of Idalia | Yuma | 2256 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Nebraska | ||||||
| F1 | Central City area | Merrick | 2135 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
Outbuildings were damaged, the roof of an auto shop was blown off and tree tops were twisted. | |
| F0 | W of Elgin | Antelope | 2145 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A van was picked up and rolled over into a ditch | |
| F0 | SE of Elgin | Antelope | 2200 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown in an open field without damage | |
| F0 | NE of Plainview | Pierce | 2235 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Two empty semi-trailers were blown over. Central irrigation pivot systems were twisted and blown over. Two county buildings and a garage were damaged | |
| F1 | E of Bloomfield | Knox | 2245 | 7 miles (11.2 km) |
Damage to outbuildings and irrigation systems at several farms. One person was injured. | |
| F0 | SE of Bloomfield | Knox | 2245 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
A storage tank was carried for a mile damaging a truck, a car and a garage | |
| South Dakota | ||||||
| F0 | S of Worthing | Lincoln | 2338 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A door was torn off a machine shed, a grain bin was caved in, a cattle shed was tipped and a hog house lost its roof | |
| F0 | N of Renner | Minnehaha | 0010 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A mobile home was destroyed, a ball park heavily damaged. A legion hall was damaged by flying debris. Farm buildings were also damaged and power lines were downed. | |
| F0 | SW of Valley Springs | Minnehaha | 0010 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F0 | Garretson area | Minnehaha | 0015 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Oklahoma | ||||||
| F1 | N of Albion | Pushmataha, Latimer | 2358 | 4.7 miles (7.5 km) |
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| F1 | S of Whitesboro | Le Flore | 0035 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
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| F0 | S of Fanshawe | Le Flore | 0040 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Iowa | ||||||
| F1 | Doon area | Lyon | 0001 | 7 miles (11.2 km) |
Extensive damage to two farms. Several buildings, a machine shed, a garage and a brooder coop were downed. | |
| Minnesota | ||||||
| F0 | Luverne area | Rock | 0015 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Six mobile homes were damaged | |
| F0 | SE of Round Lake | Jackson | 0100 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A building had roof damage and several trees were toppled | |
| Texas | ||||||
| F0 | Fort Worth area | Tarrant | 0042 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without known damage | |
| F0 | SW of Duncanville | Dallas | 0150 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Trees and power lines were blown down | |
| F2 | DeSoto area | Dallas | 0200 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
75 homes were destroyed and 250 others damaged. 10 businesses were destroyed and 35 others damaged. A school was also damaged as well as the City Hall. 7 people were injured and damage was estimated at around $50 million. | |
| F4 | Lancaster/Hutchins area | Dallas | 0230 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
3 deaths - 1/2 mile wide tornado. 80 percent of the downtown square was destroyed. 233 homes and 58 businesses were destroyed. 227 homes and two schools were also damaged. 48 people were also injured. | |
| F0 | SW of Pecan Hill | Ellis | 0258 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | W of Midlothian | Ellis | 0258 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| Source: Tornado History Project - April 25, 1994 Storm Data | ||||||
| F# | Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | ||||||
| F1 | Ames area | Story | 1103 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
Several buildings were damaged or destroyed. Windows on cars and homes were also broken. | |
| Minnesota | ||||||
| F2 | W of Grant | Washington | 1700 | 5 miles (8 km) |
17 homes were damaged including 10 severely. One person was injured. | |
| Texas | ||||||
| F0 | NE of Olney | Archer | 1750 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F2 | SW of Windthorst | Archer | 1805 | 9.5 miles (15.2 km) |
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| F0 | NW of Bowie | Montague | 1940 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | NE of Alvord | Wise | 1955 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | E of Montague | Montague | 2007 | 2.8 miles (4.5 km) |
Fences and power lines were downed | |
| F1 | W of St. Jo | Montague | 2030 | 5 miles (8 km) |
Power line were knocked down and 20 head of cattle were killed. | |
| F0 | S of St. Jo | Montague | 2030 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A mobile home office was blown over | |
| F0 | NW of Era | Cooke | 2037 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F2 | Gainesville area (1st tornado) | Cooke | 2045 | 16 miles (25.6 km) |
One house and 15 mobile homes were destroyed. About 70 homes, 52 mobile homes, 14 businesses, a multi-story apartment complex, two barns and a school were damaged. Cars and truck were flipped over and trees and power lines were down across the city. 8 people were injured. | |
| F0 | W of Gainesville | Cooke | 2050 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
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| F0 | Gainesville area (2nd tornado) | Cooke | 2105 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Minor roof and tree damage | |
| F0 | N of Gainesville | Cooke | 2110 | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
Damage limited to trees | |
| F0 | N of Gordonville | Grayson | 2130 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | NE of Grayson | Grayson | 2140 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | N of Downing | Comanche | 2152 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | W of Comanche | Comanche | 2211 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F0 | S of Pottsboro | Grayson | 2215 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | SE of Clairette | Erath | 2305 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F2 | W of Walnut Springs | Bosque | 2320 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
One house, two mobile homes and a barn were destroyed while a grain silo was roofed. Telephone poles were also knocked down. One person was injured | |
| F0 | W of Lannius | Fannin | 0000 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F2 | S of Ragtown | Lamar | 0000 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
An RV was destroyed while 15 homes and 35 barns and outbuildings were damaged. | |
| F0 | W of Meridian (1st tornado) | Bosque | 0006 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | Bonham area | Fannin | 0020 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | SW of Selfs | Fannin | 0020 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Damage to trees and power lines | |
| F0 | NE of Tigertown | Lamar | 0025 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | W of Meridian (2nd tornado) | Bosque | 0130 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | S of Woodland | Red River | 0135 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | N of Alexander | Erath | 0150 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
One barn was destroyed | |
| F1 | N of Morgan | Bosque | 0243 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A mobile home was destroyed and two homes were heavily damaged | |
| Wisconsin | ||||||
| F1 | W of Ridgeland | Dunn, Barron | 1803 | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
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| F2 | NE of Canton | Barron | 1810 | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
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| F2 | Prentice area | Price | 1920 | 12 miles (19.2 km) |
A cabin trailer and barn were destroyed while a farm home and a construction company shed were damaged. A garage was knocked against a home and a mobile home was rolled. | |
| F1 | NE of Conover | Vilas | 2055 | 4.5 miles (7.2 km) |
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| Oklahoma | ||||||
| F0 | NE of Woodford | Carter | 1830 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | E of Daisy | Atoka, Pushmataha | 2025 | 9 miles (14.4 km) |
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| F1 | N of Adel | Pittsburg | 2046 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
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| F1 | N of Tuskahoma | Pushmataha | 2102 | 12 miles (19.2 km) |
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| F1 | NW of Albion | Latimer | 2120 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
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| F1 | S of Yamaby | Bryan | 2318 | 8.5 miles (13.6 km) |
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| F0 | S of Wade | Bryan | 2335 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
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| Mississippi | ||||||
| F0 | NE of Horn Lake | DeSoto | 2303 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
Damage to several tree tops | |
| F0 | NE of Hernando | DeSoto | 0005 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
Damage limited to trees | |
| F0 | Red Banks area | Marshall | 0025 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
Damage limited to a few trees | |
| F0 | N of Victoria | Marshall | 0050 | 0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
Damage limited to a few trees | |
| Missouri | ||||||
| F1 | S of Walnut Grove | Greene | 2350 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
Severe damage to two homes and a mobile home lost its roof. Trees were knocked down. | |
| F0 | E of Eudora | Polk | 2355 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
Weak tornado in an open field without damage | |
| F1 | Lebanon area | Laclede | 0022 | 2.5 miles (4 km) |
An airplane was flipped while signs, flags and power lines were damaged or ripped | |
| F1 | SE of Grovespring | Wright | 0045 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
Five buildings including two barns and a mobile home were destroyed. | |
| F0 | NE of Holts Summit | Callaway | 0120 | 0.6 miles (1 km) |
Damage limited to a few trees | |
| F0 | Crystal City | Jefferson | 0235 | 0.3 miles (0.5 km) |
Damage to trees and power poles | |
| Illinois | ||||||
| F0 | SW of Arcola (1st tornado) | Douglas | 0230 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
Three outbuildings were blown over | |
| F1 | SW of Arcola (2nd tornado) | Douglas | 0231 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
Farm equipment and power lines were damaged | |
| F1 | S of Brunswick, IN | Will, Lake, IN | 0240 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
An antenna was knocked down. Several farm buildings were damaged | |
| F0 | SE of Beecher | Will | 0240 | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
A house, grain bins and farm buildings were damaged | |
| F1 | Watseka area | Iroquois | 0245 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
A cinder block building was moved from its foundation and damaged. Metal storage buildings were also damaged. | |
| F2 | E of Eberle | Effingham | 0430 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
A two-car garage was destroyed and a home was partially placed on its side. A shed, a barn, farm buildings and grain bins were damaged. Two people were injured | |
| F0 | NW of Allerton | Champaign | 0445 | 0.3 miles (0.5 km) |
An outbuilding was destroyed and another moved from its foundation. A shed was bent and twisted. | |
| F0 | Oblong area | Crawford | 0510 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
A trailer was overturned and trees were uprooted with some falling on homes. | |
| Indiana | ||||||
| F0 | N of Medaryville | Pulaski | 0245 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Damage to two barns and irrigation equipment | |
| F2 | SE of Francesville to SW of Maxinkuckee | Pulaski, Fulton, Marshall | 0245 | 20 miles (32 km) |
One home and five farm buildings with other farm buildings being damaged. A mobile home was lifted and placed on top of a car. | |
| F4 | NW of West Lafayette to SE of Springboro | Tippecanoe, Carroll | 0458 | 14 miles (22.4 km) |
3 deaths - 11 homes were destroyed, 17 with major damage and 7 with minor damage. 13 multi-family dwellings were heavily damaged. 64 mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed with lighter damage to 21 others at a mobile home park. Another three mobile homes were damaged as well as a venetian blind factory and two gas stations. 70 people were injured. | |
| F1 | SW of Whitehall | Owen | 0510 | 0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
A mobile home was destroyed and a church was damaged | |
| F0 | SE of Economy | Wayne | 0625 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| Source: Tornado History Project - April 26, 1994 Storm Data | ||||||
| F# | Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | ||||||
| F1 | West Frankfort area | Franklin | 1005 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
A mobile home and a mine building were destroyed. One person was injured. | |
| Tennessee | ||||||
| F0 | Athens area | McMinn | 1815 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Damage limited to trees | |
| F0 | N of Gandy | Lawrence | 1940 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
Damage limited to a few trees | |
| New York | ||||||
| F1 | W of Eagle Bridge | Rensselaer | 1830 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
Mostly tree damage, some light property damage | |
| Missouri | ||||||
| F0 | S of Acorn Corner | Pemiscot | 1912 | 0.3 miles (0.5 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| F0 | S of Powersite | Taney | 2127 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
Damage limited to trees | |
| F0 | Poplar Bluff area | Butler | 2131 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
Brief tornado without damage | |
| F0 | S of Gainesville | Ozark | 2254 | 0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
Brief touchdown without damage | |
| Kentucky | ||||||
| F0 | SE of Hopson | Trigg, Caldwell | 2300 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
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| F0 | SE of Gracey | Christian | 2315 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - April 27, 1994 Storm Data | ||||||