This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks that occurred in 2007, primarily (but not entirely) in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe, e. g. in the United Kingdom or in Germany.
Preliminary reports suggest that there were 1,305 reported tornadoes in the U.S. (of which 1,109 were confirmed), with 81 confirmed fatalities. It was the deadliest year for tornadoes in the U.S. since 1999, when 95 deaths were reported. In addition, three fatalities took place in Mexico, 14 in Chad, one in South Africa, three in Vietnam, one in the Philippines, 25 in China and seven in Bangladesh for a worldwide known total of at least 135.
Notably, the system for classifying tornado damage in the United States changed from the Fujita scale to the Enhanced Fujita Scale on February 1, 2007.
Synopsis
2007 started quickly in terms of tornadoes, with the first tornado fatalities taking place in the first week of January. After few other significant events in the rest of January, a deadly period took place in the latter part of the winter. Two deadly outbreaks and several other major tornado events marred February and March, especially in the southern US.
The spring was also fairly active, with several significant tornado events in April and May, including a major outbreak in the first weekend of May producing the first ever EF5 tornado (and first F5 tornado on any scale in the 21st century). While June was not as active with fewer tornadoes, it produced another F5 tornado and Canada's first such confirmed tornado.
The tropics in the Western Hemisphere produced few significant tornadoes in 2007, but Typhoon Sepat produced a deadly tornado in China. Otherwise, the summer and early fall were fairly quiet, with a few local exceptions. The most severe outbreak in the second half of the year took place in October, when the largest outbreak ever recorded in that month took place.
The year ended slowly with no major outbreaks in November or December and only a few isolated tornadoes, mostly related to larger winter storms.
Events
United States Yearly Total
Note: January tornadoes were rated using the old Fujita scale, but are included in the chart above by matching the F rating to the related EF scale rating.
January
There were 29 tornadoes reported in the U.S. in January, of which 22 were confirmed.
January 1 (Indonesia) The first Indonesia tornado of 2007 occurred on New Year's Day 2007, a waterspout touched down and went ashore causing damage in Anyer Beach and Cinangka, Serang, Banten. Several houses collapsed, several trees downed. Nobody was hurt or killed by this tornado.
January 3 (Indonesia) Just two days after the first Indonesia tornado, two separate tornadoes touched down in South Sulawesi. The first tornado touched down at 10 AM, damaging 7 houses and 2 rice factories in Jenetaesa village. The second tornado touched down at 2:30 PM destroying several houses. 12 houses were damaged in Batubasi Hamlet and 1 house in Bantimurung Hamlet, located in the Jenetaesa Village Simbang Sub-district. In the Bantimurung Sub-district, 18 houses were ruined by the tornado itself. 13 houses in both Malewang Hamlet and Mattoanging village were destroyed. 3 houses in Tokamaseang Village and 2 other houses in Baruga Village were damaged.
January 4–5
The first severe weather event of 2007 was a scattered but deadly tornado event in the U.S. Gulf Coast region on January 4. Two people were killed in New Iberia, Louisiana, and 15 were injured. It was confirmed to have been an F1 tornado as all the severe damage took place to mobile homes. At least four other tornadoes have been confirmed, including an F2 tornado near Blackwater, Mississippi that injured nine people.
The activity continued farther east into Georgia and the Carolinas on January 5, with at least one, and likely more, possible tornadoes. At least 15 people were injured in a tornado in Liberty, South Carolina.
January 13
An F1 tornado struck southwest of San Marcos, Texas, causing severe structural damage. Although it wasn't very notable, it was the final tornado in the United States rated using the Fujita Scale.