Tornado outbreak of April 1880
On April 18–20, 1880, a tornado outbreak impacted the Midwestern United States, producing numerous strong tornadoes, killing at least 167 people, and injuring more than 516 others. The outbreak generated five violent tornadoes, including three long-tracked F4 tornadoes in Missouri that killed at least 144 people. Two of the tornadoes followed parallel paths and occurred simultaneously near Springfield, one of which devastated the town of Marshfield, causing 92 fatalities there. Other deadly, intense tornadoes occurred in the Great Lakes region and in Arkansas, including another F4 tornado that destroyed a third of El Paso, Arkansas, killing four or more people.
Confirmed tornadoes
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
Springfield–Marshfield, Missouri
Belonging to a pair of long-lived F4s, this violent tornado—possibly a family—formed near Camp Bliss Springs, a short distance from McDowell in northeastern Barry County, Missouri. In Stone County this and the previous F4 hit just apart near Aurora; as it crossed the county the former may have dissipated and redeveloped. Entering Christian County, the Marshfield F4 tracked south of Clever and north of present-day Boaz. Near Nixa in Greene County the tornado damaged many rural buildings and large tracts of timber. It then hit southeastern Springfield, causing seven or more deaths and 16 injuries there. Paralleling the James River, the tornado widened and intensified as it approached Marshfield. After hitting Northview, the tornado then struck downtown Marshfield, where it leveled most frame-and-brick structures in town, leaving between six and 15 intact. Of the 92 dead in town, 69 perished "within seconds" and the 23 remainders died within a few weeks, according to a study by Grant L. Darkow. Between 150–200 people were badly injured as well. According to the Monthly Weather Review, the tornado also shredded and ripped up trees, whose bark was stripped off "as if struck by lightning". In Webster and Greene counties alone losses from both F4s exceeded $1 million. Leaving Marshfield, the tornado continued as far as Niangua, beyond, before dissipating.
Other effects
In addition to tornadoes, there were numerous reports of severe thunderstorms. On April 18 intense windstorms affected Decatur, Wenona, Warren, Champaign, Ottawa, Peoria, Summerfield, Jacksonville, Tuscola, Clinton, Collinsville, and Chester, Illinois. These storms unroofed, destroyed, or partly wrecked numerous structures. Trees were extensively damaged and a bridge torn out as well. On the same date vigorous thunderstorms generated winds of up to in Lawrence, Kansas, tipping structures onto their sides and tearing roofs off. Early on April 19 severe thunderstorms also affected Richmond and Wabash, Indiana, along with other areas beside the White River. Telegraph wires and structures incurred substantial damage.