1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
A tornado outbreak occurred on Saint Patrick's Day in the Deep South. Mississippi and Alabama were greatly affected, with numerous tornadoes being confirmed, including four that were rated EF2. Six people were injured by four different tornadoes across Alabama during the outbreak. A non-tornadic fatality also occurred due to a car crash near Natchez, Mississippi. The outbreak began the day before, with a couple tornadoes in Mississippi, and continued over the next two days. The storm moved eastward and affected portions of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia on March 18, spawning more tornadoes and causing wind damage before the storms pushed offshore that night. In total, 51 tornadoes were confirmed during the event, including 25 in Alabama, making it the sixth-largest tornado event in the state's history, and is sometimes locally referred to as the Saint Patrick's Day tornado outbreak of 2021.[4] The same areas would be hit again by a more significant and destructive tornado outbreak sequence one week later.
The extratropical cyclone responsible for the tornado outbreak also resulted in a severe late-season blizzard in parts of the Southern Plains, particularly in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. Zero visibility was reported in much of the area for hours in a row on the morning of March 17, due to extremely heavy snowfall rates as well as wind gusts over 60 mph (97 km/h).
Meteorological synopsis
On March 16, an enhanced risk for severe weather was issued for northeastern Texas Panhandle northeastward into south central Kansas for the possibility of very large hail. Slight and marginal risk areas, however, covered a much larger area, covering most of the Southern Plains and eastward into Georgia. This included a large 5% tornado risk stretching from the eastern Texas Panhandle into western Mississippi Widespread strong to severe thunderstorms affected areas from Texas and Kansas to Alabama. In southern Mississippi, a cluster of storms bought wind, hail, and tornado damage to Copiah and Simpson Counties. Another cluster of supercells and multi-cell clusters formed in the Texas Panhandle and moved northeastward through western and northern Oklahoma. A tornado was reported on the south side of Hobart, although it was later determined to be a gustnado instead.[5] As the night progressed, a squall line developed in Western Texas and steadily organized as it moved eastward overnight producing more severe weather.[6]
The main day of the outbreak was March 17. It was forecasted well in advance; on March 13, the Storm Prediction Center highlighted a large area of severe potential, including all of Mississippi.[7] By March 14, the entire state and the surrounding areas were contained within a 30% risk contour.[8] Two days later, the SPC upgraded portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama to a Moderate risk for severe weather, including a 15% risk area for tornadoes. Early on March 17, the SPC issued a high risk, the first such outlook in two years, for portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.[9] By 12:30 p.m CDT, the high risk area included a 45% risk area for tornadoes across a small portion of the Mississippi–Alabama state line.[10]
Throughout the day, the Storm Prediction Center issued three particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watches for areas of Alabama and Mississippi. These included much of central Alabama and Mississippi at 11:35 a.m. CDT;[11] northern Louisiana, many of the remaining counties in Mississippi, and a handful of counties in Arkansas at 11:55 a.m. CDT;[12] and then a second PDS watch for eastern Mississippi and much of Alabama at 6:45 p.m. CDT.[13] There were 10 other tornado watches issued throughout the day as well.[14]
The first tornado of the day, rated EF2, touched down west of Waynesboro, Mississippi just after 12:00 p.m. CDT on March 17, causing major damage to chicken houses and trees.[15] In the Burnsville, Alabama, area another strong EF2 tornado destroyed multiple mobile homes, heavily damaged a frame home, and injured two people. The strongest tornado of the day was a high-end EF2 tornado that damaged or destroyed multiple homes and mobile homes, and also tossed vehicles near Billingsley, Alabama. Another EF2 tornado struck Silas, snapping numerous trees in and around town. Despite the high potential for long-tracked and violent tornadoes, the four EF2 tornadoes were the only strong (EF2+) tornadoes that were confirmed. In all, 33 tornadoes were confirmed that day.[15]
More severe and tornadic weather was expected on March 18 along the Atlantic coast from Florida to Southern Maryland and a moderate risk was issued from eastern Georgia to north central North Carolina on March 17.[16] The moderate risk was downgraded to enhanced on March 18 due to a lack of buoyancy in the atmosphere, but numerous strong to severe thunderstorms still tracked through the area during the afternoon.[17][18] Dozens of weak tornadoes were confirmed before the storms moved offshore that evening.[18]
Several chicken houses were destroyed, a mobile home sustained roof damage, and many trees were downed, including numerous large pine trees.[21] In November 2023, this tornado was reanalyzed and had its track receive cosmetic updates based on Worldview satellite imagery.[22]
Most of the damage associated with this low-end EF2 tornado occurred in the Burnsville area. A well built home sustained loss of its carport, roof damage, broken windows, and partial loss of one wall. An unanchored manufactured home was completely destroyed, with remnants blown across a road and scattered over 100 yards (91 m), and a vehicle at this residence was rolled and damaged. A second manufactured home with some anchors was rolled and blown apart, with two people inside sustaining minor injuries. Several more homes sustained roof damage, and a two-story home sustained structural damage both from wind and from falling trees. Many trees and several power lines were downed along the path.[24]
A mobile home was shifted from its blocks, outbuildings were destroyed, and several structures sustained roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[25]
One house lost half its roof, a couple mobile homes had the skirting blown off, and several sheds were damaged. Many trees were downed along the path.[26]
Numerous homes and other structures, including a post office, an apartment building, and a church, were damaged in Moundville. To the south and southeast of Tuscaloosa, a few mobile homes were destroyed and campers were flipped. Many trees were downed along the path.[30]
A chicken house and a picnic pavilion were damaged, and many trees were snapped or uprooted, especially as the tornado moved through Lake D'Arbonne State Park. Several trees fell on homes and vehicles.[32]
The same supercell responsible for producing the Moundville and Lake Wildwood tornadoes produced a third tornado, which damaged a metal warehouse, with roofing and siding being thrown. Antennas were bent on a communications tower, and many trees were downed as well.[35]
The tornado quickly moved into Alabama after touching down just west of the Mississippi state line, where damage was limited to downed trees. In Choctaw County, several chicken houses were severely damaged, and many softwood and hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado then struck Silas, where trees were downed, and outbuildings and homes sustained minor damage. The tornado reached peak intensity as it approached the Tombigbee River and crossed into Clarke County, where a large swath of significant tree damage occurred. Some river camp homes in the area sustained roof damage, mobile homes were damaged, and an older, site-built home was heavily damaged, with two people inside being injured. The tornado weakened and continued into Marengo County, where it snapped and uprooted numerous trees as it crossed SR 69 before dissipating.[36] In November 2023, this tornado was reanalyzed and had its track receive cosmetic updates based on Planet satellite imagery.[37]
The brief tornado touched down in an empty farm field causing no damage. The tornado was rated based on radar data, video from a storm chaser, and photographs.[41]
A high-end EF2 tornado struck just south of Pools Crossroads, where an unanchored home was shifted off its foundation, a double-wide mobile home and a large outbuilding were completely destroyed, some exterior walls of a brick house were collapsed, and outbuildings were damaged. Additionally, another home sustained roof damage, a vehicle was moved 15 feet (4.6 m), and many trees were snapped or uprooted.[45]
Several sheds were either damaged or destroyed, a garage was severely damaged, several large farm sheds were demolished, and two houses sustained partial roof loss. Additionally, several chicken houses had roofing and siding removed, large outbuildings sustained roof damage, and numerous trees were downed.[54]
A farmhouse sustained roof damage, both from wind and from a falling tree. A playhouse and a trampoline were destroyed, a fence sustained minor damage, and several trees were snapped or uprooted.[55]
March 18 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, March 18, 2021[note 2]
A double-wide mobile home sustained significant roof loss, a large carport over an RV was completely destroyed, and an outbuilding lost most of its roof and had some walls partially collapsed. Several farm structures sustained mostly roof damage, two homes sustained roof damage, and one had partial roof loss on the second story. A boat and trailer were picked up and rolled/rotated 180 degrees, being left 75–100 yards (69–91 m) away. Numerous trees were downed along the path, and one person was injured.[57]
Over half the roof was removed from a home and an attached carport was ripped off and thrown several feet. A shed was destroyed, the wall of a large garage was bowed outward, and a trampoline was tossed a short distance. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, including several large pines and a large oak that fell on another home.[65]
A barn collapsed onto a tractor near the beginning of the path. A carport sustained roof damage in Alachua and multiple trees were downed, including one that fell on a car.[67]
A pole barn was knocked down, a garage was destroyed, a house sustained roof damage, and a church lost most of its roof. Trees and tree limbs were downed along the path.[71]
Impact
Southeastern United States
More than 40,000 homes and businesses were without electricity across Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.[3] Two people were injured when a home was destroyed in Clarke County, Alabama. Four other homes were also destroyed, and some chicken farms.[3] A car crash in Mississippi along U.S. Highway 61 resulted in a non-tornadic fatality. [3]
In Mississippi's largest city of Jackson, ABC station WAPT was knocked off the air due to a 2-hour power outage caused by lightning, that caused alarm systems to go off in the studio.[72]
In parts of the Southern Plains, the large extratropical cyclone associated with the tornado outbreak also resulted in a severe blizzard early on March 17. Blizzard Warnings were issued across most of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, including the Amarillo area, late on March 16.[73][74][75] Zero visibility was reported in much of the area under a Blizzard Warning.[76] Extremely heavy snowfall rates and wind gusts of over 60 mph (97 km/h) resulted in long-duration blizzard conditions as well. Numerous crashes occurred on major roadways, and several highways, including I-40 and US-287 had to be closed.[77]Amarillo, Texas saw almost 6 inches (15 cm) of snow, and nearby areas saw even more.[1] The blizzard was also followed by a flash freeze overnight on March 17, resulting in a freeze-up of snow-covered roadways and more crashes overnight.[78]
^ ab[httpes://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/210317_rpts.html "Storm Prediction Center Storm Reports for 3/17/21"]. www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2024). Local Tornado Reanalysis Project (Report). weather.gov. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2024). Local Tornado Reanalysis Project (Report). weather.gov. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Arkansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021."Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021."Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^"Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Florida Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Georgia Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^"Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Georgia Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^"Virginia Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 22, 2021.