Severe Weather: Saturday’s Tornado Review
As of 5:32 Sunday evening, the National Weather Service Forecast office in Memphis released new information detailing the tornadoes that touched down on Saturday evening as a result of the outer bands of the remnants of Isaac. Starting just 1 mile southwest of Corning Airport and ending 1.5 miles north east of the airport, an EF2 rated tornado traveled approximately 2.5 miles bringing heavy damage to the outlying areas. Peak winds were estimated to be between 111 and 135 mph. During a survey of the damage, evidence of the tornado’s touchdown just southwest of the airport was found with significant inflow damage visible to several airport hangars and other property on site. Two hangers specifically near the northern side of the airport were extensively damaged with almost total failure of the building at the northern end of the property. In addition, many aircraft were heavily damaged inside of those two hangars, which was estimated to cost $5,000,000 or more. Power poles were downed, a clear path of the tornado was seen in a nearby farm field, and large quantities of debris were found throughout the area 1.5 miles away from the airport with one 930 lb. piece of equipment found a quarter of a mile from its original location. The rotation on this tornado is believed to have halted at one point and then respond as a weaker system where a second tornado was spotted. This storm was rated at an EF0 with peak winds estimated to be less than 85 mph but still causing damage to property. A few brief touchdowns along a line of about 100 yards were reported in farm fields in Pemiscot County in Arkansas between Braggadocio and Hayti. All of the aforementioned information is preliminary and subject to change pending official review of the event. For today, a weak upper-level trough will move over the Northern and Central Plains today and at the surface a cold front will advance southeastward across the Dakotas and Nebraska. A slight risk has been extended from the mid-Missouri Valley extending northeastward across the upper Mississippi Valley where forecast models are projecting moderate instability this afternoon. For West Tennessee, that means that thunderstorm development will be possible. Damaging winds would be the main threat associated with any storms that reach severe limits but localized flash flooding from heavy rainfall is also possible with any thunderstorm activity. Stay tuned to the VIPIR 7 Storm Team for continued updates throughout the day on what you can expect for the rest of your Labor Day weekend.
