Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982 explained

Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982
Duration:April 2–3, 1982
Tornadoes:62
Fujitascale:F5
Winds:78lk=onNaNlk=on[1]
Largest Hail:3lk=onNaNlk=on[2]
Year:1982
Damages:$176,811,500 ($ in USD)
Fatalities:30
Injuries:415
Affected:Midwestern and Southern United States (primarily Ark-La-Tex region: Red River Valley, Piney Woods)
Season:tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1982

From April 2–3, 1982, a major tornado outbreak resulted in over 60 tornadoes and 30 fatalities, primarily over portions of Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas, as well as Southeastern Oklahoma. Three of the tornadoes were rated F4, and one officially was recorded as an F5 near Broken Bow, Oklahoma, all on April 2. Beginning on April 2, a series of tornado-producing supercells formed across portions of northeastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. One produced an F5 tornado, the first since April 4, 1977, which crossed mostly rural areas near Speer and Broken Bow, and deposited a motel sign from Broken Bow 30miles away in Arkansas. However, reanalysis a decade later found the rating to be lower, owing to unsound construction practices. The F5 tornado resulted in no fatalities, but an F4 tornado in Paris, Texas, resulted in 10 fatalities and 170 injuries.[3] Additionally, the Storm Prediction Center, known then as the Severe Local Storms Unit, issued its first officially documented high risk on April 2, as well as the first tornado watch to contain the wording Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS).[4]

Outbreak statistics

Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982
DateTotalF-scale ratingDeathsInjuriesDamage
 FU  F0  F1  F2  F3  F4  F5 
April 24906191194027345
April 3130272200370
Total62082613114030415
Outbreak death toll[5]
StateTotalCounty County
total
Arkansas14Faulkner2
Fulton2
Hempstead5
Howard3
Little River1
St. Francis1
Mississippi3Neshoba3
Missouri1Howell1
Texas11Fannin1
Lamar10
Totals30
All deaths were tornado-related

Confirmed tornadoes

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

Color/symbol key
Color / symbolDescription
†Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b
Data from a local National Weather Service office
※Data from the 1982 Storm Data publication
‡Data from the NCEI database
♯Maximum width of tornado
±Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.
F#! scope="col" text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage
F0Hot Springs Village※GarlandArkansas20:00–?0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡10abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡
A short-lived tornado damaged a few thousand trees and utility lines near La Villa.[6]
F1SSW of Earlham※MadisonIowa20:10–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A brief tornado unroofed a garage, destroyed two sheds, and damaged two windmills and a farmhouse. An 80feet radio tower was downed, shingles were torn loose, and windows were smashed as well.
F2Silo※BryanOklahoma20:25–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on30abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado damaged a total of 16 mobile homes and houses. One person received minor injuries.
F1Pink Hill to SSW of Levasy※JacksonMissouri20:30–?6.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡300abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado, which developed NaNmiles north of Grain Valley, sheared treetops. Nearby, a home and several buildings were damaged.
F1SE of EmetJohnstonOklahoma20:30–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on10abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A pickup truck, a barn, and several other structures were damaged or destroyed.
F1W of Levasy※JacksonMissouri20:32–?2abbr=onNaNabbr=on700abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This multiple-vortex tornado destroyed a couple of barns, a garage, and poles.
F0E of Allen※HughesOklahoma20:40–?0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡10abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡
Trees in the countryside were downed. The tornado passed northwest of Gerty.
F2Northeastern Claremore※RogersOklahoma20:45–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A school and several businesses incurred damage. The NCEI incorrectly list the touchdown as being southwest of Sequoyah.
F1Southwestern Baxter Springs※CherokeeKansas20:50–?0.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on17abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Mobile homes and other structures received damage, as well as roofing, windows, and electrical lines.
F3±N of MariettaLoveOklahoma20:50–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on30abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado derailed 24 freight cars, most of which were unfilled. Outbuildings and trees were also damaged nearby.
F2±ENE of Pryor CreekMayesOklahoma21:00–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on10abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado flipped a mobile home.
F2N of Bokchito※BryanOklahoma21:05–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on10abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado damaged seven homes.
F0Iconium※St. ClairMissouri21:07–?0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A brief touchdown failed to produce any damage.
F3WNW of Boswell to N of Soper‡ChoctawOklahoma21:10–?8abbr=onNaNabbr=on100abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Many farms and outbuildings were damaged.
F0Green Ridge※PettisMissouri21:15–?0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
No damage was reported.
F3SW of Boyd to WNW of Toco※Fannin, LamarTexas21:20–21:55※32abbr=onNaNabbr=on150abbr=onNaNabbr=on~※
1 death – This tornado developed near Ravenna and tracked eastward at 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on through Allens Chapel and Allens Point. The most extensive damage occurred in these two communities; an elderly woman in the area was killed, and her husband sustained injuries. Along its entire path, the tornado destroyed numerous frame houses, mobile homes, barns, and rural outbuildings. The NCEI incorrectly list the path as extending from north of Ector to just north of Brookston.[7]
F1SW of WaverlyLafayetteMissouri21:25–?1.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado felled trees in an orchard.
F2±BoydFanninTexas21:25–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
Trees were damaged near Lake Bonham.
F2KeoLonokeArkansas21:45–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on100abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This was the first member of a long-tracked tornado family, the parent thunderstorm of which generated a 100miles swath of scattered damage, felling 60 transmission towers along the way, and traveled as far as Forrest City. Two homes and a cropdusting firm were destroyed or damaged. Two people were injured.
F5S of Speer to Messer to SE of Eagletown※Choctaw, McCurtainOklahoma21:50–?53abbr=onNaNabbr=on2640abbr=onNaNabbr=on♯※※
See section on this tornado – 29 people were injured.
F2SlovakPrairieArkansas22:00–?2.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※20abbr=onNaNabbr=on†
This short-lived tornado damaged rural shops, roofs, outbuildings, machinery, and electrical transmission towers.
F4Northern Paris to NE of Detroit※Lamar, Red RiverTexas22:00–22:30※23abbr=onNaNabbr=on300abbr=onNaNabbr=on♯※≥ ※
10 deaths – See section on this tornado – 170 people were injured.
F1SSW of ParisLamarTexas22:05–?≥ 1abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Outflow by the Paris F4 may have helped generate this near-simultaneous tornado. A small structure was destroyed on the outskirts of Paris. The tornado may have continued farther, damaging trailers on the southern sides of Blossom and Reno, as it paralleled the main event.
F2Northern Bagwell※Red RiverTexas22:30–?5abbr=onNaNabbr=on100abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado began and ended a few miles west-southwest and east-northeast of town, respectively. Some businesses and homes were unroofed. Trees were torn apart as well.
F1N of Clarksville‡Red RiverTexas22:40–22:42※2abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
Only minor damage was reported.
F3NE of Clarksville (TX)‡ to NNW of Ogden (AR)※Red River (TX), Bowie (TX), McCurtain (OK), Little River (AR)Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas22:40–23:40※52abbr=onNaNabbr=on400abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1 death – See section on this tornado – Four people were injured.
F2BrinkleyMonroeArkansas22:49–?0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on33abbr=onNaNabbr=on
20 transmission towers were downed. Several homes, a trio of farms, and a cemetery were damaged as well.
F2Forrest CitySt. FrancisArkansas23:15–?2abbr=onNaNabbr=on†60abbr=onNaNabbr=on
1 death – This tornado damaged or destroyed a dozen homes, seven mobile homes, half a dozen businesses, and a school. The death occurred in a trailer. 13 people were injured.
F4WSW of Stringtown to ESE of WallaceburgSevier, Howard, HempsteadArkansas23:20–?45abbr=onNaNabbr=on200abbr=onNaNabbr=on
3 deaths – This powerful tornado proceeded generally eastward at 25lk=onNaNlk=on and affected several rural communities. 15 homes, two mobile homes, 16 chicken coops, and various outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, along with many trees. All of the deaths occurred in the community of Buck Range, near Nashville, where a home was flattened. Most of the damage was F2 or F3 in intensity. Storm Data and the NCEI listed 23 injuries, but a reanalysis by Grazulis found 27.
F1E of EldonMillerMissouri23:25–?0.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※30abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A few outbuildings were destroyed.
F3Bergman※BooneArkansas23:28–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on100abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A few trailers were destroyed, along with a pair of homes, the fire department, and city hall. 29 homes sustained damage as well. Five injuries occurred.
F1N of PhillipsburgLacledeMissouri23:30–?0.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※30abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A house was damaged, a barn wrecked, and cattle killed.
F1NE of Beaman※PettisMissouri23:35–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on30abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A few barns were wrecked and a home partly so.
F1N of EldonMillerMissouri23:45–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A few barns and a trailer were wrecked. A shed was severely damaged as well.
F3S of McNab to E of Hope※HempsteadArkansas00:55–?18abbr=onNaNabbr=on200abbr=onNaNabbr=on
5 deaths – This erratic tornado destroyed or damaged 37 homes. A five-member family at home was fatally crushed beneath a 40adj=midNaNadj=mid oak tree. The tornado also damaged 850acres of pine and hardwood forest. 23 people were injured.
F4E of Tecumseh※ to Caulfield to West PlainsOzark, HowellMissouri00:15–?20abbr=onNaNabbr=on500abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2 deaths – This violent tornado damaged 20 homes and destroyed five trailers, but leveled only one home. Lesser damage occurred to businesses. Most of the damage was to 200 used automobiles at a dealership. 28 people were injured, three seriously.
F1S of Camdenton※CamdenMissouri00:15–?0.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
Details are unavailable.
F3N of Vidette†FultonArkansas00:20–?1.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on880abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2 deaths – A barn and five homes were damaged. A number of cattle were killed, and one home was wrecked. Two injuries occurred.
F1NE of Eldon※MillerMissouri00:37–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Details are unavailable.
F0TaosColeMissouri00:45–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Details are unavailable.
F1MagnoliaColumbiaArkansas01:00–?1.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on200abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Roofing, power lines, and trees were damaged. Fallen wires ignited a few fires. Two people were injured.
F3ConwayFaulknerArkansas01:00–?3.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on440abbr=onNaNabbr=on
2 deaths – A machine shop, 38 trailers, and 10 homes were flattened. A few other trailers and three homes were seriously damaged. One of the dead was a stillborn infant. 37 injuries occurred, many quite severe.
F1E of Whelen Springs to WNW of KansasClarkArkansas01:15–?8abbr=onNaNabbr=on75abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
Some roofing was damaged, along with much timber.
F3NE of Dyersburg※DyerTennessee01:20–?8abbr=onNaNabbr=on75abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A factory, mobile homes, eight homes, and some businesses were destroyed or damaged. Trees were impacted as well. An injury occurred.
F2W of Kenton to W of Martin※Obion, WeakleyTennessee01:58–?12abbr=onNaNabbr=on†80abbr=onNaNabbr=on†※
Windows were broken and structures damaged at a Texas Gas Transmission facility. A few trailers were wrecked elsewhere, and several better-built buildings were damaged, along with trees.
F1NW of LillieUnionLouisiana02:00–?5abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Only trees were damaged.
F1W of Milo to N of Snyder※AshleyArkansas03:00–?19abbr=onNaNabbr=on100abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Outbuildings, power lines, and trailers received damage. 1000000to of pinewood were flattened.
F1HazelCallowayKentucky04:00–?2abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Many older structures in town were wrecked.
F0Union CityObionTennessee04:33–?※0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on30abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A few large, fallen trees damaged vehicles and homes. Signage and windows were damaged as well.

April 3 event

F#! scope="col" text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage
F0NE of Pontiac※LivingstonIllinois05:00–05:15※0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on200abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A toolshed, a garage, and a quartet of silos were wrecked.
F1Southeastern Ridge Farm※VermilionIllinois05:18–?4abbr=onNaNabbr=on125abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A five-block swath of town was impacted. A trailer and five homes were wrecked. 15 other homes sustained damage as well. Five injuries occurred.
F1S of Forrest to S of Chatsworth※LivingstonIllinois05:18–?6abbr=onNaNabbr=on500abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado blew central heating and refrigeration units off rooftops. A wall was knocked down as well. After hitting Chatsworth the tornado apparently redeveloped to the south, damaging high-voltage cables, sheds, a pair of large barns, a garage, a home, and roofing. 41 utility poles along the path were felled as well.
F2±E of Grand GulfClaiborne※Mississippi05:20–?※0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡33abbr=onNaNabbr=on‡※
A few steel outbuildings were wrecked and a couple of big trees splintered near a hunting camp. One other outbuilding sustained damage as well. The NCEI incorrectly list the touchdown as Adams County and spuriously count 40 injuries; the latter are not listed in Storm Data.
F3S of Carthage to N of De Kalb†Leake, Neshoba, KemperMississippi05:35–06:10※42abbr=onNaNabbr=on400abbr=onNaNabbr=on>※
3 deaths – This intense tornado destroyed five automobiles, 25 mobile homes, seven businesses, and 29 homes. Severe damage occurred to 47 other homes, 25 vehicles, 16 mobile homes, and seven more businesses. All the dead were killed in a trailer. 40 injuries occurred.
F3Irwin to Bourbonnais to Indian Oaks※KankakeeIllinois05:40–?12abbr=onNaNabbr=on750abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This intense tornado tore walls and a steeple off structures in Irwin, causing a church to shift on its foundation. The tornado apparently lifted before causing further damage at Bourbonnais. 174 trailers were damaged or destroyed in a mobile home park at Indian Oaks. The tornado also damaged 10 homes elsewhere in town. 15 injuries occurred.
F1E of Charleston to northeastern Oakland※ColesIllinois06:05–?14abbr=onNaNabbr=on450abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Most of the losses were to sheds, homes, and garages at Oakland. Roofing was torn loose as well.
F0SW of Goodenow to Crete※WillIllinois06:10–?8abbr=onNaNabbr=on125abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A few mobile homes were tipped onto their sides, and 25 others were carried off their homesites. A few trees were downed and a chimney was damaged as well. Damage was discontinuous.
F1Near West Jefferson※MadisonOhio10:00–?3abbr=onNaNabbr=on50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Mobile homes were extensively damaged, other homes less severely. One person was injured.
F1SSE of GreenmountLaurelKentucky10:00–?1abbr=onNaNabbr=on25abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A 108feetby36feetft (byft) barn was wrecked, crushing implements inside.
F2N of FredericktownKnoxOhio10:55–?0.75abbr=onNaNabbr=on※50abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A few trailers and a frame home were wrecked. Trees were felled as well, and other structures were damaged. Nine minor injuries were reported.
F1Glasgow to S of BostonThomasGeorgia17:15–?6abbr=onNaNabbr=on70abbr=onNaNabbr=on
A pumping station and a cottage were wrecked. Trees were knocked down as well.
F1Western AllentownLehighPennsylvania20:55–?0.15abbr=onNaNabbr=on※17abbr=onNaNabbr=on※
A trailer and a shed were flattened. A restaurant was damaged as well. Wires and trees were toppled.

Speer–Messer–Hugo Reservoir–Golden–Broken Bow–Eagletown, Oklahoma

Speer–Messer–Hugo Reservoir–Golden–Broken Bow–Eagletown, Oklahoma
Fujita-Scale:F5
Injuries:29
Damages:$8 million ($ in USD)

This powerful, multiple-vortex tornado touched down near Speer, tracked east-southeastward through the rural community of Messer, and traversed the Hugo Reservoir. A newly constructed home near Messer was obliterated, with only strips of carpet tacking left on its foundation. Surveyed by Ted Fujita, the tornado was assigned a rating of F5 based on this damage and is still listed as an F5 in official records. Photographs of the bare concrete slab suggested, however, that the home was improperly anchored: only F3-level winds may have been needed to produce the observable effects on the structure. A reanalysis by Thomas P. Grazulis in 1993 concluded that the tornado did not attain F5 intensity. Further on, the tornado attained a peak width of NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on and produced F4-level damage to ranch-style homes near Golden. In all, the tornado destroyed approximately 35 homes and yielded losses of $8 million, though it missed densely populated areas. The tornado also destroyed chicken coops, mobile homes, and a church, along with agricultural implements, electrical lines, and tracts of timber. Up to 40 barns were wrecked as well. As it passed just south of Broken Bow, the tornado struck the Tri-A-Nite Motel; signage from the motel was later found 30miles distant, in Arkansas. Near Messer, the tornado hurled a 2by board into and pierced a tree. 29 injuries occurred along the path. The NCEI incorrectly list the path as extending from south-southwest of Hamden to south of Eagletown.[8]

Paris–Reno–Blossom, Texas

Paris–Reno–Blossom, Texas
Fujita-Scale:F4
Fatalities:10
Injuries:170
Damages:≥ $50 million ($ in USD)

This destructive tornado, the deadliest of the outbreak, headed eastward through the northern section of Paris. Developing near the intersection of Campbell Street and Loop 286, it extensively damaged or destroyed more than 465 residences and left approximately 1,000 people homeless in town. Of the 10 deaths in Paris, two occurred at a trailer park; the rest of the fatalities were mainly in unsheltered locations. Debris from the trailer park was dispersed for hundreds of yards. Most of the damage in Paris was rated F2 or F3 on the Fujita scale, but a few CBS homes were leveled at low-end F4 intensity. These homes, however, were dubiously constructed, so the official rating may have been too high. Large, well-built apartments with numerous interior walls were unroofed as the "ragged funnel cloud" left behind $50 million in losses at Paris. 92 homes and other structures were heavily damaged or destroyed in the neighbouring communities of Reno and Blossom. That more casualties did not occur was attributable to the fact that residents of Paris received ample warning, up to half an hour in advance, in part via NOAA Weather Radio.[9]

White Rock–Beaver Dam, Texas/Ashdown, Arkansas

White Rock–Beaver Dam, Texas/Ashdown, Arkansas
Fujita-Scale:F3
Fatalities:1
Injuries:4

This intense, long-tracked tornado destroyed barns, outbuildings, trees, and electrical lines as it struck White Rock. Brick homes in the area were wrecked as well, indicating F3 intensity. The tornado then tracked to the north of Annona, Avery, and English. Entering Bowie County, it destroyed five homes in Beaver Dam. Two minor injuries occurred nearby. The tornado then widened to 400yd as it neared the Red River. Upon crossing the river, it damaged a 4miles swath of trees across McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Some outbuildings were also damaged as the tornado passed through southeastern Oklahoma. In Arkansas, the tornado destroyed 17 homes, a paper mill, a granary, and an orchard. One of the homes dated to the early nineteenth century. One person died and two others were injured near Ashdown before the tornado dissipated. The parent storm continued on and later spawned another F3 tornado in Hempstead County, near McNab.[10]

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Thunderstorm Wind reported between 04/01/1982 and 04/03/1982 (3 days) . NOAA – National Centers for Environmental Information . Storm Events Database . 2 January 2020.
  2. Hail reported between 04/01/1982 and 04/03/1982 (3 days) . Storm Events Database . NOAA – National Centers for Environmental Information . 2 January 2020.
  3. Multiple sources:
  4. Web site: Edwards . Roger . Fred Ostby . Time Line of SELS and SPC . Historical SELS and SPC Images . . 18 March 2020 .
  5. Tornado reported between 04/01/1982 and 04/03/1982 (3 days) . Storm Events Database . . 19 March 2020.
  6. Web site: Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2021) . Storm Prediction Center Maps, Graphics, and Data Page . Storm Prediction Center . Norman, Oklahoma . July 11, 2021 . 24 February 2022.
  7. Web site: Remembering The Paris Tornado: April 2, 1982 . 15 October 2008 . Dallas/Fort Worth, TX . National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office . . 17 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100613230318/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=paris1982 . 13 June 2010 . live.
  8. Multiple sources:
  9. Multiple sources:
  10. Multiple sources:

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