Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013
The Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013 was the deadliest and costliest November tornado outbreak in Illinois history, and became the fourth-largest for the state overall. With more than 30 tornadoes in Indiana, it was that state's largest tornado outbreak for the month of November, and the second largest outbreak recorded in Indiana. Associated with a strong trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the event resulted in 77 tornadoes tracking across regions of the Midwest United States and Ohio River Valley, impacting seven states. Severe weather during the tornado outbreak caused over 100 injuries and eleven fatalities, of which eight were tornado related. Two tornadoes—both in Illinois and rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale—were the strongest documented during the outbreak and combined for five deaths. In addition to tornadoes, the system associated with the outbreak produced sizeable hail peaking at 4.00 in (10.2 cm) in diameter in Bloomington, Illinois, as well as damaging winds estimated as strong as 100 mph (160 km/h) in three locations.
Quotes about the tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013
[edit]- One thing I'll never forget about that outbreak was the sight of fans evacuating the stands at Chicago's Soldier Field as severe thunderstorms approached during the Bears NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens. Wind gusts to 75 mph were clocked on the city's near south side.
- Jonathan Erdman of The Weather Channel [1]
- The first tornado that morning hit the northside of Pekin. which only had 2 minutes warning because the outbreak literally exploded on the west side of the Illinois River near Orchard Mines.
- Chuck Collins of 25 News Now [2]
