Tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2024

On April 20, 2024, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) first delineated a severe weather risk for April 25–26, highlighting a zone extending from the Central Great Plains northeastward to the Midwestern U.S. The forecast was predicated on the development of thunderstorms downwind of an upper-tropospheric trough, where weather forecast models were depicting the advection of a moist airmass. The forecast was maintained through the next two days. The risk area was expanded into northeastern Texas on April 22 and later extended to include the possibility of severe weather on April 27. April 25 On the morning of April 25, the SPC predicted an enhanced risk of severe weather for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, highlighting the risk of tornadoes and large hail in connection with storms developing along a dry line between the Texas Panhandle and northwestern Kansas. This risk was later narrowed to two focal areas: one in northwestern Kansas associated with supercells during the afternoon and evening, and a second near the Red River, associated with an forecast cluster of storms during the overnight hours. During the afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed near the dry line in eastern Colorado and near a low-pressure area in northeastern Colorado, southwestern Nebraska, and northwestern Kansas. These storms weakened during the evening upon moving northeastward into areas with less atmospheric instability, with the threat for tornadoes diminishing overnight. The SPC received six tornado reports from April 25 from states affected by these storms; five EFU tornadoes were confirmed. April 26 Another cluster of thunderstorms developed in the Permian Basin of Texas in the early overnight hours into April 26, becoming and maintaining severe characteristics as they tracked northeast into the Red River Valley. This cluster eventually organized into a quasi-linear convective system over southern Oklahoma, potentially producing at least one tornado. The SPC received three reports of tornadoes from Oklahoma during the early morning hours of April 26; More significant severe weather was expected to occur later on in the day. The event was first forecasted to occur on April 20, when a 15% risk area was issued across much of the south-central United States by the Storm Prediction Center for April 26. By April 23, the 15% area had been expanded tremendously, covering areas from the eastern Great Plains into the mid-Mississippi Valley. On April 24, the 15% risk area transitioned into slight risk area that covered the same area with all severe weather hazards expected. With an enhanced risk of severe weather in place, the Storm Prediction issued a tornado watch for eastern Oklahoma on the morning of April 26. Several hours later, on the afternoon of April 26, another tornado watch was implemented for northeastern Nebraska, which included the possibility for "a couple of intense tornadoes." At 3:41 p.m. CDT, a tornado emergency was issued for West Elkhorn as a large and destructive tornado moved through the area. Another storm produced a large tornado near Harlan, Iowa, causing widespread destruction. A Doppler on Wheels (DOW) mobile radar truck measured 1-second wind speeds of approximately at a height of ~ with the Harlan storm. April 27–28 after a high-end EF2 tornado impacted the area. In the morning hours of April 27, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk (level 4) for central Oklahoma, north-central Texas, extreme southwestern Missouri, and southeastern Kansas. The moderate risk included a significant 15% tornado risk, a significant 30% wind risk, and a significant 45% hail risk. Multiple supercells formed that afternoon in northern Texas, western Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, and northwestern Missouri. A 'particularly dangerous situation' (PDS) tornado watch was issued for western Oklahoma and northern Texas, warning of elevated probabilities for several tornadoes, some of which could be intense. As the day went on, multiple tornadoes touched down, including a large tornado that passed near the town of Knox City, and another near Burkburnett, both in Texas. Numerous PDS tornado warnings were issued for large tornadoes near Cedar Vale, Kansas, as well as Newkirk, Oklahoma. However, much of the western part of the risk area remained storm free for much of the day. As the day went on, supercells in the center of the main risk area waned, and a more linear mode developed. The 00:00 UTC upper-air sounding from Norman, Oklahoma, depicted very strong shear, with storm-relative helicity in the 0–3 kilometer layer of 400 m2/s2 and mixed-layer CAPE of around 2300 J/kg. As the lower-level jet further increased, 0–1 km SRH was observed at 600 m2/s2. Over the course of the successive hours, new tornadic supercells developed ahead of the main squall line and produced multiple large and intense tornadoes in southern and eastern Oklahoma. These tornadoes caused significant damage and prompted PDS tornado warnings for the towns of Ardmore, Holdenville, Marietta, Okemah and Sulphur. A total of 23 PDS tornado warnings were issued as the intense storms caused damage. == Confirmed tornadoes ==

Elkhorn–Bennington–Blair, Nebraska/Modale, Iowa This very large, violent, long-tracked tornado first touched down at 3:30 pm CDT south of West Q Road near the Platte River and traveled northeastward, damaging trees and farmstead outbuildings at EF0-EF1 intensity. The tornado then intensified to EF2 strength, damaging numerous homes, including one that was unroofed, overturned multiple center pivots in several acreages, and damaged outbuildings and a grain silo. The tornado then weakened to EF1 intensity as it crossed L-28B, damaging a horse farm and a home, several trees, and other center pivots. Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska/Crescent–Beebeetown, Iowa This destructive, intense tornado first touched down just north of US 6 in the western part of Council Bluffs, Iowa in Pottawattamie County at 4:54 pm CDT. It moved north-northeastward at high-end EF1 intensity, producing intermittent damage to the roofs of businesses, homes, and apartment buildings and snapping or uprooting trees. The tornado then crossed over I-29 and the Missouri River into the northeastern part of Omaha, Nebraska in Douglas County. As it moved onto the southeast side of the Eppley Airfield runway system, a local news tower cam captured the tornado live on video providing the first visual confirmation of the condensation funnel of the tornado reaching the ground. Initially, this was believed to be where the tornado first developed until further surveys confirmed that the tornado developed in Council Bluffs instead. The tornado strengthened to low-end EF2 intensity as it struck Eppley Airfield, leveling multiple unanchored aircraft hangars and flipping several general aviation airplanes. It also pulled a fire hydrant out of the ground and destroyed portions of the fencing that lined the airport. At least four people were reportedly injured in Pottawattamie County, although this was not officially counted. Minden–Tennant–Harlan–Defiance, Iowa . This very large multiple-vortex tornado touched down at 5:25 pm. CDT in central Pottawattamie County, as another EF3 tornado to its west from the same supercell was dissipating. Roughly for the next ten minutes, the tornado maintained EF0 strength, with damage limited to trees and outbuildings. The tornado then began to rapidly intensify as it approached Minden from the southwest, destroying outbuildings and snapping trees at EF2 intensity. As it entered Minden at around 5:42 pm. CDT, the tornado reached a width of just less than a half-mile as it impacted the southeast part of town. Several retail locations, as well as many homes in the area, were badly damaged or completely demolished. Continuing to rapidly intensify, the tornado reached its peak intensity in the far east side of Minden, where several poorly anchored homes were completely destroyed and leveled at high-end EF3 intensity. Several large metal buildings along Main Street were also destroyed. One fatality and three injuries occurred in Minden. Several farmsteads and small homes in the area were damaged at EF2 or EF3 intensity. The tornado, around three-quarters of a mile wide, then crossed I-80, flipping a semi-truck, and produced a swath of vegetation and building damage to the north of the interstate along York Road. Sulphur, Oklahoma This intense tornado initially touched down in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area at 10:23 pm CDT in Murray County and moved north-northeastward, before turning rightward at a more northeasterly track. Damage along this segment was generally limited to snapped or uprooted trees, including areas of high-end EF1 damage, although one outbuilding was damaged. It then moved into a residential area just southwest of Sulphur at EF2 strength, where multiple homes lost large portions of their roofs, including one home that had its entire roof removed and an exterior wall knocked down. A mobile home was damaged, a large tree had large limbs snapped, and other trees were snapped or uprooted. radar scan of the Sulphur, Oklahoma EF3 tornado. The tornado then rapidly intensified to high-end EF3 strength as it moved into Sulphur. The downtown area was devastated, with many homes, businesses, and historic brick buildings heavily damaged or destroyed, including some that collapsed. Multiple people were injured in residential areas of Sulphur, including two injuries near a laundromat along West Broadway Avenue (SH-7) which was destroyed; the nearby Mary Parker Memorial Library was also heavily damaged. The Artesian Hotel along West 1st Street (US-177) had its roof damaged and an interior wall collapse, although nobody was injured; the nearby Chickasaw Visitor Center sustained heavy damage. The Raina's Sports Bar was destroyed, killing a 63-year-old woman and injuring other people. The nearby Rusty Nail Winery and a brick United States Postal Service building were also destroyed, with an unknown number of people injured. The Rock Creek Apartments sustained severe structural damage, and a 5AM Donuts store along US-177 was heavily damaged. As the Chickasaw Nation Senior Center along East Oklahoma Avenue (SH-7) and multiple other buildings were damaged, a car was thrown onto a roof, and other small structures were damaged. and Sulphur Public School's bus fleet was destroyed. As the weakening, but still intense tornado exited downtown Sulphur, it impacted East June Drive at low-end EF3 intensity, destroying multiple houses. Then tornado then weakened to EF1 intensity as it passed over Tull Crest Lake before impacting Ballpark Road, tossing cars and causing more damage. The tornado then continued northeastward parallel to the Chickasaw Turnpike (SH-301) as it moved over rural, hilly terrain and became rain-wrapped. Along East Palmer Road a home sustained EF1 roof and siding damage and trees were snapped or uprooted at high-end EF1 intensity. The tornado then continued northeastward over open terrain, crossing over the Chickasaw Turnpike, entering Pontotoc County, and snapping trees at high-end EF1 intensity before dissipating southwest of Roff at 10:37 pm CDT. Flash flooding in Sulphur may have been a contributing factor to the casualty toll due to high water levels making it difficult to evacuate. The town's newspaper, the Sulphur Times-Democrat, delayed publication and distribution of its next edition a day because of damage sustained to its newsroom. Damage caused by this tornado was so extreme that rescue efforts were delayed. The tornado traveled and had a peak width of a . Along with the two fatalities, four people were injured. Marietta–Dickson–Baum, Oklahoma This large, violent tornado developed southwest of Marietta in Love County along Red Oaks Road, damaging trees and the roof of a home at EF0 strength. The tornado quickly intensified as it moved north-northeastward, snapping a power pole along Peanut Road at EF1 intensity before moving over Indian Trails Road at EF2 strength, where a home was unroofed, and trees were heavily damaged. Some other homes suffered minor to moderate roof damage as well. The tornado then crossed over I-35, overturning a semi-truck on the freeway, and stubbing a tree. The driver of the truck was injured, while the passenger was killed. This tornado caused the first EF4 damage recorded in the state of Oklahoma since May 9, 2016. == Non-tornadic effects ==

Flooding Numerous roads were forced to close as a result of flooding, including US 77, US 177, and US 266 in Oklahoma, as well as US 54, US 160, and US 400 in Kansas. == Aftermath ==

On April 26, a disaster declaration was declared in Pottawattamie County, including Minden, by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds. Following major damage, Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, was briefly closed, but was re-opened after damage assessments. A curfew was also implemented in Washington County, Nebraska, from 10 pm to 6 am for several days. Early in the morning of April 28, 2024, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency in 12 Oklahoma counties due to the large amount of damage and ongoing search and rescue. These include Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties. The town of Sulphur, Oklahoma, was heavily damaged, with shops, restaurants and other businesses completely destroyed.Sulphur Public Schools have also been closed as a result of the damage sustained to the high school during the tornado, and many school buses were put out of service. Chickasaw National Recreation Area closed indefinitely following a tornado. The park was mostly reopened by May 23. Power outages I-35 near the Texas border line was also briefly closed due to downed power lines and overturned vehicles. One person was injured when a tree fell on a residence in State Line, Arkansas. ==See also==