Overview: This tornado received a rating of EF4. The path length was 50.4 miles and the max width was 1100 yards. There was 1 fatality and 12 injuries.
The strongest tornado of 2017 occurred during the late evening of February 28. The tornado developed 4.8 miles WNW of Perryville, MO and tracked over 50 miles, finally lifting 1.8 miles SW of Christopher, IL. The most significant damage occurred in Perry County and just NW of Perryville. Five homes were leveled. Per the NWS Survey, the damage path showed multiple vortex characteristics with ground striations/scarring to bear ground in Perry County near the Mississippi River.
More damage reported in the official survey:
- The 5 homes mentioned above were just west of Interstate 55, approx 3.5 miles NW of Perryville.
- Numerous unoccupied cards from a salvage yard were blown into or over I-55.
- The fatality occurred when a pickup truck traveling southbound on I-55 was tossed into a field at least 100 yards from the interstate by the tornado. The victim was thrown and died at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was treated for minor injuries.
- The greatest home and property destruction was found 3 miles north of Perryville near U.S. Highway 61.
In Jackson County, EF3 damage was found on the south end of Vergennes. Winds were estimated near 145mph and a house was destroyed. The tornado continued to produce EF3 damage in Franklin county. The most intense damage was located south of Mulkeytown. Per the NWS Summary: A house was swept clean off its foundation. Debris was thrown up to a mile downwind. The debris was shredded, with nothing larger than 2-by-4 wood pieces. However, the house was sitting on a block foundation, unattached to anything. Based on the lack of any anchors for the house, peak winds were estimated near 160 mph at this site.
More Information:
NCDC Database Entries:
Perry County, MO: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=677516
Jackson County, IL: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=677489
Franklin County, IL: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=677492
NWS Paducah Summary
0 Comments