1999 Salt Lake City tornado
| |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 12:41 p.m. MDT August 11, 1999 |
| Dissipated | 12:55 p.m. MDT August 11, 1999 |
| Duration | 14 minutes[1] |
| F2 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | >115 mph (185 km/h)[1] |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 100+ |
| Damage | US$172 million[2] |
| Areas affected | Downtown Salt Lake City |
Part of the Tornadoes of 1999 | |
On August 11, 1999, a rare and strong F2 tornado struck Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. It was among the most notable tornadoes to hit west of the Great Plains in the 20th century and the only recorded tornado to hit in Utah that resulted in a fatality.[1] This was the sixth significant tornado in Utah since June 1963,[3] and one of only two F2 tornadoes to have hit Salt Lake County since 1950 (the other occurring on February 9, 1965, in Magna).[4][5]
The tornado touched down on Concord Street, moving northeast as it destroyed homes and businesses across much of downtown Salt Lake City. The tornado would cause one fatality when a man was killed by debris near the Delta Center. The tornado caused minor damage to the Capitol Building as well as uprooting hundreds of trees in the Memory Grove before moving into The Avenues where it would cause significant damage to homes, dissipating soon after. The tornado injured over 100 people, killed 1 person, and caused over $172 million in damages to the city.[6][7]
Meteorological synopsis
Throughout the days before August 11th, a strong upper-level trough had developed across much of Northern Utah, coming in from Nevada. Additionally, a convergence zone had formed in the region enhancing severe weather potential. In the morning of August 11th, breezes from the Great Salt Lake began to interact with the southerly winds of the valley, which combined with a strong shear across Northern Utah and a jet stream in the region to further enhance instability. By noon thunderstorms began to form near the Great Salt Lake, one of which began to rapidly intensify and expand before dropping the Salt Lake City tornado at 12:41 p.m.[6]
Tornado summary
The tornado touched down on Concord Street, moving northeast as it rapidly intensified to F2 strength as the Sun Tavern suffered significant damage. The tornado continued to move northeast, briefly weakening and re-intensifying as it struck the Club Axis, which suffered major damage to its roof. The tornado re-intensified as it struck numerous businesses throughout downtown Salt Lake City, including the Delta Center, which had many of its windows blown out and part of its roof torn off, and the nearby Wyndham Hotel, which also suffered significant window damage. The nearby Outdoors Retailers Convention was struck with multiple large tents completely destroyed and metal beams thrown up to 1/8 of a mile. Most of the injuries occurred here, as well as the only fatality, Allen A. Crandy, who was killed by flying debris.[6][8][7]
The tornado struck the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Assembly Hall, which was under construction, causing significant damage and crumpling a nearby crane before briefly weakening, reaching F2 intensity for a fourth time as multiple buildings suffered significant damage to their exteriors. The nearby Capitol Building was also damaged at F1 intensity. The tornado would then move through Memory Grove at F1 intensity, uprooting hundreds of trees before entering The Avenues at F2 strength as many homes suffered major damage to their roofs and exterior walls. The tornado would then begin to rapidly weaken as it left The Avenues before dissipating near the outer limits of Salt Lake City. The tornado was on the ground for 14 minutes with a peak width of nearly 200 yards. Over 100 injuries, a dozen of which were major, and only one death were reported.[6] The tornado caused over $172 million in damages along its over 3-mile path.[3]
Aftermath
The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 800–1,000 trees.[7] In The Avenues, over 154 homes were severely damaged, about 120 of which had roofs blown off. In total, 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed.[9] The tornado damaged many powerlines and telephone poles causing power outages for much of Salt Lake City and blocking calls to people out of state.[10]
In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, many organizations like the Salvation Army[11] and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints[10] arrived to aid in the reconstruction efforts. The LDS Hospital continued to operate using backup generators, helping 18 patients, 6 of which were trauma patients, throughout the days following the tornado.[10] President Bill Clinton declared Salt Lake City a disaster zone and Governor Mike Leavitt issued a state of emergency for Salt Lake City.[12][13] Mayor Deedee Corradini issued an evacuation order for the city as well, forcing businesses and malls to close down by 5 p.m.[10] As a result of the damage, the Wyndham Hotel was forced to close down for several days.[14] The Outdoors Retailers Convention was moved to the Salt Palace, with some businesses sharing booths with competitors.[10]
In the weeks and months following the tornado many citizens of Salt Lake City began funding for replacement lights and trees in the Memory Grove. Many of the old trees were replaced with new, drought-resistant ones. Members of the Memory Grove Foundation sent funding for a new monument as well.[15]
This was the first major tornado to occur in a large urban area's downtown district and strike buildings of nearly 500 ft (150 m) tall, according to Bill Alder of the National Weather Service. It happened in an area of the U.S. where tornadoes of this strength are relatively rare.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Geisel, Hunter (August 11, 2019). "On this day in Utah's history: the Salt Lake City tornado of 1999". KUTV. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ↑ Lindsey, Daryl (August 11, 2016). "Throwback Thursday: A huge tornado ripped through SLC 17 years ago". kutv.com. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- 1 2 Clayton Brough; Dan Brown; David James; Dan Pope; Steve Summy (June 26, 2007). "Utah's Tornadoes & Waterspouts – 1847 to the present". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
- ↑ "Tornado History Project: 19650209.49.1". Archived from the original on August 29, 2014.
- ↑ Arave, Lynn (September 11, 2002). "Tornadoes in Utah aren't all that rare". Deseret News. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Salt Lake City Tornado - August 11, 1999". www.weather.gov. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Tornado was too fast for warning, Alder says Deadly twister suddenly 'blew up right over valley'". Deseret News. August 27, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ Weaver, Sarah Jane; writer, Church News staff (August 14, 1999). "Rare tornado hits Salt Lake City". Church News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ Edwards, Ashton (August 11, 2014). "Photos: 15 years since F2 tornado tore through downtown Salt Lake City". Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 News, Deseret; editorial, Deseret News (August 13, 1999). "Tornado response reaffirming". Deseret News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ Caring (August 21, 1999). "Army Aids Salt Lake Tornado Victims". Caring Magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ "24 years ago: The day a tornado blew away SLC". ABC4 Utah. August 11, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ UT Exec. Order 8/11/1999
- ↑ Bench, Emilee; Eagar, Emilee (August 10, 2014). "15 years later, Utahns remember tornado that ripped through downtown Salt Lake City". Deseret News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
- ↑ Prettyman, Brett. "Tornado anniversary: Utahns rallied to save beloved Memory Grove". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
External links
