The Tornado outbreak of April 25–27, 1994 was a widespread tornado outbreak that affected much of the Central and Southern Plains of the United States as well as the Midwest and the Deep South from Colorado to New York from April 25 to April 27, 1994. The entire outbreak killed six people across two states from two different F4 tornadoes near Dallas, Texas and West Lafayette, Indiana.
Tornado event
Several scattered strong storms/supercells developed during the afternoon and late-evening hours on April 25. The most notable storm of the day produced several tornadoes across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The first tornado touchdown in the Fort Worth area but caused little if any damage.NCDC: Event Details An F2 tornado shortly caused extensive damage to the town of DeSoto in Dallas County. Numerous structures were destroyed and the City Hall itself sustained major damage that totaled about $50 million. No fatalities were reported by this tornado.NCDC: Event Details However, further east, the same storm intensified and produced a violent F4 tornado that traveled through the Lancaster area killing 3 and injured nearly 50 others while destroying much of the historic downtown square.NCDC: Event Details In addition to the tornadoes, extensive hail was recorded across much of the Metroplex region. Total tornado and hail figures in Texas alone on this date was estimated at $300 million.North Central Texas Weather Calendar: April
On April 26, the most productive storm affected portions of eastern Illinois just southeast of Chicago and portions of northern and central Indiana. Shortly before 11:00 PM, an F4 tornado tore through a mobile home park and a subdivision 2 miles west of West Lafayette killing three and injuring 70 others across Tippecanoe County. The mobile home park was very heavily damaged with numerous structures being totally demolished. A factory where one of the fatalities was also heavily damaged while the two other fatalities were inside the same home.NCDC: Event Details Another tornado earlier in the day caused extensive damage to the town of Gainesville, Texas and injuring eight people. Several other tornadoes were reported in and around the Gainesville tornado at the same time the parent storm tore through most of the city.April 26, 1994 - The Gainesville, Texas TornadoNCDC: Event Details Across North Texas near the Red River Valley, over 20 tornadoes were confirmed along that area alone on April 26 from roughly near Wichita Falls to west of Texarkana, Arkansas. Activity ended on April 27 with weaker tornadoes across Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee and minimal damage reported.
Confirmed tornadoes
April 25 event F#LocationCounty Time (UTC)Path lengthDamageColorado F0Widefield areaEl Paso20030.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown in an open field without damage. F0E of FountainEl Paso20190.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown in an open field without damage. F0SW of LindonWashington21180.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown in an open field without damage. F0S of IdaliaYuma22560.1 miles (0.16 km)Nebraska F1Central City areaMerrick21353 miles (4.8 km)Outbuildings were damaged, the roof of an auto shop was blown off and tree tops were twisted. F0W of ElginAntelope21450.1 miles (0.16 km)A van was picked up and rolled over into a ditch. F0SE of ElginAntelope22000.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown in an open field without damage. F0NE of PlainviewPierce22350.1 miles (0.16 km)Two empty semi-trailers were blown over. Central irrigation pivot systems were twisted and blown over. Two county buildings and a garage were damaged as well. F1E of BloomfieldKnox22457 miles (11.2 km)Damage to outbuildings and irrigation systems at several farms. One person was injured. F0SE of BloomfieldKnox22451.5 miles (2.4 km)A storage tank was carried for a mile. A truck, a car and a garage were damaged as well.South Dakota F0S of WorthingLincoln23380.1 miles (0.16 km)A door was torn off of a machine shed, a grain bin was caved in, a cattle shed was tipped over, and a hog house lost its roof. F0N of RennerMinnehaha00100.1 miles (0.16 km)A mobile home was destroyed, and a ball park heavily damaged. A legion hall was damaged by flying debris. Farm buildings were also damaged, and power lines were downed. F0SW of Valley SpringsMinnehaha00100.1 miles (0.16 km) F0Garretson areaMinnehaha00150.1 miles (0.16 km)Oklahoma F1N of AlbionPushmataha, Latimer23584.7 miles (7.5 km) F1S of WhitesboroLe Flore00352 miles (3.2 km) F0S of FanshaweLe Flore00400.1 miles (0.16 km)Iowa F1Doon areaLyon00017 miles (11.2 km)Extensive damage to two farms. Several buildings, a machine shed, a garage, and a brooder coop were downed.Minnesota F0Luverne areaRock00150.1 miles (0.16 km)Six mobile homes were damaged. F0SE of Round LakeJackson01000.1 miles (0.16 km)A building had roof damage and several trees were toppled.Texas F0Fort Worth areaTarrant00420.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown without known damage. F0SW of DuncanvilleDallas01500.1 miles (0.16 km)Trees and power lines were blown down. F2DeSoto areaDallas02002 miles (3.2 km)75 homes were destroyed and 250 others were damaged. 10 businesses were destroyed and 35 others were damaged as well. A school was also damaged as well as the City Hall. 7 people were injured and damage was estimated at $50 million. F4Lancaster/Hutchins areaDallas02306 miles (9.6 km)3 deaths – 1/2 mile wide tornado. 80 percent of Lancaster's historic downtown square was destroyed. 233 homes and 58 businesses were destroyed. 227 homes and two schools were also damaged. 48 people were injured. F0SW of Pecan HillEllis02580.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown without damage. F0W of MidlothianEllis02580.1 miles (0.16 km)Brief touchdown without damage.Source:
April 26 event