2009 North American Christmas blizzard
Introduction The '''2009 North American Christmas blizzard''' was a powerful winter storm and severe weather event that affected the Midwestern United States, Great Plains, Southeastern United States, the Eastern Seaboard, and parts of Ontario. The storm began to develop on December 22 before intensifying to produce extreme winds and precipitation by the morning of December 24.The storm's rapid development made it difficult for forecasters to predict. The blizzard was reported to have claimed at least 21 lives, and disrupted air travel during the Christmas travel season. In the Southeastern and Central United States, an outbreak of 28 tornadoes occurred between December 23–24.The storm, a Category 5 "Extreme" one on the Regional Snowfall Index scale, was the first winter weather event to rank as such since the North American blizzard of 1996.
Impact ===Snowfall===Snowfall varied across the United States. South Dakota likely received the most, with . In Minnesota,  was received near Pequaywan Lake on the state's North Shore. Parts of Texas recorded snowfall as high as  in Post. Snowfall in Nebraska caused six deaths. In Oklahoma, a state of emergency was declared after blizzard conditions killed 3 people and dropped  of snow. Iowa saw high snowfall as well.The storm was so intense that it wrapped warm air around the north and west side of it and cold air and snow blew in from the south. Rochester, Minnesota, in the northern half of the storm, saw rain with temperatures in the mid 30s Fahrenheit (~2°C) while snow was falling just to the west in a  band stretching from Canada south to at least Dallas, Texas, giving that region its first "White Christmas" since 1929.I-29 was completely closed in North and South Dakota, and then in stretches into Missouri. Will Rogers World Airport was also shut down.===Rain===Heavy rain in parts of the Midwest prompted the National Weather Service to issue Flood Warnings for many areas. The maximum rainfall amount recorded was  in Little Rock, Arkansas. Freezing rain fell across Iowa and Illinois, affecting travel to and from O'Hare International Airport. The Chicago area saw as much as ten inches of snow following the freezing rain and sleet.===Tornado outbreak===Several houses were destroyed near Lafayette, Louisiana, possibly by a tornado. Near Longview, Texas an EF2 tornado left a path of destruction nearly one mile long. Another tornado near Lufkin, Texas produced EF3 damage and caused two injuries.====Confirmed tornadoes=========December 23 event=====+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, December 23, 2009EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamageSummary EF0NE of JacksonvilleCherokeeTX20:35-20:40Damage was limited to a few trees. EF0NE of New SummerfieldCherokeeTX21:04-21:06$Damage was limited to a few trees. EF2LongviewGreggTX22:39-22:56$Numerous industrial buildings, including a FedEx building, were heavily damaged. Several houses were also damaged and significant tree damage along its path. EF1SE of AvingerCassTX23:51-23:52$A brief tornado in a wooded area damaged numerous trees and tree branches. EF0NNE of RecklawRuskTX01:16-01:17$A brief tornado snapped a few trees. EF3LufkinAngelinaTX03:56-04:07$Three buildings were destroyed, including a welding shop and a funeral home. Many houses sustained significant roof damage and tree damage was widespread, including in a park. Several 18-wheelers were also thrown. Two people were injured. EF1SE of AtlantaCass (TX), Miller (AR)TX, AR04:10-04:18$One house sustained minor roof damage, and many trees and limbs were damaged. EF1SE of GarrisonNacogdochesTX04:37-04:38$Several trees were snapped and a small storage building was destroyed. EF2SW of CarthageShelby, PanolaTX05:26-05:49$Many houses were damaged, including roof and shingle damage. A barn and two mobile homes were destroyed.=====December 24 event=====+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, December 24, 2009EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthDamageSummary EF0E of PinelandSabineTX08:10-08:12$Numerous trees and a few power lines were snapped. EF0S of Pleasant HillSabineLA09:24-09:26$Several pecan trees were uprooted. EF0E of FairmontSabineTX09:28-09:29$A brief tornado inflicted damage to trees and power lines along Toledo Bend Reservoir. EF0N of ManySabineLA10:21-10:25$Numerous large pine trees were uprooted. EF0SW of MartinRed RiverLA11:36-11:39$A few large trees were downed. EF2WhitevilleSt. Landry, AvoyellesLA13:25-13:37$A small church on cinder blocks was destroyed. A rice silo was thrown into a bayou and two tractor-trailers were also damaged. EF2N of CrowleyAcadiaLA13:27-13:39$At least 30 houses were damaged, primarily in a single subdivision that was especially hard hit where four houses were heavily damaged. The worst damage was a house that completely lost its roof. Four people were injured. EF0E of EvergreenAvoyellesLA13:37-13:45$Several trees were damaged. EF0W of BranchAcadiaLA13:40-13:45$A small outbuilding was destroyed and a few trees were blown down. EF0Richard (1st tornado)AcadiaLA13:46-13:49$Several trees were blown down, and a mobile home and barn were damaged. EF1Richard (2nd tornado)AcadiaLA13:50-13:55$A house and a church were damaged in town. Many trees were also damaged. EF1N of IotaAcadiaLA13:50-13:52$A barn was destroyed, and two mobile homes lost their roofs. EF0W of SavoyAcadia, St. LandryLA13:53-13:56$A barn was damaged, along with many trees. EF2GueydanVermilionLA13:57-14:03$Two structures were destroyed, a mobile home which rolled and an outbuilding which was thrown into a water tower, and over 50 others were damaged, some of them heavily. EF0S of ChataignierSt. Landry, EvangelineLA13:58-14:02$An outbuilding was damaged by the tornado.EF0NW of Long BridgeAvoyellesLA13:59-14:00$A mobile home was heavily damaged by the brief tornado. EF1SSE of MorseAcadiaLA14:05-14:09$A tornado quickly touched down after the first Gueydan tornado dissipated. Three houses and an entire farm were damaged. EF1W of FarmervilleUnionLA14:20-14:26$Two houses were damaged on the shores of Lake Darbonne. Many trees were snapped or knocked down. EF0E of VancleaveJacksonMS21:50-21:53$A brief tornado damaged a few trees.
See also *Global storm activity of 2009*December 2009 North American blizzard*February 2009 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall*East Asian snowstorms of 2009-2010*East Asian snowstorms of late 2009*December 2009 North American snowstorms*List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
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