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🌪️The Latest from Tornado Talk…..

Hello everyone! There was no newsletter last week! I was in the midst of a celebration with my family as my beautiful niece got married!

Have a new summary release for you and an update on what we are working on.

I also want to state that everyone here at Tornado Talk is so very heavy-hearted with the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene. We are also monitoring closely this week the progress of Hurricane Milton as it moves toward the state of Florida. Stay up to the date on the latest with this storm on the National Hurricane Center website.  

NEW Summary! We have completed a detailed narrative about a tornado from the April 3-4, 1974 Super Outbreak.

By the early morning of April 4, 1974, the Super Tornado Outbreak had dealt most of its rage throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. The remnants of supercell thunderstorms had primarily congealed into a solid wall of severe winds and rain as it pushed into the Appalachian region. In East Tennessee, at least six twisters were documented by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) after midnight. Most were weak, and casualty numbers were relatively low.

However, one of these funnels proved deadly when it struck a mobile home park near Knoxville, TN. A set of twin infants lost their lives, and 21 people were injured along the path. At the time, it was only the third tornado ever documented in Knox County, and as of this summary’s publication, it is the only one to be fatal.

Read about The Knox County, TN F2 Tornado – April 4, 1974

We are actively working on three different summary updates. With the tropics being as active as it is, we are pulled in different directions due to our full-time jobs and that can delay releases. This impacts me the most with my radio job and a new gig with the Alabama Weather Blog. We thank you for your patience as we continue with our balancing act!

🌪️ This Week In Tornado History

October 7, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL: A waterspout spawned by Hurricane Nate made landfall in Gulf Shores, AL. It dissipated quickly after coming onto the beach and was rated EF0.

October 8, 1797 - New York: Thomas Grazulis documents a tornado near North Salem, NY. Homes and a barns were destroyed here, with “materials and furnture scattered in all directions and for great distances.” Total of six injuries. Estimated 10 mile path.

October 9, 2001 - Oklahoma:  The strongest tornado outbreak in Oklahoma for the month of October occurred on this day. Per the NWS Norman, five supercells produce a total of 19 confirmed tornadoes. Three of these were given a rating of F3 and all three moved through a part of Washita County. The first F3 formed in NE Beckham County near Elk City. It tracked NE for 11 miles through parts of Washita and Custer Counties. The second F3 hit in Washita County near Cordell. We look more closely at this event in this summary. The last F3 developed in Kiowa County near Gotebo and moved into Washita County.

October 10, 1949 - Nebraska: An estimated F3 tornado moved NNE from 9 miles west of Hartington, NE, passing near “Constance” and ending five miles north of “Pleasant Valley.” Two farms were hit with near-F4 damage to one of the homes.

October 11, 1954 - Franklin, IN: In this summary, we look at an F3 that hit Franklin, IN on October 11, 1954. Per the Climatological Data National Summary (CDNS), this tornado had a skipping path of about 5 miles. Two people were killed.

October 12, 1897 - New Jersey: A barn was destroyed and railroad station unroofed at Far Hills, NJ. Estimated rating of F2. Newspaper accounts show the storm continued to move toward Elizabeth where a man was killed.

October 13, 2014 - Monroe, LA: On this day, an EF2 tornado touched WSW of Monroe, LA, and tracked ENE for a little over 9 miles through town. Many homes, apartments, and businesses sustained varying degrees of damage. The West Monroe High School lost most of its roof.

🌪️Check This Out!

Several tornadoes were produced by Hurricane Helene. One was rated EF3 and struck Rocky Mount, NC. 15 people injured, 14 buildings damaged. Here is a video showing the damage from that area.

Many thanks to all of you for subscribing to our newsletter!

- Jen Narramore, Owner Tornado Talk