Type Tornado outbreak Tornadoes confirmed 23 Duration of tornado outbreak 3 days | Duration November 14–16, 2011 Max rating Damage $37,500,000 | |
The Tornado outbreak of November 14–16, 2011 was a relatively small but deadly tornado outbreak that began on November 14th of 2011, and ended on November 16. The outbreak produced a total of 23 tornadoes. None of the tornadoes were stronger than EF2 in intensity, however they resulted in 5 deaths and numerous injuries. The worst damage occurred in the South and along the East Coast. All the deaths occurred in The Carolinas.
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November 14
On November 14th, the National Weather Service issued a slight risk for severe weather across parts of the Midwestern United States. The outlook area included a 10% risk for tornadoes, some of which were predicted to be strong. Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio were expected to be hit hard. However, the storms quickly became linear after initiating, limiting tornadic potential. Four tornadoes touched down, only 2 of which were in the area that was forecasted for a high tornado threat. These two tornadoes were relatively weak (rated EF1), but one of them passed through downtown Paoli, Indiana without warning, and caused considerable damage. The other two tornadoes touched down unexpectedly in upstate New York and caused EF2 damage. This event was for the most part a straight line wind event.
November 15
Tornado activity continued on the 15th across the Southern States. A total of 7 tornadoes touched down, some of which caused considerable damage, especially in Louisiana and Mississippi. The strongest tornado was rated an EF2 and destroyed multiple homes near Laurel, Mississippi, and injured 15 people. Another tornado near Tangipahoa, Louisiana badly damaged a home and pushed it several feet off of its foundation.
November 16
Widespread tornado activity was initially not expected on November 16th. However, a series of supercell thunderstorms developed across the South and produced multiple tornadoes. Tornadoes began touching down across Alabama that afternoon and moved eastward. One long track tornado touched down in Auburn, Alabama and tracked across the Georgia state line into the Hamilton area. This tornado caused EF2 damage in Auburn, Opelika, and Hamilton. A killer tornado later touched down near Rock Hill, South Carolina, and caused severe damage and 3 fatalities. Another destructive EF2 tornado touched down east of Linwood, North Carolina, where numerous homes and businesses were destroyed, 2 people were killed, and numerous people were trapped in destroyed structures and required rescue. A total of 12 tornadoes touched down this day.