Description

During the first week of April, multiple hazards impacted areas from the mid-Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley. An active frontal boundary stalled across the mid-Mississippi Valley, which brought historic flash flooding to the region. In addition, conditions were favorable for severe storm and tornado development from April 2 to 7. More than 150 tornadoes were confirmed during this time, including one EF-U (unknown intensity), 35 EF-0, 81 EF-1, 33 EF-2 and six EF-3 tornadoes. On April 2, more than 100 tornadoes occurred including two EF-3 tornadoes in Missouri and Arkansas. The first tornado damaged and destroyed many homes in the suburbs of St. Louis near Latty, Missouri. The second tornado occurred near Memphis, Tennessee and Monette, Arkansas. A tornado emergency was issued for this multi-vortex tornado as the high-end EF-3 barreled through Lake City, destroying many homes and businesses and injuring eight people. Intense storms continued overnight into April 3, producing four EF-3 tornadoes that resulted in seven fatalities and 17 injuries. The first EF-3 tornado occurred in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, a suburb of Louisville, and carved a 10-mile path across the county, destroying many buildings and scattering debris for many miles. Many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the Selmer, Tennessee, EF-3 tornado that injured 14 and caused five fatalities. This tornado was on the ground for over 29 miles from southwest of Selmer to northeast of Adamsville. It caused major damage to homes, apartments, and businesses, with some structures being completely swept away. Another tornado emergency was issued by the National Weather Service as an EF-3 tornado moved through Slayden, Mississippi and Grand Junction, Tennessee. This tornado was on the ground for nearly 40 miles and destroyed many homes and structures along its path.