Tornadoes of 2007

• Note: January tornadoes were rated using the old Fujita scale, but are included in the chart above by matching the F rating to the related EF scale rating.[6]

The first severe weather event of 2007 was a scattered but deadly tornado event in the U.S. Gulf Coast region on January 4. Two people were killed in New Iberia, Louisiana, and 15 were injured. It was confirmed to have been an F1 tornado as all the severe damage took place to mobile homes. At least four other tornadoes have been confirmed, including an F2 tornado near Blackwater, Mississippi that injured nine people.[7][8]

The activity continued farther east into Georgia and the Carolinas on January 5, with at least one, and likely more, possible tornadoes. At least 15 people were injured in a tornado in Liberty, South Carolina.[9]

An F1 tornado struck southwest of San Marcos, Texas, causing severe structural damage. Although it wasn't very notable, it was final tornado in United States rated using the Fujita Scale.[10]

The cold front of severe winter storm "Kyrill" spawned tornadoes in Germany, three of which were confirmed as of February 22. The first one caused severe damage in the city of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt. It hit at about 6:40 p.m. local time (1740 UTC). Roofs were blown away and trees virtually torn apart. It is estimated to have been an F2 or F3 tornado.[11] Two more tornadoes were confirmed from Brandenburg—one T6/F3 tracked through Brachwitz and Kemnitz, two small villages 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of Berlin. The strongest tornado that day, T7/F3, took place in Lauchhammer in southern Brandenburg, which leveled massively built barns and snapped high tension poles. This twister tracked a distance of about 34 kilometres (21 mi).

More tornadoes were confirmed from Poland. In the late evening hours, a T3/F1 tornado struck a forest area near Silna in Lubuskie region (western Poland). Furthermore, two other tornadoes struck the village of Czermin near Wrocław and the small town of Andrespol near Lódz in central Poland. The confirmed intensity of the Andrespol-Tornado was T4/F2.

In the early morning hours of February 2, four separate tornadoes ran across Central Florida. The most severe damage occurred in Lake County, where 21 people were killed. Two of the tornadoes were rated EF3 on the new Enhanced Fujita scale.[12] Damage from the tornadoes totaled to US$204 Million. These tornadoes were the very first to be classified under the newly implemented Enhanced Fujita scale in the United States.

Beginning in the late evening hours of February 12 and overnight into February 13, 19 tornadoes touched down across southern Louisiana and Mississippi. The most significant were around Lafayette, Louisiana and in Greater New Orleans. Some of the tornadoes produced significant damage, including an EF2 in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans that killed one woman and left dozens injured. A separate EF2 caused major damage in other parts of the city as well.[13]

More tornadoes developed across Alabama in the late afternoon on February 13, with several reports of damage across the state.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to US$8.32 Million.

Cleanup after the tornado in Dumas, Arkansas.

A moderate severe weather event and tornado outbreak took place on February 23 and 24 across the south-central United States. It was expected to have been much larger on February 23, as a moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center for both days over large areas. The activity on February 23 was quite modest due to a late start and low dew points. The area primarily affected was the southern High Plains. Three weak tornadoes touched down in Kansas, along with one in Texas that day.[14]

Tornado activity the following day was much more significant, especially in Arkansas. An EF3 passed near the town of Strong, Arkansas, heavily damaging homes and mobile homes. A brick house was mostly destroyed, and double-wide mobile home was completely destroyed, with debris scattered up to 200 yards away. 5 people were injured.[15] An EF2 tornado struck the Mt. Olive community in Bradley County a short time later. A house suffered major damage and a mobile home was destroyed there. An elderly woman was injured in the house, and a family of five was injured in the mobile home. Three other homes had minor damage, and several sheds and outbuildings were destroyed. Thousands of trees were blown down, as were a number of power poles and power lines.[16] A second EF3 tornado formed and tore directly through the town of Dumas, where 25 businesses were destroyed, along with 19 homes. More than 65 additional homes sustained minor to moderate damage. Six mobile homes were destroyed, along with an athletic park. A community building sustained major damage, as well as a 20-unit assisted living center. An electrical substation was destroyed, leaving the area without power for several days. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down. Farther to the northeast, in the community of Back Gate, 11 mobile homes were destroyed and 12 sustained minor damage. One house was destroyed, along with three that were damaged. This tornado injured a total of 28 people along its path.[17] After the Dumas tornado dissipated, an EF2 tornado touched down and passed north of Monticello before dissipating near Garrett Bridge. That tornado snapped hundreds of trees, damaged or destroyed several shop buildings and a barn, partially destroyed one house and damaged another.[17][18] Further south, two EF2s touched down in Louisiana. Overall, the outbreak resulted in 20 tornadoes and no fatalities.[14] Damages from the tornadoes totaled to US$48.41 Million.

Extensive tornado damage in Eastern Kansas on February 28, 2007.

A large storm system spawned a significant tornado outbreak, which began February 28 in Kansas and Missouri and continued March 1 in Alabama and Georgia. On February 28, a moderate risk was issued for both days, and on March 1 a high risk was issued for western Alabama, eastern Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle and southern and central Georgia. It was the first such issuance since April 7, 2006.

On February 28, 12 tornadoes were reported, eight in Kansas and four in Missouri. One of them destroyed a house in Linn County, Kansas and the tornado associated with this was rated EF4. Structural damage was also reported near Adrian, Missouri, from a different tornado. Hail as large as baseballs were also reported.[19]

As of March 1, there were at least 53 tornadoes reported that day. Significant damage was reported near Caulfield, Missouri, and one person was killed in a mobile home there.[20] In the early afternoon, supercells became widespread across the region.

A tornado in Enterprise, Alabama heavily damaged a high school and homes while killing nine people when the roof of the school collapsed. One other person was killed in Alabama as well as nine in Georgia including six in a single tornado in Baker County.[21] A total of 34 tornadoes were confirmed during the outbreak which killed 20. This outbreak was part of a large storm that produced a winter storm across the Midwest states, the Great Lakes, Quebec, Ontario, the Canadian Maritimes and the US Northeast killing an additional 19 people.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to greater than US$580 Million.

A tornado killed one and injured 350 in suburbs of Klerksdorp, South Africa.[22]

Demolished home in Holly, Colorado on March 28, 2007

A slow-moving system developed across the High Plains on the dry line on March 28. A moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center as widespread severe weather, including tornadoes, were expected throughout the afternoon and evening. In all, 65 tornadoes were reported in the region, with several destructive and large tornadoes taking place in numerous communities across the region.[23] Many other severe weather reports came in, including hail as large as softballs. Five people lost their lives.

The system gradually moved east on March 29, but the squall line left over from events the previous night prevented a major outbreak. Even so, three tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, two in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, which injured several people.

The SPC had issued a moderate risk again for March 30 and March 31 over portions of southern Texas. Few tornadoes were reported across the Midwest but one tornado hit midtown St. Louis causing damage to roofs, trees and signs including parts of a billboard sign that flew over and blocked Interstate 64.[24]

Another severe weather outbreak took place on April 3. However, damaging hail and wind were the primary effects, although 10 tornadoes were reported in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama. Nearly 400 reports of hail were reported throughout the day with the majority occurring during the afternoon hours in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Kentucky with also reports of golf ball to baseball size hail. The majority of the wind reports were from a bow echo that developed across central Kentucky and Tennessee during the evening hours and causing damage to trees, power lines, antennas and trailers. A total of 10 tornadoes were confirmed; all of them were EF0 or EF1. No fatalities were reported, but several people were injured.[25][26]

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to US$2.73 Million.

A severe weather outbreak occurred across the eastern central states on April 11, exactly 42 years after the deadly 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. The system spanned from Illinois and Indiana down to the southern states spawning seven tornadoes, four in Indiana (two EF0, one EF1 and one EF2 [27]) and 3 in Alabama (all rated EF1[28]). The system also created damaging winds and a great amount of hail.[29]

On April 13, severe weather developed across the Southern Plains, with the first storms affecting north-central Texas. The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for April 13 over portions of North Central, Northeast Texas, Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana.[30] It was also issued for the central Gulf Coast for April 14. During the mid-afternoon hours, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high risk for the second time in 2007.[31] In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, there a couple of tornadoes throughout the region. Hail as large as 3.25 inches (8.3 cm) and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) were reported as well.[32] Two tornadoes, an EF0 and an EF1 were later confirmed in Tarrant County near Fort Worth while another EF0 was confirmed in Dallas County and a third EF0 in Rockwall County. The EF1 in Tarrant County resulted in a fatality.[33] The severe weather caused cancellation of qualifying for the 2007 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, forcing the field to be established via owner's points. Nonetheless, the overall activity was much lower than expected and the high risk busted.

For April 14, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and northwestern Florida. Several more scattered tornadoes were reported.

While most of the activity on April 15 was straight-line winds, an isolated EF3 tornado touched down in Sumter County, South Carolina that morning. Several mobile homes were demolished and one person was killed, with three injured. Two other tornadoes were later confirmed in South Carolina : an EF1 in Lee County and an EF0 in Orangeburg County. Several tornadoes also affected Georgia where at least 8 tornadoes and three injuries were documented.[34][35]

On April 17, although the SPC issued a slight risk of storms, a storm system progressed through Texas. The system spawned 10 tornadoes through northern Texas, such as Anton, Lubbock and Haslet, which is only a few miles from where a number of tornadoes hit the Friday before, April 13, 2007. The system also created penny to ping-pong ball-sized hail and created dangerous wind speeds. Six tornadoes were confirmed, one EF1 and the others all EF0.[36]

A six-day outbreak of tornado activity struck the United States. Activity was not widespread on April 20, but eight tornadoes were reported in southwestern Nebraska, all from a single supercell that suddenly developed. Two have been confirmed as of April 23. A tornado near Moorefield, Nebraska has been rated EF3. It destroyed six farmsteads and had a path length of 11 miles (18 km).[37][38] Another EF2 tornado was confirmed in Dawson County, Nebraska, which was over 1 mile (1.6 km) wide at its peak but fortunately remained in sparsely populated areas.[39]

On April 20, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and the southwestern part of Kansas for April 21 which was extended into Nebraska later. Widespread severe weather developed that evening, although the primary result of the supercells was large hail. The meteorological synopsis was virtually identical to March 28 except for the fact that the air mass was not as unstable.[40] In total, 19 tornadoes were reported.[41] The hardest hit community was Tulia, Texas where many houses were reported to have been destroyed. That tornado was rated as a high-end EF2. Another strong tornado (also a high-end EF2) hit Cactus, Texas where significant structural damage was reported (including total destruction to at least 10 mobile homes) and 14 people were injured, but remarkably, no one was killed. The tornado was 0.75 miles (1.21 km) wide at its widest point.[42]

A severe weather outbreak was forecast for April 23 and 24 across the southern Plains. In the early morning hours of April 22, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for South Central Kansas, Central Oklahoma, and North Central Texas. This was an extremely rare issuance; only twice has such a risk been issued so far out—the others being for June 10, 2005[43] and January 2, 2006[44] (neither time did it result in a major outbreak).[45]

Several tornadic storms were reported across northwest and south-central Texas, far western Oklahoma, and southwest Kansas on April 23. At least 29 tornadoes have been reported. Some were reported to have been large and powerful in the sparsely populated area. However, no injuries were reported.[46]

The activity quickly redeveloped late in the morning of April 24. Later in the afternoon, the risk that day was upgraded to a high risk over parts of East Texas. Tornadoes, along with large hail and damaging winds, occurred in the afternoon and evening hours across the Plains. 22 tornadoes were reported.[47] One large tornadic supercell also moved through Piedras Negras, Coahuila in Mexico, and moved into Eagle Pass, Texas, with reports of significant damage on the U.S. side of the border and at least seven deaths and 74 injuries from that EF3 tornado, plus at least three deaths and at least 40 injuries across the river in Piedras Negras.[48] There was virtually no activity in the high risk area, however, and that busted.

Several tornadoes developed across the Midwest and into the Tennessee Valley on the afternoon and evening of April 26. The hardest hit communities were LaPorte, Indiana (by two EF1 tornadoes) and New Tazewell, Tennessee (also by an EF1 tornado) where structural damage was reported in both communities, and dozens of houses were damaged or destroyed.[49] Several other scattered tornadoes were reported, along with widespread wind damage.[50] In total, seven people were injured. Four other tornadoes were confirmed in Ohio and Illinois.

In the final review of 2007, three EF0 tornadoes were confirmed on April 27. Two of which were in Missouri and the other touched down in Virginia.

In the final review of 2007, seven EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. Six of which touched down in Texas and one in New Mexico.

On May 1, a tornado hit the village of Vershinino in the central region of Tomsk (Tomsk Oblast) in central-southern Siberia. Some roofs were blown away and destroyed, windows were smashed and power lines as well as telephone lines were seriously damaged. An eyewitness reported that her child was whirled around as the tornado struck their street area.[51] No one was seriously injured or killed. According to a damage report, this tornado was ranked as an F2.

The center of Greensburg, Kansas, twelve days after being hit by an EF5 tornado.

On the afternoon of May 2, supercells developed across several parts of Texas. 10 tornadoes were reported, including two in the city of El Paso, however, the damage was relatively minor. Tornado watches were spread throughout Texas. However, the supercells redeveloped into a hybrid derecho across Central and North Texas that evening, stretching from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to south of Waco and extending eastward to about Longview. Widespread wind damage with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) were reported.[52] In the Metroplex, more than 300,000 customers lost power as a result of the high winds. Some of the most severe damage included the loss of a roof at an apartment complex, extensive tree and power line damage (with many trees crashing into houses) and flipped tractor-trailers and mobile homes.[53] However, no fatalities were reported.

A significant severe weather event developed across the central Plains on the evening of May 4. Early in the morning, The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for May 4 over portions of Central Nebraska, Western Kansas, Western Oklahoma, Eastern Colorado and portions of the Texas Panhandle.[54] Around 6:35 pm CDT (2335 UTC), a tornado was reported by KWTV storm spotters on the ground near Arnett, Oklahoma. The tornado stayed in mostly sparsely populated rural areas, but there were reports of a house 7 miles (11 km) west of Arnett being hit. At around 9:50 pm CDT (0250 UTC), there was a violent and destructive tornado in southwest Kansas near Greensburg.[55] City administrator Steve Hewitt said that 90% of Greensburg was destroyed and at least 16 people were critically injured, according to Fox.[56] 11 people died and 63 were injured according to the National Weather Service and CNN. The tornado was rated an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale,[57] the first since the new scale was implemented and the first F5 or EF5 tornado since the Bridge Creek tornado during the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak on May 3, 1999.[58] Another person was killed when a tornado destroyed structures in Ottawa County, Kansas, and another died in Stafford County, Kansas for an outbreak total of 14.[59]

On the morning of May 5, the Storm Prediction Center issued a high risk across central Kansas and Nebraska. The Storm Prediction Center also issued a moderate risk for southern South Dakota and northwest Oklahoma and a slight risk for most of Oklahoma, northern South Dakota, southern North Dakota, eastern Nebraska, western Iowa and northeastern Colorado.[60]

There were 149 tornadoes reported across the area during the outbreak, including 7 on May 3 in Colorado and 30 on May 4. Three other tornadoes were reported in Illinois from a different system. 102 tornadoes were reported on May 5, across the same areas except Illinois.[61] Ten tornadoes were reported across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas on May 6. A tornado that was reported in Florida was separate from the system in the plains and was not included in the count.[62]

Also on May 6, a tornado hit the village of Borod in Bihor region in western Romania, 40 km east of Oradea. The tornado moved a truck, damaged roofs and snapped trees. This event was ranked as F1.

A tornado struck Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) resulting in roof damage and vehicle damage. There was one injury in the second tornado in five months to strike eastern Northern Ireland.[63] The tornado of Carrickfergus was ranked as T2/F1 event.

Also on May 9, a strong tornado struck Bebejia, Chad destroying the town and killing 14 people.[64]

During the late afternoon hours two tornadoes struck eastern Poland. One of them hit the small villages of Chodorówka Stara and Kopciówka near Suchowola in Podlaskie (north-eastern Poland). The F1 tornado caused serious damage to roofs of houses and barns.

The second tornado struck the village of Opole Lubelskie in Lubelskie (eastern Poland), destroying a circus tent. Up to 40 people were injured, most of them were children, who watched a circus show as the tornado struck the area.

Also on May 11, a tornado hit the areas of Dunboyne and Ashbourne in County Meath (eastern Ireland) and caused light damage to roofs in this area.

Around 5:30 p.m. on May 15, a cluster of strong thunderstorms rolled through Southeast Michigan and Southwestern Ontario, causing one tornado touchdown near Bad Axe, Michigan, tracking towards Lake Huron before dissipating. This tornado was detected by radar from numerous Flint and Detroit-area television stations' radar systems as upper level cyclonic rotation. After crossing Lake Huron, the same system once again intensified and a strong F1 tornado touched down in a rural area north of Mitchell, Ontario causing some damage [65] There was also an EF0 tornado in northern Indiana as well as in southern Ohio.

In the final review of 2007, an EF1 tornado was confirmed in Connecticut as well as an EF0 in Illinois.

Damages from the tornadoes totaled to US$50,000.

In the final review of 2007, two EF0 tornadoes were confirmed. One in Wyoming and another in Florida.

In the final review of 2007, three EF0 tornadoes were confirmed in North Dakota.

On May 21, four tornadoes were reported in North Dakota and Nebraska. None of them have been confirmed yet.[66]

On May 22, the Storm Prediction Center issued a slight risk of severe weather for portions of South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.[67] Environment Canada also issued a slight risk of severe weather for northwestern Ontario near the Minnesota border.[65] Eight tornadoes were reported in northwestern Kansas.[68] On the afternoon of May 22, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe storms for parts of western Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and the northern Texas Panhandle for May 23. Significant EF2-EF5 tornadoes were possible inside the moderate risk area.[30] On May 23, 10 tornadoes were reported along with hail as large as softballs.[69]

In the final review of 2007, 28 minor tornadoes were confirmed throughout the United States. 27 were the Midwest and 1 was in Connecticut.

A sudden string of supercells developed across eastern Iowa early in the afternoon of June 1 and tracked into northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. The hardest hit communities were Muscatine, Iowa where widespread structural damage was reported, including businesses destroyed and injuries. Most of Grandview, Iowa was sealed off due to the extensive damage it sustained from the tornado. Houses were flattened in Grandview and people were reported trapped by the EF3 tornado.[70][71] A second nearby tornado, rated EF2, also left significant damage around Bellevue, Iowa.[72] No fatalities were reported.[73]

In the final review of 2007, 25 minor tornadoes were confirmed between June 2 and 4. All but one were EF0 tornadoes.

Tornado damage from the EF3 tornado at the Bear Paw Resort in northern Wisconsin.

Tornado damage from the EF3 Wisconsin tornado in 2010 at WIS 32

A low pressure system moved across much of central and eastern North America starting on June 6 in the central Plains and into the Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes region and eventually the Northeast over the following few days. On June 4, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for June 6, only the fourth such issuance for a day three outlook. On the morning of June 5, the Storm Prediction Center continued the moderate risk for June 6 and issued a moderate risk for June 7 over much of the Upper Midwest, making it the fifth time a moderate risk has been issued on day 3. Both were forwarded to days 1 and 2, respectively, on June 6.[30][45]

On June 6, there were two distinct threats forecast. The central Plains were expected to see a large tornado outbreak potentially, particularly in Nebraska and the Dakotas close to the dry line, should the cap have broken in the atmosphere in the afternoon hours. In the evening and overnight hours, a major derecho with destructive winds and some scattered tornadoes were possible farther east, particularly in the eastern Dakotas, western Minnesota and western Iowa.[67] However, that basically busted as little severe weather happened as the cap held up in most areas. Only five tornadoes and scattered wind reports took place.[74]

A high risk of severe storms was issued for June 7 for the Upper Midwest, from about the Quad Cities north to Lake Superior. Widespread tornadoes and destructive downburst winds were possible.[67] A moderate risk was issued for portions of Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois while a slight risk was issued south towards Oklahoma, which was then upgraded to a moderate risk late in the day. Environment Canada also issued a risk of severe thunderstorms with possible tornadoes for all of northwestern Ontario and a severe weather watch was issued early Thursday morning from the Manitoba border towards the north shore of Lake Superior [65][75]

There were 14 tornado reports that day. The most serious damage was near Mosinee, Wisconsin where a house was heavily damaged by an EF2 tornado, and in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin where a weak tornado touched down in or near the downtown area, along with softball sized hail.[76] However, farther south, the cap has held in place once again, restricting activity to the northern areas.[77]

The largest confirmed tornado on June 7 was an EF3 that touched down in central Wisconsin. It was on the ground for 40 miles (64 km) while passing through Shawano, Menominee, Langlade, and Oconto counties. It was up to ³⁄₄ mile (1.2 km) wide at times and took down 14,000 acres (57 km²) of forest, damaging dozens of buildings.[76]

On June 8, Environment Canada issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for Eastern Ontario with the risk of tornadoes. A Slight risk was issued for most of Southern and Northeastern Ontario. The slight risk zone extends from southern Quebec, near Montreal into northern Mexico [65][67] During the noon hours, the moderate risk zone was extended further south to includes portions of western New York, western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, northern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana, most of Ohio and larger portions of southern Ontario from Windsor to eastern Ontario. It turned out to be a long squall line though, and while there was wind damage from winds as strong as 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) stretching from the Tennessee Valley north to almost Hudson Bay, there were only two tornadoes, one near Brantford southwest of Toronto and the other near Bancroft north of Peterborough, Ontario.[65][78]

A strong, long-track tornado damaged dozens of buildings in multiple villages in Hung Ha district, Thái Bình province, northern Vietnam, killing one person.[79]

In the final review of 2007, 46 tornadoes were confirmed between June 9 and 19 across the United States. Six of the tornadoes were ranked as EF1.

A supercell that developed over the Nebraska/Kansas border produced extensive hail and at least 7 reported tornadoes on June 19. The storm that travelled southeast through Oklahoma and North Texas eventually became a Mesoscale Convective Complex dumping heavy rain across areas that had been hit with significant flooding.

A sharp cold front also produced widespread wind damage across the Great Lakes and the Northeast and at least one reported tornado.[80]

On June 13, a "strong" tornado struck the Trieu Son District in Thanh Hóa Province of central Vietnam, killing two people and heavily damaging nearly 500 houses.[81]

F5 tornado near the town of Elie, Manitoba on June 22, 2007.

A moderate risk of severe thunderstorms was issued by the Storm Prediction Center for portions of eastern Iowa during the late afternoon of June 21. Seven tornadoes were reported across the Plains as a large cluster of storms moved eastward. Several reports of large hail exceeding golf ball size was reported.[67][82] The strongest tornado took place in Norwalk, Iowa, it was an EF2 which heavily damaged homes.[83]

On June 22, more severe storms developed, this time primarily farther north. The most intense weather was across southern Manitoba where tornadoes were reported. The most severe damage was around Elie, Manitoba where several houses were flattened and numerous others damaged or destroyed. A flour mill was also destroyed and several trucks were overturned on Highway 1. The tornado path was 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long, and was initially rated as an F4 on the Fujita Scale before detailed video debris analysis warranted an upgrade to F5 making it the first such tornado in Canada.[84] Another tornado hit McHenry County, North Dakota; it was an EF1 with moderate damage, mainly to trees and farm buildings.[85]

More tornadoes occurred on June 23. A volatile setup for severe thunderstorms was realized in far southeast Saskatchewan by late afternoon and resulted in two long lived supercells that moved southeast into southwest Manitoba and eventually far northeast North Dakota by nightfall. At least five tornadoes were reported, including a significant wedge tornado near Pipestone, MB that was rated F3 on the Fujita scale after inflicting substantial damage to some rural homes.

There were 12 confirmed tornadoes in the US from June 24–27, four were EF1's with the rest EF0's.

A single tornado hit Ignace, Ontario in the north-west part of the province overturning boats, causing damage to trees and property as well as injuring one person.[86]

A tornado in Eastern China killed 14 people and injured 196 others.[87] Three villages in the province of Anhui were particularly hard hit by the storm. The tornado was extraordinarily long lived and destructive. It was estimated to have touched down around 2:50 pm local time and lifted around 6:00 pm local time, roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes in duration. Along the tornado's path 12,391 homes were destroyed and 3,180 were damaged. At least 30,000 people were affected by the tornado[88] and damages were estimated at ¥55 million (US$7.2 million). Local news reports referred to the tornado as the worst in nearly 50 years in China. The Chinese Government reported that the tornado packed winds of at least 100 km/h (60 mph), equivalent to an F1 tornado.[89]

A tornado outbreak affected small portions of Colorado, mostly over Kit Carson County, where 10 tornadoes were confirmed including 9 EF0's and 1 EF1. 7 of the tornadoes occurred within 10 miles (20 km) of Seibert.[90]

An outbreak of tornadoes occurred across New Zealand's North Island. Six were reported in the city of New Plymouth, Taranaki, devastating many houses and part of the Central Business District. Whakatane, Tauranga, and Auckland were also affected by tornadoes.[91][92]

A tornado near Mildmay, Ontario confirmed as an F1, destroys a large implementation shed. Debris reported 1.5 km away, 50 kg drums moved. Another tornado was sighted in the area but unconfirmed touchdown.[93]

On the evening of July 15, several supercells formed across the Dakotas. Six tornadoes were confirmed; five in North Dakota and one in South Dakota.[94] Among them were three EF2 tornadoes, which did significant damage to a number of farm properties across the region. Widespread straight-line wind damage was also reported in the area. However, no one was injured

An EF1 tornado left a 4-mile (6 km) long damage path in Harford County, Maryland. Numerous homes were damaged and roads shut down due to fallen trees and power lines.

An EF1 tornado touched down in Islip Terrace, New York. There was minor structural damage.

An EF1 tornado touched down in the Belfast Lough area of Northern Ireland. This was the third tornado in the area in the last six months.

A tornado touched down near Częstochowa, Poland, causing damage to over 250 buildings, many with roofs blown out, some with brick walls partially collapsed.

Around 4 pm local time on July 30, a strong tornado struck three barangays, injuring two people, destroyed two homes and damaged 12 others. The mayor of the affected region provided financial assistance to the displaced families following the tornado.[95]

A funnel cloud developed over Bolingbrook, Illinois at around 6:00 pm, where it eventually touched the ground. Minor EF0 damage was reported in the city, and the tornado's path was reportedly 1.1 miles (1.8 km) long.

Truck being crushed by a tree during the Brooklyn tornado on August 8, 2007.

An unusual EF2 tornado struck New York City at 6:30 am EDT (1030 UTC) on August 8. The hardest-hit area was the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, where many trees—as much as 40% of the trees in Sunset Park were knocked down and several homes and buildings lost part of their roofs. A second tornado was also confirmed just east of the track of the first tornado and rated as a strong EF1 where additional roofs of homes were damaged. The Flatbush neighborhood, as well as areas on Staten Island, were also affected.[96][97]

Accompanying the tornadoes was a storm which dumped several inches of rain on the city in a few hours, resulting in flooding which effectively shut down the mass transit system. Several people were injured by the tornado, and one person died from the associated flooding. The tornado was the first to hit Brooklyn since 1950 when modern record-keeping began.[98]

At the northern boundary of a heat wave, severe thunderstorms developed on the afternoon of August 9 in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Several sudden supercells developed with at least four tornadoes reported, primarily around Akron, Ohio. Significant damage was reported, including roofs removed from a high school and a factory, as well as numerous houses. Widespread straight-line wind damage was also reported. One person was killed by a fallen tree limb in Marion, Ohio, although it is unclear if it is due to a tornado or straight-line winds.[99] An EF1 tornado was confirmed in Medina County, Ohio.[100] One tornado was also confirmed in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; the tornado was rated as a high-end EF0.[101]

In Pittsburgh, a funnel cloud was spotted downtown near the Carnegie Science Center, shattering windows and evacuating the 1000 patrons to the lower level. The museum was closed until August 13. Over 90,000 homes and businesses were without power, some not receiving it until August 12. [102]

One person was killed when a tornado had struck Zambales, Philippines. Several homes were also heavily damaged or destroyed.[103]

A tornado spawned by Typhoon Sepat touched down in Zhejiang Province, killing 13 people and injuring at least 62 others.[104][105] More than 1,100 buildings were destroyed and 22,700 hectares of crops were damaged by the tornado.[106][107] The tornado touched down around 11:30 pm local time near Wenzhou City. The half-mile (800 m) wide tornado tracked for 5 mi (8 km) before dissipating. Eight of the 62 people who were injured sustained serious injuries. Damages from the tornado were estimated at 138.35 million yuan (US$18.2 million).[108]

During the evening of August 22, a strong tornado struck the town of Bulacan. The tornado destroyed 44 homes and damaged 21 others while injuring two people. Four days after the tornado, the local governments provided roofing materials to the affected homes.[109]

A tornado was spotted in Sanilac County, Michigan around 5:21 pm EDT on August 23, after a hot muggy day caused convection east of an oncoming (eastbound) cold front. Another unconfirmed tornado was spotted tracking from Livonia, Michigan to Redford Township, Michigan.

It was part of a larger derecho with winds up to 100 mph (160 km/h) that did significant damage in the Chicago area and in western Michigan. Embedded in the derecho was an EF1 tornado that touched down in Winfield, Illinois in DuPage County.[110]

The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, confirmed that two EF1 tornadoes hit rural Montcalm County near Cedar Lake.[111] Non-tornadic severe thunderstorms also did serious damage in Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, and Allegan counties.

On August 24, following conditions similar to the previous day, an EF3 tornado with "winds near 140 mph (230 km/h)" formed two miles (3 km) north of Charlotte, Michigan, doing severe damage along Vermontville Highway, passing through Potterville, and crossing I-69 in Eaton County before dissipating as it approached Dimondale, touching down around 4:25 pm EDT and leaving a damage path varying from 200 yards (200 m) to 300 yards (300 m) wide and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long.[112][113]

Around 4:55 pm EDT, the same storm produced an EF1 tornado which touched down at the intersection of Waverly Road and M-99 in southeastern Lansing, extending across I-96, towards the intersections of Aurelius Road with Jolly Road and Dunkel Road before finally dissipating near the Jolly Road interchange on I-496.[112][113]

Other storms in the same system later produced tornadoes in the NWS Detroit/Pontiac office coverage area. The most powerful one was a "strong EF2" that touched down in Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, Michigan at around 5:30 pm EDT. Remaining on the ground for 26 miles (42 km), with an average track width of 200 yards (200 m) and a maximum track width of one-quarter mile in the city of Fenton, Genesee County, the funnel continued through Deerfield Township and northwestern Tyrone Township before entering Genesee County and the city of Fenton, where it caused the partial collapse of "a large retail structure" at the intersection of Owen Road and US-23. It then passed on into Holly, in Oakland County before dissipating into straight-line winds east of Holly.[113][114]

Three other tornadoes were confirmed by damage surveys. An EF0 tornado touched down briefly (track length 50 yards) near the intersection of Durand Road and M-21 in eastern Shiawassee County, Michigan at around 5:23 pm EDT, while another EF0 tornado touched down for three miles (5 km) in Salem Township, Washtenaw County at around 6:02 pm EDT. Additionally, an EF1 tornado struck in Hadley Township, Lapeer County, at around 6:16 pm EDT, leaving a four-mile (6 km) long damage path.[113][114] Numerous reports of straight-line wind damage were also received throughout the entire NWS Detroit/Pontiac coverage area.

The storms in this system were part of the same system that sat over the Midwest Areas for almost a week, bringing pouring rain at first then the Severe Weather later in the week. This storm system and stationary front is also blamed for the flooding in the Ohio area.

A rare tornado occurred in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá, and was caught on tape. There were no immediate word on any damage or injuries.[115] Much of western Colombia lies along the Andes mountain chain which limits tornado activity in that region. However, in June 2001 a tornado killed six people and injured 350 in the town of Barranquillia in extreme northern Colombia.[116]

EF4 damage to a construction company in Northwood, North Dakota.

A localized but damaging tornado outbreak produced 11 tornadoes in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota on the evening of August 26, 2007.[117] A large EF3 tornado passed near Rugh Lake, North Dakota, destroying garages and outbuildings on three farms, tossing grain bins, and snapping numerous trees. Gravel roads were deeply scarred by flying debris, five bison were killed, and two heavy combines were thrown and smashed to pieces by the tornado.[118] The strongest tornado of the outbreak was a large, rain-wrapped EF4 wedge that devastated the town of Northwood, North Dakota. This multiple-vortex tornado began to the southwest of town, snapping numerous trees and striking the Northwood Muni-Vince Airport at EF1 strength, where several planes were damaged. A metal storage building and a small airplane hangar were reduced to bare slabs at that location. The tornado grew to nearly a mile wide and reached EF3 strength as it struck Northwood directly. Of the roughly 460 homes in Northwood, 90% of them sustained some type of damage. The local health center, bank, fire station, school, supermarket, and grain elevator were all damaged. Near the grain elevator, several rail cars were knocked off the tracks. Hundreds of trees were snapped, uprooted, or damaged throughout town, and one person was killed in a mobile home park that was destroyed at the north edge of town. A small area of EF4 damage was noted as the tornado exited at the northeast corner of town. An agricultural company, a construction company, and a car dealership were completely destroyed in this area. The construction company was entirely flattened, with steel beams twisted and thrown into nearby fields. A large metal storage tank that originated in this area was found 1.5 miles away in a corn field. Numerous vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards from the car dealership, many of which were mangled beyond recognition. Farm fields in this area were heavily scoured, and mature corn stalks in one field were snapped at the base and flattened to the ground, with husked ears of corn found scattered about. EF1 damage was observed further to the northeast before the tornado dissipated. In addition to the fatality, 18 other people were injured in Northwood.[119][120] Later that evening, an EF2 tornado touched down near Reynolds, North Dakota, snapping numerous trees near the Red River, and flattening a flag pole and an antique windmill to the ground. The tornado crossed into Minnesota, where a quonset hut and a pole shed were destroyed before the tornado dissipated near Eldred. Eight other weak tornadoes occurred that evening as well.[120][121]

The remnants of Hurricane Humberto which made landfall west of the Texas/Louisiana border on September 13 produced several clusters of thunderstorms, which spawned at least eight confirmed tornadoes (and several more unconfirmed reports) across portions of North Carolina, along with widespread straight-line wind damage. In Clemmons one tornado damaged several homes, while another tornado significantly damaged a nursing home in Fuquay-Varina forcing the evacuation due to a fire in an electrical boxes. Counties affected included Wake, Johnston and Harnett. There were no injuries from any of the tornadoes. Seven of the tornadoes were EF0, and the other was EF1.[122][123]

An undeveloped tropical low over the Gulf of Mexico (which later became Tropical Depression Ten) spawned one confirmed and several possible tornadoes late on September 20 and early on September 21 over parts of central Florida, not far from areas devastated on February 2. The hardest-hit community was Eustis, Florida where at least 50 houses were damaged, many of which were destroyed. Looting was reported in the community after the tornado hit. No serious injuries were reported by the EF1 tornado.[124]

A series of weak tornadoes carved a path through the centre of England (UK), forcing residents to flee and damaging buildings in Farnborough, Nuneaton, Northampton, Luton and Nottingham.[125]

Severe thunderstorms developed across the Midwest on September 30. Several tornadoes touched down, the strongest being an EF2 tornado near Sully, Iowa, which was 22 miles (35 km) long and up to 0.7 mile (1.1 km) wide at its peak. Heavy damage was reported to several houses and industrial buildings from the largest of the tornadoes.[83] Several injuries were reported in Pike County, Illinois due to mobile home damage from an EF0 tornado there.[126]

A sharp cold front with low-topped supercells triggered a small outbreak of tornadoes across a portion of the central United States, particularly in the central Mississippi Valley. At least 15 tornadoes were reported, resulting in at least two injuries and scattered reports of damage, including structural damage to buildings.[127] The strongest tornado was near Woodland, Missouri; it was an EF2 that destroyed a mobile home (critically injuring one elderly occupant) and damaged numerous other buildings.[126]

One of the more notable tornadoes hit the downtown core of Des Moines, Iowa. It was an EF1 that produced only minor damage along most of its path, with the most serious damage being flipped vehicles along Mulberry Street.[128]

A large, destructive supercell storm impacted the Balearic Islands, most specifically the island of Majorca where a tornado was documented in the capital city, Palma de Mallorca. This storm caused considerable damage in many areas of the city and the island.[129]

A tornado damaged 10 houses in Barek Tila, a village in the Sunamganj District of northern Bangladesh, injuring 25 people. Another tornado also struck north-central Jamalpur District, damaging 500 homes and 200 hectares (2.0 km²) of sugarcane.[130]

Three tornadoes hit the Barisal District, Gopalganj and Bhola District districts of southern Bangladesh, killing seven people and leaving 3,000 people homeless.[130]

Tornado damage in Nappanee, Indiana on October 18, 2007.

A complex storm system, involving a deepening low pressure area (979 mb [131]), a tropical low and a series of fronts, developed across the central United States. The SPC forecast a potential severe weather event, possibly a major outbreak, beginning October 17 across much of central and eastern North America.

A moderate risk of severe storms was issued for October 17 across parts of the central U.S. Some activity developed early in the morning of October 17, although no tornadoes were reported. The main supercell activity began that afternoon across a wide swath from Missouri south to Louisiana and west to Oklahoma. At least 16 tornadoes were reported and seven confirmed, with damage in Franklinton, Louisiana and Mount Vernon, Missouri (an EF2). In addition, KTUL has reported at least 40 people were injured in Tulsa at Oktoberfest when thunderstorm winds ripped through the area.[132] The activity turned deadly overnight as an isolated tornado developed in the overnight hours near Paris, Missouri. At least two people were killed when a tornado hit a mobile home.[133]

More severe weather is expected on October 18 across the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes region. Another moderate risk has been issued with tornadoes the main threat. Tornadoes are also possible across the Southern US, particularly the Gulf Coast. The activity began quickly in the southern threat area, and an EF1 tornado took place in the downtown area of Pensacola, Florida. Damage was reported to many buildings in the downtown core, as well as a section of Cordova Mall. Electricity was cut in the area. No injuries were reported.[134] In total, at least 30 tornadoes have been reported so far on October 18 and at least 18 have been confirmed. The hardest-hit state has been Kentucky, where many tornadic supercells formed between Paducah and Louisville, and WFIE has reported many injuries and possible fatalities in numerous communities. At least one person was confirmed dead in Owensboro, Kentucky. However, the National Weather Service[135] has only confirmed minor injuries. Another major tornado has been reported near Nappanee, Indiana; a tornado emergency was declared there. One person was confirmed dead in Kalkaska, Michigan, following an EF2 tornado there while two other people were killed in Ingham County in the Lansing viewing area by an EF2 that caused extensive damage in the Williamston area. While early indications had severe weather continuing into October 19, the lack of sunshine prevented initiation even though temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit were common as far north as southeastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec.

A spectacular multiple-vortex tornado developed near the town of Dunoon, near the City of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. The tornado developed from a supercell at approximately 4pm damaging a power sub-station then going on to Dunoon where it ripped the wall of a church and damaged the roofs and walls of about 20 houses. The tornado was captured on film by both a local[136] and Australian stormchaser Jimmy Deguara and estimated to be at least an EF1 in strength.[137] and [138]

While tornado occurrences are very rare, the Colombian capital Bogotá was hit by its second tornado of the year. The cyclone which was also caught on tape, tore up the roof of a car dealership and additional scattered damage. No injuries or deaths were reported during the tornado event. The area was hit with extensive severe weather over the past few days which included torrential rains that caused significant flooding across the region as well as hail and wind. Hundreds of motorists were stranding on area roads due to the extensive amounts of hail and rain.[139][140]

Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky on November 14, 2007.

After a lull in activity in the US, several tornadoes touched down across parts of the Tennessee Valley north into Kentucky on November 14. The strongest was an EF2 in Kimball, Tennessee where several houses and a church were heavily damaged, injuring nine people.[141] Structural damage was also reported in Laurel County, Kentucky[142] and in two counties in Middle Tennessee[143] from separate EF1 tornadoes. After a lull in activity in the US, several tornadoes touched down across parts of the Tennessee Valley north into Kentucky on November 14. The strongest was an EF2 in Kimball, Tennessee where several houses and a church were heavily damaged, injuring nine people.[141] Structural damage was also reported in Laurel County, Kentucky[144] and in two counties in Middle Tennessee[143] from separate EF1 tornadoes.

Locations of killer tornadoes in the United States in 2007.

A complex weather system developed in mid-December, involving the merging of the remnants of Tropical Storm Olga with a cold front associated with a major winter storm to the north over the Northeast and Midwest. As a result, the first severe weather episode in more than a month in the US produced several tornadoes across the Deep South, particularly southern Georgia and northern and central Florida, late on December 15 and early on December 16. At least 12 tornadoes were reported across the region, with significant damage in several communities. In addition, straight line wind damage has also been reported across the region. One of the more notable tornadoes, an EF1, hit the Pasco County Jail, causing significant damage to the facility. No one was injured there.[145] The strongest tornado was an EF2 near Lothair, Georgia.[146]

One person was killed near Ashburn, Georgia, when his eighteen-wheeler was thrown off Interstate 75 by an EF1 tornado.[147]

Severe thunderstorms developed in the Southeast late in the evening on December 19, with wind and hail damage reported in eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.[148][149] On December 20 a tornado formed near Brookhaven, Mississippi, damaging several buildings and destroying two mobile homes. One person was injured. The tornado was rated EF2.[150]