Update: As of 1:15 p.m. CDT Tuesday, a record 1,210 severe weather reports have been received in the last 24 hours. (23 tornadoes, 887 wind, and 300 hail reports).
Just one day after strong to severe storms brought hail, heavy rain, and gusty winds to the Chicago area, the same storm system brought on by far the busiest severe weather day of the year and the largest single day outbreak since records began in 2000.
By 11pm CDT Monday night, there were over 600 storm reports including 19 tornado reports, over 520 wind reports, and over 60 hail reports. A line of violent thunderstorms stretched a 1,400 mile corridor from southern New York to eastern Texas. As many as 15 states were affected.
Kentucky was one of the hardest hit states. In Hopkinsville, KY a TGASK plant was damaged after taking a direct hit from a tornado. As many as 7 people were injured. The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes in Ballard County, KY. Several homes were damaged. At least one person was injured after a possible tornado overturned and damaged mobile homes near Greenville, KY. Evacuations took place due to a gas leak. A 2-story home was destroyed from a possible tornado in La Center, KY near Padukah.
Windows were blown out with structural damage at St. Francis Hospital in East Memphis. In Knoxville, TN, a lightning bolt struck four homes killing a dog and sending two people to the hospital. One person was killed after being electrocuted by a downed power line in the Memphis area.
In Copiah County, MS, one person was killed after a tree fell into a car.
Nearly 150,000 lost power in Georgia including 125,000 in the Atlanta metro area. Approximately 52,000 are w/o power in the Nashville area and nearly 20,000 in the Baton Rouge, LA area.
Tornado watches continue along the eastern coast this morning. Things will quiet down once the line of storms move offshore.
This outbreak fell on the 39th anniversary of the infamous Super Outbreak of April 3-4, 1974 that spawned 148 tornadoes in 13 states, killing 330 and injuring more than 5,000.
More rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast this later week here in Chicago.
Stay tuned for more information regarding this!
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