List of United States tornadoes from November to December 2009
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Between November and December2009, 51tornadoes touched down across eight states.[note 1] Collectively, the tornadoes injured nine people and wrought $20.36million,[note 2] much of which resulted from an EF3—the strongest tornado during the two-month period—that struck Lufkin, Texas, on December23.[1] Compared to annual averages, November was one of the quietest on record while December was one of the most active on record for their respective months. With only three confirmed events in November, the month ranks as the third quietest on record since 1950.[note 3][2] The opposite is true for December, during which 45tornadoes touched down; at the time, this was the second highest since 2000 and the sixth highest since reliable records began.[4]
The month of November featured no tornado outbreaks[note 4] while December featured two. The first spawned 7tornadoes on December2 and the second, more prolific event, resulted in 28tornadoes from December23–24.[4] Twelve tornadoes touched down within the warning area of the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, Louisiana—the largest such event in their jurisdiction since November23, 2004.[6] Both outbreaks were the result of strong extratropical cyclones that moved across the Southern United States, with tornadoes primarily developing along a cold front that extended south of the system's center or within supercells ahead of the front.[4]
A welding shop near Lufkin, Texas, that was severely damaged by an EF3 tornado on December23
A mobile home that was destroyed by an EF2 tornado in Gueydan, Louisiana, on December24
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Daily statistics of days with confirmed tornadoes in November and December 2009[note 5]
A strong thunderstorm produced a waterspout along the coastline near Lincoln City. Once onshore and classifiable as a tornado, the system tracked through Roads End, damaging eleven homes and three cars. One home had nearly half its roof destroyed. Several trees were also uprooted and/or snapped; one tree was tossed roughly 20yd (18m) by the tornado.[7]
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November 29 event
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List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, November 29, 2009[note 5]
A brief tornado touched down just outside the city of New Boston, destroying a mobile home and damaging four other structures. Shortly after crossing Interstate 30, the tornado dissipated.[9]
A short-lived tornado, with winds estimated at 80mph (130km/h), tracked through a forested area, damaging 50 to 100 trees worth a total of $15,000.[11]
Another short-lived tornado touched down in a forested area, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. With winds estimated at 85mph (140km/h), this tornado nearly 500 trees were uprooted or damaged. Two hunters in the forest at the time were trapped by the felled trees and required rescue, though they sustained no injuries. Losses were placed at $100,000 in the national forest.[12]
A second tornado in Putnam County struck a more populated area; two structures were damaged and another destroyed. A mobile home was rolled on its side by the tornado but the occupant was unharmed. Hundreds of trees and several power lines were also felled by the tornado. Total losses were placed at $120,000.[13]
A mobile home and three metal structures were destroyed, one of which was flattened. Five other structures - including three wood frame houses - were also damaged. Two people were injured.[16][17]
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December 8 event
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List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, December 8, 2009[note 5]
A tornado touched down near Lake Jackson and traveled east-northeast. One home lost a large portion of its shingles with debris carried 50 to 100ft (15 to 30m) away. The tornado also snapped three large trees in the home's backyard.[19]
A mobile home and shed were destroyed, with debris thrown 0.25mi (0.40km) away; one person inside the mobile home was injured. A school bus was tossed into a ditch; the driver escaped without injury. Numerous trees and power lines were snapped along the tornado's path.[20]
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December 14 event
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List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, December 14, 2009[note 5]
Numerous industrial buildings, including a FedEx building, were heavily damaged. Several houses were also damaged and significant tree damage along its path.[30]
Three buildings were destroyed, including a welding shop and a funeral home. Many houses sustained significant roof damage and tree damage was widespread, including in a park. Several 18-wheelers were also thrown. Two people were injured.[33]
At least 30 houses were damaged, primarily in a single subdivision that was especially hard hit where four houses were heavily damaged. The worst damage was a house that completely lost its roof. Four people were injured.[46]
Two structures were destroyed, a mobile home which rolled and an outbuilding which was thrown into a water tower, and over 50 others were damaged, some of them heavily.[54]
Event listings by the National Climatic Data Center are divided by county. As such, tornadoes that track across multiple counties are split into multiple summaries and the total number of event listings does not represent the actual number of tornadoes.
Extensive tornado records, compiled by the National Climatic Data Center, begin in 1950;[2] however, it is widely known that improving technology and reports from storm chasers have improved the comprehensiveness of data in recent years and countless tornadoes in older years have gone undocumented.[3]
Although no official definition of a tornado outbreak exists, Grazulis (1993) describes one as "a group or family of six or more tornadoes spawned by the same general weather system."[3] Galway (1975) described events with 6–9tornadoes as small, 10–19 as moderate, and ≥20 as large.[3] Furthermore, an outbreak in Florida—south of 30°N—is defined by Hagemeyer and Matney (1994) as "four or more tornadoes in [four] hours or less."[5]
