Spring Tornadoes That Struck The South In 2022
Every year, there are approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tornadoes a year in the United States. In fact, the U.S. is home to more tornadoes than any other country in the world, and at least every state averages at least one twister per year. On average, tornadoes are responsible for the death of 60 Americans per year, injuring over 1,000, and cause at least $400 million in damages.
This article will discuss the 2022 Spring tornadoes that wreaked havoc this year.
2022 Spring Tornadoes Overview
The peak months for tornadoes are April to June, but tornadoes can strike at nearly any time of the year. This year, Spring tornadoes have already caused damage across the country. Let’s discuss some of the tornado activity that has already occurred this year.
Alabama
Severe weather struck on March 22, which led to flooding and washed out roads in Calhoun, Talladega, and Chilton counties in Alabama. Several homes in Toxey in western Alabama experienced roof damage, and more than 20 homes were damaged in Hale County.
On March 30, a series of storms enacted tornado warnings all across central Alabama, resulting in downed power lines, uprooted trees, and damaged buildings. One person was injured, and the NWS in Birmingham upgraded one of the tornadoes as an EF-3 with 145 mph winds. 20 tornadoes were confirmed to have hit Alabama on March 30 and 31.
In early April, there were severe storms that triggered multiple tornado warnings in central Alabama. More than 15 homes were damaged and the NWS confirmed that 16 tornadoes touched down on April 5th.
On April 13, The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed EF-0 tornado damage in Eutaw in Greene County. More than 100 people were displaced, and the county had trouble finding housing to handle the displacement.
Arkansas
On March 6, five tornadoes touched down across several counties in Arkansas. There were four EF-1 tornadoes and one EF-2 tornado, which traveled 11 miles from Izard County to Sharp County. It destroyed a mobile home and injured several people. The longest EF-1 was in Pope County and damaged more than a dozen homes.
An EF-3 tornado hit the cities of Springdale and Johnson on March 30, injuring seven people. It extensively damaged an elementary school gymnasium and a warehouse. The cleanup efforts continued the week of April 4. On April 15, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that the state would provide financial aid to people affected by the Springdale tornado.
The NWS confirmed that four EF-1 tornadoes hit Arkansas on April 11, and a woman was killed in Rison when a tree toppled onto her home on April 13.
Florida
On March 14, seven tornadoes were reported in Florida damaging several homes in the historic St. Andrews district.
Then on March 18, a storm system in Bay County produced hail, wind damage, and tornadoes. An EF-2 tornado touched down in Panama City, though it was short and was only on the ground for less than half a mile. However, it lifted one house right off the ground, when residents were still inside.
On March 31, at least two people were killed when a severe storm damaged several homes in the Florida Panhandle. Another tornado was confirmed in the Florida Panhandle on April 6.
On May 31, powerful storms moved through the greater Tampa Bay region. The NWS confirmed two tornadoes near Trinity and Town ‘N Country and another tornado warning was issued for north central Pinellas County, while minor damage was reported in Pasco County.
Georgia
The NWS determined an EF-4 tornado hit Bryan County, with winds estimated at 185 mph. This was only the 11th EF-4 tornado in Georgia since 1950, but at least 28 homes were damaged or destroyed.
On April 6, Valdosta, GA reported five tornadoes. At least one person was killed in Bryan County and following these storms, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, which freed up state resources for storm recovery and response efforts.
Recovery efforts were still ongoing in early June, as county officials are still working on repairs to the county courthouse and the recreation center.
Kentucky
On March 18, five tornadoes touched down around Louisville. None of the tornadoes were rated above EF-1, though thousands experienced a loss in power, and some damage was even reported.
The NWS confirmed that eight tornadoes touched down on April 13 around the state of Kentucky. Four of those tornadoes reached at least EF-1 intensity. Several homes in Louisville’s Glenmary subdivision were damaged, and the Mayor even declared a state of emergency on April 14. This helped speed recovery efforts in areas affected by the storms.
Louisiana
Louisiana experienced several storms this spring. On March 22, parts of New Orleans and the metro area were hit by tornadoes. There was extensive damage in the town of Gretna in Jefferson Parish. The storms moved across the Mississippi River, hitting the Lower Ninth ward of New Orleans and the town of Arabi in St. Bernard parish.
On March 30, tornado winds “overturned semitrailers, peeled the roof from a mobile home, sent a tree crashing into a home and knocked down power lines, according to weather service forecasters, who didn’t immediately confirm any tornadoes in the state.”
The most damaging tornado has been rated an EF-3, with winds between 136-165 mph. Houses were lifted and moved due to the extreme wind, including one with a young girl on a respirator who uses a wheelchair. She was rescued by neighbors after her parents escaped from the home. 41 homes were completely destroyed, 93 had major damage, 162 had minor damage. A 25-year-old man was reported dead and several other injuries were reported. 4,500 people were without power, and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a state of emergency for the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany.
Several rounds of severe storms struck Louisiana the week of April 4, a man died on April 5 when his car crashed into a downed tree.
A tornado in northwest Louisiana left people trapped in their homes and damaged buildings on April 13. Luckily, no injuries were reported.
Mississippi
March was a particularly active tornado month for the state of Mississippi, with 49 tornadoes reported.
One of the largest of the March 22 tornadoes was rated an EF-3 and struck Damascus in Kemper County. In 16 counties, preliminary reports show that 252 homes were damaged. Storms tore down trees and power lines in Hinds County, and Mississippi State University in Starkville switched to remote classes.
On March 30, two confirmed tornadoes damaged homes and businesses and downed power lines. The Mississippi Senate suspended work as sirens blared during a tornado watch in Jackson. Storm chaser reports showed that areas near McClain and Toomsuba were also struck by tornadoes.
One confirmed tornado caused some tree damage and structural damage near Newton and Highway I-20 during the week of April 4. Two people were confirmed dead.
As of May 5, the NWS in Jackson confirmed that 93 Spring tornadoes hit Mississippi.
Oklahoma
This year so far, more than 31 tornadoes have touched down in Oklahoma. On March 21, a strong tornado traveled north from Texas into Oklahoma, touching down in Kingston and leaving a path of damage a quarter of a mile wide. Johnston County also reported uprooted trees and downed power lines.
In Marshall County, nearly 240 homes were damaged and over 20 people were injured. Marshall County Emergency Management requested help and the Chickasaw Nation Emergency Management Command Center. Several homes were also damaged near Nida and Emet, and the National Weather Service said the damage is consistent with an EF-2 tornado.
On April 13, the NWS confirmed EF-1 damage in the city of Stilwell, though Mayor Jean Wright said that no injuries were reported. Damages included downed power lines, a blown-off roof of a sewer plant, and several damaged roofs.
In the town of Seminole, a tornado led to damaged structures and power outages on May 4. The NWS said it also found damage from an EF-2 tornado, though no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported. In Monroe, a tornado caused damage to several homes and a school.
Tennessee
On March 30, the NWS confirmed that three EF-1 tornadoes touched down in west Tennessee. Several communities experienced damage due to heavy wind and rain. Significant damage was reported to a nursing home and the sheriff’s office in Jackson.
On April 14, a tornado was rated EF-0 with winds near 80 mph was confirmed by the NWS in Memphis, touching down near Corinth in Alcorn County.
Texas
The tornado outbreak on March 21 produced at least 31 tornadoes, nearly a record-breaker for tornadoes reported in a single calendar day. One EF-3 in Jacksboro (Jack County) with winds of 140 to 150 mph caused severe damage and injured more than 24 people. Another EF-2 in Grayson County resulted in the death of a 73-year-old woman.
There was also intense damage in the Sherwood Shores community due to this outbreak. Multiple manufactured homes were flipped and trees were snapped in half. 105 structures were damaged, 53 were completely destroyed, and 27 sustained major damage. This particular tornado continued throughout Oklahoma and tracked over 2 miles.
On March 22, a disaster was declared by the governor in 16 Texas counties. This is the second disaster declaration that the governor issued that week.
On April 12, a tornado touched down in Bell County and damaged 61 homes, and injured 23 people. It was given an EF-3 rating and showed peak winds of 165 mph. Governor Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations for Bell County and Williamson County in response.
A minimum of four tornadoes touched down in North Texas on April 4, which damaged both homes and vehicles. One of the tornadoes that hit Johnson County was an EF-2 with 112 mph winds. In east Texas, one death was reported when storm winds toppled a tree onto their home in Whitehouse.
Conclusion
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