 Satellite imagery of the nor'easter impacting theNortheastern United States on April 16 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 13, 2007 |
| Dissipated | April 17, 2007 |
| Category 1 "Notable" winter storm | |
| Regional snowfall index: 1.17 (NOAA) | |
| Lowest pressure | 969mbar[1] |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 23.0 inches (58.42 centimeters) |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | 36 |
| Maximum rating | EF3 tornado |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | At least 18 (2 tornadic) |
| Damage | $264 million (2007 USD) |
| Areas affected | East Coast of the United States,Eastern Canada |
Part of theWinter storms of 2006–07 and theTornadoes of 2007 | |
TheApril orSpring nor'easter of 2007 was anor'easter that affected mainly the eastern parts ofNorth America during its four-day course, from April 14 to April 17, 2007. The combined effects of high winds, heavy rainfall, and high tides led to flooding, storm damages, power outages, and evacuations, and disrupted traffic and commerce. In the north, heavy wet snow caused the loss of power for several thousands of homes inOntario andQuebec. The storm caused at least 18 fatalities.
The storm that would become the April 2007 nor'easter started out in theSouthwestern United States, as an upper-level disturbance in thejet stream, on April 13.[1] It brought high wind and fire danger toCalifornia,Nevada,New Mexico andArizona. The storm then moved out into the southern Plains States, bringing heavy snow to Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, with hail, wind, andtornadoes, affected parts ofTexas,Louisiana,Mississippi,Alabama,Georgia,Florida, and theCarolinas. The storm then moved across the Mid-Atlantic States, and into theAtlantic Ocean, following the East Coast. The storm then rapidly intensified into a majornor'easter, with the warm waters of theGulf Stream. The storm stalled just offshore fromNew York City and continued to strengthen. The lowest barometric pressure recorded was 968 millibars (28.58 in Hg), equivalent to that of a moderateCategory 2 hurricane.[1]
TheNational Weather Service reported 7.57 inches (192 mm) of rain inCentral Park by midnight of April 15, the second heaviest rainfall in 24 hours on record, and indicated that this storm caused the worst flooding sinceHurricane Floyd in 1999.[2]Major airports in the New York area resumed flights on April 16, after having had to cancel over 500 flights before. Local rail and transit lines reported delays and cancellations affecting theMTA,NJ Transit,LIRR, andMetro-North Railroad. Power failures affected several thousand people.[2]
On April 16, 2007, the storm caused sustained winds of nearly 100 mph (87 knots) on, and near New Hampshire'sMount Washington, with gusts topping out at 156 mph (136 knots).[3]
While areas closer to the shore received heavy rainfall, higher regions inland received unseasonal snow.[4] Several towns suffered from flooding includingMamaroneck in New York, andBound Brook andManville in New Jersey, while coastal towns had to deal with damage from high tides. Most major highways inWestchester County,New York were closed on April 15 and April 16 due to extreme flooding. In Quebec, several regions including theLaurentides andCharlevoix regions received in excess of 6 inches (15 cm) of snow with areas exceeding well above 1 foot (30 cm) of snow. In the city ofOttawa, 17 cm (5 in) of heavy wet snow fell in just a few hours causing power lines and trees to fall down causing scattered blackouts in several parts of the city.[5] Similar damage was reported in the higher elevations north of Montreal and Ottawa.
In total, more than 175,000 homes in Canada suffered a power outage, including 160,000Hydro-Québec customers mainly in areas fromGatineau towardsQuebec City includingMontreal,Lanaudière and theLaurentians with an additional 15,000Hydro One and Hydro Ottawa customers.[6] In the US over a quarter million homes lost power with New York and Pennsylvania being the hardest hit states due to the strong winds.
GovernorEliot Spitzer ofNew York activated 3,200 members of theNational Guard on alert.Richard Codey, acting governor ofNew Jersey, declared astate of emergency.[7]
The storm was blamed for several fatalities, including one person in atornado in South Carolina, two people in storm-related traffic accidents in New York and Connecticut,[8] two people in West Virginia, three people in New Jersey,[9] and prior to its arrival in the East, five deaths in Kansas and Texas.[2] In Quebec, an accident between a van and a tractor trailer killed five occupants of the van in a highway north of Montreal.[10] Numerous other accidents were reported byOPP and theSûreté du Québec during the storm.
TheBoston Marathon took place in what many considered to be the worst weather in its 110-year history. Race officials held serious talks about whether or not to cancel the race.[11] The men's race had the slowest winning time in thirty years (1977). In the women's race, "[t]he rainy and windy conditions led to the slowest winning time since 1985".[12]
High winds during the storm preventedemergency medical services from usinghelicopters for evacuation of the injured at theVirginia Tech massacre.[13]
TheInternal Revenue Service delayed by two days the deadline for tax filing for victims of the nor'easter.[14]
While filing for federal disaster relief, acting governor Codey of New Jersey indicated that the storm caused $180 million in property damage in New Jersey, making it the second-worst rain storm in its history, afterHurricane Floyd.[9] In addition,New Hampshire received $30.5 million in aid following the storm, the most aid received for any storm in state history.[15]
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | NE ofRule | Haskell | TX | 33°13′N99°52′W / 33.22°N 99.87°W /33.22; -99.87 (Rule (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 18:45–18:50 | 0.9 mi (1.4 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Brief tornado crossed Highway 6 and caused no damage.[16] |
| EF0 | S ofSeymour | Baylor | TX | 33°31′12″N99°18′35″W / 33.5199°N 99.3098°W /33.5199; -99.3098 (Seymour (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 19:38–19:48 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 880 yd (800 m) | This large wedge tornado remained over open country, though it was likely capable of causing major damage.[17] |
| EF0 | Benbrook | Tarrant | TX | 32°40′52″N97°27′31″W / 32.6812°N 97.4586°W /32.6812; -97.4586 (Benbrook (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 22:55–22:57 | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | A tornado damaged fences, trees, and street signs. The façade of a business was also slightly damaged.[18] |
| EF1 | NorthernFort Worth toHaltom City | Tarrant | TX | 32°46′13″N97°19′33″W / 32.7704°N 97.3257°W /32.7704; -97.3257 (Fort Worth (Apr. 13, EF1)) | 23:09–23:15 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 125 yd (114 m) | 1 death - Substantial roof damage was done to a grocery store, several homes, and a church. Another church suffered steeple damage, and commercial buildings were also damaged, including one that sustained total collapse of an east-facing wall. Tractor-trailers were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees and power lines were downed as well. Damage was $1 million.[19] |
| EF0 | EasternDallas | Dallas | TX | 32°47′32″N96°42′59″W / 32.7921°N 96.7165°W /32.7921; -96.7165 (Dallas (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 00:00–00:02 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Several trees, tree limbs, and fences were downed in a residential area, and apartment buildings sustained roof damage.[20] |
| EF0 | S ofRoyse City | Rockwall,Hunt | TX | 32°54′28″N96°20′03″W / 32.9077°N 96.3343°W /32.9077; -96.3343 (Royce City (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 00:45–00:47 | 1.95 mi (3.14 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Two barns were destroyed and fences were downed.[21] |
| EF0 | SW ofGreenville | Hunt | TX | 33°02′11″N96°09′58″W / 33.0365°N 96.1662°W /33.0365; -96.1662 (Greenville (Apr. 13, EF0)) | 00:53–00:54 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Brief tornado caused damage to trees.[22] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | Pinebur | Marion | MS | 31°10′N89°43′W / 31.16°N 89.72°W /31.16; -89.72 (Pinebur (Apr. 14, EF0)) | 15:10–15:11 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Trees were snapped and large limbs were blown down.[23] |
| EF0 | ESE ofOak Bowery | Jones | MS | 31°36′18″N89°21′26″W / 31.6049°N 89.3572°W /31.6049; -89.3572 (Oak Bowery (Apr. 14, EF0)) | 15:35–15:36 | 0.27 mi (0.43 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Brief tornado remained in rural areas with no damage.[24] |
| EF1 | SE ofPetal | Forrest | MS | 31°19′20″N89°11′30″W / 31.3223°N 89.1918°W /31.3223; -89.1918 (Petal (Apr. 14, EF1)) | 1641–1642 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | One home had significant damage with the carport being destroyed and other damage to sidings, roof and windows. Trees were snapped or uprooted and a power pole also snapped.[25] |
| EF1 | S ofVredenburgh | Monroe | AL | 31°49′06″N87°18′55″W / 31.8184°N 87.3154°W /31.8184; -87.3154 (Vredenburgh (Apr. 14, EF1)) | 18:33–18:36 | 1.06 mi (1.71 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Following a largemicroburst, a tornado damaged two churches and an old home had its roof blown off and was pushed off its foundation. Trees were downed in a convergent pattern.[26] |
| EF0 | NW ofSaville | Crenshaw | AL | 32°01′49″N86°23′21″W / 32.0302°N 86.3892°W /32.0302; -86.3892 (Saville (Apr. 14, EF0)) | 21:00–21:02 | 0.54 mi (0.87 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | A rope tornado damaged the tin roofs of three buildings on a poultry farm. A church had shingles taken off and a tree fell onto the roof.[27] |
| EF1 | NNW ofCastleberry | Conecuh | AL | 31°20′00″N87°02′10″W / 31.3334°N 87.0362°W /31.3334; -87.0362 (Castleberry (Apr. 14, EF1)) | 22:12–22:14 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | One residence was damaged and trees were blown down.[28] |
| EF1 | W ofTanyard | Pike,Bullock | AL | 31°52′52″N85°43′08″W / 31.8812°N 85.7189°W /31.8812; -85.7189 (Tanyard (Apr. 14, EF1)) | 23:11–23:15 | 3.2 mi (5.1 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | One barn was destroyed and several homes had minor roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted as well.[29] |
| EF1 | NorthernOzark | Dale | AL | 31°28′51″N85°41′10″W / 31.4807°N 85.6862°W /31.4807; -85.6862 (Ozark (Apr. 14, EF1)) | 00:05–00:12 | 5.83 mi (9.38 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | A carport, two sheds, a barn and a greenhouse were destroyed. A residential gable collapsed, and several homes sustained moderate damage in the community ofPost Oak. Trees were downed as well, including one that landed on a house.[30] |
| EF0 | N ofMorgan | Calhoun | GA | 31°32′50″N84°36′01″W / 31.5473°N 84.6003°W /31.5473; -84.6003 (Morgan (Apr. 14, EF0)) | 01:45–01:47 | 0.83 mi (1.34 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | One structure was damaged and numerous trees were knocked down.[31] |
| EF1 | NW ofLeesburg | Lee | GA | 31°45′54″N84°16′08″W / 31.7649°N 84.269°W /31.7649; -84.269 (Leesburg (Apr. 14, EF0)) | 02:30–02:33 | 2.47 mi (3.98 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Fifteen structures were damaged, including a mobile home and a frame home being destroyed. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as well.[32] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | Eastman | Dodge | GA | 32°12′22″N83°11′50″W / 32.2061°N 83.1971°W /32.2061; -83.1971 (Eastman (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 05:23–05:28 | 4.48 mi (7.21 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A greenhouse, an announcers booth at a football field and two mobile homes were destroyed. Several retain buildings sustained minor damage as well. One home was destroyed by a fallen tree, injuring both occupants. Numerous trees and power lines were downed, some of which landed on homes and caused damage.[33] |
| EF2 | NE ofRentz to S ofDublin | Laurens | GA | 32°24′59″N82°57′21″W / 32.4165°N 82.9557°W /32.4165; -82.9557 (Rentz (Apr. 15, EF2)) | 05:45–05:54 | 6.03 mi (9.70 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Two mobile homes and a greenhouse were destroyed. The carport of a site-built home was removed as well as a portion of the roof. Several other mobile homes and site-built homes sustained minor damage from wind and fallen trees. 3 people were injured.[34] |
| EF0 | NE ofCedar Grove | Laurens | GA | 32°18′12″N82°51′14″W / 32.3034°N 82.8538°W /32.3034; -82.8538 (Cedar Grove (Apr. 15, EF0)) | 05:50–05:58 | 5.92 mi (9.53 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Outbuildings were damaged and numerous trees were downed.[35] |
| EF1 | SE ofOrland to NW ofNorristown Junction | Treutlen,Emanuel,Johnson | GA | 32°26′43″N82°40′54″W / 32.4454°N 82.6817°W /32.4454; -82.6817 (Orland (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 06:04–06:18 | 11.53 mi (18.56 km) | 440 yd (400 m) | One mobile home was rolled over and a utility building lost portions of its roof. About a dozen homes inAdrian were damaged. Two homes at a campground were also damaged due to fallen trees. InOrianna, two homes were heavily damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. A mobile home was also destroyed in Emanuel County near the end of the path.[36][37][38][39] |
| EF1 | SE ofDublin to NNW ofMeeks | Laurens,Johnson | GA | 32°29′43″N82°52′15″W / 32.4954°N 82.8709°W /32.4954; -82.8709 (Dublin (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 06:05–06:24 | 19.03 mi (30.63 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees and power lines were downed. Several homes and a church sustained minor damage, and a family life center was shifted off of its foundation.[40][41] |
| EF2 | E ofTwin City to SSW ofGarfield | Emanuel | GA | 32°33′35″N82°08′45″W / 32.5596°N 82.1457°W /32.5596; -82.1457 (Twin City (Apr. 15, EF2)) | 06:56–07:01 | 5.39 mi (8.67 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Two homes lost a significant portion of their roofs and outer walls. A mobile home was also damaged and some nearby outbuildings were destroyed.[42] |
| EF1 | NNE ofOakfield to NE ofArabi | Worth,Crisp | GA | 31°48′19″N83°57′54″W / 31.8053°N 83.9650°W /31.8053; -83.9650 (Oakfield (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 07:23–07:39 | 14.56 mi (23.43 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | A home and several silos were damaged while trees and power lines were downed. A mobile home was also pushed off its foundation while a car was thrown into a guard rail onInterstate 75.[43][44] |
| EF2 | SouthernEastman | Dodge | GA | 32°11′08″N83°10′53″W / 32.1855°N 83.1815°W /32.1855; -83.1815 (Eastman (Apr. 15, EF2)) | 08:25–08:30 | 3.64 mi (5.86 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Two mobile homes, a barn and a garage were destroyed while several homes sustained minor to heavy damage.[45] |
| EF2 | NW ofBaxter | Baker | FL | 30°32′N82°15′W / 30.53°N 82.25°W /30.53; -82.25 (Baxter (Apr. 15, EF2)) | 11:15–? | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | A house sustained minor damage and an outbuilding was destroyed. Widespread tree damage occurred as well.[46] |
| EF0 | NW ofEhrhardt to SE ofBamberg | Bamberg | SC | 33°10′N81°04′W / 33.16°N 81.07°W /33.16; -81.07 (Ehrhardt (Apr. 15, EF0)) | 11:47–11:58 | 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Damage to trees and power lines occurred.[47] |
| EF0 | E ofEhrhardt | Bamberg | SC | 33°04′N81°01′W / 33.07°N 81.01°W /33.07; -81.01 (Ehrhardt (Apr. 15, EF0)) | 12:11–12:17 | 4.16 mi (6.69 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Damage was limited to trees.[48] |
| EF3 | NW ofPinewood to NW ofMayesville | Sumter | SC | 33°47′15″N80°29′55″W / 33.7876°N 80.4987°W /33.7876; -80.4987 (Pinewood (Apr. 15, EF3)) | 12:20–12:41 | 19.04 mi (30.64 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | 1 death – Seven mobile homes were destroyed, nine frame homes were severely damaged while 62 mobile and frame homes were damaged at varying degrees. 5 other people were injured.[49] |
| EF1 | E ofSt. Charles | Lee | SC | 33°47′15″N80°29′55″W / 33.7876°N 80.4987°W /33.7876; -80.4987 (St. Charles (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 12:50–12:54 | 3.64 mi (5.86 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Tornado downed numerous trees, a few powerlines, and did minor damage to a church and a mobile home.[50] |
| EF0 | SE ofRowesville to N ofBowman | Orangeburg | SC | 33°19′N80°45′W / 33.31°N 80.75°W /33.31; -80.75 (Rowesville (Apr. 15, EF0)) | 13:37–13:45 | 6.21 mi (9.99 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Damage to trees and power lines occurred.[51] |
| EF1 | S ofIslandton | Colleton | SC | 32°52′42″N80°55′49″W / 32.8783°N 80.9304°W /32.8783; -80.9304 (Islandton (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 13:38–13:39 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 60 yd (55 m) | Hundreds of trees and power lines were downed, and a large barn was destroyed with debris scattered up to a half-mile away. A house sustained window, brick veneer, and siding damage. A large 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) horse trailer was lifted up and carried500 ft (150 m), and an 800-pound grain wagon was lifted and carried400 ft (120 m). A bass boat was flipped over and a 4-wheeler was damaged along with other farm equipment. A tree also fell on a mobile home as well.[52] |
| EF1 | SE ofIslandton | Colleton | SC | 32°53′30″N80°54′22″W / 32.8917°N 80.9061°W /32.8917; -80.9061 (Islandton (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 13:41–13:42 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | Tornado carried two empty grain silos about100 ft (30 m), snapped off or uprooted dozens of trees, destroyed a large portion of an outbuilding, and severely injured a dog.[53] |
| EF1 | SW ofRuffin | Colleton | SC | 32°57′36″N80°49′11″W / 32.9599°N 80.8198°W /32.9599; -80.8198 (Ruffin (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 13:44–13:48 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 80 yd (73 m) | Tornado overturned 3 mobile homes and shifted another 7 mobile homes off of their foundations. It tore the skirting away from another mobile home, destroyed a storage shed, and snapped off or uprooted dozens of trees. A couple of trees fell on a house. A vehicle and an outbuilding were also damaged. 9 people were injured.[54] |
| EF1 | NW ofSummer Haven | St. Johns | FL | 29°43′N81°14′W / 29.72°N 81.24°W /29.72; -81.24 (Summer Haven (Apr. 15, EF1)) | 14:10 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Boat house roofs were blown off, and trees were snapped. Buildings had windows blown out and pieces of lumber embedded into them. Signs were bent over at 45-degree angles.[55] |
| EF0 | Dundee | Polk | FL | 28°00′32″N81°39′01″W / 28.0089°N 81.6503°W /28.0089; -81.6503 (Dundee (Apr. 15, EF0)) | 16:00–16:03 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Several manufactured homes were damaged to various degrees, and some were left uninhabitable.[56] |
