Southeastern United States and Northeastern United States
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2021
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
Hurricane Ida generated a tornado outbreak as it traversed the Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeastern United States. Thirty-five confirmed tornadoes touched down from Mississippi to Massachusetts; one person was killed in Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania, and several people were injured in Alabama, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The most active and destructive part of the outbreak occurred during the afternoon of September 1, when several strong tornadoes struck Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including an EF3 tornado which impacted Mullica Hill, New Jersey. The same storm later dropped an EF1 tornado that prompted a tornado emergency for Burlington, New Jersey and Croydon, and Bristol, Pennsylvania, the first of its kind in the Northeast, as well as the first such alert associated with a tropical cyclone or it's remnants.[2] This outbreak severely impacted New Jersey and the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, a region which had been significantly impacted by strong tornadoes from another outbreak that occurred just over a month prior, as well as several weak tornadoes from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred two weeks earlier. Overall, the 36 tornadoes killed one person and injured seven others.
At 16:55 UTC on August 29, Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a central pressure of 930 mbar (27 inHg).[3] Strong low-level shear, daytime boundary heating, and weak inland buoyancy led to an increasing risk for tornadoes across the Southeastern United States. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a slight risk for severe weather for the Central Gulf Coast for three straight days between August 29-31.[4][5][6] Numerous weak tornadoes touched down in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama during this time. One EF1 tornado caused considerable damage in Saraland, Alabama on August 30, injuring three people.[7] A small slight risk was also issued in the Mid-Atlantic for the Southern Delmarva Peninsula on August 31, where a confluence zone was expected to have an increasing westerly mid-level flow in response to Ida, although it was not the only influence in this area.[6] Two weak tornadoes occurred in Southwest Virginia that afternoon.[8]
As Ida became extratropical and moved into the Northeastern United States on September 1, a strengthening low-level jet (LLJ) along and south of a warm front coupled with a very moist atmosphere and sufficient surface heating led to a more substantial risk for tornadoes between Washington, D.C., and New York City and the SPC issued a tornado-driven enhanced risk for severe weather for this region. This included a 10% tornado risk with a 30% damaging wind risk added later on.[9] That afternoon, several supercells formed across the D.C. metropolitan area and quickly became tornadic as they moved northeast. An EF2 tornado struck Annapolis, Maryland, causing significant structural and tree damage throughout the city.[10] Another EF2 tornado caused severe damage in a residential neighborhood in Oxford, Pennsylvania.[11] Later, a large EF2 tornado struck Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania, severely damaging buildings, homes, and trees, killing one person and causing a few minor injuries.[11] An intense EF3 wedge tornado destroyed several homes and a dairy farm in Mullica Hill, New Jersey as well, injuring two people.[11] An EF1 tornado produced by the same storm prompted the issuance of the first ever tornado emergency the Northeast, as well as the first such alert associated with a tropical cyclone. A few other weak tornadoes also touched down later that evening and into September 2 before the remnants of Ida moved offshore, ending the outbreak.
A waterspout moved onshore from the Gulf of Mexico damaging several homes, with one sustaining extensive roof damage. It continued to damage homes as it tracked northwest into the Bay of St. Louis. The tornado tracked near Diamondhead as it moved onshore from the bay. Shingles were removed from the roof of a nursing center as the tornado crossed I-10 before dissipating shortly thereafter. Trees were snapped or uprooted along the path as well.[12][13]
Numerous trees and tree limbs were downed, including one large tree that was uprooted onto two houses. A house, a strip mall, and another building sustained roof damage as well.[14]
A waterspout moved onshore and caused minor damage to the roofs of several homes and an apartment complex. Several trees were also snapped or uprooted.[18]
A waterspout formed over the Mississippi Sound and moved inland. Several homes and a detached garage were damaged, trees were snapped or uprooted, and power lines were snapped.[20]
August 30 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, August 30, 2021[note 1]
Several homes sustained minor roof damage. Portions of roofing were torn off at a bank and a restaurant, and trees and fences were damaged along the tornado's path.[26]
The roof of a motel was partially removed just west of US 43 in Saraland, and several sections of another motel's roof were removed. The roof of an industrial building was partially removed and an 18-wheeler was overturned. Trees were uprooted or snapped along the path, including some that fell onto a home near I-65. Three people were injured.[28] In November 2023, this tornado was reanalyzed and had its path length adjusted from 9.96 mi (16.03 km) to 16.62 mi (26.75 km) due to a narrow swath of uprooted and snapped trees noted on Planet and Worldview satellite imagery. The ending point was also extended further to the northeast into the Mobile River delta.[29]
In November 2023, a new tornado was found along the Alabama River based on a narrow swath of tree damage noted on Planet and Worldview satellite imagery.[29]
A mobile home was rolled and another home lost much of its roof. Trees were snapped or uprooted as the tornado tracked through a heavily wooded area.[30]
Trees were downed onto a mobile home. Farther along the path, the doors and siding of a warehouse were damaged and the roof of a shed was peeled off.[33]
Bleachers and a dugout at the Dale City High School were damaged. Numerous homes in Midland City sustained minor roof damage, and trampolines were lofted into the air. Several trees were also blown down, some of which fell onto and damaged a home.[36]
This damaging tornado first touched down in Owensville before moving north-northeastward, downing trees and tree branches. As it entered the south side of Edgewater, it strengthened and struck a subdivision, where multiple homes had large sections of their roofs torn off, and one was unroofed entirely. The Center of Applied Technology South and South River High School both sustained roof damage, while the concession stand and football field grandstands were also damaged. Many homes suffered considerable roof, siding, and porch damage as the tornado moved farther north-northeast through residential areas. After crossing the South River, the tornado reached peak strength and struck several neighborhoods in Annapolis. Numerous homes, apartment buildings, businesses, warehouses, and restaurants had their roofs ripped off or sustained significant roof and siding damage, including a warehouse that sustained some collapse of exterior walls. Numerous windows were also shattered, signs were destroyed, and many power lines and trees were downed, some of which landed on homes. The tornado weakened and caused additional tree and roof damage as it approached US 301/US 50 before lifting just after crossing it.[39]
A high-end EF0 tornado developed at the confluence of the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay and moved north-northeastward, crossing the Shallow Creek, Back River, and Browns Creek. Trees and branches were snapped along the path before it dissipated near the Middle River.[40]
This low-end EF2 tornado first caused significant damage in the Wiltshire subdivision at the east edge of Oxford. A home lost an exterior wall, another home lost a large part of its roof and much of its siding, and several other homes were damaged to a lesser degree. An outbuilding was damaged and an RV was flipped at a business near the subdivision as well. The tornado weakened as it continued to the north, damaging a metal storage building, turkey pens, outbuildings, power poles, trees, and crops before dissipating. Damage totaled $500,000.[41]
A 40 ft (12 m) section of roofing was torn off of a metal building. Several large irrigation systems were flipped, and damage to soybean and corn crops also occurred.[42]
1 death – This rain-wrapped, strong tornado touched down near the Philadelphia Cricket Club southwest of Whitemarsh, where minor low-end EF1 tree damage occurred. Additional minor damage occurred to homes and trees in and around Fort Washington State Park. The tornado strengthened to high-end EF1 intensity as it moved through Whitemarsh, crossed the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and moved into a more residential area as it entered Fort Washington, where many trees were snapped, and numerous homes sustained minor to moderate roof and siding damage. The tornado then rapidly intensified and reached its peak intensity of high-end EF2 as it crossed PA 309 in Upper Dublin. Numerous homes and apartment buildings sustained partial to total loss of their roofs, and one sustained collapse of some exterior walls. Almost all trees in this area were uprooted or snapped, and cars were flipped or damaged by flying debris. Upper Dublin High School sustained roof damage, a large building adjacent to the school lost a significant portion of its roof, and power poles were snapped. Homes near the school were damaged, and one woman was killed when a large tree fell onto her house on Kenyon Drive. The tornado weakened to high-end EF1 strength as it continued to move to the northeast, flattening a wide swath of trees in a wooded area and causing severe roof damage to buildings on the campus of Temple University Ambler. Homes were damaged in a nearby neighborhood as well, a few of which also had large sections of roofing torn off. Many additional trees were downed, and mostly minor roof damage to homes, commercial buildings, and a veterinary hospital occurred in Maple Glen before the tornado quickly dissipated near the Bucks County line. Damage totaled $5 million and two people were injured.[43]
This tornado came from the same storm that produced the previous tornado above. It moved through a forested area, damaging and knocking down trees, some of which blocked roads.[44]
Some trees were uprooted at the Jericho National Golf Club. Additional tree damage was found along with several flipped soccer goals at Brownsburg Park. The tornado dissipated just before crossing the Delaware River.[45]
This tornado came from the same storm that produced the Mullica Hill EF3 tornado and several pictures and videos were taken of it. Trees and power lines were damaged along the path and a few homes sustained minor damage. A tornado emergency was issued for this tornado, this first of its kind to be issued in the Northeast.[46][47]
This tornado was the last produced by the Mullica Hill supercell. Trees and branches were snapped and uprooted in town, but no structural damage occurred.[48]
September 2 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, September 2, 2021[note 1]
This intense wedge tornado caused major damage as it paralleled Route 45 to its west in Gloucester County. It first touched down at 6:10 p.m. EDT (22:10 UTC), east-southeast of Harrisonville, initially causing minor tree damage. Tree damage became more significant as it moved northeast into the eastern side of Cedar Grove, and dozens of trees were downed at EF1 intensity in the small community. The tornado became strong and destructive as it struck the Willow Oaks subdivision at the northeast edge of Cedar Grove, where multiple homes sustained significant structural damage on Marvin Lane. Roofs were ripped off, exterior walls were collapsed, vehicles were moved and damaged, and one home was left with only a few walls left standing, with the damage in this area being rated EF3. The tornado then weakened momentarily as it struck a commercial farm along Route 77 at the south edge of Mullica Hill, destroying barns and storage buildings at EF1 to EF2 intensity before strengthening again and moving through a subdivision in the eastern part of town.
The large tornado reached its peak intensity of mid-range EF3 at this location as it moved over Salvatore Lane and Clems Run. Several two-story homes sustained total roof and exterior wall loss in this area, and cars were tossed around. One house was completely leveled, though it was not well-anchored and nearby trees did not sustain damage consistent with a tornado stronger than EF3 strength. Crossing US 322 past Mullica Hill, the tornado maintained its strength as it destroyed barns and silos at a large dairy farm, and completely mowed down a wide swath of large trees as it moved through a wooded area. In the worst affected area, every tree in the direct path was snapped near the base. The tornado then briefly weakened to EF1 intensity before regaining EF2 intensity as it moved into Mantua Township and passed west of Barnsboro, where many trees were downed, homes sustained roof damage, and a large commercial greenhouse was partially destroyed. Continuing to the northeast, it remained at EF2 strength as it impacted Wenonah, where garages were destroyed, a fire station was damaged, and some homes had roofs and exterior walls ripped off.
The tornado then narrowed and gradually weakened, causing mostly minor damage to trees, fences, roofs and siding occurred in Woodbury Heights and Deptford before dissipating at 6:30 p.m. EDT (22:30 UTC). It traveled 12.37 miles (19.91 km) and reached a maximum path width of 400 yards (370 m). Two people were injured. This was the first F3/EF3 rated tornado in the state of New Jersey since 1990, and one of only four ever confirmed in the state.[10][51] Damages exceeded $64 million, although the official estimate from the National Centers for Environmental Information is $5 million.[52][51][53]
^ abcdeAll dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
References
^Tornado Reports: August 28-September 2, 2021, NCEI
^"2021 [KPHI] MOUNT_HOLLY Tornado (TO) Warning (W) Number 49". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. NWS Mount Holly. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
^Brown, Daniel P.; Brennan, Michael J. (August 29, 2021). Hurricane Ida Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
^SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Sunday August 29, 2021. www.spc.noaa.gov (Report). Storm Prediction Center. August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Monday August 30, 2021. www.spc.noaa.gov (Report). Storm Prediction Center. August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
^ abSPC Severe Weather Event Review for Tuesday August 31, 2021. www.spc.noaa.gov (Report). Storm Prediction Center. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^NWS Damage Survey for Hurricane Ida Tornado Event (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^NWS Damage Survey for August 31 2021 Tornadoes in Montgomery County Virginia (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Wednesday September 01, 2021. www.spc.noaa.gov (Report). Storm Prediction Center. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^ ab"ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
^Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^ abNational Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama (2024). Local Tornado Reanalysis Project (Report). weather.gov. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Storm Events Database August 30, 2021 (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved November 20, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Maryland Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Maryland Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Pennsylvania Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Maryland Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Pennsylvania .Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Pennsylvania Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Pennsylvania Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^New Jersey Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Pennsylvania Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^New Jersey Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Massachusetts Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^"Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information".
^ abNew Jersey Event Report: EF3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Costs exceed $64M for mega tornado that ripped through N.J. county during Ida, NJ.com, October 29, 2021
^Tucker, Nelson (20 January 2022). "Chapter III: Mt Royal Road-Aerial Drive (Mullica Hill Part III) EF3 Tornado – September 1, 2021". Tornado Talk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
External links
Tornado Outbreak Hits Maryland and New Jersey - Sept. 1, 2021
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
