| Tornado outbreak sequence of April 4–7, 2022 | |
| Active: | April 4–7, 2022 |
| Highest Winds: | Tornadic – (Black Creek, Georgia EF4 on April 5) Non-tornadic – 100mph (Whitehouse, Texas downburst on April 5) |
| Fujitascale: | EF4 |
| Enhanced: | yes |
| Tornado Duration: | 55 hours, 19 minutes |
| Tornadoes: | 89 |
| Hail: | 2.75inches in multiple locations |
| Total Damages (Usd): | $1.3 billion (2022 USD)[1] |
| Fatalities: | 1 (+2 non-tornadic),[2] [3] 17+ injuries |
| Season: | tornado outbreaks of 2022 |
From April 4–5, 2022, a mesoscale convective system and numerous discrete supercells produced a swath of severe weather and several tornadoes in the Southeastern United States, including several strong, long tracked tornadoes. An EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed several homes in Bonaire, Georgia while a large EF3 tornado prompted a tornado emergency for Allendale and Sycamore, South Carolina. A violent EF4 tornado in Black Creek, Georgia resulted in one fatality as it destroyed several neighborhoods, and another large EF3 tornado caused widespread heavy tree damage northeast of Ulmer, South Carolina. More severe storms occurred across a large portion of the Southeast ahead of a cold front on April 6–7, with more tornadoes reported in South and Central Georgia and further south into Florida, all of which were weak. Along with the one tornadic death, trees felled by straight-line winds killed one person each in Louisiana and Texas.[3]
For the third time in a three-week period, environmental conditions across the Southeastern United States became favorable for a widespread severe weather and tornado outbreak during the early days of April.[4] For days, forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center advertised the eastward progression of a broad upper-level trough into the South Plains region. As this occurred, they forecasted the development of an area of low pressure in northwestern Texas along a stalled front.[5] To the south of this northward-propagating boundary, surface temperatures rose to around 80F while rapidly-cooling air aloft led to the development of 1,500–2,000 J/kg mid-level convective available potential energy (CAPE). With modest advection of warm air and an eroding capping inversion, widespread convective development overspread northwestern Texas and southwestern Oklahoma, with a primary risk of very large hail and damaging wind gusts.[6] [7] Farther southeast in the vicinity of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, forecasters warned of the potential for a higher tornadic threat given an approaching shortwave trough, better northward transport of moisture, and a strengthening of low-level wind fields.[8] [9] A long-lived embedded supercell developed south of the metroplex, producing multiple tornadoes. One of tornadoes reached EF2 intensity near Egan, causing severe damage and injuring one person. Otherwise, widespread convective activity congealed into a southeast-moving mesoscale convective system across eastern Texas and Louisiana through the overnight hours,[10] where the SPC had placed an level 3 Enhanced risk for the threat of damaging winds. Dozens of severe wind gusts were recorded.[5]
Into the morning hours, the progressive squall line lost some of its intensity as it moved across the Ark-La-Tex region. However, with increasing wind fields and deeply moist dew points above 70F, the SPC anticipated re-intensification of this feature through the afternoon, plus an attendant risk for discrete supercells in advance of the line. Accordingly, they yet again outlined a level 3/Enhanced risk of severe weather, including a more substantial threat for tornadoes, some EF2 or stronger, from the Mississippi–Alabama border eastward to the coastal border of Georgia and South Carolina.[11] Despite only modest mid-level cooling, the environment became increasingly unstable as temperatures warmed in excess of 70F, resulting in mid-level CAPE into the 500–1,500 J/kg range. A bowing complex evolved across southern Alabama into Georgia while leading supercells evolved in advance of the line,[12] [13] resulting in widespread damaging winds and numerous tornadoes, including multiple strong tornadoes.[14] One high-end EF3 tornado embedded within the line destroyed multiple homes in Bonaire, Georgia, causing an injury. Farther northeast across South Carolina, a south-southwesterly low-level jet up to 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on overspread an unstable and moist environment, leading to the concern for supercells capable of producing strong tornadoes.[15] Indeed, multiple discrete storms developed ahead of the advancing squall line in the warm sector across eastern Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry.[16] [17] These cells quickly intensified as they overspread the region, and produced multiple significant tornadoes, including multiple long-track, strong wedge tornadoes. A low-end EF3 tornado prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency for Allendale, South Carolina,[18] while a violent EF4 tornado destroyed numerous homes and caused a fatality in Black Creek, Georgia. A high-end EF3 tornado then touched down in Allendale County near Ulmer a few hours later, before continuing into Bamberg and Orangeburg counties, causing substantial tree damage along its path. An EF2 tornado also inflicted heavy damage along in the western, northwestern, and northern parts of Manning, South Carolina. By the evening hours, these cells began to merge with the progressive squall line as it shifted into a more stable air mass and approached the Atlantic coastline.[19]
After the previous days' storms advanced into the Atlantic Ocean, a new severe weather system developed over many of the same areas in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Remnants of storms from the previous day gave way for abundant moisture overspreading the area. This, combined with the presence of upper 60s F dew points and CAPE values of 2000-3000 J/kg, created a highly unstable atmosphere, conductive for severe weather. Given the favorable parameters for severe weather, the Storm Prediction Center issued a large Enhanced risk area, encompassing areas centered around Georgia, central and northeastern portions of Alabama, eastern Tennessee, extreme western North Carolina, and southern South Carolina. The outlook highlighted the high probabilities of damaging wind gusts to be the primary threat of the event, but a 10%, unhatched corridor for tornadoes was also situated along central Georgia.[20]
As the evening advanced, destabilization in the area kept growing, and a long chain of thunderstorms developed along a corridor in central and southern Georgia. As such, the SPC issued a large tornado watch for central counties in Georgia, discussing the moderate possibilities for tornadoes to develop, but strong tornadoes were not thought to be likely.[21] As this line segmented on the early evening, multiple supercell thunderstorms developed and matured on the area as they entered the favorable environment in central Georgia. As such, multiple tornadoes developed as a result. An EF1 tornado that developed in Lee County was documented by multiple storm chasers as it caused damage near the town of Cordele. Multiple other weak tornadoes were reported from these supercells along with numerous reports of damaging winds. More severe storms formed in Florida and the Eastern Carolinas during the afternoon of April 7, but no tornadoes were reported. The severe threat ended after the storms either moved offshore or weakened below severe limits.[22]
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | E of Wauchula | Hardee | FL | 23:46–23:47 | 0.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Law enforcement relayed video of a small, short-lived rope tornado. Power lines were reported down in the area.[23] | |
| EF1 | Blue Ridge | Collin | TX | 02:32–02:36 | 0.28abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 188abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado ripped a large section of metal roofing from two small workshop and farm outbuildings. Wooden roof panels were ripped from a small barn, and the walls of another metal outbuilding were collapsed. Multiple homes in Blue Ridge sustained roof damage, including one that suffered severe damage to its roof and roof decking. The metal roof canopy of a car wash and a few trees were damaged as well.[24] | |
| EF2 | NW of Joshua to E of Egan | Johnson | TX | 03:41–03:54 | 9.72abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado moved through both Joshua and Egan, with the most significant damage occurring in the latter community. One home near Egan sustained heavy damage, losing most of its roof, and a few manufactured homes were damaged, along with several metal buildings at a business. Many trees were downed as well. One person was injured.[25] | |
| EF0 | N of Keene | Johnson | TX | 03:49–03:53 | 1.68abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A small tornado downed trees and caused minor roof damage.[26] | |
| EF0 | N of Alvarado | Johnson | TX | 03:58–04:06 | 4.87abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Roofs, outbuildings, animal homes, and trees all sustained minor damage.[27] | |
| EF0 | N of Venus | Johnson | TX | 04:06–04:10 | 2.82abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado damaged the roofs and awnings of two residences, along with nearby outbuildings. Trees were downed as well.[28] | |
| EF0 | WSW of Midlothian | Ellis | TX | 04:13–04:15 | 1.44abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Homes sustained roof damaged, and trees were downed.[29] | |
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | NW of Downsville | Lincoln, Union | LA | 08:45–08:49 | 5.09abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Tin roofing was torn off a metal barn, and numerous trees were downed.[30] [31] | ||
| EF1 | S of Pulaski | Scott | MS | 11:46–11:57 | 7.59abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were downed in the Bienville National Forest, with a couple falling on a carport and an RV.[32] | ||
| EF1 | SSE of Forest | Scott | MS | 12:00–12:06 | 4.67abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees and several power lines were downed in the Bienville National Forest, and outbuildings sustained roof damage.[33] | ||
| EF1 | N of Prentiss | Jefferson Davis | MS | 12:06–12:10 | 3.06abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A majority of the metal roofing was ripped from a manufactured home and a small shed, and another manufactured home suffered partial roof removal. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as well.[34] | ||
| EF1 | S of Lake | Scott, Newton | MS | 12:09–12:12 | 2.14abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Doors on a farm building were damaged, and several trees were downed.[35] [36] | ||
| EF2 | NNE of Prentiss to NW of Collins | Jefferson Davis, Covington | MS | 12:09–12:26 | 14.76abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One home lost a portion of its roof and its porch awning, while a nearby detached structure sustained significant roof damage, with debris strewn into a nearby field. Power poles and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted, and one tree fell onto a mobile home. Several other homes, mobile homes, and a barn sustained roof and siding damage.[37] [38] | ||
| EF1 | Lawrence to Newton | Newton | MS | 12:16–12:21 | 4.03abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado touched down in Lawrence, where a shed was damaged, and trees were downed. Between Lawrence and Newton, more trees were downed, a shed was destroyed, and another building was heavily damaged. A home sustained roof damage, and a fence was damaged in Newton before the tornado dissipated.[39] | ||
| EF1 | NW of Collins to NW of Ellisville | Covington, Jones | MS | 12:22–12:42 | 16.52abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 440abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A couple homes sustained significant roof damage, and trees were downed.[40] [41] | ||
| EF1 | SE of Ellisville to WSW of Strengthford | Jones | MS | 12:56–13:07 | 8.56abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A shed and a metal barn were damaged, power lines were downed, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted before the tornado dissipated in the De Soto National Forest.[42] | ||
| EF1 | NW of Shubuta | Clarke | MS | 13:06–13:09 | 2.87abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A partially-built house was collapsed, the roof of a manufactured home was damaged, one shed was demolished, and a second shed was blown away. Another house had tin roofing peeled off, and a utility pole fell onto another home. Trees were snapped or uprooted as well.[43] | ||
| EF2 | S of Whistler | Wayne | MS | 13:14–13:18 | 2.21abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A strong tornado caused significant deforestation in a wooded area, with numerous large trees snapped near their bases.[44] | ||
| EF0 | Whynot | Lauderdale | MS | 13:18–13:22 | 2.55abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[45] | ||
| EF1 | SE of Whistler | Wayne | MS | 13:19–13:22 | 2.56abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, including by a potential satellite tornado. A couple homes sustained minor roof damage. A carport was lofted about 40feet into a tree.[46] | ||
| EF1 | N of Denham | Wayne | MS | 13:36–13:37 | 0.29abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado snapped or uprooted numerous trees, several of which fell on a home and caused damage.[47] | ||
| EF2 | NNE of Bladon Springs to W of McEntyre | Choctaw, Clarke | AL | 14:03–14:14 | 9.46abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 800abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A large multiple-vortex tornado mowed down countless trees in forested areas, in addition to inflicting minor to moderate roof damage to homes.[48] In November 2023, this tornado was reanalyzed and had its width adjusted due to an additional area of snapped trees noted on Worldview satellite imagery.[49] | ||
| EF1 | NNE of Coffeeville | Clarke | AL | 14:10–14:13 | 1.83abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief satellite tornado moved around the southern periphery of the previous EF2 tornado. It snapped or uprooted trees and ripped significant portions of roofing and siding from a barn.[50] | ||
| EF1 | E of Beatrice | Monroe | AL | 15:10–15:13 | 1.52abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[51] | ||
| EF2 | E of Wetumpka | Elmore | AL | 15:54–16:00 | 4.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 900abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Significant tree damage was observed in a forested area, where a large swath of trees was completely flattened.[52] | ||
| EF2 | N of Petrey (1st tornado) | Crenshaw | AL | 15:56–15:59 | 1.34abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief but strong tornado snapped a large swath of trees and destroyed a chicken house. The roof of a church was damaged as well.[53] | ||
| EF2 | NE of Petrey to SE of Pine Level | Pike, Montgomery | AL | 16:03–16:18 | 12.68abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted by this large tornado, including one that fell on a house, and some other homes suffered minor roof damage. A manufactured home was shifted off its foundation, a guyed transmission tower was toppled, and a metal barn was destroyed as well.[54] [55] | ||
| EF0 | SE of Eclectic to Burlington | Elmore | AL | 16:06–16:13 | 5.31abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were downed, some of which caused structural damage. A few homes sustained minor roof, soffit, and fascia damage directly from winds, and a carport was blown off a home before the tornado dissipated in Burlington.[56] | ||
| EF1 | N of Franklin | Macon | AL | 16:19–16:24 | 4.35abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[57] | ||
| EFU | N of Petrey (2nd tornado) | Crenshaw | AL | 16:20–16:21 | 0.43abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado touched down near the starting point of the first Petrey tornado, making the damage indistinguishable from the earlier tornado. The tornado was confirmed via data from the NOAA PERiLs field campaign, sentinel satellite imagery, and third-party pressure data. The path width, path length, and specific damage were inconclusive, and no rating could be determined.[58] | ||
| EF0 | NNE of Tallassee | Tallapoosa | AL | 16:22–16:25 | 1.75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 110abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were downed, a few of which resulted in structural damage.[59] | ||
| EF1 | N of Orion to ESE of China Grove | Montgomery, Pike | AL | 16:34–16:45 | 7.56abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 550abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A few homes sustained minor roof and siding damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[60] [61] | ||
| EF0 | WSW of Lafayette | Chambers | AL | 16:45–16:46 | 0.44abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | An outbuilding was damaged, and a few trees were snapped or uprooted.[62] | ||
| EF1 | SW of Union Springs | Bullock | AL | 16:50–16:52 | 1.58abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[63] | ||
| EF1 | N of Eufaula | Barbour | AL | 17:38–17:40 | 1.54abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado moved through forested land, snapping or uprooted trees. One large tree fell on a house, rendering it uninhabitable.[64] | ||
| EF1 | NNE of Cusseta | Chattahoochee | GA | 18:04–18:09 | 6.72abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado began on the east side of Fort Benning, snapping or uprooting trees.[65] | ||
| EF0 | NW of Headland | Henry | AL | 18:24-18:27 | 2.77abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A few trees were downed.[66] | ||
| EF1 | N of Mauk | Taylor | GA | 18:29–18:35 | 3.04abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped or uprooted, a chicken house was almost completely destroyed, a barn was completely collapsed, and homes were damaged by either winds damaging the roof or trees falling on them. A narrow path of intense ground scouring was found in an open field, where large clumps of grass and sod were pulled up.[67] | ||
| EF0 | W of Malvern to Rehobeth | Geneva, Houston | AL | 18:38–18:47 | 6.84abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A weak tornado moved through Malvern, displacing the stairway of one home about 5feet and removing roof material from an adjacent manufactured home. The wall of another manufactured home was impaled by a wooden projectile. A few outbuildings were damaged and large trees were snapped or uprooted, two of which fell onto homes.[68] [69] | ||
| EF1 | N of Malvern | Geneva | AL | 18:39–18:40 | 0.19abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This very brief tornado touched down in a field and caused crop damage. It then destroyed a well-built carport, pulling anchor bolts from concrete and lag bolts from wooden posts. The tornado occurred simultaneously with the previous tornado.[70] | ||
| EF1 | NE of Butler | Taylor | GA | 18:50–18:59 | 7.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The same storm that produced the first EF1 tornado in Taylor County cycled and produced this tornado. Trees were snapped or uprooted, and a mill sustained roof damage.[71] | ||
| EF0 | Cowarts | Houston | AL | 18:53–18:54 | 0.07abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This very brief tornado downed several trees in Cowarts, a couple of which fell onto the side of a home and on top of a car. A few outbuildings sustained roof damage as well.[72] | ||
| EF1 | Fountainville to NE of Montezuma | Macon | GA | 19:01–19:24 | 17.33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and several buildings at the Whitewater Creek Park were damaged. A Tyson Foods plant and a nearby manufactured home both sustained minor damage, and a small outbuilding was destroyed.[73] | ||
| EF1 | SW of Roberta to ENE of Knoxville | Crawford | GA | 19:07–19:19 | 8.83abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Near the beginning of the path, two barns were destroyed, a third was severely damaged, and a house sustained significant roof and window damage. On the southwest side of Roberta, two other homes sustained roof and siding damage, a shed was flipped onto its roof, and a car was crushed by a falling tree. Elsewhere, several more homes sustained minor roof damage. Many trees were downed along the path.[74] | ||
| EF1 | S of Cuba | Early, Miller | GA | 19:15–19:21 | 7.14abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and a house sustained damage to its roof.[75] | ||
| EF1 | N of Cuba | Early | GA | 19:15–19:21 | 4.94abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped or uprooted, and a few homes sustained roof damage.[76] | ||
| EF2 | E of Byromville | Dooly | GA | 19:26–19:33 | 5.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Five large, anchored grain bins were destroyed, with 4feet concrete anchors being ripped out of the ground and a 6inches steel beam attached to one of the anchors being bent. Some steel paneling from the bins was thrown up to a half mile away. A mesonet station run by the University of Georgia was hit by the tornado, damaging the station. However, the station continued to measure wind and pressure readings, recording a wind gust of 129.3mph. Adjacent to the station, a semi-trailer was ripped from its rig and thrown 30feet. Further to the east, at least six irrigation towers were rolled, and a few barns and outbuildings were destroyed. A house sustained roof damage before the tornado dissipated just northwest of Pinehurst. Many trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[77] | ||
| EF1 | Northwestern Macon | Bibb | GA | 19:33–19:36 | 2.02abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado touched down north of Payne in the northwestern part of Macon. A church steeple was heavily damaged, several houses sustained mostly minor roof damage, and trees were snapped or uprooted.[78] | ||
| EF3 | Bonaire | Houston | GA | 19:49–19:56 | 3.89abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 820abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Two large high-tension electrical transmission towers were destroyed, and a large concrete power pole was snapped near the base by this high-end EF3 tornado. Multiple homes in Bonaire were significantly damaged, with one being completely destroyed and another losing large sections of its roof and second story. Other homes sustained minor to moderate damage, and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted as well. One person sustained minor injuries.[79] | ||
| EF3 | SW of Allendale to NE of Sycamore | Allendale | SC | 19:50–20:10 | 13.28abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1000abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A low-end EF3 wedge tornado, which prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency, touched down southwest of Allendale and moved through rural areas towards town, quickly reaching peak intensity and obliterating a couple of anchored mobile homes, scattering their debris across fields and into trees. The metal frame of one of the mobile homes was thrown a considerable distance and one person was injured in this area. The tornado then weakened but remained strong as continued to move northeastward, snapping trees and downing power lines. As it crossed US 278 at the southeast edge of Allendale, it destroyed a block and steel-construction warehouse and knocked over a large fiberglass tank. The tornado then weakened further as it moved through Sycamore, downing trees, causing minor structural damage, and overturning a pivot irrigation sprinkler before dissipating to the northeast of town. Numerous large trees were snapped and denuded along the path, and power poles were snapped as well.[80] [81] | ||
| EF0 | N of Newton | Baker | GA | 19:51-19:52 | 0.64abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A trained spotter reported a tornado with trees snapped in the area.[82] | ||
| EF0 | WNW of Milledgeville | Baldwin | GA | 20:01–20:03 | 1.69abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Over 100 trees were snapped or uprooted.[83] | ||
| EF1 | S of Jeffersonville to NW of Nicklesville | Twiggs, Wilkinson | GA | 20:11–20:22 | 12.35abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A high-end EF1 tornado caused significant damage to several homes, including one that had its attached garage destroyed, and another that sustained collapse of its chimney and roof, with a significant amount of it roof covering removed. A manufactured home was also shifted and heavily damaged, and many trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[84] [85] | ||
| EF1 | NW of Sale City | Mitchell, Colquitt | GA | 20:12–20:19 | 8.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado uplifted and destroyed a carport, moved a small house off its foundation, and snapped or uprooted many trees.[86] | ||
| EF1 | SE of Cochran to SW of Chester | Bleckley, Dodge | GA | 20:14–20:23 | 7.62abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 125abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The second story of a frail home was removed, another home sustained roof and carport damage, and several trees were snapped or uprooted.[87] [88] | ||
| EF1 | W of Ehrhardt | Bamberg | SC | 20:18–20:27 | 3.73abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado destroyed a shed, blew the roof and walls off another shed, and removed a portion of the tin roof from a house. Multiple vehicles and a small tractor were spun and shifted, shingles and siding were ripped off of a second house, and many large trees were snapped or uprooted.[89] | ||
| EF0 | S of Abbeville | Wilcox, Dodge | GA | 20:20–20:29 | 9.38abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One manufactured home was destroyed and another was overturned. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted. Multiple campers at a hunting camp were damaged or destroyed. Numerous trees were uprooted, some of which fell on buildings.[90] [91] | ||
| EF1 < | -- Based on previous PNS and entry narrative, the times listed in NCEI are wrong --> | N of Chester | Bleckley, Laurens | GA | 20:30–20:33 | 1.78abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. This tornado formed shortly after the Bleckley/Dodge County EF1 tornado dissipated.[92] [93] | |
| EF0 | NE of Ehrhardt | Bamberg | SC | 20:39–20:41 | 2.35abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were downed sporadically along the path.[94] | ||
| EF0 | E of Branchville | Orangeburg | SC | 20:53–20:55 | 0.99abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado touched down on the athletic fields adjacent to Branchville High School, removing the metal roof from an equipment shed, ripping fencing from the baseball field backstop, and displacing bleachers. Portions of a roof were ripped from a structure as well.[95] | ||
| EF0 | SW of Bowman | Orangeburg | SC | 21:07–21:09 | 0.76abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A farm equipment storage barn had portions of its tin exterior removed. An unanchored helicopter was shifted more than 90 degrees, and six acres of panels were damaged at a solar farm.[96] | ||
| EF0 | NNE of Soperton | Treutlen | GA | 21:10–21:13 | 0.88abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were snapped or uprooted.[97] | ||
| EF1 | NE of Soperton | Treutlen | GA | 21:17–21:18 | 0.78abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed as a result of this high-end EF1 tornado, and two homes were damaged, both of which had their carports torn off, which resulted in partial roof loss. Sheet metal debris from structures was scattered for hundreds of yards. A double-wide mobile home was moved off its foundation and had significant siding and shingle loss, and over 100 trees were snapped or uprooted. More outbuildings were damaged before the tornado dissipated just west of the confluence of the Ohoopee and Little Ohoopee rivers.[98] | ||
| EF4 | Pembroke to SE of Blitchton | Bryan | GA | 21:18–21:33 | 14.39abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1 death – See article on this tornado – Twelve people were injured.[99] | ||
| EF1 | Swainsboro | Emanuel | GA | 21:22–21:27 | 6.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several businesses in town had a large amount of tin roofing blown off and into streets, a few signs were blown down, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[100] | ||
| EF0 | NNE of Wesley | Emanuel | GA | 21:27–21:28 | 0.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado caused minor roof damage to a home and snapped a few trees.[101] | ||
| EF2 | SE of Batesburg-Leesville | Aiken, Lexington | SC | 21:35–21:47 | 5.68abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A significant tornado caused damage to three homes, including a frame home that lost a portion of its metal roof, and another home that was pushed partially off its foundation, causing some of the supporting piers to collapse and causing the house to buckle along its side and rear walls. One injury occurred inside as the roof partially collapsed. A third home had some of its wooden siding torn off, while power lines were downed, numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted, and a small metal shed was destroyed. A rusted antique car was moved about 50feet, while an adjacent car engine was tossed about 35feet.[102] [103] | ||
| EF3 | Northwestern Ulmer to NW of Bowman | Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg | SC | 22:03–22:53 | 34.49abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This strong tornado touched down on a farm at the northwestern edge of Ulmer, throwing a grain silo, flipping or tossing farm vehicles and equipment, and downing trees. As the tornado moved northeastward away from Ulmer, it rapidly intensified, causing massive tree damage. Large areas of forest were completely mowed down, with some debarking noted and every tree in the direct path being snapped at the base in the worst affected areas. High-end EF3 vegetation damage occurred along the edge of a pond, where extensive ground scouring was observed, while low-lying shrubbery and small trees were completely shredded and debarked. The tornado weakened some but remained strong as it moved through rural areas to the east of US 301, where a mobile home was completely destroyed, and a frame home was unroofed and sustained partial collapse of exterior walls. Several other homes and mobile homes sustained less severe roof, siding, and window damage in this area as well. A few outbuildings were destroyed, and a large metal grain silo was thrown 150yd. The tornado weakened further as passed to the southeast of Bamberg, causing minor to moderate tree damage and overturning some irrigation pivot sprinklers as it continued to the northeast before lifting near the town of Bowman.[104] [105] [106] | ||
| EF1 | NNW of Ulmer | Allendale | SC | 22:03–22:05 | 1.29abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped and uprooted.[107] | ||
| EF0 | Eastern Varnville | Hampton | SC | 22:20–22:24 | 1.74abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A weak tornado impacted the eastern edge of Varnville, snapping and uprooting several trees. A home sustained minor roof damage, utility trailers were overturned, and a small grain bin was thrown.[108] | ||
| EF1 | Gaston to NW of Sandy Run | Lexington, Calhoun | SC | 22:20–22:29 | 5.85abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The tornado touched down in Gaston, where a highway speed sign was damaged and tree branches were snapped. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted elsewhere along the path, and a few outbuildings were damaged.[109] [110] | ||
| EF0 | E of St. George to E of Harleyville | Dorchester | SC | 23:12–23:19 | 5.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were downed sporadically by this weak tornado.[111] | ||
| EF2 | Manning | Clarendon | SC | 23:38–23:42 | 2.76abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 140abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Beginning in the western part of Manning, this low-end EF2 tornado peeled back a large portion of the roof of a building, destroyed a playset, and bent a metal basketball hoop post. It moved through the northwestern part of town, impacting a Walmart, where a truck in the parking lot was flipped, two rooftop HVAC units were shifted approximately 15feet, and roof trusses were bent. Several homes sustained mostly minor roof damage, although a few homes had more extensive damage. One well-built home sustained destruction of its attached garage, with the walls blown out and roof torn off, which had been attached with hurricane clips. Two parked vehicles were shifted several feet, and another home had considerable damage to its siding, windows, and garage doors. The tornado overturned a trailer at a business before dissipating. Numerous trees were downed along the path, including some large hardwood trees that were snapped.[112] | ||
| EF1 | NE of Brittons Neck | Marion, Horry | SC | 23:51–23:57 | 5.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several homes and other buildings sustained minor damage, part of a shed roof was blown off into a vehicle, and several trees were downed.[113] [114] | ||
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | ESE of Leslie | Lee, Sumter | GA | 19:29–19:38 | 3.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado was caught on video by multiple storm chasers. Numerous trees were downed, and homes sustained roof damage south of Cobb.[115] [116] | |
| EF0 | Palm Beach Gardens | Palm Beach | FL | 21:23–21:31 | 0.55abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Mostly trees and tree limbs were damaged, although more isolated damage to light poles, awnings, and buildings also occurred. A 78mph wind gust was reported at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School as the tornado passed in front of the school, and a soccer goal at the school was thrown 100yd150yd.[117] | |
| EF0 | SE of Quitman to SW of Valdosta | Brooks, Lowndes | GA | 23:14–23:40 | 11.12abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[118] [119] | |
| EF1 | W of Cochran to SW of Chester | Bleckley, Dodge | GA | 23:39–23:55 | 11.39abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | In Cochran, several homes and commercial buildings sustained roof damage, along with a building at Middle Georgia State University. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as well, some which caused additional damage to homes. East of Cochran, the path became intermittent before the tornado dissipated completely. Near the endpoint of the path, the tornado crossed the path of another tornado in Dodge County from the previous day.[120] [121] | |
| EF0 | S of Allentown | Twiggs, Bleckley, Laurens | GA | 23:45–23:49 | 3.62abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado touched down along the Twiggs–Bleckley County line and moved southeastward along I-16, where numerous trees were snapped or uprooted on either one side of the interstate or the other.[122] [123] [124] | |
| EF1 | SW of Dudley | Laurens | GA | 23:52–23:58 | 4.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A small shed was destroyed, a home sustained roof damage, two large grain bins were dented, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[125] | |
| EF1 | SE of Chester to E of Cadwell | Dodge, Laurens | GA | 23:53–00:11 | 16.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Outbuildings sustained roof damage, a home's porch cover was destroyed, and numerous trees were downed, a couple of which fell on and damaged houses.[126] [127] | |
| EF1 | NNE of Adrian to Swainsboro | Emanuel | GA | 00:22–00:39 | 15.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Over 100 trees were snapped or uprooted, a few of which landed on homes, power poles and lines were downed, and a 24foot camper was rolled over and destroyed. This was the second EF1 tornado to strike Swainsboro in two days.[128] | |
| EF1 | Kite | Johnson, Emanuel | GA | 00:22–00:33 | 8.41abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado began just southwest of Kite before moving directly through town and dissipating to the northeast in Emanuel County. Southwest of Kite, a carport was ripped away from a brick home, which lost a third of its roof, a stop sign was bent over, and power poles were snapped. In Kite, 20 to 30 homes sustained considerable damage, mostly to roofs. Numerous outbuildings were destroyed, and the concession building, fencing, and stands at a baseball field sustained heavy damage. At a cemetery, three 500lb granite stones were lifted and flipped over. Two large barns and a few other outbuildings were destroyed before the tornado dissipated. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[129] [130] | |
| EF1 | SSW of Barwick to SW of Barney | Thomas, Brooks | GA | 01:12–01:23 | 7.92abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Barns and outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, homes were damaged, and trees and power lines were downed.[131] [132] | |
| EF0 | WNW of Walterboro | Colleton | SC | 02:59-03:02 | 1.02abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado snapped and uprooted a few trees and destroyed a fence.[133] | |
| EFU | NW of Norman Park | Colquitt, Worth, Tift | GA | 03:17–03:34 | 10.64abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The tornado was confirmed via photo and video traveling along the Colquitt–Worth county line and into Tift County. Only a few trees were downed, as the tornado remained over farmland and unpopulated areas.[134] [135] [136] | |
| EF1 | Southern Thomasville | Thomas | GA | 03:36–03:39 | 1.65abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A large concrete wall at a baseball field used by Thomas University was blown down, and homes sustained minor roof damage. Many trees were downed, including one that fell on a house near the end of the path.[137] | |
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | SE of Boulogne | Nassau | FL | 06:31–06:38 | 3.22abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado touched down along the concurrent US 1/US 301/US 23 and moved east-northeastward. It partially tore the metal roof off of a mobile home, throwing it about 20yd, and downed trees and power lines.[138] | |
| EF1 | SE of Rebecca | Turner | GA | 09:50–09:51 | 0.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several chicken houses were significantly damaged by a brief tornado.[139] | |
| Pembroke–Ellabell–Black Creek, Georgia | |
| Formed: | April 5, 2022, 5:18 p.m. EDT |
| Duration: | 15 minutes |
| Dissipated: | April 5, 2022, 5:33 p.m. EDT |
| Winds: | 185mph |
| Fujita-Scale: | EF4 |
| Deaths: | 1 |
| Injuries: | 12 |
| Damages: | $17 million (2022 USD) |
See main article: 2022 Pembroke–Black Creek tornado. This large, violent wedge tornado touched down just southwest of Pembroke at 5:18 p.m. EDT (21:18 UTC) and quickly strengthened to EF2 intensity as it moved into town. It inflicting significant damage to the Bryan County Courthouse, the Bryan County Jail, the Bryan County Planning and Zoning office, destroyed a couple of older wood-frame homes, damaged multiple other structures and several vehicles, and downed many trees and power lines. Moving east-northeast, the tornado exited the town and maintained EF2 intensity as it crossed over a wooded, marshy area, flattening a swath of trees, destroying an outbuilding, and heavily damaging a house. After moving north of Ellabell and entering the small community of Black Creek, the tornado rapidly intensified and moved through George D. Hendrix Park at EF3 intensity. A large recreation center building was heavily damaged, reinforced concrete light poles were snapped, multiple large trees were snapped, denuded, and partially debarked, and turf at a football field in the park was also damaged. The tornado then grew to its peak width and reached its peak intensity of mid-range EF4 as it struck the Park Place subdivision. Several well-built homes here were destroyed, four of which were leveled, including two that were completely swept away with only their bare concrete slab foundations remaining. Multiple other homes sustained major damage, cars were tossed and damaged, and a large portion of the roof from the recreation center at George D. Hendrix Park landed on a house in this area, approximately 500yd600yd away from where it originated. Multiple serious injuries occurred, some of whcich had to be rescued from their destroyed.[80]
The violent tornado then moved into the Black Creek Golf Course, where many trees were snapped and partially debarked, a golf cart barn was destroyed, a clubhouse building sustained severe structural damage, and some homes sustained considerable roof and exterior damage.[140] The tornado then weakened but remained strong as it moved further to the east-northeast, mowing down more trees as it moved through another wooded and marshy area. It then struck a mobile home park at EF3 intensity, where several well-anchored mobile homes were destroyed after being thrown or rolled. Some outbuildings were destroyed, and storage trailers were overturned as well. A woman was killed in one of the destroyed mobile homes, and multiple injuries occurred throughout this area. The tornado then weakened further as it crossed I-16 and continued eastward. The tornado caused EF1 damage to some large warehouses, ripped part of the roof off a AGCO company building, and inflicted considerable damage to trees before dissipating after crossing the road at 5:33 p.m. EDT (21:33 UTC), having traveled 14.51miles. In addition to the fatality, at least 12 people were injured.[80] [141] [142] [143] Coupled with the EF4 tornado that struck Newnan the previous year, this event marked the first time that F4/EF4 tornadoes had struck Georgia in back-to-back years since modern records began in 1950.[144]
The severe squall line that formed in Central Texas on April 4 moved eastward, producing a swath of damaging 70- straight line winds in Kaufman County between Scurry and Kemp. There was damage to trees and signs along with minor roof damage. Another area of even stronger winds of 75- winds moved across southeastern Van Zandt County. Trees were damaged, metal structures/barns were damaged or destroyed, and the roofs of some homes were damaged. Another area of wind damage struck Whitehouse, knocking down numerous trees, four of which landed on homes. A fatality was confirmed in one of the houses.[3] The severe squall line continued to produce wind damage as it moved into southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana early on April 5. Northeast of Minden, Louisiana, a motorist was killed when they struck a tree that had fallen across US 79. Although an EF1 tornado was confirmed in Union Parish, the entire southern half of the parish suffered heavy straight-line wind damage. Severe storms also formed ahead of the line, producing wind damage and large to very large hail in the central portions of Mississippi and Alabama. The squall line produced 95mph straight-line winds south of Beatrice, Alabama prior to producing an EF1 tornado to the northeast. Pine trees were snapped or uprooted due to these strong winds.[80] [5]
The tornadic thunderstorms that day also produced other severe weather. The storm that produced the Pembroke–Black Creek, Georgia EF4 tornado produced baseball-size (2.75inches) hail that damaged vehicles north of Ellabell. The storm was tornado warned until it moved into the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston, South Carolina, but no tornadoes were confirmed. However, severe winds downed many trees and power lines from Rincon, Georgia through Beaufort, South Carolina to Charleston. In Charleston, wind gusts of 61and were observed in Charleston Harbor. Several aircraft on the USS Yorktown were moved, three trees at the Civil War Memorial were blown down, and the west stand of the Patriots Point Soccer Complex on Patriots Point was heavily damaged. Isolated severe storms also occurred in Missouri, northern Arkansas, and South Texas. A severe storm east of Kansas City near Pilot Grove, Missouri produced 70mph80mph winds, knocked down power lines on Route 135, and ripped part of the roof off a barn. The storm also triggered a tornado warning, but no tornadoes were confirmed. Another severe storm in northern Arkansas produced multiple instances of large hail into the overnight hours of April 5–6. The storm was also briefly tornado-warned, but no tornadoes touched down.[11]
On April 6, a damaging windstorm struck Laurel County, Kentucky in the East Bernstadt area. Trees, power poles, and homes were damaged, the steeple of a church was blown down, and two barns collapsed. A wind gust of 75mph was also recorded in the town. Another windstorm in Beaufort, South Carolina blew down trees and power lines. Other areas of wind damage along with large hail were recorded elsewhere in the Southeastern United States as well.[20] On April 7, severe wind gusts in the Jacksonville, Florida metropolitan area blew down trees. Large trees were also blown down in the Orlando metropolitan area and a home in the area lost a portion of its metal roof. An 82mph wind gust was also recorded at the Treasure Coast International Airport. Areas of large hail also occurred from the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina metropolitan area northeastward through the Inner Banks region of North Carolina to the Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News, Virginia–North Carolina, metropolitan area) region. Hail up to baseball size was recorded near Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, where a vehicle was damaged. Wind damage also occurred throughout the area as well with many trees and power lines blown down. Near Powellsville, North Carolina, a mobile home was blown over, causing an injury while maintenance buildings at Gatesville Elementary School in Gatesville, North Carolina were damaged as well.[22] Heavy rain from the system also affected the Northeastern United States, forcing the New York Yankees to postpone their home opener against the Boston Red Sox until the next day.[145] [146] PA 611 closed due to flooding afterwards.[147]
Soon after the EF4 tornado in Bryan County, Georgia, a state of emergency was set in place for the Pembroke and Ellabell areas. The American Red Cross set up temporary shelters for displaced citizens, and a curfew was also put in place for the area. Search and rescue teams from numerous neighboring towns came to aid in sweeping the area for injuries and aiding victims.[148] Multiple GoFundMe donation pages also reached support in the thousands as the pages spread through social media.
Following the tornadoes in Allendale County, South Carolina, the governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, was asked the declare the area as state of emergency by representative Justin Bamberg. The American Red Cross swiftly set up temporary shelters to aid families. All Allendale county schools were closed following the tornado as well.[149]