Loading AI tools
2005 tornado outbreak associated with Hurricane Rita From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hurricane Rita tornado outbreak was a significant tropical cyclone-produced tornado outbreak and severe weather event that resulted from the remnants of Hurricane Rita in late-September 2005. The event was the fourth-largest tornado outbreak caused by a tropical cyclone in recorded history. After the hurricane made landfall on the extreme southwestern coast of Louisiana on September 24, the tropical cyclone's strong rainbands affected much of the West South Central and East South Central States, producing heavy rainfall in addition to numerous tornadoes. Tornadic activity was distributed roughly evenly from September 24–25, though activity shifted slightly eastward on September 25. The severe activity ended by September 26, by which time the remnants of Hurricane Rita were absorbed by a frontal boundary.
This article is missing information about confirmed tornadoes. (August 2020) |
![]() Map of tornado tracks within the county warning area of the Jackson, MS Weather Forecast Office | |
Type | Tornado outbreak |
---|---|
Duration | September 24 – 26, 2005 |
Highest winds |
|
Tornadoes confirmed | 98 |
Max. rating1 | F3 tornado |
Duration of tornado outbreak2 | 1 day, 20 hours, and 5 minutes |
Largest hail | None reported |
Fatalities | 1 fatality, 23 injuries |
Damage | $18.373 million |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2005 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado |
As a result of Hurricane Rita, 98 tornadoes were confirmed over nearly a two-day period. Most of the tornadoes occurred in Mississippi, where 49 tornadoes were confirmed. With forty-four tornadoes in a single day, this is tied for the largest tornado outbreak in state history in a single day.[1] The strongest tornado throughout the outbreak was an F3 tornado which struck areas of southeastern Louisiana late on September 24, injuring three people. Despite the large number of tornadoes, only one death resulted, which occurred as a result of an F1 tornado in Mississippi on September 24. However, another F1 tornado near Starkville, Mississippi injured seven people on September 25 making it the tornado with the most injuries during the outbreak. The same tornado was also the costliest, causing $2 million in damages. Overall, tornadoes during the outbreak killed one person and injured 23, and caused $18.373 million in damages.
Hurricane Rita developed from a tropical wave north of Hispaniola on September 18. Tracking westward, the disturbance quickly intensified to tropical storm intensity later that day before panning out in intensification due to increased wind shear.[2] However, Rita moved into favorable conditions in the Straits of Florida, allowing it to strengthen into hurricane strength on September 20 and further to Category 2 hurricane intensity six hours after.[3] The abundance of abnormally warm sea surface temperatures and a favorable outflow pattern allowed for continued rapid intensification.[4] By the time Rita emerged into the Gulf of Mexico, it was already a major hurricane.[nb 1][2] Intensification was further aided by the warm waters of the Loop Current, and as a result, Rita reached Category 5 hurricane intensity on September 21, the highest rating classified on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.[3][6] At 0300 UTC on September 22, Rita reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 895 mbar (hPa; 26.43 inHg), making it the strongest tropical cyclone recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the fourth-strongest tropical cyclone recorded in the entirety of the Atlantic basin.[3]
Rita maintained peak intensity for 18 hours before an eyewall replacement cycle took place on September 22, causing the hurricane to weaken. At the same time, the initially westward moving storm began to curve northwestward. Although the cycle eventually completed, the movement of Rita over cooler continental shelf waters caused it to continue weakening. Rita weakened down to Category 3 intensity before making landfall in extreme southwestern Louisiana at 0740 UTC on September 24. At the time, the major hurricane had winds of 120 mph and a minimum barometric pressure of 937 mbar (937 hPa; 27.7 inHg). Once inland, Rita began to rapidly weaken as a result of increasing vertical wind shear. The hurricane was downgraded to tropical storm intensity roughly 12 hours after landfall.[3] Moving in a general northward motion, Rita degenerated into a tropical depression over southwestern Arkansas the following day based on weather radar.[7] The depression continued to weaken before it transitioned into a remnant low shortly before being absorbed by a cold front on September 26 over Illinois.[3]
The first indications that a potentially severe and tornadic event would result from Hurricane Rita were on September 22, when models showed that an area of wind shear located over East Texas would be favorable for tornadoes to develop from the hurricane's rainbands. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) posted a slight risk for severe weather for the region in their Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook issued at 0738 UTC on September 22.[8] The slight risk area was expanded to include areas of Louisiana and Mississippi the following day, as the SPC noted the possibility of tornadoes forming within small supercells embedded within Rita's rainbands.[9] During the first day of the tornado outbreak, the slight risk region was further expanded to account for Rita's expanding wind field.[10]
List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, September 24, 2005
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F# | Location | County / Parish | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | NNE of Hamburg | Ashley | 33.25°N 91.80°W | 1740–1747 | 7 miles (11 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Numerous trees and power lines were blown down throughout Ashley County. Damages totaled $175,000.[11] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | N of Eudora | Chicot | 33.22°N 91.27°W | 1751–1752 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Although the tornado tracked primarily across open agricultural farmland, the tornado moved near an electrical substation. The resultant debris forced the substation to shut down, causing $300,000 in losses.[12] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | SSW of Lacey | Drew | 33.40°N 91.87°W | 1754–1801 | 4.8 miles (7.7 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Several trees were snapped. A television antenna and an electric meter were stripped from a home.[13] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | NNW of Arkansas City | Desha | 33.70°N 91.23°W | 1945–2000 | 11 miles (18 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Several businesses along the Mississippi River suffered minor damage. The carport of a residence was destroyed, and a few trees were snapped or uprooted.[14] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | S of Gillett | Arkansas, Jefferson | 34.00°N 91.37°W | 2019–2032 | 8.5 miles (13.7 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Damage was sustained to levees near the Arkansas River in Arkansas County.[15] In Jefferson County, however, damage was limited to trees.[16] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | ESE of Bevis Corner | Lonoke | 34.70°N 92.07°W | 2140–2150 | 7.2 miles (11.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Several mobile homes were damaged, with one damaged home resulting in an injury. Mobile homes in another mobile home complex were substantially damaged, with four injuries occurring in this complex. In total, the tornado caused five injuries.[17] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | W of Eudora | Chicot | 33.13°N 91.28°W | 2254–2255 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Brief tornado damaged trees and power lines, resulting in $60,000 in damage.[18] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | WSW of Parnell | Lonoke, Pulaski | 34.90°N 92.07°W | 2259–2308 | 5.7 miles (9.2 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | In Lonoke County, minor roof damage occurred to several residences. Some trees were blown down.[19] Similar damage occurred after the tornado moved into Pulaski County.[20] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | NE of Macon | Pulaski, Faulkner | 34.97°N 92.10°W | 2309–2321 | 8 miles (13 km) | 80 yd (73 m) | Some trees were blown down or snapped in Pulaski and Faulner Counties.[21][22] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | WSW of Lake Village | Chicot | 33.33°N 91.40°W | 2329–2332 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Numerous trees and power lines were downed over farm land. Damages totaled to $150,000.[23] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | SSE of Cleveland | Conway | 35.37°N 92.70°W | 2348–2350 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Damage was limited to a single hilltop. A heavily supported double-wide mobile home was completely destroyed. The same home was blown across a highway, with much of the resultant debris striking a nearby church. A sport utility vehicle suffered minor damage.[23] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | SE of Center Hill | White | 35.22°N 92.81°W | 0033–0045 | 9 miles (14 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | A home, welding shop, and a mobile home were all destroyed. A church and a number of other residences were heavily damaged. Trees and power lines were downed by the tornado.[24] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SE of Hopewell | Cleburne | 35.37°N 92.03°W | 0055–0056 | 0.6 miles (0.97 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Large branches were torn off of trees. The tornado moved over a barn, though damage was minimal.[25] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | NW of Pearson | Cleburne | 35.47°N 92.17°W | 0105–0106 | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A number of trees were blown down, and two mobile homes sustained damage.[26] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | SE of Deluce | Arkansas | 34.12°N 91.15°W | 0221–0231 | 7 miles (11 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Numerous trees were either snapped or uprooted.[27] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | W of Transylvania | East Carroll | 32.67°N 91.23°W | 2214–2215 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Brief tornado was spotted by law enforcement officials and tracked across open field, with minimal damage.[28] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | N of Monterey | Concordia | 31.52°N 91.72°W | 0056–0059 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | At the tornado's initial touchdown point, some awning was stripped from a home and a tree was uprooted. The resulting debris was blown and scattered to the north. Near Louisiana State Highway 129, a shed was damaged and the skirting was blown out of a mobile home. A few trees were also damaged. Damages totaled $70,000.[29] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | SE of Archie | Cathoula | 31.57°N 91.95°W | 0306–0318 | 9 miles (14 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Numerous trees were snapped or broken. Two residences sustained roof damage, with many shingles blown off. Damages caused by the tornado were estimated at $300,000.[30] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | S of Clayton | Concordia | 31.70°N 91.55°W | 0542–0544 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Limbs were torn off of several trees and six trees were uprooted, causing $3,000 in damage.[31] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F3 | Clayton area to SW of Waterproof | Concordia, Tensas | 31.72°N 91.55°W | 0544–0604 | 14 miles (23 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | F0 damage occurred in the Clayton area. A few trees were uprooted. One tree fell upon a mobile home, resulting in one injury. Damage in the Clayton area totaled $50,000.[32] The tornado intensified as it moved into Tensas Parish, causing F3 damage at its peak. After tracking across a swamp, it completely destroyed a church, displacing the building off of its support pillars. At its peak intensity, the tornado struck a historic residence, destroying the property and adjacent structures. The entire second floor of the home was torn off. Additional homes were severely damaged before the tornado dissipated. Overall, the tornado caused $1.050 million in damage and three injuries.[33] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | NNE of McCall Creek | Franklin | 31.57°N 90.67°W | 1415–1416 | 0.5 miles (0.80 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Limbs were torn off of multiple trees, while other trees were downed, causing $10,000 in damage.[34] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | NW of Utica | Hinds | 32.15°N 90.67°W | 1614–1615 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Several trees were snapped or uprooted, amounting to $20,000 in damage.[35] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | W of Hubbard | Hinds, Claiborne, Warren | 32.22°N 90.73°W | 1620–1623 | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Tornado touched down near the Big Black River in Hinds County as an F0 tornado, causing $5,000 in damage to trees.[36] Similar damage occurred after the tornado crossed into Claiborne County.[37] In Warren County, the tornado reached its peak as an F1, where it caused much of its overall damage. Throughout the tornado's path, damage to trees amounted to $40,000.[38] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | W of Brownsville | Hinds | 32.45°N 90.57°W | 1830–1831 | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Brief tornado snapped a few trees and damaged others, resulting in $5,000 in damage.[39] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | SE of Greenville | Washington | 33.37°N 91.02°W | 1910–1913 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Strong tornado caused extensive damage to a mobile home park, where ten mobile homes were either significantly damaged or destroyed. At the same location, 15 sheds were destroyed, while an additional three were damaged. A barn was destroyed, while two nearby carports were severely damaged. The roof of a business was torn off. An antenna tower was blown over. Numerous power poles and lines were also blown down. Total damages caused by the tornado were estimated at $680,000.[40] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | NW of Winterville | Washington, Bolivar | 33.53°N 91.10°W | 2012–2017 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Tornado formed from the same parent supercell as the one which produced a F2 tornado near Greenville, Mississippi. The tornado tracked across open farmland, causing minimal damage.[41][42] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | W of Silver City | Humphreys | 33.10°N 90.52°W | 2035–2040 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Minor damage occurred to the roof of one home, while trees were snapped. Damages totaled $13,000.[43] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | NNW of Belzoni | Humphreys | 33.22°N 90.52°W | 2118–2120 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | A residence and a church sustained major roof damage. Numerous trees were downed, and irrigation equipment was blown across a field. Damage to property and crops was equal, and totaled to $300,000.[44] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | E of Isola | Humphreys, Sunflower | 33.25°N 90.53°W | 2125–2129 | 3.5 miles (5.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | 1 fatality – At the tornado's initial touchdown point, trees were snapped or uprooted. A mobile home in Isola County was tossed into the air by the tornado, resulting in a death and two critical injuries. Damages totaled to $100,000, and the death was the only fatality during the duration of the tornado outbreak.[44] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | SSE of Belzoni to NE of Inverness | Humphreys, Sunflower | 33.13°N 90.47°W | 2134–2158 | 18 miles (29 km) | 800 yd (730 m) | Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Humphreys County southeast of Belzoni. The tornado peaked to the east and north of the city, where it caused extensive damage. Several homes were considerably damaged, and a modular commercial building was destroyed. A bus station sustained heavy damage, and a number of vehicles had their windows blown out.[45] The tornado weakened after tracking into rural areas of Sunflower County, though it damaged some outbuildings and blew down additional trees and power lines. Overall, the tornado caused three injuries, all of which were near Belzoni, and $3.2 million in damages.[46] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | Shaw area | Bolivar | 33.60°N 90.82°W | 2135–2135 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Brief tornado damaged a shed. A large tree was uprooted and a large power pole was blown down. Infrastructural damage totaled to $30,000.[47] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SE of Indianola | Sunflower | 33.42°N 90.62°W | 2140–2140 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Brief tornado remained in an open field and caused no damage.[48] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | NW of Sunflower | Sunflower, Bolivar | 33.63°N 90.67°W | 2202–2215 | 10 miles (16 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Numerous trees and power lines were torn down or damaged over two counties. Several mobile homes and farm equipment were also damaged. Overall, the tornado caused $520,000 in losses.[49][50] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | E of Swiftown | Leflore | 33.30°N 90.38°W | 2220–2221 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Damage was limited to the snapping or uprooting of trees, amounting to $40,000 in damage.[51] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | SW of Dockery to SE of Cleveland | Sunflower, Bolivar | 33.70°N 90.67°W | 2235–2251 | 13 miles (21 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | When the tornado touched down in Sunflower County, it was relatively weak, and F0 damage occurred, causing $25,000 in damage.[52] After moving into Bolivar County, the tornado strengthened, and peaked northeast of Cleveland. There, buildings were heavily damaged. A commercial storage building was completely destroyed. Three mobile homes were destroyed, while five others sustained significant damage. Three sheds were destroyed, and numerous trees and power poles were blown down. A storage tank and three bicycle frames were thrown over long distances by the tornado. Overall, damage was estimated at $925,000.[53] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | S of Itta Bena | Leflore | 33.47°N 90.33°W | 2256–2259 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Several trees were downed, amounting to $15,000 in damage.[54] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | NNW of Cruger | Holmes, Leflore | 33.35°N 90.25°W | 2300–2312 | 9 miles (14 km) | 250 yd (230 m) | Tornado touched down in Holmes County, causing F0 damage.[55] It intensified as it moved into Leflore County, where it snapped hundreds of trees adjacent to Mosquito Lake. Much of the damage associated with the tornado occurred between the towns of Phillipstown and Quito, where two homes and a church where significantly damaged. A hunting lodge was completely destroyed, with its contents scattered over a wide area. In Quito, a steel-framed cotton gin and a seed warehouse were nearly destroyed. Additionally, hundreds of trees and multiple bales of cotton were damaged and scattered throughout the area. Damages totaled to $2.25 million.[56] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | SE of Itta Bena | Leflore | 33.48°N 90.32°W | 2317–2319 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Minor damage occurred to a local high school and a residence as the tornado tracked through Itta Bena. Large limbs were torn off of trees. Damage was estimated at $200,000.[57] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SW of Acona | Holmes | 33.23°N 90.05°W | 2325–2326 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Brief tornado damaged a number of large limbs and power lines, causing $10,000 in damage.[58] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SE of Holly Grove | Carroll, Leflore | 33.40°N 90.15°W | 2340–2345 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Tornado remained in low-lying areas and damage was limited to trees, which totaled to $50,000.[59] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SW of Meadville | Franklin | 31.43°N 90.93°W | 2355–2357 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Brief tornado uprooted a few trees and twisted several limbs, causing $15,000 in damage.[60] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F2 | NE of Newton | Newton | 32.35°N 89.15°W | 0045–0046 | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A La-Z-Boy factory building suffered significant damage. The factory was partially unroofed, and iron girders within the building were bent and severed. The tornado scattered debris from the factory over a wide area. Other small structures in the vicinity of the building were thrown as missiles by the tornado. Damage totaled $1 million.[61] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | W of Anguilla | Sharkey | 32.97°N 90.85°W | 0137–0138 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Damage was confined to a small area near Deer Creek, where trees were snapped or uprooted. Damage to trees totaled $15,000.[62] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 | W of Nitta Yuma | Sharkey | 33.03°N 90.87°W | 0140–0144 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Nearly 20 homes had shingles blown off of their roofs. Several trees were blown down; one tree fell on and damaged a residence. Three power poles were also blown down. Overall, damage was estimated at $400,000.[63] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | SE of Pace | Bolivar | 33.78°N 90.85°W | 0540–0541 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A home sustained minor roof damage, and a nearby fence was blown down. Several large limbs were snapped off of a few trees. Damages were estimated at $10,000.[64] |
List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, September 24, 2005
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F# | Location | County / Parish | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | S of Crowville | Franklin | 32.18°N 91.58°W | 0639–0640 | 0.6 miles (0.97 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | The roof of a school was damaged and a few trees had broken limbs. Damage totaled $200,000.[65] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | S of Tallulah | Madison | 32.18°N 91.58°W | 0643–0649 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | An outbuilding was blown over and the resultant debris became scattered over an adjacent field. Trees were snapped, and parts of billboard were blown away. Damage amounted to $20,000.[66] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi |
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, September 26, 2005
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F# | Location | County / Parish | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
F0 | Monroe County Airport area | Alabama | 31.47°N 87.35°W | 1017–1020 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Weak tornado blew down trees and power lines. At the airport, hangars were damaged and equipment was thrown around by the tornado. Damage to the airport was estimated at $200,000.[67] |
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.