Wikipedia

2023 Robinson–Sullivan tornado

In the evening hours of March 31, 2023, a large and intense tornado would strike several towns in Illinois and Indiana, killing six people and leaving a 40.86-mile (65.76 km) path of destruction in its wake. The tornado would devastate the communities of Robinson, Illinois, Gordon, Illinois and Sullivan, Indiana; three fatalites from the tornado would occur in Sullivan, where the tornado reached its peak intensity and inflicted damage to structures that would later receive a rating of EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

2023 Robinson–Sullivan tornado
The tornado, as seen on a dashcam approaching Sullivan while at EF3 intensity
Meteorological history
FormedMarch 31, 2023, 8:58 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
DissipatedMarch 31, 2023, 10:33 p.m. EDT (UTC−04:00)
Duration35 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds165 mph (266 km/h)[1]
Overall effects
Fatalities6
Injuries8
Damage≥$18.160 million (2023 USD)[1]

The tornado touched down near Ste. Marie before intensifying as it moved to the northwest at rapid pace. As the tornado neared Robinson, it would pick up and toss a 1,000-U.S.-gallon (3,800 L) propane tank while retaining EF3 intensity. A tornado emergency was issued for Robinson as it approached the south side of town; three people would be killed in the area as the tornado moved past. Heavy damage was observed in Robinson, and the tornado left the town devastated. The tornado would then cross the Wabash River into Indiana, tracking towards Sullivan. The tornado would strike the southern edge of the town minutes later, killing a further three people and producing EF3-rated damage to residential buildings. The tornado would dissipate to the east of Sullivan, tracking a total of 40.86-mile (65.76 km) over a span of thirty-five minutes.

Meteorological synopsis

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Main article: Tornado outbreak of March 31 – April 1, 2023 § Meteorological synopsis

An extratropical cyclone developed over Nebraska on the morning of March 31. As a result, meteorologists expected a storm mode of discrete supercells to develop. This, along with the presence of even stronger CAPE values and a more unstable environment across Illinois and eastern Missouri, led to the SPC "bridging" the two main moderate risk areas and giving a 15% hatched risk for significant tornadoes at their 1300 UTC outlook. The surrounding area, which extended into central portions of Kentucky and Tennessee, extreme southwestern Indiana, and northwestern Alabama, was given a 10% hatched risk for tornadoes. Additionally, a large 30% partially hatched contour for damaging wind gusts (with a smaller 45% risk in the northern part of the risk), and large hail were also added in this new outlook.[2]

 
The storm system that was responsible for the tornado outbreak, seen earlier on March 31

With increased confidence of favorable parameters for severe weather, the SPC upped the threat for strong tornadoes even further, introducing two tornado-driven high risk areas in their 16:30 UTC outlook; it was the first high risk issuance since March 25, 2021. The first high risk area covered southeastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and far northeastern Missouri, while the second included eastern Arkansas, southwestern Tennessee, and northern Mississippi. These two distinct areas were given a 30% hatched risk for tornadoes, given the extremely favorable environment for the development and sustainment of discrete supercells with strong to violent tornado potential. The northern high-risk area was expected to see an arcing band of quasi-discrete supercells that would initially produce large hail before becoming tornadic with the possibility of producing several long-track strong to potentially violent tornadoes. Supercells would be more scattered, but longer tracked within the southern high-risk area with multiple rounds of tornadic storms capable of producing long-lived strong to violent tornadoes expected. The large area surrounding and connecting the two high risk areas maintained a moderate risk, with an accompanying 15% hatched risk for tornadoes, as supercells that could develop in this environment could similarly sustain and rotate, although storm coverage was expected to be somewhat lower, and the environment would not be as favorable.[2]

After dark, despite the absence of daylight heating, strong wind shear continued to support the squall line over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. This led to widespread wind damage and several weak tornado touchdowns in the Chicago metropolitan area.[3][4] Additionally, an organizing cluster of severe storms with embedded supercells orientated from southwest to northeast continued to produce tornadoes, some of which were strong, as they moved northeastward through eastern Illinois into western Indiana,[5][6] which prompted yet another tornado emergency as it passed near Robinson, Illinois, before crossing into Indiana and striking the southern part of Sullivan, Indiana.[7]

Tornado summary

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The tornado emergency that was issued by the National Weather Service as the tornado approached Robinson at EF3 intensity.

The tornado first touched down along County Highway 16 southwest of Ste. Marie in Jasper County, Illinois, and moved east-northeastward, causing sporadic EF0 tree damage. The tornado began to strengthen after it crossed into Crawford County, inflicting EF1 to EF2 damage. As it passed near Pierceburg, the tornado collapsed the roof structure of a machine shed, snapped wooden power poles, and sheared off the tops of trees. Northeast of there along County Highway 15, EF1 to EF2 damage continued to occur as two homes suffered major roof damage, with one of them having a portion of its roof uplifted. A nearby mobile home was torn in half with its debris strewn about 20 yards (18 m) in opposite directions, and additional trees had their tops sheared off. Past this area, the tornado threw a semi-trailer into a large machine shed, destroying it. Debris from the machine shed impacted an old, poorly anchored home, which had its exterior walls removed. The tornado strengthened further as it moved south of Stoy and Oil Center and through rural areas to the northeast, causing major EF2 to EF3 damage. Damage survey teams had difficulty accessing this area due to flooding and utility roadblocks, but the area was eventually surveyed via the use of drone video and satellite imagery.[8][7] Aerial video of this area showed that multiple homes and farmsteads were completely destroyed with outbuildings swept from their foundations and debris scattered long distances across fields. Several people were left trapped under debris in basements and had to be rescued, and a large 1,000 gallon propane tank was thrown out into a farm field.[9] As the tornado continued to the northeast, the presence of a large debris ball on radar prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency for Robinson as the tornado approached the south side of town.[10][11]

Track through Gordon

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Track map of the tornado as it moved through areas south of Gordon.[note 1]
Key
  EF0 65–85 mph
  EF1 86–110 mph
  EF2 111–135 mph
  EF3 136–165 mph
 
NEXRAD radar scan of the tornado as it moved through rural areas west of Sullivan.

Moving through the southern edge of Robinson, the tornado maintained EF2 to EF3 strength as it continued northeastward completely destroying two mobile homes along County Highway 9, killing one person in each structure. Several other homes sustained significant damage, including one unanchored home that collapsed at high-end EF3 intensity, leaving only one wall and the attic structure left standing, and numerous trees and power poles were snapped. Maintaining EF2 the EF3 intensity, the tornado then narrowly missed the Marathon Petroleum Oil Refinery southeast of Robinson, obliterating several manufactured homes, inflicting roof damage to other homes, snapping large trees, and scouring the ground. It then impacted the eastern outskirts of Robinson near Gordon at high-end EF3 intensity, causing a fatality when it destroyed the H. L. Crisp Educational Center along IL 1. The two-story masonry building had most of its upper floor destroyed, while multiple walls collapsed on the first floor. Additional EF2 to EF3 damage occurred nearby as a couple of homes and vehicles were destroyed, and major damage to trees and power poles was observed. After causing EF2 damage to homes and trees as it crossed over IL 33, the tornado struck the Robinson Municipal Airport at high-end EF3 intensity. Multiple metal airplane hangars, which had rigid steel beam frames measuring greater than 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter, were completely destroyed, including some that were swept away. Multiple airplanes and several vehicles were thrown and destroyed, an outbuilding structure was also destroyed, and extensive damage to utility poles and a few homes occurred in this area. Several tractor-trailers and pieces of farm machinery were thrown and piled on top of one another as well.[9] The tornado then weakened, but remained strong, causing a continuous path of EF1 to EF2 damage as it crossed County Highway 5 north of Palestine. Multiple homes had large sections of their roof structures removed, and large machine sheds suffered wall damage along this segment of the damage path. Heavy tree damage and ground scouring was also observed as the tornado approached the Wabash River.[8][7][12]

Impact in Sullivan

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Track map of the tornado as it moved through Sullivan.[note 1]
Key
  EF0 65–85 mph
  EF1 86–110 mph
  EF2 111–135 mph
  EF3 136–165 mph

The tornado then crossed the Wabash River into Sullivan County, Indiana, just north of Riverton, maintaining high-end EF1 to EF2 strength as it passed to the south of Merom. Multiple barns and outbuildings were completely demolished, farming equipment was tossed around, a residence sustained roof damage, and numerous large trees and power poles were snapped. The tornado continued to intensify as it passed through rural areas to the northwest of New Lebanon, where four metal truss electrical transmission towers were collapsed at EF3 intensity. EF2 to EF3 damage continued as the tornado moved to the northeast and approached the town of Sullivan. Just southwest of the town, three poorly anchored homes were severely damaged or destroyed, and a modular home was thrown at least 200 yards (180 m) and destroyed, killing the two occupants. A large trailer and several cars in this area were also thrown, outbuildings were obliterated, and hundreds of trees were snapped. Crossing US 150/US 41 into the southern part of Sullivan, the tornado inflicted widespread EF2 to EF3 damage, with many homes and other structures being severely damaged or destroyed. Numerous homes in town sustained total loss of their roofs and exterior walls, and several poorly anchored homes were swept from their foundations and completely destroyed, with debris strewn throughout residential areas. A few businesses, a VFW hall, a metal shop building, and several outbuilding structures were also destroyed.[13] A food pantry was damaged as well, and major tree damage occurred throughout the south side of town.[14] Intensifying further to high-end EF3 strength, the tornado crossed East Center Road at the southeast edge of town, where several poorly anchored homes were swept away and destroyed, including one modular home that was thrown at least 150 yards (140 m), killing one of the occupants while injuring the other. A few other homes sustained roof and exterior wall loss and multiple vehicles were tossed, one of which was thrown 300 feet (91 m). The tornado then quickly weakened as it exited Sullivan and continued to the east-northeast, overturning a dump truck and damaging trees in wooded areas before dissipating to the east of the town. Damage along this final portion of the path was rated EF0 to EF1.[15]

The tornado had a total path length of 40.86 miles (65.76 km) and reached a peak width of 660 yards (600 m). It caused six fatalities, and injured 16 other people.[16][17]

Aftermath

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EF3 damage to a home in Sullivan

Damage and subsequent recovery efforts

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The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 240 businesses in the southern Sullivan area,[18][19] where EF3-rated damage was observed.[20] Trees in the area were also snapped at a height of 30 feet (9.1 m) off of the ground; Mayor of Sullivan Clint Lamb stated that "It’s devastating… It’s like a war zone".[21] As a result, the Sullivan County Long-Term Recovery Coalition (SCLTRC) was established by Sullivan County authorities, whose aim was to help with recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tornado and other storms that moved through the county on March 31. As of December 2024, the SCLTRC has aided with the rebuilding of fifteen homes in the Sullivan area, and has assisted with the renovations of a further twenty-five homes.[21] Indiana governor Eric Holcomb declared Sullivan and Johnson counties as disaster areas the day after the tornado, on April 1.[22] Recovery crews were also deployed to Sullivan County the same day.[22]

Fatalities

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Six people were killed by the tornado, three in Illinois,[23] and a further three of whom residing in Sullivan at the time tornado.[24][25] Two people were killed in the same home and were related, while the third fatality occurred in a mobile home that was destroyed.[26]

Name Age Location of death State County City Refs.
Susan Key Horton 61 Permanent home Indiana Sullivan County Sullivan [24][27]
Thomas Randall Horton 38
Shane Steven Goodman 47 Mobile home
Unknown 40 Permanent home Illinois Crawford County Robinson [23]
Unknown 50
Unknown 69

See also

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Notes and footnotes

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Color-coded triangles indicate damage at a given location. The orange line indicates the approximate path of the tornado.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b National Centers for Environmental Information (June 2023). "Indiana Event Report: EF3 Tornado". Storm Event Database. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Mar 31, 2023 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Wahls, Emily (2024-01-03). "'2023 was odd': Chicagoland sets new tornado record". FOX 32 Chicago. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  4. ^ Jeanes, Kevin (2023-12-27). "Wildfire smoke, floods, tornadoes: The biggest weather moments of 2023". NBC Chicago. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  5. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes March 31, 2023 (Updated 4/3/23)". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  6. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "March 31, 2023: Third Largest Tornado Outbreak on Record in the U.S. Produces 22 Tornadoes in the Local Area". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  7. ^ a b c "NWS Damage Survey for 03/31/2023 Crawford County Tornado". National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lincoln, Illinois. April 2, 2023. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024 – via Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
  8. ^ a b "March 31, 2023 Tornado Event". www.weather.gov. National Weather Service Lincoln IL. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Benter, Brandyn (April 1, 2023). "Three dead, three flown to hospitals after storm in Crawford Co". WGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  10. ^ "ILX Tornado Warning #29". IOWA STATE MESONET. National Weather Service. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Damage Assessment Toolkit". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Hogan, Jeremy (2023-04-02). "Bloomington, IN". Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Winklepeck, Dana (April 21, 2023). "Sullivan VFW begins efforts to rebuild following tornado devastation". My Wabash Valley. Nextar Media Inc. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "Our Father's Arms". Sullivan Times. April 12, 2023. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "Damage Assessment Toolkit". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "3 dead, at least 8 injured in Sullivan after tornado; search and rescue continues". WTHR. April 1, 2023. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "...NWS Damage Survey for 03/31/23 Sullivan County Tornado Event - Update #2..." Iowa Environment Mesonet. National Weather Service Indianapolis IN. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "BREAKING: Devastating tornado cuts swath through Sullivan and Sullivan County". Sullivan Daily Times. 2023-04-01. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  19. ^ Johnson, Luke. "Photos: Tornado Damage in Sullivan, Indiana". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  20. ^ "Here's what Sullivan County is teaching state officials about tornado response". WRTV. 2024-03-18. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Sullivan County Long-Term Tornado Recovery Coalition". Sullivan County Long Term Tornado Recovery Coalition. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  22. ^ a b Kelly, Niki (2023-04-01). "Holcomb declares disaster; views tornado damage • Indiana Capital Chronicle". Indiana Capital Chronicle. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Storm Events Database (ILX survey PIERCEBURG, 2023-03-31 20:03 CST-6)". National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b "3 deaths reported in Sullivan County after tornado strikes". WRTV Indianapolis. 2023-04-01. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Moritz, Gwen; Oxenden, McKenna; Albeck-Ripka, Livia; Ives, Mike (April 2, 2023). "At Least 32 Killed as Tornadoes Tear Through the Midwest and South". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  26. ^ Fernandez, Camila (2023-04-19). "Sullivan faces tough road to rebuild after deadly tornado". WISH-TV. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  27. ^ National Weather Service 2023.

Sources

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