The 2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak was a significant and deadly tornado outbreak that started on February 28 and ended on February 29, 2012. It is so called because the second day was a leap day. It caused severe damage in several regions, especially the Great Plains and Ohio Valley regions. It also resulted in several tornadoes in the Central Plains, a rarity for the time of year. The most destructive and deadly tornado was a violent early-morning EF4 that hit Harrisburg, Illinois, killing 8 people. In total, 15 people died in the outbreak. Just two days later, a larger and deadlier outbreak devastated the Ohio Valley and Southern United States.
Meteorological synopsis A significant and deadly tornado outbreak began in the Great Plains on February 28, as supercell thunderstorms developed, and tornadoes touched down across the region. An EF2 tornado struck the small town of Harveyville, Kansas in the late evening, killing one person and injuring 12 others. The town's only church was completely destroyed, several homes received moderate to severe damage, and every building in the small community received a form of damage. As the storms moved into Missouri later that night and into the early morning of February 29, numerous strong tornadoes touched down. An EF2 devastated a mobile home park and killed one person near Buffalo, while an EF3 caused another fatality and destroyed homes near Asherville. By 3:00 am CST on February 29, Branson, Missouri was reporting injuries and severe damage to the town from an EF2 tornado, with homes destroyed and several hotels, businesses, and theaters sustaining severe damage. Three other deaths occurred in southern Missouri.
As the storms moved into Illinois pre-dawn, they merged into an intense squall line with embedded semi-discrete supercell thunderstorms. A violent EF4 tornado touched down and ripped through the city of Harrisburg, destroying entire neighborhoods, flattening businesses, and killing 8 people before causing additional destruction in the neighboring town of Ridgway. After sunrise, additional supercells developed and produced numerous tornadoes across Kentucky and Tennessee. Two tornadoes, rated EF1 and EF2, caused significant damage in Greenville, Kentucky. The town of Hodgenville, Kentucky, also sustained heavy damage from two separate EF2 tornadoes. An EF1 tornado caused a fatality near Smithville, Tennessee, and an EF2 destroyed homes and killed two more people near Crossville before the outbreak came to an end. A total of 42 tornadoes were confirmed, and 15 people were killed.
Confirmed tornadoes
February 28 event List of reported tornadoes – Tuesday, February 28, 2012 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageNebraska EF0NE of North PlatteLincoln, Logan2213Tornado was reported by an off-duty NWS employee and remained primarily over open fields, though scattered tree damage occurred and an irrigation pivot was also damaged. This was the first tornado to be reported in Nebraska in February since records began in 1950. EF0W of GreeleyGreeley0100UnknownVery brief tornado in a field flipped and destroyed an irrigation pivot.Kansas EF0SE of RandallJewell, Cloud2328Tornado struck a farm, damaging trees and tearing off the metal roof of an outbuilding. A small metal building was destroyed, a barn sustained roof damage, and water tanks were thrown. Cars were damaged by flying debris and power poles were broken. EF0Southeastern BellevilleRepublic0005This weak tornado clipped the southeast side of Belleville. A few residences sustained minor damage in and around town, and many trees were downed at the Belleville Country Club. A few outbuildings were damaged outside of town as well. EF0SSW of HutchinsonReno0043Tornado destroyed a barn, downed a fence, and overturned a pickup truck and a stock trailer. A few trees were downed and a house sustained porch damage. EF0S of HutchinsonReno0047Brief tornado remained over an open field and caused no damage. EF0SE of MoundridgeMcPherson0117Several trees and power lines were downed, and highway signs were twisted. EF2HarveyvilleWabaunsee03021 death – This high-end EF2 tornado heavily damaged or destroyed many homes and other structures in Harveyville. A church was completely destroyed, and an apartment complex sustained major damage. Many trees and power poles were snapped throughout town, and vehicles were flipped. Almost every structure in Harveyville sustained some form of damage, and one man was fatally injured in his home. 12 other people were also injured. The tornado formed and dissipated so quickly, within three to five minutes, that no tornado warning was issued. EF1S of GlobeFranklin, Douglas0406Outbuildings and grain bins were destroyed, an RV trailer was overturned, and residences sustained some damage.Missouri EF1WNW of Nashville to WNW of LamarBarton0452Five barns were damaged, along with the roofs of a farmhouse and a garage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. EF1NNW of Greenfield to SE of AldrichDade, Polk0526Tornado damaged or destroyed ten barns, and inflicted roof damage to two homes along its path. EF2E of Schofield to SE of BuffaloPolk, Dallas05581 death – This tornado caused extensive damage near Buffalo. A mobile home park in that area was severely impacted, with mobile homes destroyed and one fatality occurring at that location. Two frame homes and three turkey barns were significantly damaged, and many trees and power poles were downed along the path. 12 people were injured.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 02/28/12, NWS North Platte, NWS Hastings, NE, NWS Topeka, NWS Wichita, NWS Springfield, MO, NCDC Storm Events Database
February 29 event