November 16–18, 2015 tornado outbreak

November 16–18, 2015 tornado outbreak

Remains of a well-anchored mobile home that was completely swept away by the first EF3 tornado near Pampa, TX.
Type Tornado outbreak
Duration November 16, 2015 (2015-11-16) – November 18, 2015 (2015-11-18)
Tornadoes confirmed 47+
Max rating1 EF3 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak2 3 days
Casualties 0 fatalities
Areas affected Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

2Time from first tornado to last tornado

The November 16–18 tornado outbreak was a highly unusual nocturnal late-season tornado outbreak that significantly impacted the lower Great Plains on November 16 before producing additional weaker tornadoes across parts of the Southern United States the following two days. The first day of the outbreak spawned multiple strong, long-track tornadoes, including two consecutive EF3s that caused major damage near Pampa, Texas. Overall, the outbreak produced at least 47 tornadoes in all, and was described as by the National Weather Service office in Dodge City, Kansas as being "unprecedented in recorded history for southwest Kansas."[1] Despite spawning multiple strong tornadoes after dark, no fatalities or injuries occurred as a result of the outbreak.

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
20 21 3 3 0 0 47

November 16 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, November 16, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF0 S of Ulysses Grant KS 37°27′36″N 101°21′15″W / 37.46°N 101.3541°W / 37.46; -101.3541 (Ulysses(Nov. 16, EF0)) 2154 — 2155 0.13 mi (0.21 km) 25 yd (23 m) Brief, weak tornado kicked up dust for less than a minute. [2]
EF0 ENE of Garden City Finney KS Unknown 2317 – 2320 3.2 mi (5.1 km) 50 yd (46 m) A brief, dusty circulation was observed on and off for three minutes. [3]
EF0 SE of Grinnell Gove KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]
EF0 WSW of Grainfield Gove KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]
EF1 Grainfield to E of Hoxie Gove, Sheridan KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado caused damage in the town of Grainfield before dissipating near Hoxie. Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]
EF3 NE of Liberal to NE of Montezuma Seward, Meade， Gray KS 37°05′36″N 100°52′12″W / 37.0933°N 100.8699°W / 37.0933; -100.8699 (Kismet (Nov. 16, EF3)) 2338 – 0056 50.98 mi (82.04 km) 2,000 yd (1,800 m) Long-track wedge tornado destroyed a mobile home and snapped power poles near the beginning of its path. The tornado reached its maximum intensity (mid-range EF3) as it passed west of Kismet, where a farmstead was heavily damaged, trees were partially debarked and denuded, a well-built metal frame hog containment building was obliterated, and a heavy steel oil tank was tossed. The tornado weakened to EF2 strength as it passed near Plains, snapping miles of power poles, destroying outbuildings, and flipping irrigation pivots. One of the irrigation pivots had one of its wheels ripped off and thrown. EF1 damage to power poles, trees, and irrigation pivots was noted northwest of Meade. The tornado re-strengthened to EF2 intensity as it passed between Montezuma and Ensign, tearing the entire roof off of a frame home, destroying outbuildings, and snapping power poles before it dissipated to the northeast of Montezuma. [2][3]
EF1 NE of Plains Meade KS 37°21′33″N 100°30′56″W / 37.3593°N 100.5155°W / 37.3593; -100.5155 (Plains (Nov. 16, EF1)) 0019 – 0030 6.33 mi (10.19 km) 100 yd (91 m) This was a satellite tornado to the long-track EF3 tornado above. A house and some outbuildings were damaged, and irrigation pivots were flipped. [2][3]
EF0 SE of Claude Armstrong TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado briefly touched down over open country, causing no damage. [2]
EF0 W of Groom Carson TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado briefly touched down just outside Groom, causing no damage. [2]
EF3 SSE of Pampa to NW of Miami Gray, Roberts TX 35°17′56″N 101°01′16″W / 35.299°N 101.021°W / 35.299; -101.021 (Pampa (Nov. 16, EF3)) 0020 – 0120 35 mi (56 km) 750 yd (690 m) Large wedge tornado began south of Pampa, snapping numerous power poles at EF2 strength. As the tornado passed east of town, EF3 damage occurred as trees were denuded and partially debarked, a well-anchored double-wide mobile home was completely swept away with little debris recovered, and heavy farm equipment along with a 2-ton truck were thrown 150 yards over a barn. EF3 damage continued as the tornado crossed into Roberts County, debarking trees, toppling metal high-tension truss towers, and causing some ground scouring as it passed though open fields. Several power poles were snapped to the west of Miami before the tornado dissipated. [2][5]
EF2 NNW of Groom Carson TX 35°15′11″N 101°09′29″W / 35.253°N 101.158°W / 35.253; -101.158 (Groom (Nov. 16, EF2)) 0042 – 0055 10 mi (16 km) 175 yd (160 m) Large tornado completely destroyed a well-built metal frame outbuilding. A home had its windows broken and roof decking material removed, with the roof uplifted. Large pieces of wood were embedded in the roof. A large truck was moved 50 yd (46 m). [5]
EF1 NW of Ness City Ness KS 38°32′02″N 99°59′56″W / 38.534°N 99.999°W / 38.534; -99.999 (Ness City (Nov. 16, EF1)) 0027 – 0039 8 mi (13 km) 200 yd (180 m) Trees, vehicles, power lines, and buildings sustained damage. A historic 115 year old stone and frame barn was destroyed. [6]
EF0 NE of Borger (1st tornado) Hutchinson TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado briefly touched down over open country, causing no damage. [2]
EF0 NE of Borger (2nd tornado) Roberts TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado briefly touched down over open country near the Hutchinson/Roberts County line, causing no damage. [2]
EF1 SE of Spearman Roberts TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado occurred in a very rural area of northwestern Roberts County. A newly constructed windmill was blown over. [2]
EF0 S of Perryton Ochiltree TX 36°18′00″N 100°45′47″W / 36.3°N 100.763°W / 36.3; -100.763 (Perryton (Nov. 16, EF0)) 0044 – 0050 4 mi (6.4 km) 100 yd (91 m) An emergency manager reported a brief tornado. No known damage occurred. [5]
EF1 E of Perryton Ochiltree TX 36°21′40″N 100°39′50″W / 36.361°N 100.664°W / 36.361; -100.664 (Perryton (Nov. 16, EF1)) 0052 – 0059 5 mi (8.0 km) 200 yd (180 m) Trees, a barbed wire fence, and the roof to a barn sustained damage from this large tornado. Three power poles were snapped. [5]
EF2 S of Ensign to E of Cimarron Gray, Ford KS 37°37′48″N 100°13′58″W / 37.6301°N 100.2329°W / 37.6301; -100.2329 (Ensign (Nov. 16, EF2)) 0055 – 0118 13.91 mi (22.39 km) 500 yd (460 m) A well-built metal frame outbuilding was heavily damaged by this large wedge tornado, with its metal supports severely twisted and bent. Numerous power poles were snapped, large trees were uprooted, irrigation pivots were flipped, and three homes sustained roof and window damage. [2][3]
EF1 NNW of Booker, TX Ochiltree (TX), Beaver (OK) TX, OK 36°26′35″N 100°34′30″W / 36.443°N 100.575°W / 36.443; -100.575 (Booker (Nov. 16, EF1)) 0100 – 0108 5 mi (8.0 km) 400 yd (370 m) Tornado caused damage to trees and fences. [5]
EF0 S of Ogallah Trego KS 38°53′51″N 99°45′01″W / 38.8976°N 99.7502°W / 38.8976; -99.7502 (Ogallah (Nov. 16, EF0)) 0106 – 0109 1.7 mi (2.7 km) 100 yd (91 m) Trees were uprooted and tree limbs were snapped. [2][6]
EF3 E of Pampa Gray TX 35°27′25″N 100°57′58″W / 35.457°N 100.966°W / 35.457; -100.966 (Pampa (Nov. 16, EF3)) 0106 – 0119 11 mi (18 km) 500 yd (460 m) Large cone tornado began south of Pampa, snapping tree trunks and destroying a manufactured home at EF2 intensity. Farm equipment was moved and damaged and fences were downed southeast of town before the tornado reached EF3 strength, completely flattening multiple large metal frame industrial buildings at a chemical plant complex just east of town. Several vehicles were thrown into the rubble and damaged, trees were snapped, and a manufactured home at the edge of the circulation sustained minor damage as well. Further to the northeast the tornado weakened to EF2 strength as it snapped multiple power poles and completely destroyed an outbuilding before dissipating. The destruction of the chemical plant resulted in a significant gas and chemical leak, prompting Hazmat response. [2][5]
EF0 NE of Pampa Roberts, Gray TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado paralleled and crossed the path of the first Pampa EF3 tornado. One power pole was broken. [2]
EF0 SW of Canadian Roberts, Hemphill TX Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [2]
EF1 WSW of Higgins, TX to NNW of Gage, OK Hemphill (TX), Lipscomb (TX), Ellis (OK) TX, OK Unknown Unknown 43 mi (69 km) Unknown One house sustained roof damage. Multiple trees and tree limbs were snapped along the path, and fences were downed as well. Oil field equipment was damaged, and some small power poles were snapped. Metal sheds were also damaged, with sheet metal debris scattered across a field. [2][7][5]
EF2 SSE of May to E of Buffalo Ellis, Harper OK Unknown Unknown 27 mi (43 km) Unknown Wedge tornado caused considerable damage near Fort Supply. Additional details are unknown at this time. [8][7]
EF0 S of Beaver Beaver OK 36°32′02″N 100°31′05″W / 36.534°N 100.518°W / 36.534; -100.518 (Beaver (Nov. 16, EF0)) 0110 – 0118 4 mi (6.4 km) 100 yd (91 m) A storm chaser observed a tornado. No known damage occurred. [5]
EF0 SE of Beaver Beaver OK Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. [2]
EF1 E of Beaver City Furnas NE Unknown 0131 – 0157 12.75 mi (20.52 km) 400 yd (370 m) A portion of roof covering was removed from a barn roof, several small grain carts were moved, and trees and power lines were damaged. [9]
EF0 W of WaKeeney Trego KS 39°01′32″N 99°59′10″W / 39.0256°N 99.9862°W / 39.0256; -99.9862 (WaKeeney (Nov. 16, EF0)) 0219 – 0220 0.75 mi (1.21 km) 100 yd (91 m) A machine shed was destroyed, and bales of feed were moved. [6]
EF0 S of Booker Ochiltree, Lipscomb TX 36°19′19″N 100°32′35″W / 36.322°N 100.543°W / 36.322; -100.543 (Booker (Nov. 16, EF0)) 0259 – 0307 5 mi (8.0 km) 100 yd (91 m) A brief tornado was observed. No known damage occurred. [5]
EF1 NW of Freedom, OK SE of Coldwater, KS Woods (OK), Comanche (KS) OK, KS Unknown 0413 – 0438 16.1 mi (25.9 km) 810 yd (740 m) An old home sustained major damage, and buildings at an oil field were destroyed. Trees were snapped, and farm implements and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed as well. [2][3]
EF1 E of Coldwater Comanche KS Unknown 0438 – 0447 5.3 mi (8.5 km) 460 yd (420 m) Tornado downed multiple power poles. [2][3]
EF1 Lenora Norton KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tornado caused damage in the town of Lenora. Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]
EF1 E of Norton Norton KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]
EF0 Unknown Norton, Furnas KS Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Damage assessments are incomplete at this time. [4]

November 17 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, November 17, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF0 Keller Tarrant TX 32°55′N 97°14′W / 32.91°N 97.23°W / 32.91; -97.23 (Keller (Nov. 17, EF0)) 0928 – 0929 0.4 mi (0.64 km) 30 yd (27 m) Several homes sustained minor roof damage, and several trees were downed. [10]
EF1 Hickory Creek Denton TX 33°08′N 97°04′W / 33.13°N 97.06°W / 33.13; -97.06 (Hickory Creek (Nov. 17, EF1)) 0944 – 0948 1.5 mi (2.4 km) 50 yd (46 m) Several homes sustained minor roof damage, a few homes had their garage doors destroyed, a car wash suffered severe damage, several business signs were damaged or destroyed, and a hotel sustained significant roof damage. [10]
EF1 E of College Station Grimes TX 30°36′03″N 96°07′26″W / 30.6007°N 96.124°W / 30.6007; -96.124 (College Station (Nov. 17, EF1)) 1053 – 1104 9.25 mi (14.89 km) 50 yd (46 m) Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Two trailers were thrown and destroyed, numerous barns, outbuildings, and mobile homes suffered severe damage, and tin and lumber debris were tossed over 0.5 mi (0.80 km). [11]
EF1 E of Checotah McIntosh OK 35°26′11″N 95°25′29″W / 35.4363°N 95.4247°W / 35.4363; -95.4247 (Checotah (Nov. 17, EF1)) 1143 – 1148 4.7 mi (7.6 km) 300 yd (270 m) A number of outbuildings and a chicken house were destroyed, the roofs of several homes were damaged, trees were snapped or uprooted, and power lines were downed. [12]
EF1 SE of Edwards Hinds MS 32°18′14″N 90°34′53″W / 32.3039°N 90.5813°W / 32.3039; -90.5813 (Edwards (Nov. 17, EF1)) 0333 – 0335 1.91 mi (3.07 km) 50 yd (46 m) Several trees were snapped or uprooted. [13]

November 18 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, November 18, 2015[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage[note 2] Summary Refs
EF1 WNW of Morton Rankin, Scott MS 32°22′30″N 89°44′51″W / 32.3749°N 89.7474°W / 32.3749; -89.7474 (Morton (Nov. 18, EF1)) 0540 – 0550 8.7 mi (14.0 km) 440 yd (400 m) Numerous trees were downed or uprooted. A mobile home was rolled and destroyed. Some tin was removed from the roof of a home, and a shed sustained some damage. An old, unused chicken house was heavily damaged. [13]
EF1 NW of Forkville Scott MS 32°28′44″N 89°41′44″W / 32.4789°N 89.6955°W / 32.4789; -89.6955 (Forkville (Nov. 18, EF1)) 0547 – 0551 2.5 mi (4.0 km) 250 yd (230 m) Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted. [13]
EF1 NNE of Forkville Scott MS 32°31′52″N 89°36′57″W / 32.5311°N 89.6158°W / 32.5311; -89.6158 (Forkville (Nov. 18, EF1)) 0555 – 0559 3 mi (4.8 km) 200 yd (180 m) Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted. [13]
EF0 NE of Lena Leake MS 32°36′05″N 89°32′16″W / 32.6014°N 89.5379°W / 32.6014; -89.5379 (Lena (Nov. 18, EF0)) 0605 – 0606 0.6 mi (0.97 km) 75 yd (69 m) A few trees were damaged. [13]
EF1 WSW of Palmetto Coweta GA unknown unknown unknown unknown Tornado moved through a subdivision, snapping small trees and damaging five homes. One of the homes had its porch and a section of its roof torn off, with the debris being thrown 50 yards away. [14]
EF1 Fairburn Fulton GA unknown unknown unknown unknown Near the beginning of the path, goal posts and bleachers sustained minor damage at Creekside High School. The tornado moved through residential areas of Fairburn, snapping and uprooting numerous large trees. Some of the trees landed on homes and caused significant damage. A small, unsecured shed was torn apart as well. [14]
EF0 SE of Tucker DeKalb GA unknown unknown unknown unknown Two locations sustained structural damage. The front wall was ripped apart at one location in the area, and the roof and metal siding of another location were partially peeled back. Additionally, two trees were uprooted. [14]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
  2. 1 2 3 All damage totals are in 2015 USD unless otherwise stated.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.webcitation.org/6d91JAzzX
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 National Weather Service. "NWS Damage Assessment Toolit". National Oceanic and Atmopsheric Administration. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NWS Damage Survey for 11/16/2015 Tornado Events in Seward, Meade, Gray, Ford, Finney and Comanche Counties". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Dodge City, Kansas. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Preliminary Tornado Information from November 16 2015". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Goodland, Kansas. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "NWS Damage Survey for 11/16/2015 Tornado Event". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Amarillo, Texas. December 11, 2015. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "NWS Damage Survey for 11/16/2015 Tornado Events in Ness and Trego Counties". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Dodge City, Kansas. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "2015 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma. 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ http://www.srh.noaa.gov/graphicast.php?site=oun&gc=4
  9. ↑ "EF-1 Rated Tornado Passed East of Beaver City on Monday November 16th". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Hastings, Nebraska. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Preliminary NWS Damage Survey for 11/17/15 Tornado Events". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth, Texas. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  11. ↑ "NWS Damage Survey for November 17 2015 Tornado Event". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Houston, Texas. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ "NWS Damage Survey for November 17 2015 Tornado Event". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "November 17-18, 2015 Tornadoes". Jackson, Mississippi: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Jackson, Mississippi. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/?n=severeweathernovember18,2015

External links

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