User:Runningonbrains/List of Maine tornadoes

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File:Maine tornadoes by month.gif
All tornadoes and possible (unconfirmed) tornadoes in Maine history, by month

This is a list of tornadoes reported in the history of the US state of Maine. While Maine is not known for tornado events, more than 100 tornadoes have affected the state in its recorded history, resulting in at least 48 deaths, 780 injuries, and more than $500 million in damage.[1]

As with most of the Northeastern United States, the number of tornadoes peaks in the summer months; specifically, July and August. They occur most commonly in Hartford County, although since 1950 Litchfield County has recorded the most tornadoes. Since reliable records have been kept, Maine has recorded an average of 1.3 tornadoes per year, ranked 42nd in the United States.[2]

Possible tornadoes also occurred in May 1779, 1839 (two tornadoes), and 1841, but the location and exact date of these are unknown.[3][4] This list is likely incomplete, as official records date back only to 1950 for tornadoes in the United States.[1]

Pre–1950[edit]

File:Maine tornadoes by county.PNG
All tornadoes in the history of Maine, by county.
  • May 17, 1773: A possible tornado or microburst moved east from New Hampshire to Kittery, destroying a saw mill there. A man died when the storm overturned his boat, but it is unclear which state this occurred in.[5]
  • August 1, 1815: A possible tornado about 300 feet (91 m) wide destroyed trees, crops, and fences near St. Albans.[6][7]
  • July 4, 1818: A violent hailstorm accompanied by an apparent tornado struck China, damaging buildings.[6][8]
  • May 17, 1826: A possible tornado downed 700 trees in Kennebunk.[6]
  • July, 1845: A possible tornado struck Orono.[4]
  • July, 1848: A tornado cut a path 15 miles (24 km) long and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide through Ripley, Dexter, and Garland.[4]
  • October 16, 1855: A tornado damaged homes in Gorham, moving one house from its foundation, destroying a barm, and damaging some roofs.[9]
  • June 15, 1859: A tornado caused significant damage in Embden. It began as a waterspout several hundred feet high over a local pond, then moved into town, destroying several barns and a house. Debris was carried as much as 2 miles (3.2 km) from its origin. Five people were injured.[10]
  • July 9, 1885: A tornado destroyed a barn and damaged several others along an 8-mile (13 km) path near Belgrade.[13]
  • July 8, 1890: A dozen homes were damaged in Winthrop. Two people were injured, and a woman was killed by a church belfry when it collapsed.[14][15]
  • May 22, 1921: A severe windstorm, likely including one or more tornadoes, hit several towns including Waterville, Portland, and Searsport. In Portland, a shed was blown into the water on Long Island, drowning a man. The worst damage occurred in Searsport from a probable tornado, where three houses and a factory tower were destroyed, and two people were slightly injured by flying debris.[16]
  • May 16, 1929: A significant tornado caused $25,000 in damage in the north parts of Portland and Deering, destroying barns and garages.[17]
  • September 6, 1931: A farmhouse near Palermo was severely damaged.[18]

1950–1974[edit]

  • July 7, 1953: An F0 travelled about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the shoreline in South Freeport, causing no damage but injuring one person.[1]
  • July 7, 1954: An tornado touched down northeast of St. Stephen, New Brunswick around 2:30 PM, moving southwest. It crossed the St. Croix River into downtown Calais, causing F2 damage and injuring one person. The total path length was 8 miles (13 km) and damage was around $25,000 (1953 USD).[1]
  • August 11, 1954: Another F2 tornado touched down later in the year along US Route 1, just north of Connor. One house was thrown into another, killing one person and injuring another. Two barns were also destroyed.[14][19][20]
  • June 1, 1956: An F1 tornado caused a path of damage approximately 40 feet (12 m) wide and 1 mile (1.6 km) long through Lebanon.[21]
  • September 14, 1956: An F1 tornado caused a long 19-mile (31 km) path of damage from Augusta to an area about 5 miles (8.0 km) north-northeast of Washington.[22]
  • September 16, 1957: An F2 touched down in a wooded area southeast of Sherman, causing little property damage.[23]
  • July 2, 1958: Three tornadoes caused minor damage in three separate parts of the state. The first and longest-tracked tornado, accompanied by large hail almost 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, touched down around 3pm EDT west of Jonesboro. It moved south for 9 miles (14 km), causing F1 damage before lifting in Jonesport. The second tornado touched down in Wilton Intervale about 15 minutes later, causing little damage. The third tornado, an F1, tracked 3 miles (4.8 km) from Orono to near Old Town.[1][24][25][26][27]
  • July 11, 1958: An F1 tornado caused minor damage in Buxton.[28]
  • July 19, 1958: A tornado touched down briefly in Clinton.[29]
  • August 8, 1958: A tornado touched down briefly in Alna, causing no damage.[30]
  • August 17, 1959: Two more tornadoes touched down this day, one in Newport and one in Amherst which injured one person.[36][37]
  • August 29, 1960: An F1 tornado touched down in Caribou, travelling east-northeast for 10 miles before lifting in Limestone.[39]
  • May 29, 1961: An F0 tornado travelled east-northeast for 5 miles (8 km) near Meddybemps Lake.[40]
  • June 13, 1961: An F1 tornado touched down in Stow, travelling 5 miles (8 km) southeast to Lovell.[41]
  • September 4, 1961: An F2 caused significant damage around Skowhegan along a 1-mile (1.6 km) path.[44]
  • September 15, 1961: A tornado touched down on Great Wass Island, moving northeast. Moving 19 miles (31 km), at some points over water as a waterspout, it caused F2 damage to a few structures, dissipating in East Machias. One person was injured.[45]
  • May 14, 1963: An F2 caused little damage to structures outside of Berwick.[49]
  • May 19, 1963: A tornado was spotted north of Caribou.[50]
  • July 15, 1963: An F0 tornado skipped due north for 17 miles (27 km) from south of Pittsfield to Ripley, causing little or no damage.[54]
  • June 10, 1965: An F1 (some sources say F2) destroyed two barns in Deblois, injuring three people along a 1-mile (1.6 km) path.[56][57]
  • June 21, 1965: A tornado caused minor damage near Peru.[58]
  • September 21, 1965: An F1 tornado touched down near Limestone, causing minor damage.[59]
  • July 13, 1966: An F1 touched down briefly near Fayette.[60]
  • October 10, 1966: An F2 tornado briefly touched down in Sanford.[61]
  • June 17, 1967: An F1 caused minor damage near Vienna.[62]
  • June 30, 1971: An F2 touched down in the woods west of Stacyville and traveled east through that town, across the Maine Turnpike, and though Sherman, causing significant damage along its 13-mile (21 km) path.[68]
  • July 1, 1971: An F1 touched down in farmland northeast of Perham.[69]
  • July 31, 1971: Three F2 tornadoes caused significant damage in east-central Maine. The first touched down northwest of Livermore Falls, injuring one person.[70] The second cut a 3-mile (4.8 km) path near Turner. Two trailers were destroyed, with their occupants thrown hundreds of feet away, but no one was killed.[71] The final tornado touched down near Kents Hill.[72]
  • November 7, 1971: Three F2 tornadoes caused little property damage. The first touched down near Skowhegan. The second touched down near Chester, and the third touched down briefly near Springfield.[76][77][78]
  • July 10, 1972: An F1 touched down for 1 mile (1.6 km) in the forests at the southern end of Richardson Lake.[79]

1975–1999[edit]

  • August 13, 1976: A waterspout touched down in the harbor of Wells, then moved east across town, destroying homes. Two people were injured when a house was unroofed.[14][81]
  • JUN 18, 1994 11:15 AM 0 dead 2 injured

One or more weak skipping tornadoes traveled from St. Francis to Portage Lake.[14]

2000–present[edit]

Aerial photo of a mobile home destroyed by an EF0 tornado in Westfield on May 31, 2009.
  • September 29, 2006: An F1 tornado touched down in North Berwick. Many trees and vehicles were destroyed, and 40 structures were damaged.[84]
  • July 15, 2007: An EF0 crossed Long Lake northeast of Guerette, causing tree damage on the east and west side of the lake. A few cottages were damaged by falling trees.[85][86]
  • May 24, 2009: A tornado, preliminarily rated EF1, caused tree and structure damage in Eagle Lake. No injuries were reported.[87]
  • May 31, 2009: Two tornadoes, both preliminarily rated EF0, caused tree and structure damage in the towns of Westfield and Easton, as well as in an unincorporated area east-southeast of Oxbow. One mobile home was completely unroofed and destroyed, but there were no injuries reported.[88]
  • June 8, 2011: Two weak tornadoes touched down in Aroostook County in the late afternoon. The first touched down near Stockholm, causing intermittent damage to trees, farm buildings, and homes along a 8.95-mile (14.40 km) path before ending west-northwest of Loring Air Force Base.[89] The second touched down briefly elsewhere in the county, damaging trees.[90]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "NCDC Storm Events". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  2. ^ "Maine Tornadoes". Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  3. ^ Ludlam, pg. 201
  4. ^ a b c d Ludlam, pg. 203
  5. ^ Grazulis, pg. 552
  6. ^ a b c d Ludlam, pg. 202
  7. ^ Grazulis, pg. 555
  8. ^ Grazulis, pg. 556
  9. ^ "Violent Tornado in Gorham, Maine" (PDF). From the Portland Advertiser. New York Times. 1855-10-18. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-06-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Embden, ME Tornado Damages Small Towns, June 1859". GenDisasters. Somerset Telegraph. 1859-06-15. Retrieved 2009-01-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Ludlam, pg. 204
  12. ^ Grazulis, pg. 580
  13. ^ Grazulis, pg. 635
  14. ^ a b c d Tornado Project. "Worst" Tornadoes Retrieved on July 2, 2007.
  15. ^ Grazulis, pg. 652
  16. ^ "Various Towns, ME Tornadoes Sweep Maine, May 1921". GenDisasters. New York Times. 1921-05-23. Retrieved 2009-01-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Grazulis, pg. 827
  18. ^ Grazulis, pg. 841
  19. ^ "Event Record Details 11 Aug 1954, 1727 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  20. ^ Grazulis, pg. 982
  21. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jun 1956, 1500 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  22. ^ "Event Record Details 14 Sep 1956, 1510 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  23. ^ "Event Record Details 16 Sep 1957, 1330 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  24. ^ Data from the Storm Prediction Center archives, which are accessible through SeverePlot, free software created and maintained by John Hart, lead forecaster for the SPC.
  25. ^ "Event Record Details 02 Jul 1958, 1500 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  26. ^ "Event Record Details 02 Jul 1958, 1517 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  27. ^ "Event Record Details 02 Jul 1958, 1600 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  28. ^ "Event Record Details 11 Jul 1958, 1330 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  29. ^ "Event Record Details 19 Jul 1958, 1700 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  30. ^ "Event Record Details 08 Aug 1958, 1430 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  31. ^ "Event Record Details 15 Aug 1958, 1020 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  32. ^ "Event Record Details 15 Aug 1959, 1430 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  33. ^ "Event Record Details 16 Aug 1959, 1200 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  34. ^ "Event Record Details 16 Aug 1959, 1245 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  35. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1022
  36. ^ "Event Record Details 17 Aug 1959, 1600 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  37. ^ "Event Record Details 16 17 Aug 1959, 1900 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  38. ^ "Event Record Details 28 Aug 1959, 1500 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  39. ^ "Event Record Details 29 Aug 1960, 1600 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  40. ^ "Event Record Details 29 May 1961, 1400 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  41. ^ "Event Record Details 13 Jun 1961, 1700 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  42. ^ "Event Record Details 29 Jun 1961, 2227 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  43. ^ "Event Record Details 18 Jul 1961, 1615 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  44. ^ "Event Record Details 04 Sep 1961, 1610 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  45. ^ "Event Record Details 15 Sep 1961, 0930 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  46. ^ "Event Record Details 09 Jul 1962, 1055 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  47. ^ "Event Record Details 20 Aug 1962, 1350 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  48. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1043
  49. ^ "Event Record Details 14 May 1963, 1615 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  50. ^ "Event Record Details 19 May 1963, 1445 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  51. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1963, 1410 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  52. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1963, 1445 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  53. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1963, 1510 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  54. ^ "Event Record Details 15 Jul 1963, 1700 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  55. ^ "Event Record Details 29 Oct 1963, 1600 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  56. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1077
  57. ^ "Event Record Details 10 Jun 1965, 1550 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  58. ^ "Event Record Details 21 Jun 1965, 1600 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  59. ^ "Event Record Details 21 Sep 1965, 1330 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  60. ^ "Event Record Details 13 Jul 1966, 1620 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  61. ^ "Event Record Details 10 Oct 1966, 1508 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  62. ^ "Event Record Details 17 Jun 1967, 1400 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  63. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1968, 1411 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  64. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1100
  65. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1968, 1500 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  66. ^ "Event Record Details 08 Aug 1969, 2200 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  67. ^ "Event Record Details 03 Oct 1970, 1830 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  68. ^ "Event Record Details 30 Jun 1971, 1620 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  69. ^ "Event Record Details 01 Jul 1971, 1345 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  70. ^ "Event Record Details 31 Jul 1971, 1245 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  71. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1127
  72. ^ "Event Record Details 31 Jul 1971, 1400 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  73. ^ "Event Record Details 11 Aug 1971, 1145 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  74. ^ "Event Record Details 11 Aug 1971, 1200 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  75. ^ "Event Record Details 12 Oct 1971, 1440 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  76. ^ "Event Record Details 07 Nov 1971, 1020 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  77. ^ "Event Record Details 07 Nov 1971, 1100 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  78. ^ "Event Record Details 07 Nov 1971, 1200 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  79. ^ "Event Record Details 10 Jul 1972, 1630 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  80. ^ "Event Record Details 24 Jul 1972, 1700 CST". NCDC Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  81. ^ Grazulis, pg. 1190
  82. ^ "Event Record Details, 24 Nov 2005, 01:10:00 PM EST". National Climatic Data Center. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  83. ^ "Event Record Details, 24 Nov 2005, 01:16:00 PM EST". National Climatic Data Center. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  84. ^ "Event Record Details, 29 Sep 2006, 01:54:00 PM EST". National Climatic Data Center. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  85. ^ "Tornado in Aroostook County During July 15th, 2007 Storm". National Weather Service, Caribou, Maine. July 16, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  86. ^ "Event Record Details, 15 Jul 2007, 17:08:00 PM EST". National Climatic Data Center. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
  87. ^ "Eagle Lake Tornado on 24 May 2009". National Weather Service, Caribou, Maine. May 26, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  88. ^ "T8 R5 WELS and Westfield/Easton Tornado on 31 May 2009". National Weather Service, Caribou, Maine. June 2, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  89. ^ "Severe Thunderstorms With Tornadoes And Localized Flash Flooding Across Aroostook County". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  90. ^ "Severe Thunderstorms With Tornadoes And Localized Flash Flooding Across Aroostook County". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  91. ^ "Severe Thunderstorms With An Isolated Tornado And Localized Flash Flooding Across Northern And Eastern Maine". National Climatic Data Center. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-01.

Book references[edit]

  • Grazulis, Thomas P (July). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  • Ludlum, David McWilliams (1970). Early American Tornadoes 1586–1870. Boston, MA: American Meteorological Society. ISBN 0933876327.

External links[edit]

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