Louisville Mississippi tornado
On the afternoon of Monday, April 28, 2014, a large, destructive, and deadly EF4 tornado caused major damage to Louisville, Mississippi and rural areas south of the town along its 34.38 miles (55.33 km) path. Killing ten people, injuring 84 people, and causing $126.05 million in damage, the tornado reached a peak width of 1,320 yd (1,210 m). The tornado was a part of a significant four-day tornado outbreak that spanned from April 27 to April 30 and was the second strongest tornado of the outbreak, reaching an estimated peak winds of 185 mph (298 km/h), the strongest being the violent and long-tracked EF4 tornado that tracked through central Arkansas the previous day.
What was the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
The Louisville Mississippi tornado was a destructive EF4 event occurring on April 28, 2014. It formed part of a larger four-day tornado outbreak spanning from April 27 to April 30. The tornado tracked through Leake and Winston counties in Mississippi, causing widespread damage in and around the town of Louisville. It reached peak intensity with winds of 185 mph. This specific event stands as the second strongest tornado of the entire outbreak.
What was the Louisville Mississippi tornado wind speed?
The tornado reached estimated peak winds of 185 mph (298 km/h). Surveyors identified these maximum wind speeds near Stanley Road, where the tornado flattened a brick home and left only the chimney standing. Other sections of the track experienced varying intensity, including EF2 and EF3 wind speeds. Industrial damage at the Winston Plywood and Veneer plant and the Eiland Plaza Apartments confirmed the high-end intensity. The NWS utilized various damage indicators to calculate these velocity estimates.
What was the Louisville Mississippi tornado path?
The tornado touched down north of Coosa in northern Leake County at 3:51 p.m. CDT. It traveled northeast for 34.38 miles (55.33 km) across rural areas and through the town of Louisville. The path continued through Winston County, damaging numerous homes and industrial facilities. The tornado finally dissipated northeast of Louisville. This track included sections of Highway 25 and Highway 19, along with several rural roads where the tornado snapped and uprooted softwood trees.
How many people died in the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
The tornado killed ten people and injured 84 others during its path through Mississippi. Fatalities occurred at several locations, including an apartment complex and a daycare center where the owner died while protecting a child. Another individual died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center after sustaining injuries on Eiland Avenue. Emergency responders established a temporary medical care facility because the local hospital sustained severe damage during the event. These numbers reflect the total impact across the affected communities.
What did the Louisville Mississippi tornado destroy?
The tornado destroyed over 300 homes and businesses throughout its path. It leveled industrial buildings, including the Winston Plywood and Veneer plant and parts of the Taylor Machine Works. The event demolished the Eiland Plaza Apartments and the Calvary Apostolic Church. In rural areas, the tornado flattened multiple chicken farms and threw heavy vehicles. The Winston Medical Center sustained severe structural damage, resulting in the loss of walls and facade components.
What caused the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
Atmospheric conditions involving a deep surface cyclone and a stall-bound upper-level trough created the environment for the tornado. The SPC noted high values of convective available potential energy near 2,000 j/kg and strong bulk shear of 50 to 60 kn. Surface dew points reached 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, providing the necessary moisture. Strong low-level wind shear, combined with these variables, supported the development of discrete, long-tracked supercells. An outflow boundary across the region provided the focus for intense storm initiation.
What happened after the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
Governor Phil Bryant issued a state of emergency prior to the outbreak, and President Barack Obama later declared a major disaster for Mississippi. The Mississippi National Guard deployed troops to assist with recovery and manage the impact of the hospital damage. Non-profit organizations such as Samaritan's Purse distributed essential supplies to homeless residents. In the following years, the city and county utilized federal grants to rebuild local businesses and infrastructure, including the Winston Medical Center and a plywood manufacturing plant.
Louisville Mississippi Tornado Track
The mapped ground track below shows the surveyed touchdown point, damage corridor, and dissipation coordinates recorded by NWS field crews. The Louisville Mississippi tornado traveled 34.38 miles across Leake County, Winston County, Louisville, Mississippi. Coordinates are derived from the official SPC historical tornado database.
How many homes were destroyed by the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
The tornado destroyed over 300 homes and businesses along its 34.38-mile path.
What was the peak EF rating of the Louisville Mississippi tornado?
The tornado reached a peak intensity of EF4, with maximum winds estimated at 185 mph.
Did the Louisville Mississippi tornado damage the local hospital?
Yes, the tornado severely damaged the Winston Medical Center, destroying walls and facade components while forcing the setup of a temporary medical facility.
When did the Louisville Mississippi tornado occur?
The tornado occurred on the afternoon of Monday, April 28, 2014, touching down at 3:51 p.m. CDT.