Tornado Outbreak Of March 31 – April 1, 2023

A widespread, deadly, and historic tornado outbreak affected large portions of the Midwestern, Southern and Eastern United States on the last day of March and the first of April, the result of an extratropical cyclone that also produced blizzard conditions in the Upper Midwest. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare high risk for severe weather in two areas of the Mississippi Valley on March 31, the first high risk issuance since March 25, 2021. Approximately 28 million people were placed under tornado watches, including multiple PDS tornado watches, from the evening of March 31 through the overnight hours into the morning of April 1. This included the Little Rock, St. Louis, Chicago, and Memphis metropolitan areas, all of which were hit by multiple rounds of severe squall lines and supercell thunderstorms that produced damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. EF3 tornadoes in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois prompted the issuance of tornado emergencies and multiple mass casualty incidents were declared for some of the hardest hit areas. One of these tornadoes was a high-end EF3 tornado that passed through the northern Little Rock metro, causing extensive damage and dozens of casualties. The strongest tornado was a low-end EF4 tornado that swept away homes on the west side of Keota, Iowa. Severe and tornadic weather also affected the Northeastern United States in the afternoon and evening of April 1, including a rare EF3 tornado that caused a death in Sussex County, Delaware. At certain points of the outbreak, over 20 simultaneous tornado warnings were active, with a total of 175 tornado warnings issued on March 31 and an additional 51 issued on April 1.

In all, 145 tornadoes touched down, 114 of them on March 31 alone. The outbreak ranks third worldwide for producing the most tornadoes in a 24-hour period, with 134 tornadoes occurring between 19:00 UTC March 31 – April 1. That tally is surpassed only by the 1974 Super Outbreak with 148 in that 18-hour outbreak and the 2011 Super Outbreak with 219 in its busiest 24-hour period (although both of those outbreaks were far more prolific in the number of significant tornadoes produced). This was also the most tornadoes in an outbreak since the 2011 Super Outbreak. Tornadoes killed 27 people during the outbreak, and six other weather-related fatalities took place: five from straight-line winds and one was indirect fatality during cleanup. Additionally, over 211 injuries also occurred during the outbreak.

Meteorological synopsis

As another significant tornado outbreak was taking place across the Southern regions of the United States, the Storm Prediction Center had already highlighted a large 15% contour for severe weather across much of the area, where conditions were expected to become increasingly favorable for another severe weather event. By March 29, large sections of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, southwestern Indiana, Arkansas, the western Tennessee Valley, and Kentucky were all given an enhanced risk for severe weather. In this region, a powerful mid to upper level trough was expected to eject and interact with an atmosphere containing elevated moisture given the moderate dew points across the area, and elevated low and high level jet streams. This made the environment favorable for the development of a strong, fast-moving squall line, and discrete supercell thunderstorms capable of large hail and tornadoes.

By March 30, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) introduced a moderate risk for severe weather for two distinct regions in the northern and southern sections of the main risk area, where significant, long-tracked tornadoes were expected. In this outlook, the SPC discussed the presence of very high CAPE values reaching into the 1,000–1500 J/kg range, wind shear of more than 60 kt, and strong helicity of around 400 m²/s², which aided the sustainment of supercells. Two distinct areas were given a 15% hatched risk for significant tornadoes. The first stretched between southeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois, and the second was in northeastern portions of Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, western Tennessee, small sections of southwestern Kentucky, and northwestern Mississippi.

March 31

An extratropical cyclone developed over Nebraska on the morning of March 31. As a result, meteorologists expected a storm mode of discrete supercells to develop. This, along with the presence of even stronger CAPE values and a more unstable environment across Illinois and eastern Missouri, led to the SPC "bridging" the two main moderate risk areas and giving a 15% hatched risk for significant tornadoes at their 1300 UTC outlook. The surrounding area, which extended into central portions of Kentucky and Tennessee, extreme southwestern Indiana, and northwestern Alabama, was given a 10% hatched risk for tornadoes. Additionally, a large 30% contour for damaging wind gusts (with a smaller 45% risk in the northern part of the risk), and large hail were also added in this new outlook.

With increased confidence of favorable parameters for severe weather, in their 1630 UTC outlook, the SPC upped the threat for strong tornadoes even further, introducing two tornado-driven high risk areas; it was the first high risk issuance since March 25, 2021. The first high risk area was in southeastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and far northeastern Missouri, while the second included eastern Arkansas, southwestern Tennessee, and northern Mississippi. These two distinct areas were given a 30% hatched risk for tornadoes, given the extremely favorable environment for the development and sustainment of discrete supercells (with strong to violent tornado potential). The northern high-risk area was expected to see an arcing band of quasi-discrete supercells that would initially produce large hail before becoming tornadic with the possibility of producing several long-track strong to potentially violent tornadoes. Supercells would be more scattered, but longer tracked within the southern high-risk area with multiple rounds of tornadic storms capable of producing long-lived strong to violent tornadoes expected. The large area surrounding and connecting the two high risk areas was given a moderate risk, with an accompanying 15% hatched risk for tornadoes (including strong tornadoes), as supercells that could develop in this environment could similarly sustain and rotate, although storm coverage was expected to be somewhat lower. All throughout the main risk area, an elevated risk for damaging winds and large hail was also issued, with the supercells capable of producing very large hail transitioning into QLCS structures capable of producing very strong straight-line winds and additional tornadoes were expected as the convective activity joined into a linear mode. Soon after the upgrade into a high risk, the SPC introduced their first two particularly dangerous situation tornado watches, indicating a 90-95% chance for multiple tornadoes, and a 90% chance for multiple strong to violent tornadoes.

Not long after these watches were issued, isolated discrete supercells began to develop across the western part of the state of Arkansas. The first tornado to touch down, which was rated high-end EF3, prompted a tornado emergency as it caused catastrophic damage in the western and northern part of the Little Rock metro; Later, another long-tracked intense EF3 tornado moved directly through Wynne, destroying a large portion of the community. As that tornado was dissipating, the same storm produced another destructive EF3 tornado, which would become the largest of the outbreak with a width of over a mile, that struck the southern part Covington, Tennessee causing major damage. Further to the north, discrete supercell development was much more widespread with several forming in northern Missouri, producing large hail and gusty winds before quickly becoming tornadic as they moved northeastward into southeastern Iowa and western Illinois. One of the first tornadoes in this area was an intense EF3 tornado that passed near Martinsburg, Iowa, severely damaging homes and outbuildings. As that tornado was dissipating, the same storm produced a violent low-end EF4 tornado which passed near Keota, severely damaging and destroying several homes, including one home that was completely swept away. As the afternoon progressed, numerous tornadoes, including over a dozen EF2 tornadoes, touched down across this area from both discrete supercells and from an evolving squall line that moved into southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. This included a long-tracked EF1 tornado that struck the historic Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois, during a Morbid Angel and Crypta concert, killing one person and injuring more than three dozen others. Further to the south, additional supercells also began to form in Northeast Texas; these storms produced occasional large to very large hail and damaging wind gusts. East of there, another PDS tornado watch was issued for northwestern Alabama, northern Mississippi, and West and Middle Tennessee, in advance of isolated tornadic supercells that were moving eastward into the area and where more tornadic supercells were expected to develop.

After dark, despite the absence of daylight heating, strong wind shear continued to support the squall line over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This led to widespread wind damage and several weak tornado touchdowns in the Chicago metropolitan area. Additionally, an organizing cluster of severe storms with embedded supercells orientated from southwest to northeast continued to produce tornadoes, some of which were strong, as they moved northeastward through eastern Illinois into western Indiana. Another EF3 tornado spawned from a rogue supercell ahead of an advancing squall line in eastern Illinois and prompted yet another tornado emergency as it passed near Robinson, Illinois before crossing into Indiana and striking the southern part of Sullivan, Indiana, causing severe damage along its track. The squall line and lone supercell continued to produce mostly short-lived tornadoes as it moved through Indiana and into Ohio, although several of these tornadoes were strong to intense. Further to the south, isolated supercells continued to move eastward, producing sporadic instances of severe weather. One intense supercell spawned two strong EF2 tornadoes that impacted Hardeman County and Bethel Springs, Tennessee, respectively. Later that evening, another isolated, intense supercell following along a similar track as the previous one produced a destructive, long-tracked EF3 tornado that also impacted Bethel Springs, as well as the northern part of Adamsville and Hookers Bend. This became the deadliest and longest-tracked tornado of the outbreak, killing nine people along a path of over .

April 1

During the overnight hours of April 1, the most favorable atmospheric conditions for severe weather began to shift farther to the south. This caused the advancing line of severe storms to weaken from north to south as it continued eastward. The severe storms in Ohio produced some additional weak tornadoes and scattered wind damage before weakening below severe limits as it moved into the central portion of the state. To the south, the same supercell that produced the long-tracked deadly EF3 tornado continued to move east-northeastward across Middle Tennessee. An EF2 tornado spawned by the storm south of Murfreesboro struck and heavily damaged Readyville. Two more supercells also developed in northern Mississippi, eventually strengthening and producing more destructive tornadoes as they moved through the Tupelo micropolitan area before crossing into northern Alabama. The northern storm, then produced an intense high-end EF3 tornado that caused severe damage and one death near Hazel Green. The tornado then crossed into Tennessee before dissipating with the parent storm only producing wind damage after that. The southern storm continued to produce wind damage and weak, isolated tornadoes as it moved through northern Alabama and into the northern part of Georgia before weakening below severe limits just after sunrise.

More severe weather was expected later on April 1; in the Southeastern United States, the SPC issued a slight risk for severe weather for the possibility of damaging winds, although isolated large hail and tornadoes were also possible. Some severe storms spawned in Georgia that afternoon, although only sporadic damaging winds were observed from this line of storms before they quickly weakened and dissipated that afternoon and evening. Further to the north, another, much larger slight risk was issued across portions the Ohio Valley and Northeastern United States; wind damage, large hail, and isolated tornadoes were all possible that morning and afternoon. A slightly higher potential for tornadoes also existed in the Delaware Valley along with Central and South Jersey, where conditional supercell development was possible due to favorable wind profiles and an increasing amount of low-level moisture. Around mid-morning, a new line of strong to severe storms quickly formed behind the original weakening convection, producing widespread damaging wind gusts across northeastern Ohio as well as a weak EF0 tornado that struck Dundee, Michigan. As this line of storms approached western Pennsylvania, the SPC upped the wind damage threat from 15% to 30% at their 1630 UTC outlook update, prompting the issuance of an enhanced risk for severe weather across eastern Ohio and southern New York along with most of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The entire line of storms then weakened as they moved into limited moisture environment in central Pennsylvania, but the southern part of the line quickly intensified again as it moved into a more buoyant air mass over eastern Pennsylvania. As it moved eastward into the Delaware Valley, these severe storms again began to produce widespread wind damage. Just to the east of Philadelphia and the Delaware River, an even greater amount of moisture along with strong deep-layer wind shear and low-level veering of the winds had moved, as predicted, into Central and South Jersey; this aided in the development of embedded supercells within the severe squall line, which produced isolated large hail and several tornadoes, including multiple strong tornadoes. Additionally, one lone supercell developed south of Washington D.C. and moved over the Delmarva Peninsula, where it spawned a destructive low-end EF3 tornado that killed a person in Sussex County, Delaware. This was the first killer tornado in the state since 1983 and only the second tornado in Delaware to be officially rated F3/EF3 since modern records began in 1950. It was also the widest tornado on record in the state. The severe threat continued across the Delmarva Peninsula before the storms shifted offshore, ending the severe threat.

Confirmed tornadoes

Little Rock–North Little Rock–Jacksonville, Arkansas

This long-tracked, high-end EF3 wedge tornado developed just southwest of the Martindale community, near the intersection of Colonel Glenn Road and Marsh Road in Pulaski County at 2:18 p.m. CDT. Moving through Martindale into densely forested areas to the northeast, the tornado produced EF0 to EF1 damage, downing many trees and ripping a portion of a roof off an outbuilding. The tornado continued causing minor damage as it entered a subdivision off of Capitol Hill Boulevard, where some trees were snapped and fences were blown down. As it moved into the more populated Chenal Valley area of western Little Rock at EF1 intensity, the tornado damaged the roofs of homes in residential areas, inflicted considerable damage to a funeral home, damaged some businesses, and downed more trees.

As it crossed over the Chenal Parkway, the tornado rapidly intensified to EF3 strength and struck the Calais Forest Apartments, where multiple three-story apartment buildings had roofs and exterior walls ripped off, and some sustained destruction of their top floors. A large radio tower was knocked over, and the nearby Turtle Creek Apartments were damaged to a lesser extent. It then caused widespread major damage as it entered the Breckenridge neighborhood at high-end EF2 strength, where numerous homes were severely damaged and had their roofs torn off, including some that had their exterior walls knocked down. The tornado reached its peak intensity at the intersection of North Shackelford Road and Breckenridge Drive, where two neighboring two-story homes were completely flattened. These homes were anchored with nails rather than bolts, earning a high-end EF3 rating. The nearby Little Rock Fire Station 9, Shepherd Fold Church, a few businesses, and homes in surrounding neighborhoods sustained major damage, with damage intensity ranging from EF2 to EF3. Briefly weakening, the tornado caused EF1 damage as it crossed I-430 at the Rodney Parham Road interchange, damaging a shopping center and a Kroger, as well as flipping cars in a parking lot. Continuing northeastward through more residential areas on the west side of Reservoir Road, it became strong again, producing EF2 to EF3 damage as many homes and apartment buildings sustained total loss of their roofs and exterior walls. A cell tower was collapsed at Little Rock Reservoir Park, and damage at that location was rated EF2. Northeast of this area, the tornado weakened some but continued to cause extensive damage at EF1 to EF2 strength, crossing Cantrell Road and moving through more residential areas into the suburb of Cammack Village. Many homes, apartments, and businesses were damaged, and many trees were downed along this segment of the path, some of which landed on structures. A shopping mall had its roof damaged, the Pulaski County Title Office sustained total collapse of a large brick exterior wall, vehicles were moved and damaged, and several houses had large portions of their roofs removed. The National Weather Service Office in Little Rock issued a tornado emergency for Metro Little Rock as the tornado was impacting Cammack Village before being forced to take cover themselves shortly after that as the tornado was approaching their office, which is located just north of the North Little Rock Municipal Airport. Warning responsibilities were transferred to the Memphis, Tennessee office during this time.

The tornado weakened further as it moved across the Arkansas River and through Burns Park, where hundreds, if not thousands, of trees were snapped or uprooted at EF1 strength. Continuing across I-40/US 65 into the Amboy neighborhood in North Little Rock, it strengthened back to EF2 intensity. A motel, some apartment buildings, and multiple houses were unroofed in this area. Several restaurants and businesses were damaged as well, including Dog Town Pizza, which had its roof torn off and sustained some collapse of exterior walls. Large light poles were bent to the ground at a baseball field, power poles were snapped, and a new fire station that was under construction along Military Drive was also damaged. Large trees were also downed throughout Amboy, some of which landed on residences and caused structural damage. EF1 to EF2 damage continued into the Indian Hills neighborhood, where a church, some apartment buildings, and many homes sustained roof damage, including a few houses that had partial to total roof loss. The tornado then crossed AR 107 into Sherwood, prompting the issuance of another tornado emergency for both Sherwood and Jacksonville. A majority of the damage in Sherwood was rated EF1, as homes sustained heavy roof and garage damage, garden sheds were destroyed, some businesses were damaged, and numerous trees were downed. However, an isolated area of EF2 damage was noted on Austin Bay Court, where a residence was significantly damaged. In addition, the Longstreth Apartments suffered high-end EF1 damage, sustaining roof loss.

After crossing over Indianhead Lake, the tornado briefly moved though unpopulated marshland as it approached Jacksonville, producing only EF0 to EF1 tree damage. Highway signs were damaged and a tractor-trailer was flipped as the tornado crossed US 67/US 167/ Future I-57 at the Redmond Road interchange. The tornado began to strengthen again as it entered Jacksonville and moved through the baseball fields at Dupree Park, where large light poles were snapped at the base, many trees were snapped or uprooted, a building was damaged, and damage at the park was rated EF1 to EF2. Mainly EF2 damage occurred as the tornado severely damaged many homes, apartment buildings, and businesses throughout the town, many of which had their roofs torn off. A small strip mall, some self-storage buildings, a gas station, and a laundromat were destroyed, and debris from the laundromat was thrown into a nearby church, inflicting major structural damage. A small pocket of EF3 damage occurred along North Elm Street south of Graham Road, where the First Assembly of God Church was almost completely destroyed. The tornado then entered the Holland Bottoms State Wildlife Area, snapping or uprooting many trees at EF1 to EF2 strength as it moved into Lonoke County. EF1 to EF2 damage continued as the tornado moved into the Parnell community, where multiple homes sustained varying degrees of roof damage, including one home that was heavily damaged and sustained destruction of its attached garage, and many trees and power poles were snapped. Multiple metal-framed garage buildings were damaged or completely destroyed in Parnell, and a mobile home along AR 89 was also destroyed. After exiting Parnell, the tornado inflicted EF0 to EF1 damage to a few homes and some trees along AR 321 before dissipating southeast of Austin at around 2:57 p.m. CDT.

The tornado was on the ground for and reached a peak width of . A total of 2,648 structures were damaged or destroyed throughout the city. Little Rock officials deployed 115 city workers to clear debris from roadways, and all routes were cleared for traffic by the afternoon of April 1. Shortly after the tornado struck, a mass casualty event was declared for the area, with the initial casualty count being over 600 people. One fatality and 54 injuries were directly attributed to the tornado.

Wynne–Parkin–Turrell, Arkansas/Drummonds–Burlison, Tennessee

This long-tracked, intense wedge tornado touched down at 4:30 p.m. CDT west-southwest of Wynne, Arkansas and moved east-northeastward along AR 284. It quickly intensified shortly after it touched down, destroying an outbuilding and heavily damaging a home at high-end EF1 strength. The tornado reached EF2 intensity just beyond this point, as a home was unroofed and had multiple exterior walls knocked down, while a nearby trailer and vehicle were moved. Continuing east-northeast along AR 284, the tornado crossed AR 193 and caused additional EF2 damage in the rural community of Ellis Chapel, where wooden power poles were snapped, a metal outbuilding was completely destroyed, and a mobile home was rolled on its side and pushed against a tree. Another outbuilding was also destroyed, and a nearby home along County Road 640 had roof damage. After briefly weakening and causing high-end EF1 tree damage, the tornado reached EF2 intensity again as it crossed AR 284 in the McElroy community, where a house had its roof completely ripped off, a couple of other homes sustained roof damage, and McElroy United Methodist Church had a large section of its roof removed. The tornado continued to cause EF2 damage as it hit the Wynne Sewage Treatment Plant on County Road 619, where a large 80 yard (73 m)-long shed with a sturdy metal beam roof structure was completely flattened. The roof structure was torn off and thrown away, impacting and destroying two cinder-block buildings at the facility.

The tornado then snapped and uprooted trees before it reached EF3 strength and moved directly through Wynne, cutting a swath of major damage through the center of the town. A convenience store and several poorly anchored homes were leveled, one home was mostly swept from its foundation, another home collapsed after a large tree fell on it, and mobile homes were obliterated. Many other homes, apartment buildings, and some businesses were also heavily damaged with roofs torn off and exterior walls knocked down, and Wynne High School also sustained major structural damage, with its roof and walls collapsed in multiple areas. The athletic fields at the school also incurred extensive damage, and large amounts of turf was ripped from the football field. Wynne United Methodist Church was badly damaged, a large portion of the First Baptist Church was blown off its foundation and destroyed, and Grace Episcopal Church was leveled. A vacant school building also had severe damage, two empty rail cars on one of the Union Pacific rail lines on the western side of town were moved, and many trees and power poles were snapped. The tornado reached its peak intensity along East Bridges Avenue and Peterson Road on the east side of Wynne, where multiple well-built homes were destroyed and left with only their interior walls standing. The tornado exited town and passed near the Wynne Municipal Airport and along US 64, causing EF2 to EF3 damage to a few residences, including an unanchored home that was completely leveled along County Road 7011, earning an EF3 rating. Numerous storm chasers and residents videoed this tornado, which was described as a "dark, ominous wedge", as it moved through Wynne, where four fatalities occurred. The National Weather Service in Memphis, Tennessee issued a tornado emergency for Parkin and Earle as the tornado exited the town. The tornado weakened as it followed US 64 to the east-northeast, producing EF1 damage as many trees were downed and an outbuilding was destroyed.

The tornado strengthened back to EF2 intensity as it passed to the north of Parkin and Earle, snapping many power poles and large hardwood trees, and overturning a pivot irrigation sprinkler. Past this area, the tornado weakened again as it moved through unpopulated farmland at EF1 strength, flipping 20 to 30 pivot irrigation sprinklers, inflicting minor damage to a house, and causing additional tree and power pole damage. Near Turrell, the tornado became strong again, and hundreds of hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted at EF2 intensity in forested areas south of town. Farther to the northeast, the tornado continued to strengthen as it passed through additional wooded areas near Corona Lake. EF3 tree damage occurred in this area as a large swath of hardwood trees was completely mowed down, and some debarking occurred. The tornado continued to straddle the Arkansas-Tennessee state line, with many trees being shredded near the Mississippi River. Around this time, another tornado emergency was issued for Dixonville, Quito, and Drummonds, Tennessee ( Gilt Edge was also added in an updated warning bulletin as well). After crossing the Mississippi River, the tornado weakened some but remained strong, snapping many large hardwood trees and causing EF2 damage as it struck Wilder Farms west of Drummonds. The tornado then moved past Drummonds and began to weaken further as a new circulation, which would produce the Covington EF3 tornado, strengthened to its south. Along the final portion of the path, the tornado inflicted EF0 to EF1 damage to many trees, several power poles, and a few homes and outbuildings. It dissipated south of Burlison at 5:54 p.m. CDT. The tornado had a total path length of and reached a peak width of . Along with the four fatalities, 26 people were injured.

Brighton–Covington–Brownsville, Tennessee

As the Wynne EF3 tornado was occluding and dissipating, the same storm produced this very large, intense tornado that initially touched along SR 178 north of Munford in Tipton County and moved northeastward, damaging some fences, outbuildings, and small tree limbs at EF0 strength. It briefly reached EF1 strength, snapping and uprooting trees along Walker Field Lane before quickly weakening back to EF0 strength, snapping tree branches and inflicting minor roof damage to multiple homes in a subdivision. Shortly afterwards, the tornado began to rapidly intensify and grow in width, snapping multiple trees and power poles along Marshall Road at EF1 to EF2 intensity. The tornado then reached EF3 strength just northwest of Brighton, inflicting severe structural damage to a couple of well-built homes along Myron Creek Drive, one of which was left with only a few interior walls standing. The outer edge of the circulation impacted the north side of Brighton, where minor roof and tree damage occurred. As the tornado crossed Indian Creek Road and Jack Bennett Road, EF2 to EF3 damage occurred as multiple homes had their roofs torn off, a few had exterior walls collapsed, and one unanchored block foundation home was completely swept away, resulting in a fatality and an injury. It then reached and crossed US 51/SR 3 at EF3 intensity, growing to over one half-mile wide. Several homes were destroyed and left with only interior walls standing, and one poorly anchored home was leveled. Large trees were snapped and partially debarked nearby, and vehicles were tossed and destroyed. Other homes in this area suffered significant damage, and several businesses along US 51 were heavily damaged as well. A total of 53 power poles had to be replaced along the highway after the tornado. The National Weather Service in Memphis, Tennessee then issued a tornado emergency for Covington as the tornado approached the town from the south-southwest.

Maintaining EF3 strength, the tornado then turned slightly more eastward and moved into the southern part of Covington. Dozens of homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in this area, especially in the Baskin subdivision along Old Memphis Road, including one poorly anchored home that was swept away with only its concrete slab foundation left behind. Businesses along SR 59 and SR 384 were significantly damaged, some mobile homes were completely destroyed, a metal electrical truss tower and metal power poles were bent to the ground, and a piece of farming equipment was thrown . The tornado then moved through a mostly industrial area and struck a few large warehouses and factory buildings, including Mueller Fittings and Welbilt, which sustained collapse of their roofs and multiple exterior walls. Crestview Middle School and Crestview Elementary School had severe structural damage as well, with the latter building sustaining destruction of its gymnasium and collapse of multiple walls. In addition, a gas station was destroyed and a metal dumpster was thrown from that location. EF2 to EF3 damage continued to occur as the tornado exited Covington, crossing SR 179 and SR 54. More large metal power poles were bent to the ground and several homes suffered substantial damage, including one home that was completely flattened, resulting in two serious injuries. Continuing to turn more easterly, the tornado grew to almost a mile wide and maintained EF3 intensity as it crossed Locust Bluff Road. Several large steel transmission poles were blown over at this location, and a home had major roof damage.

Shortly afterwards, the tornado remained large but abruptly weakened as it approached Haywood County, moving along the north side of SR 54 at EF1 strength. Damage in this area consisted almost entirely of downed trees and power poles, along with several pivot irrigation sprinklers that were overturned and twisted, though a mobile home sustained minor damage as well. After crossing the county line, the tornado continued producing EF1 damage as it began to rapidly narrow in width and turned back northeastward, causing considerable tree damage. A poorly anchored mobile home along SR 87 was destroyed, and a nearby church had roofing torn off. The tornado then weakened to EF0 strength, causing minor tree and power line damage as it crossed over SR 19 and passed north of Brownsville. A final isolated pocket of EF1 tree damage occurred as the tornado crossed SR 54 northeast of town, snapping a few tree trunks. Some EF0 damage to tree limbs occurred as the tornado crossed Sturdivant Road before dissipating. The tornado remained on the ground for and reached a peak width of . Along with the fatality, 28 people were injured.

Ste. Marie–Robinson, Illinois/Merom–Sullivan, Indiana

This strong, long-tracked tornado first touched down along County Highway 16 southwest of Ste. Marie in Jasper County, Illinois and moved east-northeastward, causing sporadic EF0 tree damage. The tornado began to strengthen after it crossed into Crawford County, inflicting EF1 to EF2 damage. As it passed near Pierceburg, the tornado collapsed the roof structure of a machine shed, snapped wooden power poles, and sheared off the tops of trees. Northeast of there along County Highway 15, EF1 to EF2 damage continued to occur as two homes suffered major roof damage, with one of them having a portion of its roof uplifted. A nearby mobile home was torn in half with its debris strewn about in opposite directions, and additional trees had their tops sheared off. Past this area, the tornado threw a semi-trailer into a large machine shed, destroying it. Debris from the machine shed impacted an old, poorly anchored home, which had its exterior walls removed. The tornado then likely strengthened further as it moved south of Stoy and through rural areas to the northeast, causing major damage. Damage survey teams had difficulty accessing this area due to flooding and utility roadblocks, and no intensity rating was assigned to this segment of the damage path. However, aerial video of this area showed that multiple homes and farmsteads were completely destroyed, with homes swept from their foundations and debris scattered long distances across fields. Several people were left trapped under debris in basements and had to be rescued, and a large 1,000 gallon propane tank was thrown out into a farm field. As the tornado continued to the northeast, the presence of a large debris ball on radar prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency for Robinson as the tornado approached the south side of town.

Moving through the southern edge of Robinson, the tornado completely destroyed two mobile homes along County Highway 9, killing one person in each structure. Several other homes sustained significant damage, numerous trees and power poles were snapped, and damage in this area was rated EF1 to EF2. The tornado then narrowly missed the Marathon Petroleum Oil Refinery and intensified to EF3 strength as it impacted the eastern outskirts of Robinson near Gordon, destroying the H.L. Crisp Educational Center along IL 1. The two-story masonry building had most of its upper floor destroyed, while multiple walls were collapsed on the first floor. Additional EF2 to EF3 damage occurred nearby as a couple of homes and vehicles were destroyed, major damage to trees and power poles was observed, and one fatality occurred in this area. After crossing over IL 33, the tornado struck the Robinson Municipal Airport at EF3 intensity. Multiple metal airplane hangars, which had rigid steel beam frames measuring greater than in diameter, were completely destroyed, including some that were swept away. Multiple airplanes and several vehicles were thrown and destroyed, an outbuilding structure was also destroyed, and extensive damage to utility poles and a few homes occurred in this area. Several tractor-trailers and pieces of farm machinery were thrown and piled on top of one another as well. The tornado then weakened, causing a continuous path of EF1 damage as it crossed County Highway 5 north of Palestine. Multiple homes had large sections of their roof structures removed, and large machine sheds suffered wall damage along this segment of the damage path. Heavy tree damage was also observed as the tornado approached the Wabash River.

The tornado then crossed the Wabash River into Sullivan County, Indiana just north of Riverton and quickly intensified again to EF2 strength as it passed to the south of Merom. Multiple barns and outbuildings were completely demolished, farming equipment was tossed around, a residence sustained roof damage, and numerous large trees and power poles were snapped. The tornado continued to intensify as it passed through rural areas to the northwest of New Lebanon, where four metal truss electrical transmission towers were collapsed at EF3 intensity. EF2 to EF3 damage continued as the tornado moved to the northeast and approached the town of Sullivan. Just southwest of the town, three poorly anchored homes were severely damaged or destroyed, and a modular home was thrown at least and destroyed, killing the two occupants. A large trailer and several cars in this area were also thrown, outbuildings were obliterated, and hundreds of trees were snapped. Crossing US 150 into the southern part of Sullivan, the tornado inflicted widespread EF2 to EF3 damage, with many homes and other structures being severely damaged or destroyed. Numerous homes in town sustained total loss of their roofs and exterior walls, and several poorly anchored homes were swept from their foundations and completely destroyed, with debris strewn throughout residential areas. A few businesses, a VFW hall, a metal shop building, and several outbuilding structures were also destroyed. A food pantry was damaged as well, and major tree damage occurred throughout the south side of town. Continuing at EF3 strength, the tornado crossed East Center Road at the southeast edge of town, where several unanchored homes were swept away and destroyed, including one modular home that was thrown at least , killing one of the occupants while injuring the other. A few other homes sustained roof and exterior wall loss and multiple vehicles were tossed, one of which was thrown . The tornado then quickly weakened as it exited Sullivan and continued to the east-northeast, overturning a dump truck and damaging trees in wooded areas before dissipating to the east of the town. Damage along this final portion of the path was rated EF0 to EF1. The tornado had a total path length of and reached a peak width of . It caused six fatalities, and injured at least nine other people.

Bethel Springs–Adamsville–Hookers Bend–Hohenwald, Tennessee

This deadly, long-tracked, large tornado first touched down south of Hornsby in Hardeman County. It moved eastward at EF1 strength, downing trees and inflicting minor structural before crossing into McNairy County. Upon entering the county, the tornado continued to down trees, snapped power poles, and caused minor damage to a house. It then strengthened to EF2 intensity as it moved along Rose Creek Road, where widespread significant tree damage occurred, and multiple houses were severely damaged. A poorly anchored single-wide manufactured home was also obliterated, killing all four occupants. The tornado then briefly weakened back to EF1 strength, crossing US 64/SR 15 northwest of Selmer. Widespread tree damage and sporadic roof damage to homes was noted in this area, and several utility poles along US 64/SR 15 were snapped. The tornado then reintensified to EF2 strength again as it approached and crossed US 45/ SR 5, snapping power poles and large trees. A church along the highway had its foyer windows blown out, and some damage to the siding was also observed. A nearby metal building was destroyed, and a couple of homes were damaged to a lesser degree. The tornado maintained EF2 strength as it moved through the southern edge of Bethel Springs, where multiple houses were heavily damaged, and one was shifted off its foundation. Major tree damaged occurred, while a semi-truck and vehicles were flipped or moved. This area struck had been hit by a low-end EF2 tornado just two hours earlier, and a few properties were struck by both tornadoes.

After exiting Bethel Springs, the tornado again briefly weakened to EF1 strength as it moved east-northeastward, damaging trees and utility poles. As it moved along Bethel-Purdy Road, it strengthened to high-end EF2 intensity as multiple mobile homes were obliterated, a couple of which had their metal frames wrapped around trees. Some frame homes were also badly damaged, one of which had roof and exterior wall loss. The tornado briefly reached EF3 intensity as it crossed Hurst Lane and Purdy-Beauty Hill Road in the small community of Purdy, where the Purdy Community Center was completely destroyed and reduced to its concrete slab foundation. Some nearby houses were heavily damaged, and asphalt was scoured from a road in this area. EF2 damage to trees continued before the tornado reached EF3 intensity southeast of the Good Hope community, crossing Old Stage Road and SR 224. Several homes had their roofs and exterior walls removed, one house had its entire second story ripped off, and a large but poorly anchored home was completely swept away, with only its concrete foundation slab remaining. A block foundation home was also swept away and obliterated, large metal power poles were bent to the ground, a semi-trailer was tossed, and four fatalities occurred in this area. The tornado then caused additional EF2 damage to trees and damaged a few homes, before striking the northern outskirts of Adamsville at low-end EF3 intensity. As it crossed SR 22 in this area, the tornado caused major damage to trees, utility poles, and homes, including some homes that were destroyed and left with only their interior walls standing. A mobile home was also swept away and destroyed, a cell tower was toppled to the ground, debris was strewn across fields, and one person was killed in this area.

The tornado then weakened some as it moved into Hardin County, causing EF1 to EF2 damage to homes and trees as it crossed SR 69 and approached Hookers Bend. The tornado then strengthened again as it entered Hookers Bend, causing EF2 to EF3 damage in the small community. A manufactured home was completely destroyed, and another residence was blown off its block foundation and flipped upside-down onto its roof. A large barn was destroyed, a cabin-type home was severely damaged, and countless large hardwood trees were snapped and partially debarked. Continuing east-northeastward, the tornado then weakened and caused EF1 to EF2 damage to homes, outbuildings, and trees as it crossed the Tennessee River twice near Cerro Gordo. The tornado weakened further just beyond this area, as homes and trees were damaged at EF1 intensity as it moved through New Harmony. The tornado reintensified to EF2 intensity as it moved through Crossroads and snapped or uprooted numerous trees. A home in this area was also slid completely off its block foundation and had severe siding and window damage. The tornado then moved east-northeastward into Wayne County.

After moving into Wayne County, the tornado crossed US 641/ SR 114 to the south of Clifton while maintaining EF2 strength. Several homes had their roofs partially ripped off or heavily damaged, while outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, including some that were obliterated and swept away. A mobile home was also damaged, and dozens of trees blown down. The tornado then continued northeastward, snapping and uprooting numerous trees before reaching high-end EF2 intensity and striking Leatherwood along SR 228. A few small and poorly constructed homes were leveled in Leatherwood, mobile homes were swept away and completely destroyed, while other homes suffered heavy roof damage. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, and some barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed well. Two people were injured in this area, one of whom was critically injured and was airlifted to a hospital. The tornado then weakened to EF1 intensity as it crossed SR 13 and moved northeastward through forested areas as it passed near Topsy and Ashland, snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. The tornado then entered Lewis County at EF1 strength and crossed SR 99, continuing to snap and uproot hundreds of trees. Several homes and outbuildings were also damaged as it crossed over multiple roads, including Natchez Trace Parkway and SR 20 southeast of Hohenwald. The tornado then weakened further to EF0 strength, damaging some more trees before dissipating as it moved along Tiger Bennett Road west of Mount Pleasant. Some of the debris from the tornado was carried long distances, including a paper phone bill from Wayne County that was found in a yard away in Wilson County, and a paper check from Adamsville that was found away in Franklin. The tornado remained on the ground for and reached a peak width of . Along with the nine fatalities, 23 people were injured.

Non-tornadic effects

Severe thunderstorms affected a widespread area across the Mississippi Valley. Multiple locations throughout the Plains and Midwest saw winds, which caused significant damage to roofs and buildings. These storms were deemed to be life-threatening by the National Weather Service (NWS). One person died in Leavittsburg, Ohio, when a tree fell on their home.

On the back side of the storm system, the threat of strong winds and dry air led to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issuing a "Critical Fire Weather Area" for parts of the Central and Southern Plains. At least 97 destructive wildfires ignited across the state of Oklahoma on March 31, with at least burned in Logan County alone. Winds up to damaged power lines, leaving 16,481 customers without electricity.

Tennessee

Three people died in Oakhaven, Tennessee, Oakhaven, a Memphis metropolitan area, suburb of Memphis, when a tree fell on their home. In Rockwood, Tennessee, Rockwood, one person died when the roof of a Dugout (baseball), dugout at the Brillo Miller Sports Complex was blown off and fell on her. Another person died on April 1 when they were crushed by a tree while clearing debris in Henry County, Tennessee, Henry County.

Following the passage of severe weather on April 1, damaging non-thunderstorm winds impacted East Tennessee. These winds downed trees and power lines, leaving roughly 24,000 homes without electricity in Knox County, Tennessee, Knox County. In Sevier County, Tennessee, Sevier County, brushfires fanned by winds up to burned small areas. Similarly, 20 brushfires ignited from downed power lines in Knox County, and were quickly extinguished.

Blizzard

A major blizzard associated with this system brought heavy snow to the Northern Midwest. of snow fell in Pierre, South Dakota, while up to fell in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities. Heavier snow totals were seen in Northern Wisconsin with reports of near Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, Hazelhurst. Multiple places in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Upper Peninsula of Michigan also had over a foot of snow. The snowstorm was enough to push the Twin Cities in Minnesota to their 3rd snowiest winter on record, where of snow fell. In the Twin Cities metro, a 20-year old nest fell out of a tree due to the snow on April 2, killing a baby eagle. Across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, over 215,000 customers lost power due to the snowstorm.

Impact and aftermath

At least 100,000 customers in Illinois and 65,000 customers in Arkansas lost power. Several Amtrak trains were also delayed due to the severe weather as well. The ''City of New Orleans (train), City of New Orleans'' in particular was delayed for almost 14 hours due downed trees along its route while the ''California Zephyr'' was delayed by 9.5 hours on March 31. Multiple ''Lincoln Service'' and Illini and Saluki, ''Illini'' and ''Saluki'' trains were cancelled on April 1, and the ''Texas Eagle'' was terminated and forced to originate in St. Louis due to the severe weather as well. Several highways also closed down due to the storm, including Interstate 57, I-57 between Paxton, Illinois, Paxton and Rantoul, Illinois. Chicago O'Hare International Airport instituted a ground stop during the storm.

Ahead of the severe weather outbreak on March 31, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Missouri Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency for their respective states.

Following the fatal EF3 tornado in Wynne, Arkansas, on March 31, the city opened several shelters for displaced people. State Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered the deployment of 100 Arkansas National Guard troops and released $250,000 in emergency funds for relief efforts. Sanders also declared a state of emergency.

Following an EF2 tornado in Tennessee, Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr reached out to Governor Bill Lee to request a state of emergency declaration after a tornado "wiped out" Readyville early on April 1.

See also

* List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
* Weather of 2023
* List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2020–present)
* List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days
* List of United States tornadoes in March 2023
* List of United States tornadoes in April 2023
* Tornado records
* Tornado outbreak sequence of April 1996 – An outbreak that also affected large areas of the Mississippi Valley
* Tornado outbreak of November 27–28, 2005 – Another outbreak that caused serious damage in the Little Rock metropolitan area
* 2020 Easter tornado outbreak – Another prolific tornado outbreak in the Southeastern United States
* Hurricane Ida tornado outbreak – Another outbreak that caused major damage in the Northeastern United States

Notes

References

External links

Man Watches a Tornado Destroy His Neighborhood From His Porch #fypage #fup

April 1, 2023 Live ABC 33/40 Severe Weather coverage

Dashcam video as Indiana deputy gets caught in EF2 tornado

3 dead, at least 8 injured in Sullivan after tornado

Storm Blog: 5 dead after severe storms, tornadoes destroy hundreds of homes in Indiana

HUGE Tornado Outbreak Hits Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, & More - Mar. 31 / Apr. 1, 2023

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tornado outbreak of March 31 - April 1, 2023
Tornadoes of 2023, March 31–April 1, 2023
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