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Draft:2020 Bassfield-Soso tornado

Draft:2020 Bassfield-Soso tornado
  • Top: Satellite imagery of the scar left behind the Bassfield, Mississippi EF4 tornado.
  • Bottom: NEXRAD radar data of the EF4 tornado.
Meteorological history
FormedApril 12, 2020, 4:12 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
DissipatedApril 12, 2020, 5:28 pm. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration76 minutes
EF4 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds190 mph (310 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities7 (+1 indirect)
Injuries98 (+1 indirect)
Damage>$73.79 million (2020 USD)
Areas affectedJefferson Davis, Covington, Jones, Jasper, and Clarke counties.
Part of the 2020 Easter tornado outbreak and Tornadoes of 2020

Throughout the afternoon hours of April 12, 2020, an incredibly large and destructive tornado struck the cities and communities of Bassfield, Seminary, Collins, Soso, Moss, Heidelberg, and Pachuta, Mississippi, killing 8 people and injuring 99 others. The tornado was the second of three EF4s during the 2020 Easter tornado outbreak. The tornado reached peak intensity east-northeast of the town of Bassfield, leading the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi to assign a rating of high-end EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with maximum wind speeds estimated at 190 mph (310 km/h).

This tornado was the third violent tornado of the 2020 season and the second of four EF4s during the month of April.

Meteorological synopsis

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The first indications of organized severe weather came on April 8, when the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined 15% probabilities for severe weather within 25 mi (40 km) of a point from central Texas eastward into the Florida Panhandle and eastern Georgia valid for April 11–12.[1] These threat areas were later refined with the introduction of a day-3 moderate risk, the fourth of five threat levels, across northeastern Louisiana through central Alabama on April 10.[2] Historically, the SPC issues one day-3 moderate risk every year, and half of those over the previous decade were later upgraded to High risk, the highest threat level.[3] Over subsequent days, a significant mid-level shortwave trough progressed eastward across the United States. By the pre-dawn hours of April 12, mid-level cooling associated with the feature overspread the Edwards Plateau, Hill Country, and much of central Texas. Accordingly, an intense line of severe thunderstorms developed along a dry line while vigorous convective development formed farther east.[4] These thunderstorms were initially isolated in nature but soon coalesced into a mesoscale convective system as they encountered an enhanced corridor of warm air streaming northward, as well as very strong wind shear. These initial storms produced scattered weak tornadoes in Texas during the early stages of the outbreak.[5][6] This storm complex progressed across northern Louisiana through the late morning and early afternoon hours, and embedded circulations within the line began producing strong tornadoes, contributing to multiple tornado debris signatures visible on radar.[7] The first strong tornado as well as the first one to cause casualties was in Desoto Parish, where an EF2 tornado destroyed manufactured homes and damaged trees and homes, injuring two people. The first intense and notable tornado was an EF3 tornado that triggered a tornado emergency as it moved through downtown Monroe, and damaging or destroying numerous homes, but there were no casualties. To the north, a second EF3 tornado near Sterlington caused extensive tree damage.[8] In advance of the line, a lifting warm front aided in the formation of a very moist, highly unstable, and highly sheared environment across northeastern Louisiana and much of Mississippi.[9] Accordingly, the SPC issued a particularly dangerous situation tornado watch into the late evening hours.[10]

 
Severe damage to a grove of trees, including partial debarking, near Livingston, South Carolina, from an EF3 tornado on the morning of April 13.

A weather balloon launch from Jackson, Mississippi, at 18:00 UTC revealed the presence of a capping inversion across the region. This cap was expected to weaken across central Mississippi,[11] while forecasters expressed more uncertainty about its longevity across southern Mississippi and Louisiana.[12] As a small area of low pressure progressed across northwestern Mississippi, it caused surface winds to turn out of the east-southeast, enhancing the potential for tornadoes. As a cluster of storms across central Mississippi progressed toward the northeast, it began to reintensify and develop embedded supercell characteristics with an attendant threat of strong tornadoes.[13] Farther south, two distinct supercells developed within an environment where long-tracked, significant tornadoes were favored, both exhibiting extremely strong rotation and distinct debris signatures.[14] Based on previous storm structures in similar environments, the SPC remarked that "this is an exceptionally rare event" and estimated tornadic winds of 170–205 mph (274–330 km/h) on the first supercell, consistent with a tornado of EF4 or EF5 intensity.[15][16][17] After conducting damage surveys, meteorologists identified two violent tornadoes with the first supercell, one that killed four people and injured three others near Sartinville to southwest of Bassfield, and a second that killed eight people and injured 95 others from south of Bassfield to Pachuta, both of EF4 intensity. A long-tracked EF3 tornado was identified with the second supercell that tracked behind the first one, producing significant damage near Oak Vale and Carson, injuring two people. The first supercell also produced two other tornadoes after the second EF4 tornado dissipated, including an EF2 tornado that passed near Stonewall and Enterprise that destroyed a mobile home and heavily damaged a home and a church, and snapped numerous trees. The second supercell also produced a tornado, which was rated EF1, as it passed Enterprise. Both supercells then weakened and merged with a squall line after that.[18]

Throughout the evening hours, the severe weather and tornado risk shifted eastward into Alabama, as the initial cluster of severe storms with numerous embedded semi-discrete supercells and comma-head circulation moved across north-central Alabama, contributing to multiple strong tornadoes. This included a damaging rain wrapped EF2 tornado that struck a residential area at the southwestern outskirts of Boaz, injuring three people. Later, a high-end EF1 tornado caused major damage and three injuries in Carbon Hill.[19] This feature continued into northwestern Georgia, maintaining its well-defined structure in spite of a marginally unstable environment.[20] In the end, this complex produced 43 tornadoes alone, including nine rated EF2 and two rated EF3. A high-end EF2 tornado spawned by an isolated supercell thunderstorm ahead of the main complex carved a path northwest of Chatsworth, Georgia and through the small community of Sumac, killing eight people and injuring 24 others. While local enhancement of storm activity occurred within an extensive line of convection in central Alabama,[21] dewpoints rose in the wake of the earlier storm complex across northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee, further boosting instability values in the presence of extremely strong wind shear.[22] An EF3 tornado embedded within the main line of storms killed two people and injured 18 others in the eastern suburbs and neighborhoods of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The same storm also produced an EF2 tornado that damaged or destroyed numerous homes and mobile homes in eastern Cleveland, Tennessee, injuring six people.[23]

Initiation and first EF4 tornado

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The supercell that produced the Bassfield–Soso EF4 tornado initiated in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. It matured and continued northeast for a little over 180-mile (290 km), where the first tornado warning was issued for the supercell in Pike County, Mississippi. Though, no tornado was documented. The supercell continued further northeast for about 15-mile (24 km), where it then produced a very large, violent tornado in northeastern Walthall County, Mississippi, the first tornado from the supercell. The tornado continued northeast for 21.2-mile (34.1 km), before lifting in southwest Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi. The tornado was rated as a low-end EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with wind speeds estimated at 170 mph (270 km/h), reaching a peak width of 1,935 yards (1,769 m) along a 21.2-mile (34.1 km) path, remaining on the ground for 27 minutes.[24]

Tornado summary

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Jefferson Davis County

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Track and intensity of the EF4 tornado northeast of Bassfield.
Key
  EF0 65–85 mph
  EF1 86–110 mph
  EF2 111–135 mph
  EF3 136–165 mph
  EF4 166–190 mph
⎯ Center of the tornado
 
Extreme EF4-rated hardwood tree damage east of Bassfield.

Six minutes after the first EF4 tornado lifted far southwest of Bassfield, the same parent supercell thunderstorm produced another violent, long-tracked wedge tornado that touched down just south-southwest of the town in Jefferson Davis County at 4:12 p.m. CDT (21:12 UTC).[18] A tornado emergency remained in effect for Bassfield due to the first tornado, giving substantial warning as the second developed.[25] The first area of damage occurred along Bassfield Cemetery Road and Bass Road, where trees and tree limbs were downed at EF0 to EF1 intensity.[26] The tornado quickly intensified as it continued to the northeast and crossed Ray Hathorn Road and South Williamsburg Road, reaching EF2 strength as it snapped and uprooted numerous large trees. Mainly EF2 damage continued within the vicinity of MS 42 just southeast of Bassfield as multiple homes sustained partial to total roof loss, and a mobile home was rolled. A small area of low-end EF3 damage along Hosey Mikel Road, where a mobile home was obliterated and swept away, with little debris recovered. Northeast of this point, the tornado became violent and expanded to one mile (1.6 km) wide, as EF4-level tree damage began to occur along Pitts Lane and Reese Road. Every tree in this area was snapped or sustained severe debarking, and another mobile home was obliterated, with the damage to that structure rated EF3. A house farther away from the center of the path sustained severe roof damage as well. EF4 tree damage continued to the northeast through the intersection of Graves Key Road and Harper Road, and one tree was found with a metal mobile home frame wrapped around it. Four people were killed in this area at Mama D's, a small restaurant housed in a cinder-block building, was leveled and swept away, with the concrete slab foundation largely swept clean of debris. This structure was not well-anchored, and a high-end EF3 rating was applied to the restaurant. Cars in this area were thrown and mangled, and several homes sustained EF2 to EF3 damage, sustaining roof and exterior wall loss.[26]

Cantwell Mill

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High-end EF4 damage to a well-constructed, anchor-bolted cabin in the Cantwell Mill community.

The tornado then reached its peak strength as it tore through the rural community of Cantwell Mill, where a large, anchor-bolted cabin was completely swept away and reduced to a bare slab, with little debris recovered. While this structure was well-anchored, surveyors noted some minor structural defects including lack of external sheathing and flawed stud-to-sill plate nailing, while trees in the immediate vicinity sustained only partial debarking and no significant ground scouring occurred. It was also noted that a vehicle likely impacted the structure as the tornado struck. Due to these limiting factors, a high-end EF4 rating was applied as a result. A truck was lofted from this location and thrown 300 yards (270 m) into a field as well, leaving it mangled beyond recognition. Extreme EF4-level tree damage continued to the northeast, along Willie Fortenberry Road, Davis Road, and Kings Road as entire groves of large trees were mowed down and completely stripped clean of all bark, livestock was killed, and vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and destroyed. A few homes farther away from the center of the path sustained EF2 to EF3 damage, with their roofs ripped off and exterior walls collapsed.[26]

Covington County

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Track and intensity map of the EF4 tornado west of Seminary. The tornado was at its peak width here, at 2.25 miles (3.62 km) wide
Key
  EF0 65–85 mph
  EF1 86–110 mph
  EF2 111–135 mph
  EF3 136–165 mph
  EF4 166–190 mph
⎯ Center of the tornado

The massive tornado continued to grow in size as it entered Covington County, reaching its peak width of 2.25 miles (3.62 km) west of Seminary. An entire forest was leveled with significant debarking to some trees, while thousands to millions of other trees were damaged.[18] Multiple vortices and an intense core were evident in the damage path, approximately 23–30 chicken houses were completely destroyed, and farmers reported that 60 cattle were killed. A manufactured home was obliterated, frame homes had roofs ripped off and exterior walls collapsed, and multiple vehicles were thrown and rolled along this segment of the path, and most of the damage was rated EF3. However, one small pocket of low-end EF4 damage occurred along Cold Springs Road, where a well-built brick house was almost entirely leveled.[18] A tornado emergency was extended east-northeast downwind of the storm for Seminary and Collins, Mississippi; one of several issued for the storm.[25] The Storm Prediction Center issued a mesoscale discussion stating that a tornado with winds of 170–205 mph (274–330 km/h) was likely ongoing, and that it was an 'exceptionally rare event'.[27] The tornado then narrowed to 1.7 miles (2.7 km), but continued to produce EF3 damage as it crossed US 49 to the north-northwest of Seminary. Numerous trees were snapped and partially debarked, and two homes sustained collapse of their exterior walls in this area, while two others had much of their roofs ripped off.

Jones and Jasper Counties

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The front half of the First Baptist Church in Moss, destroyed at low-end EF4 intensity.

EF2 to EF3 damage continued as the tornado moved through rural areas to the northeast of Seminary, moving into Jones County and crossing US 84. Damage along this portion of the path consisted of mobile homes, metal buildings, outbuildings, and poultry barns destroyed, along with frame homes sustaining roof and exterior wall loss. Massive tree damage continued to occur, with large swaths of trees snapped, denuded, and partially debarked.[26] The tornado then moved through the small town of Soso, damaging or destroying multiple homes, some churches, and the local fire department building. Numerous trees were snapped throughout town, and several mobile homes were destroyed. Most of the damage in Soso was rated EF3, though a small area of low-end EF4 damage occurred along MS 28, where a well-built concrete block convenience store was completely leveled.[18] The tornado weakened to EF2 intensity as it continued to the northeast of Soso, where more trees were downed, and numerous mobile homes were destroyed. Metal buildings were damaged, and outbuildings were destroyed as well. A house along Matthews Road had much of its roof torn off, and a nearby vehicle was rolled down a hill and badly mangled. After crossing MS 15 and entering Jasper County, the tornado intensified back to low-end EF4 intensity as it struck the community of Moss, where nearly every structure in town was damaged and numerous homes were destroyed. Several of these homes were flattened with only piles of rubble remaining, and one was left with only a single concrete closet standing. Half of the First Baptist Church was leveled, and a pickup truck was thrown hundreds of yards and completely destroyed. Continuing northeast of Moss, the tornado began to weaken, producing EF1 to EF2 damage. Several homes and mobile homes had metal roofing peeled back or decking exposed. Large swaths of trees were snapped for several miles, including some along I-59 between the Heidelberg and Vossburg exits. Barns and outbuildings were destroyed along this segment of the path, and some power poles were snapped. Northeast of Vossburg, the tornado weakened further, inflicting EF1 damage to trees and a mobile home.

Dissipation in Clarke County

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EF1 damage continued as the tornado crossed into Clarke County, where the tornadic circulation began to occlude as a new circulation produced an EF2 tornado to its east. This tornado then struck the town of Pachuta. Damage in Pachuta consisted of trees downed and minor roof damage. After causing some additional minor EF0 tree limb damage north-northeast of Pachuta, the tornado finally dissipated at County Road 320 at 5:28 p.m. CDT (22:28 UTC).[18][26]

Aftermath

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The tornado was rated as a high-end EF4 with wind speeds estimated at 190 mph (310 km/h), reaching a peak width of 3,960 yards (3,620 m) along a 68.90-mile (110.88 km) path, remaining on the ground for 76 minutes. Eight people were killed, and ninety-nine others were injured. Later on, the same supercell produced a high-end EF2 tornado east of Pachuta, Mississippi. A few homes and a church sustained severe damage. A few other weaker tornadoes would touch down as well, none causing significant damage.[24] The tornado was estimated by the NWS to have been 3,960 yards (3,620 m) or 2.25 miles (3.62 km) wide, making it the widest tornado in Mississippi state history, and the fourth-widest in recorded history, surpassing the May 4, 2007, EF3 tornado associated with the Greensburg tornado family and just behind the 2004 Hallam tornado, the 2016 Jiangsu tornado, and the 2013 El Reno tornado. A total of eight fatalities and at least 95 injuries occurred along the path.[28][29] The tornado was also long-tracked, with a path length of 67.43 mi (108.52 km). Damage was severe to the point the path of the tornado could be seen from satellite imagery.[30] The tornado was given a high-end EF4 rating with estimated winds of 190 mph (310 km/h).[18] Debris from the tornado was carried considerable distances, with a photo from a destroyed home in Moss being found 121 miles (195 km) away in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while another one was lofted and carried 176 miles (283 km) from south of Collins, Mississippi to Randolph, Alabama.[31][32] The path of the tornado also mirrored that of a long-tracked F3 tornado that killed two and injured 19 on April 21, 1951.[33][34]

In 2023, tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis published that this tornado was a "minimal EF4, based on tree damage...millions of trees were destroyed".[35] Grazulis also published that the width of the tornado was 2,000 yards (1,800 m; 1.1 mi; 1.8 km), not close to the National Weather Service width of 2.25 miles (3.62 km).[35]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2020 Bassfield-Soso tornado.

References

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  1. ^ Andy Dean; Greg Dial. "Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 8, 2020". Storm Prediction Center.
  2. ^ Andy Dean; Greg Dial. "Storm Prediction Center Apr 10, 2020 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook". Storm Prediction Center.
  3. ^ Matthew Cappucci (April 10, 2020). "Severe weather likely in South on Easter weekend, including powerful tornadoes". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Brynn Kerr; Rich Thompson (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 345". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Brynn Kerr (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 346". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Brynn Kerr (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 348". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Aaron Gleason (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 351". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "Eleven Tornadoes Confirmed in April 12th Event". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Aaron Gleason; Jeremy Grams (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 350". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Jeremy Grams (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center PDS Tornado Watch 106". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Aaron Gleason (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 357". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Jeremy Grams; Aaron Gleason (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 353". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Aaron Gleason (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 355". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Nick Nauslar; John Hart (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 362". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference SPC MD 360 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 368". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 369". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g "2020 Easter Sunday Outbreak". ArcGIS StoryMaps. National Weather Service Jackson MS. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  19. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Mesoscale Discussion Number 363". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  20. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Mesoscale Discussion Number 369". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  21. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Mesoscale Discussion Number 371". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  22. ^ Steve Goss (April 12, 2020). "Mesoscale Discussion Number 373". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  23. ^ Cite error: The named reference tn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ a b Branches of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Weather Service; National Severe Storms Laboratory (2024). "Damage Assessment Toolkit". DAT. United States Department of Commerce.
  25. ^ a b "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Iowa State University. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  26. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference dmgview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ M.Ed, Bryan Schuerman (April 12, 2020). "Update: @NWSSPC has chimed in with those two supercell thunderstorms that has tornadoes on them, one of them being extremely violent... saying this is an EF-4 to EF-5 tornado, calling it an exceptionally rare event... #MSWX pic.twitter.com/PAloI1h9FX". @BSchuermanWX. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  28. ^ "More Than Two-Mile-Wide Mississippi Easter Tornado, One of Largest Ever Documented in U.S., Was State's Widest on Record". The Weather Channel. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  29. ^ Michaels, Chris (April 17, 2020). "Mississippi tornado becomes third-widest on record, according to the National Weather Service". WSLS. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  30. ^ "Satellite Images Show the Scar From Long-Track EF4 Mississippi Tornado on Easter Sunday". The Weather Channel. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  31. ^ Spann, James (April 14, 2020). "This picture has been identified. It was lofted by an EF-4 at Moss, Mississippi. Traveled 121 miles to Tuscaloosa County Alabama. One of those that lived in the home is in critical condition". @spann. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  32. ^ Spann, James (April 14, 2020). "This photo was found by Michelle Gewalt at Randolph, AL. The bride in the picture is Heather Lail. It was at a family member's home in Collins, MS, hit by an EF-4 tornado Sunday. The pic was in a container in a shed that is no longer there; it was lofted and carried 176 miles". @spann. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  33. ^ "NCDC Storm Events Database Item 10047279". National Climatic Data Center. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  34. ^ "NCDC Storm Events Database Item 10047280". National Climatic Data Center. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  35. ^ a b Grazulis, Thomas P. (2023). Significant Tornadoes 1974–2022. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project. p. 593. ISBN 978-1-879362-01-7.
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