May 25, 2011, Tornadoes

Summary
Tornadoes
Additional Info

Summary

A severe weather outbreak occurred across the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys on May 25th, 2011.
In the NWS Chicago forecast area, a total of 5 tornadoes occurred, the strongest of which was an EF-2 tornado that occurred in Mt. Ayr, IN.

Map showing tornado tracks in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana

Tornadoes

Hopkins Park EF1

Map showing track Hopkins Park tornado

Summary:

Tree damage was observed at multiple locations along the path of this tornado including snapped hardwood trees. Additional damage included snapped utility poles, roof and shingle damage to homes, overturned campers, and an attached garage removed from a home that was under construction. Two people reported watching this tornado as it just missed their property. Two buildings, built from concrete blocks, were destroyed near 11580E and 7000S. At 4702S and 14000E, storage sheds were destroyed and a metal grain bin was blown over. Shingles were also blown off the roof of a house.

This tornado had a path length of 5.8 miles and a maximum width of 50 yards. This tornado began at 9:04 AM CDT and ended at 9:12 AM CDT.

Morocco EF0

Map showing track of Morocco tornado

Summary:

Snapped tree limbs and a collapsed barn were observed along the short path of this tornado.

This tornado had a path length of 0.1 miles and a maximum width of 20 yards. The tornado began at about 9:13 AM CDT and ended at about 9:14 AM CDT.

Mt. Ayr EF2

Map showing Mt Ayr tornado track

Summary:

A 10 to 15 yard swath of corn/stubble was strewn across the lawn between a mildly damaged house and shed. A 100 to 150 pound auger was lifted from the shed and tossed 100 to 150 yards. A grain bin in the main wind core was picked up and tossed about 200 yards. Gouge marks were left in sod from the debris which consisted of 2x4 projectiles from the shed. Large trees were also snapped. Just before the tornado lifted, it snapped 10 utility poles, some near ground level.

This tornado had a path length of 1.9 miles and a maximum width of 300 yards. The tornado began at 9:19 AM CDT and ended at 9:21 AM CDT.

Rensselaer #1 EF1

Map showing Rensselaer tornado track

Summary:

Tree damage consisting of uprooted softwood and hardwood trees, hardwood trees twisted and snapped and numerous large hardwood and softwood tree limbs blown down was observed along the path of this tornado. A wooden light pole was also snapped.

This tornado had a path length of 2.9 miles and a maximum width of 100 yards. The tornado began at 9:24 AM CDT and ended at 9:27 AM CDT.

Rensselaer #2 EF1

Map showing Rensselaer tornado track

Summary:

This tornado touched down along Sparling Road halfway between Schuster Road and Mt. Calvary Roads. The tornado moved northeast across southeastern portions of Rensselaer. A truck was overturned near US-231 and and Drexel. Power lines, tree limbs and shingles were blown down. The tornado lifted near IN-114, just east of the high school.

This tornado had a path length of 2.0 miles and a maximum width of 100 yards. The tornado began at 9:26 AM CDT and ended at 9:28 AM CDT.

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF-0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF-1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF-2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF-3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF-4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF-5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Additional Information

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