 Mid-latitude cyclone responsible for the storm complex on January 9, 2024 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 7, 2024 |
| Dissipated | January 12, 2024 |
| Category 1 "Notable" winter storm | |
| Regional snowfall index: 2.38 (NOAA) | |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 21 in (53 cm) inWolf Creek Pass |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | 38 |
| Maximum rating | EF3 tornado |
| Duration | January 8–9, 2024 |
| Highest winds | 102 mph (164 km/h) (highestconvective wind) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 6 (2 tornadic) |
| Injuries | 14+ (14+ tornadic) |
| Damage | $2.7 billion (2024 USD)[1] |
| Areas affected | Northwestern,Midwestern, and Southern United States |
Part of thetornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2024and2023–24 North American winter | |
A large and robust storm system, unofficially namedWinter Storm Finn byThe Weather Channel, brought widespread impacts to much of the contiguous United States early in January 2024. In the northern United States, heavy snow, hail, and gusty winds affected areas from the Great Plains to New England. In the southern United States, a widespreadtornado outbreak along theGulf Coast caused two fatalities and numerous injuries.
On January 2, 2024,meteorologists from theStorm Prediction Center began tracking a largeupper-level trough forecast to move across the United States, with multipleembedded shortwave perturbations. By January 4, evidence of strong surfacecyclogenesis pointed towards an intensifying andnegatively tilted trough in the south, with a strongsurface-low response to the north. These elements were conducive to strong thunderstorms across the country, with intensifying winter storm potential across the north and discretesupercell formation in thesoutheast.[2]By January 5 as forecast, a powerful winter storm formed in theGulf of Alaska from the trough, which dove southwards throughBritish Columbia and the Western United States. The nowmid-latitude cyclone then moved eastwards, bringing blizzard conditions to theRocky Mountains andGreat Plains on January 7. Six states recorded whiteout conditions during this time. The storm continued to intensify and further severe weather in the east was forecast—more specifically, strong shortwaves from the initial trough were predicted to become robust and affect the south-southeast portions of the United States, as well as create wind-threats for the east coast.
During the early morning hours of January 8, a powerful mid-level shortwave trough was observed moving east across theSangre de Cristo Mountains. This feature initiated blizzard conditions and heavy snow across Southeast Colorado, the Raton Mesa of northeast New Mexico and far western Kansas.[3] As the storm moved east on January 8 and 9th, the cyclone remained negatively tilted, and formed atornado outbreak in theDeep South, whilst portions ofIndiana recorded record low pressure. Strong mid-level to low-level flow contributed to extreme weather, allowing storms to mature at themesoscale, with strongmoisture return near the coast, andCAPE values in excess of 500-1000j/kg. The strongest tornado from the outbreak formed near the coast ofPanama City, FL, moving on shore and producingEF3 damage.
As the storm moved into theNortheastern United States on January 9, heavy rain and flooding occurred, with snow falling inNorthern New England. Freezing conditions were reported, as well as extreme wind and snow. The system moved northward into Canada on January 10.[4]
Across the United States, over 600,000 customers lost power and 7,000 flights were cancelled.[5]
Due to the winter storm in theSierra Nevada, chains were required for driving onI-80 andUS 50.[6] I-80 was also briefly closed. InReno, Nevada, around 27,000 customers briefly lost power.[7] Heavy snow also fell inCoconino County, Arizona, withForest Lakes receiving 14 in (36 cm) of snow. Portions ofI-40 andSR 89A shut down due to the snow.[8]
On January 7, inColorado,I-70 was closed fromWatkins, Colorado to theKansas state line due to the storm.[9] High winds were also reported in the region, with winds in Colorado gusted up to 80 mph (130 km/h), while winds in the state ofNew Mexico reached 76 mph (122 km/h). Snowfall totals in the state of Colorado reached up to 21 in (53 cm) inWolf Creek Pass.[4]
As the storm continued on January 8, many highways were closed inKansas, including significant portions ofI-70,K-4,K-149,K-15 andUS 56.[10] Visibility in Kansas due to the blizzard dropped as low as 15 feet (4.6 m).[4] Portions ofI-80 inNebraska also closed due to the snowfall.[11] Blizzard conditions also occurred in theTexas Panhandle, where 4 in (10 cm) of snow fell inDalhart and winds gusted up to 70 mph (110 km/h).[12] Further south, the storm resulted in a leak atNRG Stadium before the2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.[13]
Record snowfall fell inDes Moines on January 9, with 8.3 in (21 cm) of snow, with the event total being 11.2 in (28 cm). Portions ofIowa recorded 15 in (38 cm) of snow.[14] Snow was lighter in theChicago metropolitan area, with a peak of around 3.5 in (8.9 cm);[15] the snowfall resulted in a ground stop atChicago O'Hare International Airport.[16] Slushy roads led to two fatalities in the Midwest – one inWisconsin and one inMichigan.[17]
The storm resulted in flooding across the Northeastern US. TheDelaware River inPhiladelphia exceeded its all time crest record.[18] The severe storms also produced over 4 in (100 mm) of rain in spots. The storm resulted in 110,000 customers losing power in New York, 70,000 customers losing power inPennsylvania, 56,000 customers losing power inNew Jersey, and 28,000 customers losing power inMaine.[19][17] Dozens ofAmtrak trains were cancelled due to the storm.[20] An evacuation order was briefly issued along theYantic River inNorwich, Connecticut due to a partial dam failure from the heavy rain.[21] TheNational Park Service shut down parts ofFire Island National Seashore due to flooding.[22] Flooding also resulted inLodi Public Schools canceling school on January 10.[23] At theBlue Hill Observatory, 2.88 in (73 mm) of rain fell, of which 0.61 in (15 mm) occurred in a single hour.[24] High winds also affected the Northeast, with a peak gust of 95 mph (153 km/h) atIsle au Haut, Maine.[17] Parts ofAcadia National Park closed due to the storm, and the park suffered heavy damage.[25]Reid State Park in Maine was also shut down due to the storm.[26]Western New York was hit hard by high winds, with winds gusting to 74 mph (119 km/h) inDunkirk and 78 mph (126 km/h) inWatertown;[27] theNational Weather Service'sBuffalo office warned in an Area Forecast Discussion that gusts from the southeast descending fromTug Hill could reach "potentially generational" levels.[28]
Severe weather tore through the southeastern United States on January 8 into January 9, resulting in 4 fatalities, with 2 of them being tornadic: one each inAlabama andNorth Carolina. Additional non-tornadic fatalities occurred in the states of Alabama andGeorgia. The first January EF3 or stronger tornado in Florida history occurred.[29] The tornado outbreak led to a ground stops atOrlando International Airport.[30]
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | Supreme | Assumption | LA | 29°51′N90°59′W / 29.85°N 90.99°W /29.85; -90.99 (Supreme (Jan. 8, EF0)) | 21:42–21:43 | 0.88 mi (1.42 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| A brief high-end EF0 tornado caused damage in Supreme. A poorly-anchored and frail mobile home was tossed into a fire station building and a few other mobile homes had their roofs damaged. Tree and power pole damage also occurred.[31] | |||||||
| EF0 | NW ofAgricola | George | MS | 30°50′09″N88°34′21″W / 30.8358°N 88.5724°W /30.8358; -88.5724 (Agricola (Jan. 8, EF0)) | 01:25–01:27 | 2.09 mi (3.36 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| A weak tornado moved across open fields, uprooting some small softwood trees.[32] | |||||||
| EF0 | SW ofLucedale | George | MS | 30°52′05″N88°37′36″W / 30.8681°N 88.6267°W /30.8681; -88.6267 (Lucedale (Jan. 8, EF0)) | 01:31–01:32 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| A frame home and mobile home sustained minor damage from a brief tornado.[33] | |||||||
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | W ofEglin Air Force Base | Santa Rosa | FL | 30°29′55″N87°00′44″W / 30.4986°N 87.0123°W /30.4986; -87.0123 (Elgin AFB (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 08:29–08:34 | 1.74 mi (2.80 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| This tornado developed over theEscribano Point Wildlife Management Area and moved through wooded areas, snapping trees and tree branches. A wooden sign was ripped out of the ground as well.[34] | |||||||
| EF1 | NNW ofShipman | George | MS | 30°54′10″N88°29′21″W / 30.9028°N 88.4892°W /30.9028; -88.4892 (Shipman (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 09:24–09:25 | 0.21 mi (0.34 km) | 30 yd (27 m) |
| Several pine trees were snapped three to fifteen feet (0.9 to 5 m) above ground level as a result of this brief tornado.[35] | |||||||
| EF0 | ESE ofTanner Williams | Mobile | AL | 30°42′13″N88°19′49″W / 30.7035°N 88.3304°W /30.7035; -88.3304 (Tanner Williams (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 09:47–09:51 | 2.99 mi (4.81 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| Minor tree damage occurred along the path of this tornado.[36] | |||||||
| EF0 | WesternMobile | Mobile | AL | 30°38′23″N88°14′37″W / 30.6396°N 88.2435°W /30.6396; -88.2435 (Dawes (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 09:56–09:58 | 1.48 mi (2.38 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| A weak tornado touched down in the western part of Mobile, where a business sustained roof damage, a brick wall was knocked over, and fencing was downed. An RV was rolled and trees were downed as well.[37] | |||||||
| EF0 | NE ofCoden | Mobile | AL | 30°24′17″N88°11′02″W / 30.4046°N 88.1839°W /30.4046; -88.1839 (Coden (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 10:12–10:14 | 0.66 mi (1.06 km) | 30 yd (27 m) |
| A few trees were uprooted and minor vegetation damage occurred.[38] | |||||||
| EF1 | Santa Rosa Beach to SSE ofFreeport | Walton | FL | 30°20′46″N86°13′54″W / 30.346°N 86.2317°W /30.346; -86.2317 (Blue Mountain Beach (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 10:29–10:39 | 10.93 mi (17.59 km) | 220 yd (200 m) |
| A tornadicwaterspout formed over theGulf of Mexico and moved ashore at Santa Rosa Beach, where roofs were damaged, trees were downed, and a weather station recorded a 106 mile-per-hour wind gust. The tornado crossedChoctawhatchee Bay and moved ashore again south of Freeport, partially unroofing a few homes and snapping trees before dissipating.[39] | |||||||
| EF1 | ENE ofSpanish Fort to SSE ofStapleton | Baldwin | AL | 30°41′43″N87°49′09″W / 30.6953°N 87.8192°W /30.6953; -87.8192 (Spanish Fort (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 10:32–10:35 | 1.85 mi (2.98 km) | 230 yd (210 m) |
| This tornado tore sections of roofing off of multiple homes and downed trees. Fencing was damaged and knocked over as well.[40] | |||||||
| EF1 | SSE ofStapleton | Baldwin | AL | 30°41′50″N87°46′30″W / 30.6971°N 87.7751°W /30.6971; -87.7751 (Stapleton (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 10:35–10:36 | 0.26 mi (0.42 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| This brief tornado formed as the previous tornado was dissipating, snapping and uprooting numerous trees.[41] | |||||||
| EF0 | ENE ofFairhope to N ofSilverhill | Baldwin | AL | 30°33′13″N87°50′10″W / 30.5537°N 87.8361°W /30.5537; -87.8361 (Fairhope (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 10:38–10:45 | 5.08 mi (8.18 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| Tree limbs were downed and some trees were uprooted by this weak tornado.[42] | |||||||
| EF1 | SSE ofEucheeanna | Walton | FL | 30°35′14″N86°01′27″W / 30.5872°N 86.0243°W /30.5872; -86.0243 (Eucheeanna (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 10:48–10:55 | 5.42 mi (8.72 km) | 160 yd (150 m) |
| A mobile home was damaged, an open air shed collapsed, and trees were snapped or uprooted by this brief tornado.[43] | |||||||
| EF0 | E ofPonce de Leon | Holmes | FL | 30°42′44″N85°52′04″W / 30.7121°N 85.8679°W /30.7121; -85.8679 (Ponce de Leon (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 11:03–11:08 | 0.96 mi (1.54 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Trees were downed, some of which landed on vehicles, homes, and other structures.[44] | |||||||
| EF3 | Lower Grand Lagoon to WesternPanama City | Bay | FL | 30°08′18″N85°45′09″W / 30.1384°N 85.7526°W /30.1384; -85.7526 (Lower Grand Lagoon (Jan. 9 EF3)) | 11:31–11:37 | 5.2 mi (8.4 km) | 550 yd (500 m) |
| A powerful tornadic waterspout formed over theGulf of Mexico and moved onshore atPanama City Beach, striking Lower Grand Lagoon. A beachfront home was leveled after it was ripped from its raised wooden pier foundation, a three-story home was tipped over and left leaning against a neighboring house, and multiple other homes and condominiums had roofs and exterior walls torn off. A small breakfast restaurant collapsed, other businesses were damaged, and multiple apartment buildings were unroofed and sustained collapse of numerous second floor walls. Power poles were snapped, boats were tossed around, and several large metal boat storage warehouses were severely damaged at Pirate's Cove Marina, one of which was left with its structural beams severely mangled. The tornado then weakened as it struckUpper Grand Lagoon, causing less intense damage to some homes and a metal building. It continued acrossSt. Andrews Bay and moved back onshore in the western part of Panama City. Several homes had roof and exterior damage, a business lost a large section of its roof, and a large truck was overturned in this area before the tornado dissipated. The tornado caused $15.35 million (2024 USD) in damage.[45] | |||||||
| EF0 | St. Andrews State Park | Bay | FL | 30°07′56″N85°44′43″W / 30.1322°N 85.7452°W /30.1322; -85.7452 (St. Andrews SP (Jan. 9 EF0)) | 11:31–11:32 | 0.23 mi (0.37 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Asatellite tornado of the Lower Grand Lagoon EF3 tornado moved ashore, damaging an antenna and some tree limbs.[46] | |||||||
| EF2 | Lynn Haven to NNW ofYoungstown | Bay | FL | 30°14′25″N85°38′31″W / 30.2403°N 85.6419°W /30.2403; -85.6419 (Lower Grand Lagoon (Jan. 9, EF3)) | 11:43–11:55 | 12.89 mi (20.74 km) | 600 yd (550 m) |
| After the Lower Grand Lagoon EF3 tornado dissipated, the same supercell produced this tornado that touched down in Lynn Haven, initially downing trees and causing minor roof damage in town. It strengthened to high-end EF2 intensity as it moved to the northeast and impacted neighborhoods along the shores of Deer Point Lake, where several frame homes had roof and exterior wall loss, and one house had its entire second story removed. Mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, one of which was ripped from its anchors and thrown into a tree. An RV, a metal storage shed, and multiple garages were destroyed as well. The tornado then weakened as it moved to the northeast, inflicting less intense damage to houses and mobile homes and snapping many trees before it dissipated near Youngstown.[47] | |||||||
| EF1 | SSE ofDothan | Houston | AL | 31°08′06″N85°21′19″W / 31.135°N 85.3554°W /31.135; -85.3554 (Dothan (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 11:53–11:55 | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) | 225 yd (206 m) |
| Several homes sustained roof damage and many trees were snapped.[48] | |||||||
| EF1 | N ofFountain to SE ofAlford | Bay,Calhoun,Jackson | FL | 30°30′49″N85°23′42″W / 30.5135°N 85.3949°W /30.5135; -85.3949 (Fountain (Jan. 9 EF1)) | 12:03–12:19 | 9.79 mi (15.76 km) | 450 yd (410 m) |
| Many trees were snapped or uprooted as this tornado moved through wooded areas. A few homes and mobile homes had roof damage, and several barns and small sheds were damaged as well.[49] | |||||||
| EF2 | S ofMarianna to ESE ofBascom | Jackson | FL | 30°42′36″N85°13′39″W / 30.71°N 85.2276°W /30.71; -85.2276 (Marianna (Jan. 9 EF2)) | 12:25–12:43 | 16.33 mi (26.28 km) | 600 yd (550 m) |
| This strong tornado formed south ofMarianna and crossedI-10, where a semi-truck was flipped and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which fell on and destroyed a mobile home. Several other mobile homes and a frame home had roofing torn off in this area as well. The tornado then damaged the roof of a shed before it strengthened and crossedUS 90 at the southeastern outskirts of Marianna, where it struck anRV park. Many RVs were thrown and destroyed at this location, and a few smaller permanent buildings were destroyed as well. A nearby pawn shop was partially unroofed, a gas station was damaged, and some metal storage buildings had their doors blown in and roofs peeled back in this area as well. A church near the RV park had damage to its gables, and a large cinder-block outbuilding on the property collapsed. The tornado then moved through a residential area, where multiple frame homes had their roofs torn off and a few suffered some collapse of exterior walls. Additional frame homes were heavily damaged in the Blue Spring subdivision farther to the northeast, where one home was largely destroyed and a car was flipped. The tornado weakened as it continued through rural areas to the northeast of Marianna, where the roof of a church collapsed, a couple of barns were damaged or destroyed, several mobile homes had minor damage, and many trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado dissipated near Bascom. Seven people were injured at the RV park.[50] | |||||||
| EF1 | WesternDeFuniak Springs | Walton | FL | 30°44′00″N86°09′23″W / 30.7333°N 86.1565°W /30.7333; -86.1565 (DeFuniak Springs (Jan. 9 EF1)) | 13:06–13:07 | 0.35 mi (0.56 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| A tornado struck theDeFuniak Springs Airport, where a few airplane hangars were damaged. A business had its metal roof blown off, a metal carport was destroyed, and fencing was toppled. Many trees were snapped or uprooted.[51] | |||||||
| EF0 | EasternPalmetto | Fulton | GA | 33°31′27″N84°38′39″W / 33.5242°N 84.6442°W /33.5242; -84.6442 (Palmetto (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 13:12–13:13 | 1.56 mi (2.51 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
| A tornado downed trees and overturned semi-truck trailers at a warehouse.[52] | |||||||
| EF2 | NNW ofChipley, FL toCottonwood, AL to NW ofGordon, AL | Jackson (FL),Houston (AL) | FL,AL | 30°52′03″N85°34′48″W / 30.8676°N 85.5799°W /30.8676; -85.5799 (Chipley (Jan. 9, EF2)) | 13:50–14:22 | 34.76 mi (55.94 km) | 1,000 yd (910 m) |
| 1 death –See section on this tornado – Four people were injured.[53] | |||||||
| EF0 | SW ofAlford | Washington | FL | 30°39′N85°27′W / 30.65°N 85.45°W /30.65; -85.45 (Alford (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 13:59–14:00 | 0.89 mi (1.43 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Tree damage occurred.[54] | |||||||
| EF2 | Callaway | Bay | FL | 30°08′30″N85°35′27″W / 30.1417°N 85.5907°W /30.1417; -85.5907 (Callaway (Jan. 9, EF2)) | 14:03–14:05 | 0.88 mi (1.42 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| A brief, but strong low-end EF2 tornado heavily damaged or ripped the roofs off of three homes in Callaway. A manufactured home was also damaged.[55] | |||||||
| EF2 | S ofArlington to NE ofMorgan | Early,Calhoun | GA | 31°22′43″N84°43′43″W / 31.3785°N 84.7285°W /31.3785; -84.7285 (Arlington (Jan. 9, EF2)) | 14:46–15:07 | 21.73 mi (34.97 km) | 800 yd (730 m) |
| A strong tornado touched down and passed near Arlington, overturning several center-pivot irrigation systems and completely destroying a small, unreinforced concrete block home. A two-story home in this area was shifted off its foundation, a new brick home suffered major roof damage, and a house at the edge of the damage path had minor damage. Numerous trees were snapped as the tornado moved to the northeast near Morgan, and arailroad crossing gate alongUS 82 was damaged. It then crossedSR 234, causing roof damage to a frame home, damaging a double-wide mobile home, destroying a small outbuilding, and overturning some additional irrigation systems before dissipating.[56] | |||||||
| EF0 | E ofCallaway | Leon | FL | 30°23′16″N84°35′22″W / 30.3879°N 84.5895°W /30.3879; -84.5895 (Bloxham (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 15:32–15:34 | 0.96 mi (1.54 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A weak tornado damaged trees in theApalachicola National Forest.[57] | |||||||
| EF1 | E ofNewton to N ofCatawba | Catawba,Iredell | NC | 35°39′25″N81°09′25″W / 35.657°N 81.157°W /35.657; -81.157 (Newton (Jan. 9 EF1)) | 17:27–17:36 | 9.02 mi (14.52 km) | 250 yd (230 m) |
| 1 death – This high-end EF1 tornado touched down in Catawba County south ofClaremont, breaking branches and uprooting large trees. As it tracked northeastward, it reached its peak intensity as it hit the Fox Hollow subdivision at the east edge of Claremont, seriously damaging numerous manufactured homes, a few of which were mostly destroyed. One person was killed when a mobile home was rolled and four others were injured, two of them seriously. The tornado crossed theCatawba River into Iredell County, where it snapped numerous trees. It dissipated after it crossedI-40.[58] | |||||||
| EF1 | W ofNicholls to NW ofAlma | Coffee,Bacon | GA | 31°31′00″N82°39′52″W / 31.5166°N 82.6644°W /31.5166; -82.6644 (Nicholls (Jan. 9 EF1)) | 17:55–18:05 | 7.27 mi (11.70 km) | 400 yd (370 m) |
| The tornado began nearSR 32 and moved northeastward, tracking across areas north of Nicholls. Barns and outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, a mobile home had its porch roof torn off, and many trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which landed on and damaged a pump house. A metal power pole was partially bent over, a flag pole was snapped, a yard tractor was tossed, and an empty semi-truck trailer was overturned. A manufactured home was severely damaged and had its carport torn off shortly before the tornado dissipated.[59] | |||||||
| EF1 | SSE ofBellville to S ofClaxton | Evans | GA | 32°08′24″N81°54′44″W / 32.1399°N 81.9121°W /32.1399; -81.9121 (Bellville (Jan. 9 EF1)) | 18:43–18:50 | 4.78 mi (7.69 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| Hundreds of trees were uprooted or snapped by this tornado, and a large metal outbuilding was damaged. A boat stored inside the outbuilding was moved. Acenter-pivot irrigation system and shed were also largely destroyed.[60] | |||||||
| EF1 | SW ofLake Murray of Richland | Lexington | SC | 34°03′06″N81°21′17″W / 34.0518°N 81.3548°W /34.0518; -81.3548 (Lake Murray of Richland (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 19:10–19:16 | 3.27 mi (5.26 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. One person suffered minor injuries when a large tree fell onto the roof of a home.[61] | |||||||
| EF2 | Bamberg | Bamberg | SC | 33°16′22″N81°02′37″W / 33.2729°N 81.0435°W /33.2729; -81.0435 (Bamberg (Jan. 9 EF2)) | 19:46–19:48 | 2.14 mi (3.44 km) | 500 yd (460 m) |
| This strong tornado moved directly through downtown Bamberg, where multiple historic but frail brick buildings suffered major structural damage. The upper floors of several of the buildings were completely destroyed, and multiple front walls collapsed outward, leaving streets in downtown Bamberg covered in bricks and masonry. A barrel factory also sustained major damage, including collapse of multiple walls and a large section of its roof. Debris from the barrel factory was thrown into the town's water tower, while a dumpster and pieces of heavy equipment near the facility were tossed. A small, poorly built home on stilts collapsed, other homes in town had roof and window damage, and a mobile home was rolled into a tree. A metal garage building was unroofed and had its doors blown out, the Bamberg County Magistrate Office had minor roof damage, and a semi-trailer was overturned. Siding was torn off aHardee's, and many trees were snapped or uprooted in town.[62] | |||||||
| EF1 | NW ofWestchase | Hillsborough | FL | 28°06′22″N82°38′45″W / 28.1061°N 82.6458°W /28.1061; -82.6458 (Westchase (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 21:00–21:02 | 0.58 mi (0.93 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
| A number of homes in a subdivision had their screened-inpool enclosures damaged or destroyed, and trees and tree limbs were snapped.[63] | |||||||
| EF0 | SSW ofBayard | Duval | FL | 30°07′30″N81°31′54″W / 30.125°N 81.5317°W /30.125; -81.5317 (Bayard (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 21:08–21:10 | 0.23 mi (370 m) | 30 yd (27 m) |
| A brief tornado touched down within theJacksonville metropolitan area. Several homes had theirrain gutters andwindow screens damaged, and several trees and large limbs were knocked down.[64] | |||||||
| EF0 | St. Petersburg | Pinellas | FL | 29°45′10″N82°38′24″W / 29.7528°N 82.6401°W /29.7528; -82.6401 (St. Petersburg (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 21:23–21:24 | 0.01 mi (16 m) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| An apartment building had some of its roofing material blown off as a result of this very brief, weak tornado.[65] | |||||||
| EF1 | N ofNew Bern | Craven | NC | 35°11′46″N77°03′22″W / 35.196°N 77.0561°W /35.196; -77.0561 (New Bern (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 01:03–01:11 | 5.02 mi (8.08 km) | 125 yd (114 m) |
| An agricultural building had metal roofing torn off, while a house and an outbuilding sustained shingle damage. Multiple trees were snapped along the path as well.[66] | |||||||
| EF1 | Harkers Island (1st tornado) | Carteret | NC | 34°41′36″N76°33′33″W / 34.6933°N 76.5592°W /34.6933; -76.5592 (Harkers Island (Jan. 9, EF1)) | 02:09–02:11 | 0.23 mi (0.37 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
| This tornado, which occurred simultaneously with the tornado listed below, likely originated as a tornadic waterspout overBack Sound before moving inland. A house suffered major roof damage and had one of its exterior walls blown out, while a wooden 2x4 was speared through the front wall of another house that had its windows shattered. Several other homes sustained minor roof shingle damage, a power pole was snapped, and a metal storage shed was lofted and thrown.[67] | |||||||
| EF0 | Harkers Island (2nd tornado) | Carteret | NC | 34°41′54″N76°34′44″W / 34.6982°N 76.579°W /34.6982; -76.579 (Harkers Island (Jan. 9, EF0)) | 02:09–02:13 | 0.14 mi (0.23 km) | 60 yd (55 m) |
| This tornado, which occurred simultaneously with the tornado listed above, likely originated as a tornadic waterspout overBack Sound before moving inland. One house sustained considerable roof damage, while multiple other houses and a few storage sheds had shingles blown off. Skirting was torn from a mobile home, and many trees were damaged or toppled over.[68] | |||||||
 Remnants of a mobile home that was destroyed at high-end EF2 intensity northeast of Cottonwood, Alabama. One person was killed at this location. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 9, 2024, 7:50 a.m.CST (UTC−06:00) |
| Dissipated | January 9, 2024, 8:22 a.m.CST (UTC−06:00) |
| Duration | 32 minutes |
| EF2 tornado | |
| on theEnhanced Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (210 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 10 (+6 indirect) |
| Damage | $6.25 million (2024 USD) |
This large, long-tracked tornado developed over remote swampland north ofChipley, Florida inJackson County and moved north-northeastward along Hickshill Road at EF1 intensity, snapping or uprooting trees and damaging an outbuilding. The tornado then turned northeastward, continuing to damage trees along with the roof of adouble-wide mobile home along Piano Road. Continuing northeastward, the tornado continued to snap and uprooted trees and damaged another outbuilding. South ofGraceville alongSR 77, the tornado damaged homes, blew out the windows of a mobile home, heavily damaged or destroyed outbuildings, and snapped or uprooted countless trees. It also destroyed a pair of 90-foot-tall (27 m) concretesilos along Cliff Road. Southeast of town, more trees were snapped or uprooted and a home alongCR 169 suffered considerable roof damage in this area. Another home along Shiloh Church Loop also suffered significant roof damage to the east of Graceville. The tornado then crossedSR 2, snapping or uprooting more trees and causing minor roof damage to another home before moving over open terrain, where little if any damage occurred. Right before crossing theFlorida–Alabama state line, the tornado inflicted minor roof damage to a small business along with minor damage to an outbuilding as it crossedUS 231.[69][70]
Continuing northeastward, the tornado then crossed the state line intoHouston County, Alabama while still at EF1 intensity. South ofMadrid, the tornado struck a largeMcLane Company warehouse, which had multiple exterior walls blown out. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, and a power pole was damaged. Beyond this point, several houses, mobile homes, and outbuildings had roofing material torn off, a few power poles were snapped, and countless trees were snapped or uprooted along this segment of the path as well. The tornado briefly reached EF2 intensity as it approachedCottonwood, completely destroying a well-anchored mobile home. The tornado then moved directly through Cottonwood, where several homes and businesses had major roof damage, and one business in the downtown area sustained a total collapse of its front masonry wall. A couple of churches also had roof and window damage and a metal building was left with a large dent in it and had wall panels removed. Much of the peak damage in Cottonwood was rated EF1, but a small area of EF2 damage occurred alongSR 53, where a two-story house had its roof torn off. Another area of EF2 damage occurred as the tornado left the town when it leveled a cinderblockMoose Lodge building and a third area of EF2 damage occurred from large trees being snapped. The tornado continued northeastward, continuing to snap trees with a mobile home suffering minor damage. The tornado then briefly reached its peak intensity of high-end EF2 along September Road where a double-wide mobile home was leveled, resulting in a fatality. After moving over another area of open terrain, the tornado caused EF1 tree damage along Creek Church Road. A small outbuilding was also knocked over and at least one power pole was snapped. After crossingUS 84 at EF0 strength, the tornado caused some additional tree damage. One final area of EF1 damage occurred along Ed Tolar Road, where a home suffered minor roof damage before the tornado dissipated as it reachedCR 95 northwest ofGordon.[69][70]
The tornado traveled 34.76 miles (55.94 km) and reached a width of 1,000 yards (910 m). One person was killed, and ten others were injured, with six others being injured indirectly.[69][70]
