Tornado outbreak sequence of April 20–27, 2007

April 20–27, 2007 tornado outbreak sequence
Texmextornado2007.jpg
Damage to a mobile home in Eagle Pass, Texas from an EF3 tornado.
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationApril 20–27, 2007
Tornadoes
confirmed
93
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Fatalities10 fatalities (+1 non-tornadic), ≥37 injuries
Areas affectedCoahuila, Great Plains, Midwestern U.S., and Eastern U.S.
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

An extended period of tornado activity that occurred between April 20-27, 2007. The outbreak sequence is best known for producing a deadly pair of tornadoes that struck the border cities of Piedras Negras, Coahuila (rated F4), and Eagle Pass, Texas (rated EF3), along the United States-Mexican border on April 24, 2007 killing ten people. Other strong tornadoes also caused damage and injuries in or near the towns of Moorefield, Nebraska, Gothenburg, Nebraska, Cactus, Texas, and Tulia, Texas. In all, 93 tornadoes were confirmed causing 10 fatalities and injuring at least 37 others.

Meteorological synopsis

Activity was not widespread on April 20, but two strong tornadoes were confirmed in southwestern Nebraska from a single supercell that suddenly developed. The first was an EF3 tornado near Moorefield, Nebraska, which destroyed six farmsteads and injured two people. A large wedge EF2 tornado touched down near Gothenburg and injured nine people as it crossed over Interstate 80, before moving north through rural areas, damaging several farms.

On April 20, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and the southwestern part of Kansas for April 21, which was extended into Nebraska later. Widespread severe weather developed that evening, although the primary result of the supercells was large hail. The meteorological synopsis was virtually identical to March 28 except for the fact that the air mass was not as unstable. In total, 24 tornadoes were confirmed Despite this, five EF2 tornadoes were confirmed in the Texas Panhandle that day. A large high-end EF2 tornado struck Cactus, Texas damaging or destroying numerous structures and injuring 14 people. Another high-end EF2 tornado struck community was Tulia, Texas where more structures were heavily damaged or destroyed and three people were injured. Over 100 reports of hail were recorded on this day as well. Only isolated severe weather activity occurred on April 22 with only one tornado being confirmed.

A severe weather outbreak was forecast for April 23 and 24 across the southern Plains. In the early morning hours of April 22, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for South Central Kansas, Central Oklahoma, and North Central Texas. This was an extremely rare issuance; at the time, this was only the third time that such a risk been issued so far in advance with the others being for June 10, 2005 and January 2, 2006, although neither time did it result in a major outbreak. Several tornadic storms were reported across northwest and south-central Texas, far western Oklahoma, and southwest Kansas on April 23. A total of 29 tornadoes were confirmed, although most stayed over sparsely populated area. The activity quickly redeveloped late on the morning of April 24. Later in the afternoon, the risk that day was upgraded to a high risk over parts of East Texas. Tornadoes, along with large hail and damaging winds, occurred in the afternoon and evening hours across the Plains. Although there was virtually no activity in the high risk area, several tornadoes occurred elsewhere. One large tornadic supercell produced a deadly F4 tornado in Piedras Negras, Coahuila in Mexico killing seven people, the same supercell moved into Eagle Pass, Texas, with reports of significant damage on the U.S. side of the border and at least seven deaths and 74 injuries from the EF3 tornado, plus at least three deaths and at least 40 injuries across the river in Piedras Negras. Isolated tornadic activity occurred on April 25, but a non-tornadic fatality occurred in Lake Village, Arkansas when 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) winds capsized a boat on Lake Chicot.

Several tornadoes developed across the Midwest and into the Tennessee Valley on the afternoon and evening of April 26. The hardest hit communities were LaPorte, Indiana, which was struck by two EF1 tornadoes, and New Tazewell, Tennessee, which was also hit by an EF1 tornado, where structural damage was reported in both communities, and dozens of houses were damaged or destroyed. Several other scattered tornadoes were reported, along with widespread wind damage. In total, seven people were injured. Four other tornadoes were confirmed in Ohio and Illinois. In the final review of 2007, three EF0 tornadoes were confirmed on April 27. Two of which were in Missouri and the other touched down in Virginia.

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 61 23 6 2 1* 0 93

April 20 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 20, 2007
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF3 ESE of Moorefield to SW of Brady Frontier, Lincoln NE 40°41′48″N 100°16′37″W / 40.6966°N 100.277°W / 40.6966; -100.277 (Moorefield (Apr. 20, EF3)) 02:16–02:46 15.74 mi (25.33 km) 440 yd (400 m) Several farmsteads were hit by this strong tornado. In Frontier County, the tornado tore the roof and attached garage off of a house, blew the windows out of another, and destroyed a third. Also in this area, the tornado destroyed grain bins and outbuildings, carried a horse trailer 50 yards, overturned irrigation pivots, scattered irrigation pipe, destroyed a wind mill, and pulled a fence line out of the ground. In Lincoln County, the tornado destroyed a large storage building, removed the roof and an exterior wall from one home, and completely destroyed an unanchored home. Numerous trees and power poles were snapped along the path. Two people were injured when they were thrown 50 yards from the unanchored home.
EF2 SSW of Gothenburg to SW of Callaway Dawson, Custer NE 41°01′48″N 100°09′53″W / 41.0299°N 100.1647°W / 41.0299; -100.1647 (Gothenburg (Apr. 20, EF2)) 03:02–03:40 18.92 mi (30.45 km) 1,320 yd (1,210 m) In Dawson County, this large wedge tornado injured nine people as it crossed Interstate 80, where several vehicles and semis were blown off the road. Nearly a dozen head of cattle were killed nearby, and a farmhouse lost half of its roof and had many windows blown out. In Custer County, the tornado destroyed a barn, chicken house, milk house, an oil bin, and two dryer bins. Irrigation pivots were overturned, and numerous trees and power poles were snapped along the path.

April 21 event

EF# Location County Time (UTC) Path length Damage
Colorado
EF0 SW of Granada Prowers 2325 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Large, slow-moving tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 SE of Campo Baca 2325 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage.
EF0 N of Bethune Kit Carson 2354 1 miles
(1.6 km)
A shed was lofted and flipped over, resulting in damage to a hay bailer and two grain bins.
Texas
EF0 W of Littlefield Lamb 2320 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Weak tornado over open fields with no damage.
EF1 NW of Boys Ranch to SE of Hartley Oldham, Hartley 2351 17 miles
(27.2 km)
Power poles, signs, and fences were damaged.
EF2 N of Fieldton to NW of Kress Lamb, Hale, Castro, Swisher 2357 29 miles
(46.4 km)
In Lamb County, this long-tracked tornado damaged irrigation pivots and power poles, tore the roofs off of two brick buildings, heavily damaged five homes, destroyed light-weight metal structures, damaged farm equipment, and blew skirting from a mobile home as it passed near Olton. Irrigation pivots were destroyed and power poles were snapped in Hale, Castro, and Swisher Counties before the tornado dissipated. A dog and some livestock was killed, and one person was injured.
EF2 SW of Dumas to SE of Stratford Moore, Sherman 0016 27 miles
(43.2 km)
Large wedge tornado caused major damage in the town of Cactus. Ten mobile homes were destroyed with others heavily damaged. Many homes and businesses sustained varying degrees of damage. 14 people were injured.
EF2 E of Four Way to SE of Dumas Moore 0050 12 miles
(19.2 km)
Power poles were snapped, a fence was downed, and large hay bales were tossed around.
EF2 Tulia Swisher 0057 3 miles
(4.8 km)
30 homes and 20 businesses in Tulia were damaged or destroyed, with a supermarket and industrial buildings sustaining major damage. A storm chaser's vehicle was thrown into a brick building, and a semi-truck was blown into the chase vehicle. A collection of antique cars in a storage building were also damaged by the collapse of overhead doors and roof purlins, and 5 mobile homes were destroyed. A car dealership was heavily damaged, with 41 vehicles damaged by flying debris, and a motor home on the property was overturned. Damage and economic loss was estimated at $2 million. 3 people were injured.
EF0 E of Dumas Moore 0106 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF1 NE of Tulia Swisher 0111 4 miles
(6.4 km)
A large barn was heavily damaged.
EF0 W of Sunray Moore 0119 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 E of Happy Swisher 0120 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Large tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF1 NE of Sunray to SE of Stratford Moore, Sherman 0136 9 miles
(14.4 km)
A barn was destroyed, hog barns sustained roof damage, and empty rail cars were overturned.
EF1 E of Wayside Armstrong 0145 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Damage was limited to power poles.
EF1 E of Dumas to SW of Sunray Moore 0145 12 miles
(19.2 km)
A feedyard sustained minor damage and double wooden power poles were snapped.
EF0 SE of Lautz Sherman 0158 8 miles
(12.8 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF1 SW of Sunray Moore 0159 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Property damage occurred and double wooden power poles were snapped.
EF1 SE of Canyon Randall 0200 11 miles
(17.6 km)
Tornado damaged power poles and farm structures. A horse was killed.
EF2 NE of Claude to SE of Panhandle Armstrong, Carson 0235 13 miles
(20.8 km)
Power poles were damaged while tractors, turbines, vehicles and cotton presser box cars were moved and/or tossed, some for considerable distances.
EF0 E of Claude Armstrong 0240 4 miles
(6.4 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF1 W of Alanreed to SW of Kings Mill Gray 0250 13 miles
(20.8 km)
A house lost part of its roof, power poles were snapped, and storage buildings and outbuildings were destroyed.
South Dakota
EF0 SE of Plankinton Aurora 0048 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 SE of Esmond Kingsbury 0156 unknown Brief tornado caused no damage.
Source: NOAA Storm Data

April 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, April 22, 2007
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 SW of Osmond Pierce NE 41°01′48″N 100°09′53″W / 41.0299°N 100.1647°W / 41.0299; -100.1647 (Gothenburg (Apr. 20, EF0)) 19:43–19:44 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 100 yd (91 m) Tornado remained over open country with no damage.

April 23 event

EF# Location County Time (UTC) Path length Damage
Colorado
EF0 N of Wray Yuma 0449 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage.
EF0 SE of Holyoke Phillips 0500 unknown Brief tornado caused no damage.
Oklahoma
EF0 SW of Buffalo Harper 2314 unknown Small tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 NE of Laverne Harper 2351 unknown Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
Texas
EF0 E of Colorado City Mitchell 0043 4 miles
(6.4 km)
Tornado damaged field irrigation system, power poles, vegetation, and signs along Interstate 20.
EF0 SW of Janus Nolan 0104 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage
EF0 S of Del Rio Val Verde 0106 unknown Small tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 E of Del Rio Val Verde 0134 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Minor damage to ten homes and mobile homes. Telephone poles were knocked down and outbuildings were tossed around.
EF0 NE of Sweetwater Nolan 0200 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 NE of Trent Taylor 0220 unknown Brief tornado touchdown over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Hodges Jones 0241 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
Kansas
EF1 E of Sharon Springs Wallace 0047 12 miles
(19.2 km)
Power poles were broken.
EF0 N of Wallace Wallace 0103 5 miles
(8 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 SE of Sitka Clark 0104 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF1 E of Sitka Clark 0110 8 miles
(12.8 km)
Tornado damaged trees, power poles, and a small shed. A visible path was left in a grass field by the tornado.
EF0 SW of Protection Comanche 0122 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Minor tree damage occurred.
EF0 NW of Protection Comanche 0137 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Tornado remained over pasture land with no damage.
EF0 SE of Brewster Thomas 0238 6 miles
(9.6 km)
An empty, poorly anchored grain bin was destroyed, and a house sustained minor damage. Trees were uprooted as well.
EF0 NE of Goodland Sherman 0302 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF1 NW of Levant to SW of Atwood Thomas Rawlins 0315 16 miles
(25.6 km)
Damage to trees and power poles occurred.
EF1 S of Atwood Rawlins 0415 13 miles
(20.8 km)
Outbuildings and grain bins were destroyed and one home lost its roof at a farmstead. Irrigation systems and outbuildings were damaged at other farms as well.
EF1 SE of Atwood Rawlins 0444 6 miles
(9.6 km)
Power poles were broken, with one residence receiving outbuilding and window damage.
Nebraska
EF0 SW of Enders (1st tornado) Chase 0415 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Weak tornado remained over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Enders (2nd tornado) Chase 0416 unknown Weak tornado remained over open country with no damage.
Source: NOAA Storm Data

April 24 event

EF# Location County Time (UTC) Path length Damage
Colorado
EF0 Wild Horse Cheyenne 1758 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado struck the east side of town. A quonset hut sustained minor damage to its doors, the cross on a church was damaged, and a trailer was pushed over against a building.
EF0 W of Wild Horse Cheyenne 1815 4 miles
(6.4 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 NW of Wild Horse Cheyenne, Lincoln 1838 2 miles
(3.2 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 SE of Boyero Lincoln 1858 unknown Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF1 N of Cheyenne Wells Cheyenne 1926 5 miles
(8 km)
A power pole was broken.
EF0 NE of Arapahoe Cheyenne 1937 4 miles
(6.4 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 N of Arapahoe Cheyenne 1955 5 miles
(8 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 NW of Cheyenne Wells (1st tornado) Cheyenne 2000 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
EF0 NW of Cheyenne Wells (2nd tornado) Cheyenne 2000 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado remained over open fields with no damage.
Kansas
EF0 NW of Weskan Wallace 1948 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Nickerson (1st tornado) Reno 0001 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Nickerson (2nd tornado) Reno 0009 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Nickerson (3rd tornado) Reno 0012 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Nickerson (4th tornado) Reno 0014 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 SW of Nickerson (5th tornado) Reno 0016 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
EF0 NW of Nickerson Reno 0029 unknown Brief tornado over open country with no damage.
Texas
EF1 Pecan Plantation Hood 1900 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado moved through Pecan Plantation, causing damage to trees, tree limbs, roofs, windows, playground sets, and fences. One home lost sections of its roof, and had its windows and garage door blown out.
EF0 E of Denton Denton 1920 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado caused significant roof damage to a restaurant, snapped tree limbs, and damaged a gas station sign. A trailer was also rolled for 20 feet.
EF3 Eagle Pass Maverick 0001 4 miles
(6.4 km)
7 deaths – Rain-wrapped tornado caused major damage in Eagle Pass. An elementary school was destroyed, and two nearby brick businesses were left with only interior walls standing. Numerous homes and mobile homes were destroyed as well, some of which were leveled or swept away. A total of 59 manufactured homes and 57 houses were destroyed by the tornado. Major damage was reported to 21 manufactured homes and 19 houses, with minor damage to 10 manufactured homes, 22 houses, and 9 apartments. 5 of the fatalities occurred in a single mobile home. Damage amounted to $80 million.
EF1 S of Bartonville Denton 0019 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Multiple homes sustained heavy roof damage. Trees, fences, and a horse barn were also damaged.
EF0 NW of Snook Burleson 0715 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Two mobile homes and metal sheds sustained roof damage. Trees were snapped as well.
Coahuila
F4 Piedras Negras Coahuila 2330-0000 unknown 3 deaths – Major damage occurred, with numerous homes and businesses destroyed. Some of the structures were leveled, and extensive tree and power line damage occurred along the path. The worst damage occurred in the Villa de Fuente area of town.
Oklahoma
EF0 NW of Pawhuska Osage 2027 6 miles
(9.6 km)
Tornado remained over open country with no damage.
Missouri
EF0 W of Golden City Barton 2320 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Three outbuildings sustained minor damage.
Arkansas
EF1 S of Webb City Franklin 0043 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Tornado tore portions of the roofs off of two houses, damaged several other homes, destroyed several outbuildings, and snapped or uprooted a number of trees.
Source: NOAA Storm Data

April 25 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, April 22, 2007
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 E of Oyster Creek Brazoria TX 29°00′00″N 95°16′13″W / 29°N 95.2704°W / 29; -95.2704 (Oyster Creek (Apr. 20, EF0)) 17:05 0.25 mi (0.40 km) 20 yd (18 m) Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.
EF0 Assumption Christian IL 39°31′N 89°03′W / 39.52°N 89.05°W / 39.52; -89.05 (Assumption (Apr. 20, EF0)) 19:40 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) Brief tornado touchdown over open fields with no damage.
EF0 Alabama-Coushatta Reservation Polk TX 30°43′N 94°42′W / 30.72°N 94.7°W / 30.72; -94.7 (Gothenburg (Apr. 20, EF0)) 01:20 0.25 mi (0.40 km) 30 yd (27 m) Brief tornado touchdown with no damage.

April 26 event

EF# Location County Time (UTC) Path length Damage
Illinois
EF0 Plainfield/Bolingbrook areas Will 1958 3 miles
(4.8 km)
Tornado caused minor damage to a nursing home, several houses, a construction trailer, and playground equipment. Lawn furniture and trampolines were blown away, and tree damage occurred as well. A van in a parking lot was flipped onto its side, with other nearby vehicles affected as well.
Indiana
EF1 E of Springville La Porte 2108 1 miles
(1.6 km)
A barn was destroyed, and two homes were damaged by falling trees and tree limbs.
EF1 SW of Hesston La Porte unknown unknown A patrol car was picked up and thrown 150 feet over a fence. The police officer inside sustained minor injuries. In addition, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped off along the path. Two homes suffered damage in the area as well.
Tennessee
EF0 NW of Crossville Cumberland 2050 8 miles
(12.8 km)
A mobile home had its roof torn off, a small wooden building was destroyed, a shed lost sections of metal roofing, trees were snapped, and a riding mower was thrown 200 yards into a field.
EF1 NW of New Tazewell Claiborne 2352 5 miles
(8 km)
Multiple mobile homes were damaged, with one of them being rolled over and destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted and homes sustained minor damage. 7 people were injured.
Michigan
EF1 W of Berrien Springs Berrien 2312 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Buildings sustained minor damage and trees were snapped.
Kentucky
EF1 NE of Hillsboro Fleming 2350 4 miles
(6.4 km)
Three barns were destroyed, a concrete block grain silo was blown over, and trees were uprooted and snapped.
Ohio
EF0 NE of Macon Brown 2255 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Trees were uprooted and limbs were snapped, a trampoline was tossed, the porch of a home was ripped off, and parts of the roof and siding of a barn were damaged.
EF1 SE of Peebles Adams 2323 2 miles
(3.2 km)
A metal barn was destroyed, the roof was torn off of a house, and several trees were snapped.
EF0 SW of Omega Pike 0025 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Two barns sustained minor damage and two trees were snapped.
Colorado
EF0 SW of Byers Arapahoe 0102 unknown Brief tornado with no damage.
Source: NOAA Storm Data

April 27 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, April 22, 2007
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF0 N of Ark Gloucester VA 1630 5 miles
(8 km)
Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, one of which landed on a house. Horse stables had their roofs blown off as well.
EF0 S of Hume Bates MO 2320 1 miles
(1.6 km)
Minor tree damage occurred.
EF0 Metz to Walker Barton MO 2330 13 miles
(20.8 km)
A barn and numerous trees were damaged.

See also


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