Draft:1991 Springfield tornado
 | Draft article not currently submitted for review.
This is a draft Articles for creation (AfC) submission. It is not currently pending review. While there are no deadlines, abandoned drafts may be deleted after six months. To edit or make changes to this draft, simply click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window. To be accepted, a draft should:
It is strongly discouraged to write about either yourself or your business or employer. If you do so, you must declare it. Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Last edited by Pizza smartguy (talk | contribs) 30 minutes ago. (Update) |
Extensive F4 tornado damage to a home southeast of Springfield, Missouri | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 29, 1991, 6:05 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | November 29, 1991, 6:25 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| F4 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Max width | 400 yards (0.23 mi; 0.37 km) |
| Path length | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Highest winds | 207–260 mph (333–418 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Injuries | 64 |
| Damage | $25 million (1991 USD) |
| Areas affected | Springfield, Missouri, Nixa, Missouri |
Part of the Tornadoes of 1991 | |
During the evening hours of November 29, 1991, a rare and violent F4 tornado struck the city of Springfield, Missouri, killing two and injuring 64.[1] The tornado inflicted $25 million (1991 USD) in damages, was on the ground for 20 minutes, tracked 8 miles (13 km), and reached a peak width of 400 yards (0.23 mi; 0.37 km). It was also the only F4+ tornado to occur in Greene County, Missouri.[2][3][1]
At 6:05 p.m.[note 1] the tornado began 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Nixa, Missouri, tracking northeastward and moving at a speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), quickly strengthening to F3 intensity almost immediantly after touchdown.[1][4] As the tornado continued northeast, it suddenly began to weaken to F0-F1 intensity as it uprooted trees. The tornado then crossed US 65 where its wind overtook a truck, tossing it a short distance into a frontage road, however killing the passenger. On the same highway, 10 others were injured due to a multiple-vehicle collision.[5][4] After crossing US 65, the tornado then strengthened and entered two subdivisions southeast of Springfield at F4 intensity, heavily damaging homes, injuring many and killing one more person.[4][5][3] The tornado continued into eastern Springfield before roping out and dissipating west of Turners, Missouri at 6:25 p.m. after being being on the ground for 20 minutes.[4]
Meteorological synopsis
[edit]Tornado summary
[edit]Formation and Nixa
[edit]The tornado touched down at 6:05 p.m. 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Nixa, Missouri, tracking northeasternly towards the city of Springfield, Missouri at a forward speed of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), promptly strengthening to F3 intensity shortly after touchdown, however, weakening to F0-F1 intensity as it uprooted trees near Nixa.[1][4] The tornado then continued northeastward where it passed Springfield Lake, inflicting minor damage to three homes and uprooted multiple trees south of the lake.[4] It then strengthened as it struck a cemetary north of Springfield Lake and heavily damaged a house at F2-F3 intensity before crossing the interchange between U.S. Route 65 and U.S. Route 60, where the wind overturned a truck and tossed it a short distance, skidding on its roof, before landing in a frontage road along the highway, where the driver of the vehicle was killed on impact.[5][4][3]
Ten other injuries were also caused on US 65 after a multiple-vehicle collision occured shortly after the tornado crossed the highway.[4] The tornado then continued northeastward into Southeastern Springfield.[4]
Springfield–Woodbridge–Bridge Estates and Dissipation
[edit]As the tornado entered Springfield, it began strengthening as it tracked into the subdivisions of Woodbridge and Natural Bridge Estates in Southeastern Springfield at F3-F4 intensity, striking the residential area directly at 6:20 p.m.[3][4] The tornado maintained F4 intensity for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) as it passed through the subdivisions, demolishing 53 homes and causing extensive damage. In Woodbridge, one man was killed on Cara Lane after his home was swept away by the tornado. Dozens of powerlines and telephone poles were levelled, and many were injured after the tornado passed the area.[3][4][5]
The tornado continued northeast before dissipating and lifting just west of Turners, Missouri at 6:25 p.m. after being on the ground for 20 minutes, and tracking 8 miles (13 km).[3][4][1]
Aftermath
[edit]After the tornado had passed, Southeastern Springfield, and surrounding areas were heavily damaged following the tornado, with damage estimated to be at $15–25 million (1991 USD) as it tracked 8 miles (13 km) through Christian and Greene Counties.[5][4] Over 50–64 people were injured by the storm, two were killed, and 36 powerlines were cut down or irreversably damaged by the tornado, causing a major power outage for the subdivisions affected by the storms.[6][4][1] The day after the tornado struck, 12 inches (300 mm) of snow fell throughout a 20–50 miles (32–80 km) wide area over Southeastern Springfield as a disaster plan was put in effect, restricting foreign access to the subdivisions affected, with locals having to prove their residence to enter.[7][2][4]
Multiple organizations were called to aid the city of Springfield, with the American Red Cross giving shelter to residents directly affected by the tornado, and the Salvation Army provided clothing for victims.[6]
Damage
[edit]The tornado inflicted extensive F4 damage for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over the Woodbridge and Natural Bridge subdivisions, with the American Red Cross reporting 53 homes completely swept, and 157 others were damaged in some way.[6][4] Multiple vehicles were found completely crushed, with a Nixa law enforcement officer stating: "It looked like a warzone"[5][6] The also tornado destroyed 36 powerlines in the Southeastern Springfield areas.[6]
Rebuilding Efforts
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ↑ For consistency, all times are in Central Daylight Time.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncei.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
- 1 2 "KY3 FLASHBACK 1991: F4 tornado roars through Springfield, Nixa killing 2". https://www.ky3.com. 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pokin, Steve (2022-03-25). "Four decades of destructive tornadoes in Springfield and Greene County". Springfield Daily Citizen. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "STORM DATA AND UNUSUAL WEATHER PHENOMENA WITH LATE REPORTS AND CORRECTIONS" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 9, 32. November 1991.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hoffman, Michael (2023-11-29). "Greene and Christian County, Mo., communities remember deadly tornado 32 years later". https://www.ky3.com. Retrieved 2026-08-17.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - 1 2 3 4 5 Archives, L. A. Times (1991-12-01). "Cleanup Begins After Deadly Tornado : Weather: Rare autumn storm kills 2 and injures 62 in Missouri. More than 200 homes are damaged as the twister hopscotches across subdivisions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "Tornado destroys 20 homes - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2026-08-21.