Thunderstorm Wind — New Madrid, Missouri

2020-05-04 · near Gideon, New Madrid, Missouri

Event narrative

A very intense macroburst caused extensive damage across southwest New Madrid County, including the Gideon area. Peak winds were estimated near 110 mph, based on NWS storm surveys. About eight miles of the 19-mile long damage swath was in New Madrid County. Most of the remainder of the path was in Pemiscot County. The width of the macroburst averaged about six miles in New Madrid County. Several large grain bins were destroyed, with some blown a hundred yards or more from their anchored position. A couple of large storage buildings collapsed or partially collapsed. Several garages, farm sheds and similar structures were heavily damaged or destroyed. At least a half dozen homes or similar structures sustained major roof damage, ranging from the removal of the roof decking structure to removal of the entire roof structure. One had the attached garage separated. At least one home was destroyed by a fallen tree, with several others damaged from fallen trees. Several miles of power lines were blown down as poles were broken. Numerous large trees were uprooted. Much of the damage was in and south of Gideon. At least three homes and a business sustained major roof damage in Gideon, and a large farm building near Highway 162 lost portions of its roof and walls. The local emergency management agency estimated at least 5 million dollars damage, with 4 million of that at a farm south of Gideon.

Wider weather episode

Two small but intense bowing thunderstorm clusters moved rapidly east/southeastward across southeast Missouri during the late afternoon hours. Damage surveys confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado, however the most noteworthy events were two macrobursts containing peak winds in the 95 to 110 mph range. Flash flooding of low water crossings occurred due to repeated thunderstorm activity over the Ozark foothills. Although the bowing clusters of storms resided in relatively stable air to the north of a stationary front over western Tennessee and central Arkansas, occasional damaging wind gusts occurred due to their well-organized nature.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.4700, -89.9560)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 884062. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.