| Photograph from NWS damage survey in Woodward, Iowa | |
| Date of tornado outbreak: | November 12—13 2005 |
| Duration1: | 6 hours, 22 minutes |
| Maximum rated tornado2: | F3 tornado |
| Tornadoes caused: | 15 |
| Damages: | $18.6 million [1] |
| Fatalities: | 1 |
| Areas affected: | Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas |
|
1Time from first tornado to last tornado |
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The Iowa Tornado Outbreak of November 2005 was a large and exceptionally rare late autumn season tornado outbreak on the afternoon and evening of November 12, 2005 across the central United States but concentrated in central Iowa. At least one person was killed and there was extensive damage in several communities. Another tornado and severe thunderstorm outbreak generated from the same storm system that produced the Iowa outbreak produced damaging tornadoes with injuries concentrated across southwest Missouri.
There are preliminary reports of as many as twenty tornadoes in Iowa, and 15 were later confirmed including 13 in Iowa alone. It is the largest ever tornado outbreak in Iowa in November; and among the largest outbreaks that far north and west in the United States that late in the year. Only 23 confirmed tornadoes have been recorded in Iowa in November from 1950-2004. There were also many reports of very large hail and strong straight-line winds, starting in southeast South Dakota.
A tornado caused some damage including deroofing a business in Hospers in Sioux County.
In addition, the tornado sirens sounded just before an Iowa State University Cyclones football game incurring an evacuation of the stadium. The tornado was visible from the stadium. The Iowa State Cyclones, named partly for a violent tornado in the early 20th century returned to the field and were shockingly victorious. Another tornado struck the actual ISU campus a couple months prior on September 8 with extensive minor damage.
Contents |
| Confirmed Total |
Confirmed F0 |
Confirmed F1 |
Confirmed F2 |
Confirmed F3 |
Confirmed F4 |
Confirmed F5 |
| 15 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| F# | Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | ||||||
| F1 | N of Bayard | Greene | 2150 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
||
| F3 | Stratford area | Boone, Webster, Hamilton | 2227 | 17.6 miles (28.2 km) |
1 death - There was extensive tornado damage across the southern half of the town. At least two dozen homes completely destroyed and many others damaged along its 150 yard (165 m) wide path. One person was killed and another was injured. A gas leak forced the evacuation of most of the town impeding rescue efforts. | |
| F2 | Woodward area | Dallas | 2228 | 12 miles (19.2 km) |
Dozens of homes damaged or destroyed, including several homes shifted off their foundations. One farm was also destroyed. | |
| F1 | E of Hospers | Sioux | 2230 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
||
| F2 | NW of Madrid | Boone | 2241 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
||
| F1 | W of Luther | Boone | 2248 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
Heavy damage to one farm site and moderate damage to one home. | |
| F0 | Ames area | Story | 2256 | 0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
||
| F2 | N of Ames | Boone, Story | 2258 | 12 miles (19.2 km) |
Heavy damage to several homes along its path. Tornado was visible from Iowa State University and forced the evacuation of the stadium during a football game. | |
| F0 | Story City | Story | 2315 | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) |
Aerial surveys showed minor damage. | |
| F1 | N of Roland | Story, Hamilton, Hardin | 2320 | 8 miles (12.8 km) |
Several farm sites were damaged along its track. | |
| F0 | S of Williams | Hamilton | 2327 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
No damage was reported. | |
| F0 | SE of Robertson | Hardin | 2350 | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) |
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| F1 | Blakesburg | Monroe | 0040 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
Destroyed a barn along its short track. | |
| Missouri | ||||||
| F1 | NE of Hoburg | Lawrence | 0140 | 5 miles (8 km) |
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| Arkansas | ||||||
| F0 | W of Mena | Polk | 0427 | 3.5 miles (5.6 km) |
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| Sources: Des Moines office Tornado History Project Storm Data - November 12, 2005 | ||||||