2012 Super Outbreak

From April 17-20, 2012, what is known as the 2012 Super Outbreak was the second largest, one of the costliest, and one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks ever. Spawning 263 confirmed tornadoes, causing 192 deaths, and $5 billion in damage, the storm system was actually an extratropical cyclone.

April 19’s 157 tornadoes and 189 deaths was the second largest in a day. The crazy thing is, it occurred almost a year from the 2011 Super Outbreak, and affected the Southern States with large EF4s and EF5 tornadoes, whereas the Central United States suffered severe thunderstorms and potential flooding, though no deaths occurred.

NOTABLE TORNADOES

Note: All major tornadoes took place on April 19.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

The first major tornado of the outbreak happened in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was rated EF3. 12 farms were damaged, a school was destroyed, 75 wood-framed homes and 121 mobile homes were damaged, also. No fatalities took place, thankfully.

FAIRFIELD-BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

This was the first EF4 of the outbreak. It caused extreme damage in Fairfield, and severe damage in Birmingham. A total of 6 lives were taken and several schools were left in ruins. Live track of the storm got interrupted by the Emergency Alert System, telling everyone about the Louisiana tornado and that one like that is headed for them. This saved lives. However, about 46,758 homes were damaged. One fatality took place with a man inside his car getting picked up and thrown away. The driver was ejected from the car, but the passenger was still buckled inside it as it got destroyed.

CLEVELAND-GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

Main article: 2012 Cleveland-Greenwood, Mississippi tornado

The first EF5 of the tornado outbreak occurred in Northwest Mississippi, near Cleveland and Greenwood, Mississippi. It was also the deadliest. 165 people died, more than 80,257 structures were destroyed, making a total of $3 billion in damage. Destruction occurred everywhere. People described it as a “war zone“. “It has never been like this since the Joplin, Missouri tornado, in 2011, but all the destruction, all the bodies scattered around, all the trees debarked, it‘s a total mess here.” President Obama declared a state of emergency the next day.

COLORADO CITY - SYNDER - SWEETWATER, TEXAS

A final EF5 touched down in Colorado City, Texas, and it destroyed hundreds of homes. It crossed Interstate 20 into the town of Sweetwater, at EF4 strength, and left I-20 to destroy Snyder at EF5 strength for the second time. This was the strongest tornado in Texas since 2000. 3 people died and 1200 homes were destroyed. One fatality was on a porch, and another was on a bike that flipped.

LAKE CITY, FLORIDA

Main article: 2012 Lake City, Florida tornado

An EF4 tornado touched down in Florida, the strongest in the state. It killed 18 people and triggered damage at $523 million. It devastated Lake City and Live Oak, in Northwest Florida. More information is in the article.