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Tornado outbreak of March 13–16, 2025
Tornado outbreak in the United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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From March 13 to 16, 2025, a widespread and deadly tornado outbreak, the largest on record for the month of March, affected much of the Midwestern into the Eastern United States,[4][5][6] with additional severe weather and impacts on the East Coast.[7] On March 13, a trough moved through the West Coast,[8] spawning a high-end EF0 tornado in the Los Angeles area.[9] The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather for parts of the Midwest and Southeast on March 14 as the trough moved west over the Rockies.[10] The Day 2 outlook was upgraded to a tornado-driven high risk area for portions of Mississippi and Alabama, making it the third ever issuance of a Day 2 high risk, with the previous two being for April 7, 2006 and April 14, 2012.[11]
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On March 14, a moderate risk for severe weather was issued for the much of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, with a 15 percent risk for significant tornadoes centered around Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri.[10] In the early evening, a PDS tornado watch was issued for portions of Southeast Missouri, Northeast Arkansas, Northern Mississippi, and more.[12] Among the tornadoes that touched down that day were a long-track, high-end EF3 tornado that tracked through southern Missouri and prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency for Fremont and Van Buren,[13][14] an EF2 tornado that moved into the Greater St. Louis area, notably crossing a St. Louis Lambert International Airport runway while a plane was taking off,[15][16] a high-end EF4 tornado that caused catastrophic damage to rural neighborhood northwest of Diaz, Arkansas,[17] a very long-track, low-end EF4 tornado that struck near Fifty-Six and Franklin, Arkansas,[17] an EF3 tornado that killed three people in Bakersfield, Missouri,[18] a long-track, high-end EF3 tornado that went through Cushman and Cave City, Arkansas, killing three,[17] and a low-end EF3 tornado that killed one person after ripping through a trailer park near Poplar Bluff, Missouri,[13][19][20] Overall, 10 people in Missouri and three more in Arkansas were killed by tornadoes on the 14th.[21][22]
On March 15, the high risk area continued into the Day 1 Outlook, including a 30 percent risk for significant tornadoes in central Mississippi and Alabama.[23] In the late morning, a PDS tornado watch was issued for parts of Louisiana and nearly all of Mississippi[24] and later much of Alabama[25] as a tornado outbreak featuring "significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent," was expected throughout the afternoon and evening.[26] In the early afternoon, a tornado emergency was issued for parts of Walthall, Lawrence, Marion, and Jefferson Davis counties in Mississippi[27][28] as a large, violent, long-track EF4 tornado was moving through the area; at least five people were killed and at least nine others were injured by this tornado.[29] An EF2 tornado would intersect its path just 41 minutes later. Another deadly EF3 tornado also tracked just east of the path of the long-track EF4 tornado, touching down while the latter was still on the ground.[29] Tornadoes continued in Mississippi and Alabama throughout the afternoon and evening, including an EF2 tornado that struck Winterboro, Alabama, damaging a high school and killing one person, and an EF3 that killed two people near Plantersville, Alabama.[30] Overall, seven people were killed in Mississippi and three more were killed in Alabama from tornadoes on the 15th.[31][32]
On March 16, a slight risk for tornadoes was issued for the South Atlantic States as several weak tornadoes touched down across the East Coast.[33]
At least 43 people were killed by tornadoes and other weather-related impacts across eight states.[3][34][35] With a total of 117 confirmed tornadoes, the outbreak became the largest ever in the month of March, and received a score of 147 on the Outbreak Intensity Score (OIS), classifying it as a "historic" outbreak. According to Aon, the outbreak caused $6.25 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest tornado outbreaks in United States history.[36]
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Meteorological synopsis
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Background
As early as March 7, 2025, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) began monitoring the threat of severe weather posed by a large-scale trough ejection over the High Plains and Upper Midwest. At that point, the large spread in possible outcomes represented in numerical weather prediction computer models prevented the SPC from designating a specific area at risk.[37] By March 9, a 15% severe risk area was introduced for March 14 over the Mississippi Valley and for March 15 over the South.[38] These areas were both upgraded to a 30% risk for severe weather on March 10, as multiple forecast models began to come into agreement on an all-hazards threat (of wind, hail, and tornadoes), including a supercell-focused mode potentially evolving into a QLCS threat.[39] An outlook on March 11 described the March 14 system as "anomalously intense upper cyclone", with a second upper-level trough expected to produce severe weather on March 15.[40]
On March 13, the SPC upgraded the risk for March 14 into a moderate (4/5) risk over parts of the Middle Mississippi valley, including much of Illinois and Missouri, alongside small parts of Iowa, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee. This risk was described as a "regional outbreak of severe storms", driven by the risk of storms producing swaths of damaging winds potentially in excess of 65 kn (75 mph; 120 km/h) over the region, with areas further south expected to be conducive to the development of strong tornadoes later in the day.[41] The outlook for March 15 was also upgraded to a moderate (4/5) risk as an environment more conducive for significant tornadoes as favorable wind profiles alongside moderate instability produced the conditions necessary for "robust updrafts and intense supercells". A conditional risk was also highlighted further north into Ohio and Kentucky, which were expected to face a primarily non-severe event, reliant on the intensity of convection further south that could stabilize the atmosphere.[42]
At the 1730Z Day 2 outlook on March 14, a high (5/5) risk was introduced over parts of Mississippi and Alabama, driven by the risk of a tornado outbreak.[43] This has been the third time that the Storm Prediction Center issued a high risk for its Day 2 outlook since 2006, the other two occurring on April 7, 2006 and April 14, 2012.[44]
March 14
The states of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi were under a moderate risk for severe weather, as a strong negatively-tilted upper-level shortwave trough detected on satellite that morning was expected to produce an intense mid-level jet that followed its parent shortwave and move towards the center of the continental United States. These features produced strong ascent, which, alongside a powerful surface cyclone expected to form and move from the central High Plains towards the Upper Midwest, produced the conditions necessary for the development of significant severe weather. Over much of the middle Mississippi Valley, strong diurnal heating was expected to occur, which, alongside a low-level jet to aid boundary-level moisture, allowed for the development of surface-based storms, which were expected to produce a single fast-moving band of convection that was expected to produce gusts up to 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) over the region.[45]
Further to the southeast over Missouri, forecasters outlined the risk of more discrete thunderstorms developing on the northern edge of a more concentrated area of low-level moisture. These storms were expected to form into at least semi-discrete supercells due to the presence of strong upper-level flow and strong deep-layer shear. The HRRR model suggested that widespread supercells could develop late in the afternoon, potentially as far south as the border of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with soundings of other forecast models, including the NAM model, favoring the development of intense supercells capable of producing large hail of 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) and potentially significant or intense tornadoes.[45]
Throughout the lower Mississippi Valley, lesser forcing was expected to preclude any possibility of widespread severe weather, but forecasters noted that the atmosphere were capable of producing supercells, some of which had the hazard for large hail, damaging winds, or tornadoes, for any supercells that sustain themselves.[45]
The first complex of storms had emerged by 10:25 a.m. Central Daylight Time (UTC–5) over southern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma, which moved into a region of high atmospheric stability and strong convective inhibition, with a minimal severe hazard risk expected to be limited to small hail up to 1.25 in (3.2 cm).[46] The Storm Prediction Center was expecting the formation of an intense squall line to initiate between 3 and 5 p.m. that afternoon.[47] In the evening, a PDS tornado watch was issued for an area in the Mississippi Valley, with severe thunderstorms expected to develop in conditions primed for supercells capable of producing strong, long-track tornadoes.[48] As forecast, numerous supercells began developing across the main risk area, and numerous tornadoes occurred, some of which were long-tracked, and strong to violent.[49]
March 15
A large warm sector had developed over much of the Gulf Coast states, producing widespread dew points in the upper 60s to lower 70s Fahrenheit. That morning, storms had begun developing across the northern edge of the area of elevated moisture. Temperatures to the south and east of these storms were expected to rise to the upper 70 °F (21 °C)s, with multiple bands of convection expected to initiate between 12 and 2 p.m. CDT. Moderate levels of instability, ranging from 1500–2500 J/kg, and elongated hodographs, forecasted to produce 400–500 m2/s2 storm-relative helicity in the first kilometer of the atmosphere, was expected to "favor the rapid development of intense supercells", and alongside strong Significant Tornado Parameter (STP) values of 5–10, were expected to produce numerous tornadoes, some of which may be long-track or violent, as the day progressed.[50]
Further north, across northern Alabama and south central Tennessee, the consolidation of storms was expected to bound stronger tornadoes to an area further south, with the northern structure highlighted as a potential area for bowing segments and embedded supercells, prompting the SPC to highlight an area of higher wind risk over these areas. Across parts of Georgia and western South and North Carolina, a weakly unstable air mass alongside intense mid-level flow was expected to produce an environment capable of supporting supercell and line structures, with a risk highlighted for severe wind and tornadoes in the region. Storms from the previous day over the Ohio Valley was expected to continue east as the day progressed, producing a risk for hail and wind, but as the day progressed, forecasters noted the uncertainty of potential airmass recovery that could be conducive for a severe risk over Indiana and southern Michigan later that evening, with models only showing weak instability below 500 J/kg that morning. Soundings from Louisiana and Mississippi indicated that the warm sector included steep lapse rates of 7–8 degrees Celsius from the 700 to 500 millibar layer. A 125 kn (144 mph; 232 km/h) jet at 250 millibars was expected to strengthen the region's wind profile, which, in conjunction with a lower-level jet moving east throughout the day, produced an environment capable of all hazards, including the threat of strong tornadoes.[50]
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Confirmed tornadoes
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Gamaliel, Arkansas/Bakersfield–Frankville, Missouri
This large, long-tracked, intense tornado first touched down at 8:34 p.m. CDT in the town of Gamaliel, Arkansas in Baxter County. It moved northeastward along AR 101 at EF1 intensity, damaging a post office and a fire station.[51] Continuing northeastward, the tornado snapped or uprooted dozens of trees as it approached and crossed the Arkansas-Missouri border into Ozark County, Missouri.[51] The tornado intensified as it moved into the southern part of Bakersfield, partially destroying multiple homes and structures along County Road 585.[52] Northeast of there, the tornado snapped more trees before intensifying further to EF3 strength as it crossed Route AR on the south side of Bakersfield. One home was swept away while another one had its roof removed and some exterior walls knocked down. A large tank was lofted and thrown near the destroyed home. The tornado then reached its peak intensity as it turned to the east-northeast and crossed County Road 589, where a home was unroofed and had multiple exterior walls knocked down, and nearby trees were snapped and uprooted with some ground scouring noted. Winds at this location were estimated to be at 145 mph (233 km/h). The outer circulation of the tornado also impacted Bakersfield itself, damaging more homes and the First Baptist Church,[53] destroying the town's baseball and softball complex, and uprooting and snapping trees.[54]
Moving east-northeast, the tornado struck the Zastrow Hill area on the east side of Bakersfield, where multiple block-foundation mobile homes were rolled and destroyed and another home was leveled and swept away; debris from these homes was strewn across a nearby hill and along a tree line. Three people were killed and another person was injured in one of the mobile homes.[18] Vehicles from the homes in this area were mangled and flattened, with some missing parts of their wheel structure,[55] and cars were "rolled 50 to 100 yards".[54] After crossing Route 142 northeast of Bakersfield, the tornado uprooted large swaths of trees. Entire groves of trees were debarked and shredded, with some low-lying vegetation debarked and denuded.[56] The tornado then weakened to high-end EF1 intensity. leaving "cyclonic" patterns in the forest as it crossed into Howell County.[51] North of the community of Leota, the tornado restrengthened and obliterated a mobile home at high-end EF2 intensity, injuring three people. Several homes nearby suffered significant roof damage, with large sections of their roofs removed along with an exterior wall or two knocked down.[51]
The tornado continued east-northeastward at EF2 intensity, leveling an old milk barn along Route FF with only the roof structure being left intact. Numerous trees nearby were uprooted in a cyclonic pattern and another outbuilding suffered roof damaged.[51] The tornado destroyed another cinder block foundation mobile home along County Road 6810 before weakening to EF0 intensity as it crossed Route E, causing only minor to moderate tree damage as it continued east-northeastward. The tornado regained EF1 intensity to the west of China, where several roof decks were ripped off of homes along County Road 6450, with moderate tree damage noted.[51] Multiple outbuildings along Route JJ were severely damaged, another home had roof damage and its roof deck removed, and several trees were uprooted.[51] The tornado briefly intensified to mid-range EF2 intensity after crossing Route 17 near Cottbus. A two-story brick home was significantly damaged, with portions of the roof removed and parts of the paneling walls collapsing. Another home nearby had most of its roof deck removed and an outbuilding was destroyed.[51] The tornado then struck Frankville at EF1 intensity, inflicting heavy roof damage to a warehouse along US 63.[51] The last area of damage that was found from this tornado occurred along US 160 east of West Plains, where trees were uprooted at EF0 intensity. The tornado then dissipated as it crossed the highway at 9:16 p.m. CDT.[51]
The tornado traveled 35.74 miles (57.52 km) and reached a maximum width of 1,200 yards (1,100 m) during its 42-minute lifespan, causing three fatalities and four reported injuries.[18][51][57] After the tornado, FEMA set up a relief shelter at the Bakersfield School.[54]
Fifty-Six–Larkin–Ravenden Springs, Arkansas/Fairdealing, Missouri
This large, very long-tracked, violent tornado touched down one mile (1.6 km) northeast of Alco, and around eight miles (13 km) southwest of Fifty-Six in Stone County at 9:12 p.m. CDT,[51][58] Initially, the tornado stayed mainly at EF1 intensity, snapping and uprooting several softwood trees and inflicting minor damage to home. The tornado quickly strengthened to low-end EF3 intensity as it struck the small town of Fifty-Six. Along AR 14, a double-wide mobile home was obliterated and lofted hundreds of yards downstream. Nearby, some cabins were shifted off their foundation and destroyed and a free-standing garage was demolished.[59][60][51][61] After moving away from Fifty-Six, the tornado moved through the Blanchard Springs Recreational Area. A Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) recorded a wind gust of 151 mph (243 km/h). Several trees across the meadow bluff were snapped and uprooted at high-end EF2 intensity, a falling tree injured a camper. Near the intersection of Stone County Road 52 and Green Road, an estimated 1,000 yd (910 m) of uprooted trees were noted here, as well as a well-defined convergent pattern. Many more trees were blown down on a hillside as it crossed AR 5.[60][51][62]
The tornado then crossed the White River into Izard County, downing several more trees along the river and near Boswell were uprooted at low-end EF2 intensity. The tornado passed through the south of the community of Boswell before moving through areas just north of Jumbo. Hundreds of trees were snapped and downing power lines, and causing additional structural damage.[63] The tornado maintained low-end EF2 intensity south of Knob Creek, Numerous large hardwood trees were blown down as the tornado continued to track east-northeastward through mainly rural areas, crossing La Crosse Road between Violet Hill and Larkin.[64][65][66]
The tornado abruptly intensified to low-end EF4 intensity northwest of Larkin. A well-built home was destroyed and swept away at 170 mph (270 km/h), leaving an extensive debris field downstream. A vehicle nearby was lofted and thrown into a pond behind the property.[51] The tornado quickly weakened to low-end EF2 intensity as it crossed Larkin Road. A small home experienced a collapse to their exterior walls and a couple of outbuildings were destroyed. After the slight weakening, the tornado rapidly intensified to EF4 strength. A well-anchored two story home was demolished and swept away, with the main level floor still attached to the foundation. The double doored garage and a large covered porch likely contributed to the home collapsing as they faced the south side of the home, where the tornadic winds and its storm motion were hitting the most.[51] An outbuilding sustained major roof damage and a nearby metal building was severely damaged, with most of its internal structure intact. The tornado continued tracking through rural areas, severely damaging another home and metal building along Ebi Quarry Lane. Passing through areas south of Franklin, the tornado strengthened to low-end EF4 intensity for the third time. A home along Easy K road was completely destroyed.[51] Trees nearby were debarked, several vehicles were heavily damaged, and a nearby metal shop building was also completely demolished. Two residents of the home survived but were severely injured.[51]
The tornado then moved into Sharp County and crossed US 167/AR 56 south of Ash Flat at mid-range EF2 intensity, inflicting significant damage to a home and demolishing an outbuilding. Along US 167; a well-anchored outbuilding was blown off sideways, multiple trees were snapped and uprooted, several homes sustained moderate damage, and a camper trailer was demolished. Along the intersection of Game Reserve road and Liberty Hill road, the tornado strengthened to high-end EF2 intensity. A home was shifted off its foundation, with nearby trees being snapped and uprooted. The tornado moved northeastward and crossed US 412/US 62/US 63, destroying outbuildings and pushing a house off its foundation. The tornado continued to damage trees and outbuildings before moving into Randolph County and striking Ravenden Springs as it moved along AR 90, where more trees were snapped or uprooted. East of the town, more trees along with a couple of homes were damaged. The tornado then crossed the Eleven Point River and AR 93 south of Dalton, continuing to cause mainly tree damage. It then passed near Hamil as it reached its peak intensity along AR 231, damaging several structures and destroying many outbuildings and a home. The tornado then continued northeastward and crossed AR 251 between Warm Springs and Palestine uprooting and snapping many trees, while also damaging or destroying more outbuildings and a mobile home.[51]
The tornado then passed near Brakebill and crossed AR 115 causing mainly tree damage before crossing into Ripley County, Missouri southeast of Poynor snapping more trees at high-end EF1 intensity. Just after crossing the state line, a manufactured home was overturned from its foundation at EF2 strength. The person inside sheltered inside their bathtub and survived with only minor injuries. The tornado then continued northeastward as it approached and passed near Pulaski after crossing Route 142 at EF1-EF2 intensity, inflicting roof damage to homes, damaging or overturning mobile homes, destroying an outbuilding, damaging and snapping power poles, downing large swaths of trees, including trees that fell on and caused additional damage to outbuildings and homes. The tornado then abruptly turned due east and passed through Fairdealing, snapping and uprooting trees at EF1 intensity. The tornado then reintensified to EF2 intensity as it moved into Butler County, Missouri and turned back toward the northeast, inflicting severe damage to multiple homes in and east of Fairdealing, which suffered severe damage, with their roofs being partially or completely destroyed. The tornado snapped and additional trees and wooden power poles before abruptly dissipating as it approached County Road 480.[51][67] The tornado was longest-lived tornado by track and duration of the outbreak, traveling 118.95 miles (191.43 km) and reached a maximum width of 1,400 yards (1,300 m) during its 133-minute lifespan.[51] AR 14 in Fifty-Six was closed due to the damage caused by the tornado.[68] According to preliminary information from the National Weather Service Little Rock, Arkansas, over 25% of Fifty-Six sustained damage from the tornado.[51]
Cushman–Cave City–Reyno–Corning, Arkansas
This intense, very long-tracked tornado touched down east of the White River, southwest of Cushman initially damaging trees as it moved northeastward. The tornado quickly intensified to low-end EF3 intensity as the tornado struck a small neighborhood southeast of Cushman. A double-wide manufactured home was destroyed, with its debris thrown into the tree line at estimated windspeeds up to 140 mph (230 km/h), two fatalities were recorded inside the home.[51] Several more mobile homes were obliterated along Claxton Loop Road, with one being blown 50 yards (46 m). Multiple framed homes received moderate to severe damage, including a split-level home that was heavily destroyed, leaving a few interior walls standing, another fatality was recorded here.[51]
The tornado weakened as the tornado tracked through forested areas, snapping and uprooting several hardwood trees at EF1 intensity. An outbuilding along Melon Drive sustained extensive roof damage, with the main framed home sustaining only moderate roof damage.[51] The tornado strengthened to high-end EF2 intensity as a cellphone tower collapsed along West South Street. The tornado then went through Cave City at EF3 intensity. The tornado first crossed West Center Street, Soul's Harbor Pentecoastal Church sustained major structural damage as the building was mostly leveled at low-end EF3 intensity, leaving a few interior walls standing. More structures near the church suffered significant damage; a single-wide mobile home, a couple of homes were shifted off their foundations, and several trees were snapped.[51] The tornado went through areas north of downtown Cave City at high-end EF2 intensity; the Cave City Auto sustained significant damage to its roof, a couple of homes had their roofs ripped away, several trees were snapped, with a license plate found to be embedded in one of them, a metal storage building was demolished, though construction quality of the building were substandard, a poorly-built home along Meadow Lane was mostly leveled and destroyed.[51]
The tornado rapidly intensified to high-end EF3 northwest of Cave City. A home that was nearly finished was destroyed with winds of 165 mph (266 km/h). Many large vehicles were tossed and heavily damaged, a large metal storage building nearby was mostly flattened and numerous hardwood trees sustained extensive damage. The tornado significantly weakened as an outbuilding suffered major roof damage at EF1 intensity. The tornado maintained EF1 intensity, snapping and uprooting several trees. The tornado strengthen significantly to high-end EF2 intensity.[51] A single-wide mobile home was demolished with winds up to 130 mph (210 km/h). Another mobile home was rolled over and an outbuilding was swept off its foundation. The tornado strengthened more as an exterior wall for a two-story home collapsed at high-end EF2 strength, with a nearby outbuilding getting obliterated. After maintaining EF1 intensity through rural areas, the tornado reattained high-end EF2 intensity as the tornado went through the small community of Calamine, destroying a single-wide mobile home and inflicting significant roof damage to a metal building system. The tornado weakened to high-end EF1 intensity as the tornado went through a farmstead along Bilbrey Road, demolishing several outbuildings and causing minor damage to a home and metal building.[51]
The tornado missed the city of Black Rock to its west at EF1 intensity, downing several trees and causing light to moderate roof damage to several homes. The tornado sustained that intensity, snapping several more trees, causing major roof damage to a chicken house, and moderately damaging a metal building near the community of Manson. The tornado began to parallel US 67at EF2 intensity, downing several power poles and trees, snapping more than 40 power poles. The tornado weakened as it moved through Reyno, causing major roof damage to an outbuilding and destroying an empty grain bin in town. The tornado intensified to EF2 strength again southwest of Datto, snapping power poles and destroying six empty grain bins at wind speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The tornado continued afterwards, overturning a center irrigation pivot, snapped power poles, and damaged an outbuilding near Corning, spreading debris into a nearby field. The tornado produced minor tree and structural damage before lifting just south of the Missouri state line.[51][69][70][71] Three people were killed by the tornado and at least five injured. This was the second longest-lived tornado by track and duration of the outbreak, being on the ground for over an hour and a half, with a total path length at 81.83 miles (131.69 km). It reached a maximum width of 700 yards (640 m), while damage surveys indicate the tornado peaked at high-end EF3 intensity with winds of 165 mph (266 km/h).[51]
Macks–Diaz–Campbell Station, Arkansas
This very large, violent tornado first developed at 11:17 p.m. CDT on March 14 in the small community of Departee near Departee Creek Road, initially snapping tree limbs.[51] The tornado quickly intensified to low-end EF2 intensity, snapping several power poles along Buzzard Roast Road. Along Meadow Lake, several poultry homes were extensively damaged and multiple trees were snapped at EF1 intensity before the tornado crossed Departee Creek into Jackson County.[51]
The tornado grew in size and intensity as it traversed through rural areas. As the tornado crossed AR 14 east of Macks, the tornado impacted Jones Farm. A well-built office building was leveled at low-end EF4 intensity with estimated windspeeds of 170 mph (270 km/h). Across the property, a one-story home in front of the office building was mostly leveled with the bathroom remaining, another home sustained similar devastation, four soy bean silos were destroyed, a farming equipment building was mangled with two metal pillars yanked out of the ground, a large metal tank was thrown and mangled by the tornado, and several large metal buildings were leveled and swept away.[51] Large hardwood trees were also severely debarked and denuded and a trailer was thrown 100 yd (91 m) onto a home, injuring a resident sheltering in the home. The tornado reached its peak width of 1,760 yards (1,610 m) as it was impacting this neighborhood.[51]
Moving northeast, the tornado weakened to EF3 intensity. Several trees along the White River were snapped and severely debarked at 150 mph (240 km/h). Nearby, multiple metal truss towers were heavily damaged and mangled. After crossing the river, the tornado made an abrupt north-northeast turn as it weakened to EF1 intensity, grazing the southern side of the town of Jacksonport.[51] Pecan trees were uprooted as the tornado shifted back to a northeast direction. Narrowing in size, the tornado restrengthened to high-end EF2 intensity. Numerous trees and powerlines were snapped and uprooted along an oxbow lake called The Cut Off. As the tornado neared the community of Fitzgerald northwest of Diaz, the tornado reached its peak intensity of high-end EF4, with estimated windspeeds of 190 mph (310 km/h) as the tornado moved through a neighborhood along AR 17. A large, anchor-bolted home was leveled and mostly swept off its foundation. Multiple metal buildings were obliterated near the home, several trees were debarked and denuded, and several vehicles and a dump truck were thrown 75–200 yards (69–183 m). A nearby home sustained extensive damage to its southern exterior walls.[51]
After crossing AR 17, the tornado weakened to low-end EF3 intensity as another metal building was destroyed, with a home nearby sustaining severe roof damage. The tornado weakened slightly more to high-end EF2 intensity, inflicting significant roof damage to a home and extensively snapping trees as the tornado began scouring the bare soil on the ground.[51] The tornado struck the city of Campbell Station at low-end EF3 intensity, collapsing a microwave tower along Campbell Lane. Several homes in the city sustained significant roof damage and an SUV was thrown from one of the damaged homes into a field. A large steel tank was thrown 3,000 feet (910 m) and landed along AR 367.[51] Several trees along Jackson 43 were snapped and uprooted before the tornado eventually dissipated southeast of Tuckerman along Village Creek south of AR 37 at 11:35 p.m CDT.[51] Despite the intensity, no fatalities were reported from this tornado. Two people were injured, including a police officer who was seriously injured when his patrol car was tossed by the tornado.[72][73] The tornado was active for 23 minutes, during which time it traveled 18.62 miles (29.97 km) and reached a maximum width of 1,760 yards (1,610 m). The tornado peaked at high-end EF4 intensity with winds of 190 mph (310 km/h).[51]
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
This intense tornado touched down northeast of Fairdealing along County Road 462 at 11:27 p.m. CDT and moved generally east-northeastward, uprooting trees and inflicting minor damage to homes. After crossing Route M, the tornado strengthened to EF1 intensity, snapping and uprooting trees. As it approached Poplar Bluff, the tornado quickly strengthened EF3 intensity along County Road 450, sweeping away a block-foundation home and shifting an older home off its foundation, leveling it. One person was killed in the latter house. The tornado then continued east-northeastward at EF1 intensity, snapping or uprooting trees and flipping a mobile home. The tornado then re-intensified to EF2 strength, removing the roof and some of the siding off of a brick home. The tornado then impacted a group of duplex homes at low-end EF3 intensity, removing the roofs and knocking down the exterior walls of some of them.
The tornado then approached and crossed US 67 at the Route PP exit at EF1-EF2 intensity, destroying multiple mobile homes and a garage, heavily damaging a church, and snapping and uprooting trees. The tornado then entered the western city limits of Poplar Bluff, damaging multiple businesses and ripping part of the roof off of the Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center. It then impacted Three Rivers College, damaging apartment buildings and a church. The tornado then continued east-northeastward through the northwestern part of Poplar Bluff and crossed US 60 Business/US 67 Business damaging apartment buildings, businesses, and vehicles, and snapping trees and power poles. It continued to snap trees and power poles as it moved through neighborhoods in the northern part of Poplar Bluff, which included trees falling on homes.[51]
The tornado then crossed US 60, exited Poplar Bluff, and turned northeastward at EF1 intensity, uprooting dozens of trees and damaging the roof of a home. As it passed west of Rombauer, the tornado re-intensified to EF3 intensity, destroying a large portion of a shop-home, inflicting heavy roof and exterior wall damage to other homes, and uprooting more trees. The tornado then steadily weakened, ripping the roof off of a barn and uprooting numerous trees before dissipating at 11:47 p.m. CDT after traveling for 18.65 mi (30.01 km). It was on the ground for 20 minutes, had a peak width of 350 yd (320 m), and was responsible for one fatality.[51][74]
Kentwood, Louisiana/Tylertown–Society Hill–Carson, Mississippi
This large, long-tracked, and violent tornado first touched down at 12:19 p.m. CDT just to the northeast of Kentwood, Louisiana in Tangipahoa Parish near I-55. It moved northeastward at mid-range to high-end EF1 intensity, initially snapping and uprooting trees. The tornado then began to move along Sanders Road, inflicting major damage to mobile homes and outbuildings along with inflicting roof damage to homes. The tornado snapped and uprooted trees and inflicted roof damage to another home as it crossed J. W. Schilling Road before weakening as it crossed State Line Road into Pike County, Mississippi. After initially causing only minor EF0 tree damage upon entering the state of Mississippi, the tornado reintensified to high-end EF1 strength as it continued northeastward, snapping and uprooting numerous trees. It then struck the town of Progress, where multiple homes were partially unroofed, a barn’s walls collapsed, leaving only the roof behind, and more trees were uprooted or snapped. Continuing northeastward away from Progress after crossing MS 575, the tornado intensified to EF2 strength along Climmons Road, obliterating a mobile home. A nearby home was unroofed and had severe exterior wall damage, a trailer was overturned and destroyed, and more trees were snapped with debris being scattered into the tree line. The tornado then continued northeastward, unroofing and knocking down the exterior walls of more homes, damaging mobile homes, and downing large swaths of trees.[75]
The tornado then crossed into Walthall County, maintaining EF2 intensity as it struck the Paradise Ranch RV resort. Several mobile homes and RV trailers were obliterated other trailers were overturned, multiple cabins were damaged, and swaths of trees were snapped or uprooted. More trees were knocked down as the tornado crossed MS 48; three homes were also damaged, including one that was unroofed. The tornado then snapped and uprooted more trees as it continued northeastward before reaching low-end EF4 intensity as it crossed US 98 west of Tylertown. A well-built two-story home was leveled and swept from its foundation, with the debris left in a pile behind it. A nearby well-strapped-down mobile home was obliterated and swept away, and trees were stubbed. Two injuries occurred in this area.[75] Beyond this point, the tornado continued northeastward at EF2 intensity, unroofing a home, shifting a mobile home off its foundation, and snapping or uprooting more trees. The tornado continued to damage homes, heavily damage or destroy outbuildings, and snap or uproot trees as it approached and crossed MS 583. Another area of low-end EF3 damage occurred as the tornado moved along Old Holmesville Road at the Harveytown Road intersection. An unanchored home was mostly destroyed, and a metal building system was destroyed. Other damage in the area included a poorly built mobile home that was tossed across the road and obliterated, another mobile home that was also completely destroyed, multiple homes that were unroofed, outbuildings, including chicken coops, that were heavily damaged or destroyed, and trees that were snapped or uprooted.[51] It was at this point that the Storm Prediction Center released a mesoscale discussion noting that weather radar observations from the WSR-88D system at KHDC in Hammond, Louisiana had detected a rapidly intensifying tornadic circulation.[76] Rotation speeds exceeded 60 knots (31 m/s), with brief periods surpassing 90 knots (46 m/s). Additionally, a tornado debris signature was detected at altitudes over 25,000 feet, providing strong evidence of a significant tornado event in progress. Based on real-time radar analysis, the SPC classified the tornado as "intense to potentially violent.", estimating possible wind speeds of over 175 mph (282 km/h).[76] Around the same time, a tornado emergency was issued for areas downwind of the tornado.[77]
The tornado then struck the community of Salem as it crossed MS 27. A church had its steeple knocked over, an outbuilding was overturned and left intact along a tree line, a house suffered roof damage, and more trees were snapped or uprooted.[51] Another small area of low-end EF3 damage occurred just northeast of there, where a well-built metal building system was heavily damaged.[51] More metal building systems northeast of there were heavily damaged or destroyed, metal power poles were knocked down, a mobile home was shifted off its foundation, and dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted.[51] The tornado reached EF3 intensity again northwest of Darbun near and along Darbun Road. Mobile homes, sheds, and outbuildings were demolished, a church and homes suffered heavy roof damage, and swaths of trees were stubbed, snapped, or uprooted.[51] North of Darbun Road along Bethlehem Loop Road, multiple mobile homes were obliterated and swept away, a metal outbuilding was flattened, homes suffered partial roof removal, vehicles were damaged, power poles were snapped, and trees were stubbed. Three fatalities were confirmed in this area, all in mobile homes.[51] Surveyors noted that this was one of multiple areas in Walthall County where the tornado likely reached EF4 intensity, but the most severe damage in rural areas of the county was to manufactured homes, which can receive a maximum damage rating of only EF3.[51] The tornado continued to snap and uproot trees as it approached the Walthall–Marion county line.[51] Along the county line, a mobile home was destroyed, a home suffered severe roof damage, and trees were snapped or uprooted.[51]
After entering Marion County, the tornado produced significant EF2–EF3 damage to trees and homes, crossing through Whitebluff and crossing the Pearl River, and entering Jefferson Davis County, where it initially caused EF1-EF2 damage to trees.[51] After briefly weakening to EF1 intensity, the tornado passed near Society Hill, causing EF2 tree damage as it crossed MS 13. It also caused EF1 damage to three chicken houses. Northeast of Society Hill, the tornado crossed Storey Parkman Road, obliterating a mobile home at low-end EF3 intensity; two people were killed, and one other person was injured. Homes nearby suffered roof damage, and trees were damaged. The tornado then continued northeastward, causing widespread EF2-EF3 damage throughout its path through the rest of Jefferson Davis County. Prior to entering Covington County, the tornado underwent structural changes and significantly shrank in size; this initially caused the tornado to weaken slightly, but a more dramatic tightening to 100–150 yards (91–137 m) caused the vortex to spin faster and rapidly strengthen. The tornado reached EF3 intensity as it approached and crossed Blackjack New Chapel Road, unroofing and knocking down several walls of a brick home, obliterating a mobile home and wrapping its frame around two pine trees, shattering a large oak tree, and snapping and uprooting numerous other trees.[51]
The tornado then reached low-end EF4 intensity for a second time west of Collins, where a small home on Wilson Road was destroyed with its concrete foundation swept clean of debris. This building, while not showing signs of structural decay, was determined to have fewer anchor bolts than is typical of modern construction, which prevented surveyors from assigning a higher rating. Nearby, a tractor-trailer was overturned and pulled 30–40 yards (27–37 m) into the vortex, two mobile homes were destroyed, a large metal building system multi-car garage was destroyed with some of its beams thrown, and more trees were snapped or uprooted. After this, the tornado gradually weakened, causing some additional tree damage before dissipating at 1:39 p.m. CDT. The end of the damage path in the forested area was crossed by a separate EF2 tornado about 41 minutes later.[78] This tornado was the deadliest of the outbreak, killing five people and injuring at least three others.[51][79] It was on the ground for a total of an hour and 20 minutes, with a length of 67.65 miles (108.87 km), and reaching a peak width of approximately 1,400 yards (1,300 m).[51]
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Non-tornadic effects
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Winter storm
California
Very heavy snow fell in the Sierra Nevada of California on March 12 and 13, with the highest snowfall being 32 inches (81 cm) at Bear Valley.[80] Multiple car crashes due to snow were recorded on I-80. Heavy rain caused mudslides in Southern California, with six rescues being conducted in San Jacinto.[81]
Minnesota
Following record-breaking high temperatures achieved the previous day, heavy snow and blizzard conditions were expected across much of Minnesota starting on March 15.[82] The heaviest snow was expected to occur on the northwestern quadrant of the cyclone, specifically across central and western Minnesota, where snowfall rates were expected to exceed 1 in (2.5 cm) per hour.[83]
Fire weather and dust storms
An extremely critical risk for fire weather was issued over much of the Southern Plains, including much of western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and central Oklahoma, as the trough was expected to produce widespread sustained winds of 30–40 mph (48–64 km/h), including frequent gusts of 50–70 mph (80–113 km/h) and occasionally up to 80 mph (130 km/h), over an area of low relative humidity.[84] Leedey, Oklahoma was put under an evacuation notice due to a rapidly spreading wildfire.[85] Students at Oklahoma State University were told to shelter in place due to a wildfire.[1] Fires were reported in nine counties across Oklahoma, including Oklahoma County and much of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.[86] One person in the state was killed in a car crash due to smoke, and at least 170,000 acres of land have been burned.[87] In total, 142 injuries and four fatalities were reported due to fires and high winds.[88]
Four people were killed and multiple people were injured in car crashes near Amarillo, Texas as a dust storm hit the area.[89] Over 100,000 power outages were reported in Texas and Oklahoma.[90]
Another dust storm caused a multiple-vehicle collision on I-70 between Colby and Goodland, Kansas, when visibility was reduced to "near zero". At least 71 vehicles were involved, eight people were killed, and at least thirty were injured. I-70 was temporarily closed while crews removed debris from the area.[91][92][93]
Dust and smoke caused particularly poor air quality in Kansas City, Missouri.[94]
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Impacts and aftermath
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The "Wearin' of the Green" parade in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was postponed by one day due to the expected severe weather.[101] Due to high non-thunderstorm winds, over 400 flights were cancelled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Around 20% of flights at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport were also canceled.[102]
In Rolla, Missouri, significant damage occurred to eight businesses at a strip mall.[103] Strong storms caused a roof collapse at a business in Canton, Illinois. Numerous signs were knocked over in Hanna City, Illinois.[104] Heavy tree damage occurred in Elgin, Illinois, and four tornadoes were confirmed across the Chicago Metropolitan Area on the overnight of the 14–15, with over 500,000 Commonwealth Edison customers losing power. 99% of these outages were resolved by 7:30 p.m. on the 15th.[105]
In Mississippi, widespread tornado damage occurred, with Governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves stating that "Grenada County was the hardest hit", with major damage occurring in Elliott and Gore Springs.[106]
On March 17, days after the outbreak, ABC reported that the office of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, which had provided forecasts throughout the outbreak, was listed as a property to be terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency, an executive branch entity headed by Elon Musk. Tom Cole, the Republican representative for Oklahoma's 4th congressional district, stated that he had intervened in the matter and the office would not be closed; despite this, the office still appeared on the list of properties facing lease termination.[107]
The Guardian reported that Arkansas' request for federal aid following severe weather throughout March 2025 had been denied by Donald Trump, with Arkansas legislators signing a letter asking for a review of the decision on April 21. The Guardian linked this event to Trump's prior calls to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency.[108]
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See also
- 2020 Easter tornado outbreak
- Tornado outbreak of March 24–27, 2023
- Tornado outbreak of March 31 – April 1, 2023
- Weather of 2025
- List of F3, EF3, and IF3 tornadoes (2020–present)
- List of F4, EF4, and IF4 tornadoes (2020–present)
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days
- List of United States tornadoes from January to March 2025
- List of tornado emergencies
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References
External links
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