Tornado outbreak of March 3–4, 2030: Difference between revisions
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A very large, long-track, and extremely violent tornado struck southeastern Minnesota in the early morning hours of March 4, 2030. The tornado remained on the ground for over an hour, carving a nearly 75-mile path through multiple communities. Mobile Doppler radar estimates had a measurement of 344 mph, which became the strongest tornado in recorded history. A total of 253 fatalities and 1,525 injuries occurred, making it the deadliest tornado in Minnesota’s history and one of the most catastrophic in modern U.S. records. | A very large, long-track, and extremely violent tornado struck southeastern Minnesota in the early morning hours of March 4, 2030. The tornado remained on the ground for over an hour, carving a nearly 75-mile path through multiple communities. Mobile Doppler radar estimates had a measurement of 344 mph, which became the strongest tornado in recorded history. A total of 253 fatalities and 1,525 injuries occurred, making it the deadliest tornado in Minnesota’s history and one of the most catastrophic in modern U.S. records. It also caused a total of $1.25 billion worth of damage along its track, mainly in Dodge Center. | ||
Shortly after its formation, surveyors noted that the tornado underwent extreme intensification within seconds, committing significant ground scouring less than 15 seconds after touching down. As it approached Dodge Center, the tornado scoured the ground so violently that it dug a 4-foot-deep trench in the soil and shredded all surface vegetation. | Shortly after its formation, surveyors noted that the tornado underwent extreme intensification within seconds, committing significant ground scouring less than 15 seconds after touching down. As it approached Dodge Center, the tornado scoured the ground so violently that it dug a 4-foot-deep trench in the soil and shredded all surface vegetation. | ||
Latest revision as of 15:44, 21 January 2026
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | March 3–4, 2030 |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | 155 (Record for largest outbreak in March) |
| Maximum rating | EF6 tornado |
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| Highest winds | Tornadic - 344 mph (554 km/h) (Dodge Center, Minnesota EF6 on March 4) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | Unknown |
| Injuries | Unknown |
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| Part of the Tornadoes of 2030 | |
Meteorological synopsis
Confirmed tornadoes
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | EF6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 65 | 39 | 31 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 155 |
Myrtle–Austin, Minnesota
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | TBD |
| Dissipated | TBD |
| Duration | TBD |
| EF4 tornado | |
| on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 190 mph (310 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 32 |
| Injuries | 955 |
Weir–Fentress–Ackerman–Sturgis–Bradley–Longview–Starkville–Tibbee–Waverly–Columbus, Mississippi
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 3, 2030, 3:09 p.m. CST (UTC-6:00) |
| Dissipated | March 3, 2030, 4:07 p.m. CST (UTC-6:00) |
| Duration | 58 minutes |
| EF5 tornado | |
| on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 225 mph (362 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 207 (+2 indirect) |
| Injuries | 2,275 |
A large, long-track, and potentially violent tornado struck the communities of Bradley, Longview, and Starkville in Mississippi directly during the late-night hours of March 3. The tornado would damage or destroy multiple structures in its path. Doppler radar measured a gate-to-gate velocity on this tornado of 245 mph (394 km/h). Starkville was the worst hit, with the tornado directly impacting the downtown district. The tornado would track over 50 miles across northeastern Mississippi and remain on the ground for over an hour.
There have been reports of slabbed homes within the city, but damage surveys are still ongoing. Preliminary surveys indicated this tornado was at least low-end EF4 intensity. Each county affected has yet to post its death/injury totals, as they are still unknown. The latest information shows that over 85 people were injured, according to the public, along with 3 known fatalities.
Freeborn–Ellendale–Bixby–Dodge Center–Mantorville–Genoa–Oronoco–South Troy, Minnesota
 High-end EF6 damage to a field near a facility in Dodge Center | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 4, 2030, 12:27 a.m. CST (UTC-6:00) |
| Dissipated | March 4, 2030, 1:41 a.m. CST (UTC-6:00) |
| Duration | 1 hour, 14 minutes |
| EF6 tornado | |
| on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 344 mph (554 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 253 (+4 indirect) |
| Injuries | 1,525 |
A very large, long-track, and extremely violent tornado struck southeastern Minnesota in the early morning hours of March 4, 2030. The tornado remained on the ground for over an hour, carving a nearly 75-mile path through multiple communities. Mobile Doppler radar estimates had a measurement of 344 mph, which became the strongest tornado in recorded history. A total of 253 fatalities and 1,525 injuries occurred, making it the deadliest tornado in Minnesota’s history and one of the most catastrophic in modern U.S. records. It also caused a total of $1.25 billion worth of damage along its track, mainly in Dodge Center. Shortly after its formation, surveyors noted that the tornado underwent extreme intensification within seconds, committing significant ground scouring less than 15 seconds after touching down. As it approached Dodge Center, the tornado scoured the ground so violently that it dug a 4-foot-deep trench in the soil and shredded all surface vegetation.
Upon entering Dodge Center, meteorologists at the NWS office in Chanhassen observed a massive debris signature on radar. Estimates concluded that debris was lofted nearly 80,000 feet into the atmosphere. Citizens who took shelter reported experiencing an extreme pressure drop that ruptured root canals, tore tendons, pulled muscles, and caused shoulder dislocations.
The tornado cored U.S. Highway 14 through Dodge Center at EF6 strength, destroying vehicles and infrastructure. Sirens failed to activate in Dodge Center, Mantorville, and Oronoco due to a system-wide outage, leaving many residents unaware of the approaching storm. The tornado also crossed Interstate 35 near Bath at EF5 strength, catching numerous vehicles and RVs in the dark with little warning.
Emergency response was immediate but overwhelmed. Storm spotters were first to arrive in Dodge Center and reported the city was completely unrecognizable. One survivor described the scene: “It was like a nuclear bomb went off and erased everything.” Locating trapped victims proved difficult due to the extent of destruction. The final death toll took nearly two weeks to confirm. Survivors described the city as looking like it had suffered a drought, followed by demolition crews armed with bombs, cranes, and wrecking balls.
National Weather Service damage surveyors assigned a 260 mph damage indicator to a structure and a 270 mph indicator for ground scouring—both the highest ever recorded. They documented foundation dislodging, anchor bolts pulled from the ground, cracked and displaced slabs, and extreme windrowing of debris miles downwind. Underground plumbing was ripped out and granulated. This tornado became the first ever to receive an EF6 rating following the Enhanced Fujita scale update in late 2029.
Quote from a NWS Surveyor: “It was unlike anything I have ever seen. I’ve had my fair share of rating tornadoes, along with researching the strongest tornadoes to ever exist. This is certainly close, if not overtaking the damage done in Smithville, Mississippi, in 2011, and Jarrell, Texas, in 1997. This damage was, by far, some of the worst I’ve ever seen in my entire life… Either on the screen, or in person.”