View source for 1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak

{{Short description|Weather event in the United States}}
{{About|the 1994 tornado outbreak||Palm Sunday tornado outbreak (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{clear}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = 1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak tracks.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = A map of that day's tornado tracks
| duration = March 27, 1994
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado outbreak
| tornadoes = 29
| fujita-scale = F4
| duration = 21 hours, 45 minutes
| hail = {{convert|4.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| gusts = {{convert|104|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at [[Randolph Air Force Base|Randolph AFB]], Texas
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 40
| injuries = 491
| damages = $140 million (2005 [[United States dollar|USD]])
| affected = [[Southeastern United States]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[Tornadoes of 1994|tornado outbreaks of 1994]]
}}
The '''1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak''' was the third notable US [[tornado outbreak]] to occur on [[Palm Sunday]] and the second to take place in the Southeastern United States. The outbreak produced 29 tornadoes from [[Texas]] to [[North Carolina]], killing 40 people and injuring 491, and causing $140 million in damage. The deadliest storm of the outbreak, as well as in the US in 1994, was an F4 tornado that devastated [[Piedmont, Alabama]].<ref name=Update1>{{harvnb|Grazulis|1997|p=1357}}</ref> It struck the Goshen United Methodist Church right in the middle of the Palm Sunday service, collapsing the roof on the congregation and killing 20 people inside, including the Rev. Kelly Clem's 4-year-old daughter Hannah. Two other houses of worship were also destroyed mid-service. The supercell that formed this tornado tracked for {{convert|200|mi|km|sigfig=3}} to [[South Carolina]].

== Meteorological synopsis ==
[[File:March 27, 1994 "Palm Sunday" Severe Weather Outbreak map.png|thumb|left|Day 1 outlook at 1930 UTC showing a high risk.]]
[[File:March2794stormreports.gif|thumb|right|Storm reports from the March 27, 1994 event.]]
The [[Storm Prediction Center|SPC]] started forecasting the outbreak on March 26, highlighting the risk of severe thunderstorms over the area that would eventually be impacted. They issued a "severe" forecast for most of the [[Southern United States|Southern]], and some of the [[Mid Atlantic United States|Mid-Atlantic states]], forecasting "the potential for supercell storms, along with the possibility of tornadoes."<ref name="WPCleanerAuto1">{{cite web |last=Hales |first=John E., Jr. |last2=Vescio |first2=Michael D. |last3=Koch |first3=Steven E. |title=The 27 March 1994 Tornado Outbreak in the Southeast U.S.: The Forecast Process from a Storm Prediction Center Perspective |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/hales/27mar94.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517234819/http://www.nwas.org/digest/papers/1997/Vol21No4/Pg3-Hales.pdf |archive-date=2012-05-17 |access-date=2025-04-10}}</ref>

By the morning of March 27, it was apparent that a very strong and potent airmass had set up over the Gulf states, with the SPC issuing a moderate risk for most of [[Alabama]], the southern half of [[Mississippi]], and most of [[Louisiana]] in their morning outlook. The 6 AM CST (1200 UTC) 500 mb analysis showed a strong southwest flow of near 80 [[knot (unit)|knots]] over the Southern U.S., while at the 850 MB level, there existed winds of near 50 knots coming out of the state of Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1994/03_27/march_27_1994_2.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014051215/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1994/03_27/march_27_1994_2.php|archive-date=2008-10-14|title=NOAA's National Weather Service - Birmingham, Alabama}}</ref> At the surface, temperatures in Alabama, Mississippi, and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] were in the low 70's [[Fahrenheit]], with dewpoints were in the upper 60's to low 70's.<ref name="WPCleanerAuto1" /> [[Convective Available Potential Energy|CAPE]] values at [[Centreville, Alabama]] were nearing 1,200 [[joule|J]]/[[kilogram|kg]] with no cap to speak of. A surface front left by rain during the previous evening was situated over northern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia.

By 9 AM CST (1500 UTC), thunderstorms and severe weather were not only occurring along the boundary setup by the rain from the previous evening in the northern portions of Alabama and Mississippi, but further to the south as well. At 9:18 AM CST (1518 UTC), the SPC issued a [[tornado watch]] for Eastern Mississippi and Northern Alabama. The storms then rapidly intensified, with tornado warnings being issued by the [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] NWS offices before 11 AM local time. Both the deadly F4 tornado that struck the Goshen United Methodist Church in [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee County]] and the [[Marshall County, Alabama|Marshall County]] F2 twister formed at about this time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1994/03_27/march_27_1994_stormdata.php|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725034112/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1994/03_27/march_27_1994_stormdata.php|archive-date = 2008-07-25|title = NOAA's National Weather Service - Birmingham, Alabama}}</ref> The SPC also issued a [[Particularly dangerous situation|PDS Tornado Watch]] for all of Northern Georgia by 12 PM EST (1700 UTC), with the wording stating, "This is a particularly dangerous situation with the possibility of very damaging tornadoes. Also, large hail, dangerous lightning and damaging thunderstorm winds can be expected." Severe storms and tornadoes tracked into the northern Georgia region by 12:42 EST, and tornadoes continued to track across northern Georgia during the afternoon.

During the early-mid afternoon, analysis showed a very unstable airmass over the southern U.S., with CAPE values near 2,500 J/kg and [[Hydrodynamical helicity|SRH]] values of near 250 m<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup> at [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. The 1800 UTC Centreville, Alabama sounding showed similar conditions, with CAPE over 2,500 J/kg and SRH values of over 500 m<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup>. This resulted in an [[Energy Helicity Index|Energy Helicity Index (EHI)]] value of 8.49, which is strongly supportive of tornadic thunderstorms. Based on these soundings, the SPC issued a [[List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days|High Risk]] for their 1930 UTC outlook, noting a rapidly destabilized atmosphere and winds being much stronger than what was originally forecasted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.convectiveoutlook.com/highrisk/19801999/94032719_spc.htm|title = March 27, 1994 1930Z Outlook}}</ref> Noting the presence of a shortwave trough that was tracking into Mississippi and Louisiana as well as rapidly falling pressures in advance of a frontal boundary, the SPC issued a tornado watch for eastern Louisiana and central Mississippi, however, there were no reported tornadoes in this region on March 27. The SPC, seeing that storms were tracking into the [[Carolinas]], issued a tornado watch for portions of the western and central Carolinas, as well as the portion of northeast Georgia not already included in the prior tornado watch. Tornadoes continued to track along this area from the mid-late afternoon, with an F3 tornado striking parts of northeast Georgia and the upstate of South Carolina, injuring 12, and another tornado along the border region of [[North Carolina]] and [[South Carolina]] injuring 13.

In Alabama, tornadoes continued in the central part of the state during the mid-late afternoon. An F1 tornado struck parts of [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|Tuscaloosa County]] just after 4 PM. Funnel clouds were seen in [[Hueytown, Alabama|Hueytown]] as a storm went over [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]] at around 4:30 PM local time. An F2 tornado was produced in [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby County]] at 5:30 CST, damaging a high school and a residential neighborhood before destroying two mobile home parks.

During the cleanup from the F4 tornado that struck Cherokee County, emergency responders had to take cover as another funnel cloud was spotted just before 6 PM CST. The storms also produced hail up to {{convert|3|in|cm|abbr=on}} in diameter and winds around {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The storm system also left behind extensive flooding in [[Winston County, Alabama|Winston]] and [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker Counties]], with $150,000 worth of damage done to roads and bridges in Walker County. The final tornado of the outbreak was reported just before midnight in [[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville County]] in South Carolina. The National Weather Service offices in Birmingham, [[Atlanta]], and [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]] did not stop issuing warnings until late at night on the 27th or early in the morning on the 28th, issuing 75 tornado warnings and 182 severe weather products overall.

Overall, the outbreak of March 27, 1994 was not as synoptically evident as some of the past outbreaks that have occurred, as there was no deep surface low or trough present for forcing in the area where the storms occurred, and many of the ingredients necessary that were the cause of this outbreak were not able to be forecasted until the morning of the event.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/hales/palm.htm| title = Hales/Vescio 18th SLS Conference Article}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ems.psu.edu/~diercks/gaddy.html |title=Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak - 27 March 1994 |access-date=2016-05-30 |archive-date=2017-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511013619/http://www.ems.psu.edu/~diercks/gaddy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Confirmed tornadoes ==
{{Tornado Chart | Total=29 | F0=10 | F1=6 | F2=4 | F3=7 | F4=2 | F5=0}}

=== March 27 event ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="100%"
!colspan="6"|List of reported tornadoes – Sunday, March 27, 1994
|-
! [[Fujita scale|F#]] !! Location !! County !! Time (UTC) !! Path length !! Damage
|-
|colspan="7" align=center|'''[[Texas]]'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Mineral Wells, Texas|Mineral Wells]]'''<ref name=NCDC1>{{cite journal|title=Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena|journal=Storm Data|date=March 1994|volume=36|issue=3|pages=12–16|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|location=[[Asheville, North Carolina]]}}</ref>
|[[Palo Pinto County, Texas|Palo Pinto]]
|0705
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km}}
|Brief touchdown reported by [[Storm chasing|storm chasers]] with no damage.<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|-
|colspan="7" align=center|'''[[Alabama]]'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''SSW of [[Ragland, Alabama|Ragland]] to NE of [[Rock Run, Alabama|Rock Run]]'''
|[[St. Clair County, Alabama|St. Clair]], [[Calhoun County, Alabama|Calhoun]], [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee]] 
|1655
|{{convert|50|mi|km}} 
|22 deaths — [[1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak#Ragland - Piedmont - Rock Run, Alabama|See section on this tornado]]
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''S of [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]]'''<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|[[Marshall County, Alabama|Marshall]]
|1702
|{{convert|6|mi|km}} 
|A tornado damaged 103 homes just south of Guntersville and later passed near [[Lake Guntersville State Park]]. It also partially destroyed the roof of a [[nursing home]].<ref name=Update1 /> 30 people were injured.<ref name=NCDC1 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''[[Rainsville, Alabama|Rainsville]]/[[Sylvania, Alabama|Sylvania]] to [[Henagar, Alabama|Henagar]]'''<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|[[DeKalb County, Alabama|DeKalb]]
|1732
|{{convert|23|mi|km}}
|This tornado was initially rated F4 in ''Storm Data'' but then downgraded in a reassessment.<ref name=Update1 /><ref name=NCDC1 /> It destroyed 16 homes, 13 mobile homes, two businesses, and 12 poultry houses. 20 people were injured.<ref name=NCDC1 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''SW of [[Nectar, Alabama|Nectar]]'''<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|[[Blount County, Alabama|Blount]]
|1757
|{{convert|2.5|mi|km}}
|Weak tornado damaged six homes, blew down electrical lines and trees, and destroyed three [[greenhouse]]s.<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''NE of [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]]'''
|[[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]]
|2202
|{{convert|2|mi|km}}
|This tornado developed from reforming afternoon storms and hit unpopulated area near [[Lake Tuscaloosa]], downing transmission towers.<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''[[Helena, Alabama|Helena]] to [[Pelham, Alabama|Pelham]]/[[Indian Springs, Alabama|Indian Springs]]'''<ref name=NCDC1 /> 
|[[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]]
|2331
|{{convert|12|mi|km}}
|This tornado extensively damaged businesses and mobile homes and caused minor damage to a school in Pelham. It dissipated just west of [[Meadowbrook, Alabama|Meadowbrook]].<ref name=NCDC1 /> Rating disputed, ranked F3 by Grazulis.<ref name=Update2>{{harvnb|Grazulis|1997|p=1361}}</ref>
|-
|colspan="7" align=center|'''[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat4}} | <big>'''F4'''</big>
|'''SE of [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]] to ESE of [[Jasper, Georgia|Jasper]]'''<ref name=NCDC2>{{cite journal|title=Late Reports|journal=Storm Data|date=July 1994|volume=36|issue=7|pages=278–289|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|location=Asheville, North Carolina}}</ref>
|[[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd]], [[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow]], [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee]], [[Pickens County, Georgia|Pickens]]
|1714
|{{convert|50|mi|km}}
|3 deaths — ''[[1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak#Rome–Canton–Jasper, Georgia|See section on this tornado]]''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''N of [[Lafayette, Georgia|Lafayette]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Walker County, Georgia|Walker]]
|1755
|{{convert|1.5|mi|km}}
|Weak tornado damaged some roofs and snapped trees along a discontinuous path.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''S of [[Lafayette, Georgia|Lafayette]]'''
|[[Walker County, Georgia|Walker]]
|1755
|{{convert|1|mi|km}}
|Second tornado in the Lafayette area downed trees in uninhabited areas.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''[[Lookout Mountain, Georgia|Lookout Mountain]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Walker County, Georgia|Walker]]
|1815
|{{convert|1|mi|km}}
|Tornado "destroyed five single story mixed brick and wood homes" but only briefly touched down.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Dahlonega, Georgia|Dahlonega]] to NNE of [[Clarkesville, Georgia|Clarkesville]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Dawson County, Georgia|Dawson]], [[Lumpkin County, Georgia|Lumpkin]], [[White County, Georgia|White]], [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]]
|1817
|{{convert|45|mi|km}}
|3 deaths – A long-tracked tornado descended to the ground about {{convert|7|mi|km}} north-northwest of Dawsonville at 2:17&nbsp;p.m. EST. The tornado initially downed power lines and trees as it produced F0 damage in rural locations, but grew in size and intensity as it entered Lumpkin County. Widening to {{convert|0.25|mi|km}} wide, the tornado caused widespread F2 damage to hilly terrain as it snapped {{convert|60|to|80|ft|m|adj=on}} tall pine trees. Upon reaching an area near Gordon Seabolt Road, about {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} west-northwest of [[Dahlonega, Georgia|Dahlonega]], an elderly man was killed by flying debris.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Soon the tornado passed just {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} north of Dahlonega and later killed another elderly man in a mobile home {{convert|4|mi|km}} northeast of Dahlonega. In this area, the tornado destroyed many "brick and wood" homes.<ref name=Update1 /> Thereafter, the tornado crossed the northwest slope of [[Yonah Mountain]] and then attained its peak intensity, F3 on the Fujita scale, as it broadened to {{convert|1.25|mi|km}} wide and caused severe damage to homes about {{convert|7|mi|km}} northeast of [[Cleveland, Georgia|Cleveland]]. There, it "completely leveled" 10 homes and badly damaged 25–30 others.<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado then weakened to F2 strength and continued on to kill a person in a mobile home {{convert|6|mi|km}} north of Clarkesville. It maintained intensity through rugged terrain until it lifted {{convert|6.5|mi|km}} northeast of Clarkesville at 3:02&nbsp;p.m. EST.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Along its path, the tornado caused over $17 million in property damage, killed three people and more than 500,000 chickens, and snapped "hundreds of thousands" of trees.<ref name=Update1 /><ref name=NCDC2 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''W of [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]]'''
|[[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd]]
|1830
|{{convert|3|mi|km}}
|Tornado hit just north of [[Coosa, Floyd County, Georgia|Coosa]] and felled many trees along its brief path.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''S of [[Adairsville, Georgia|Adairsville]] to NE of [[Jasper, Georgia|Jasper]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow]], [[Gordon County, Georgia|Gordon]], [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee]], [[Pickens County, Georgia|Pickens]]
|1901
|{{convert|40|mi|km}}
|9 deaths – The second-deadliest tornado in the entire outbreak—and the deadliest of the outbreak in Georgia—touched down about {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} south of Adairsville in Bartow County at 3:01&nbsp;p.m. EST. Proceeding to the northeast, the tornado quickly strengthened to F2 intensity as it severely damaged five to seven homes and snapped trees in half. Tornado winds blew trees onto a truck, killing its occupant inside.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Next, the tornado increased to F3 strength and widened to {{convert|.75|mi|km}} as it passed through [[Pleasant Valley, Bartow County, Georgia|Pleasant Valley]]. There, the tornado threw a {{convert|4000|lb|t|adj=on}} [[pickup truck]] for {{convert|300|yd|mi}} and destroyed or heavily damaged 25–30 homes of brick or wood construction.<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado was reported to be so large and fast-moving that, like the [[Tri-State Tornado|1925 Tri-State tornado]],<ref name=Tornado>{{harvnb|Grazulis|2001|p=137}}</ref><ref name="Johns">{{cite journal |last1 = Johns |first1 = Robert H. |author-link = Robert H. Johns |first2 = D. W. |last2=Burgess |first3=C. A. |last3=Doswell III |first4= M. S. |last4=Gilmore |first5=J. A. |last5=Hart |first6=S. F. |last6=Piltz |title = The 1925 Tri-State Tornado Damage Path and Associated Storm System |journal = e-Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology |volume = 8 |issue = 2 |year = 2013 |url = http://www.ejssm.org/ojs/index.php/ejssm/issue/view/44 }}</ref> it was a "rotating fog bank"<ref name=Update1 /> indistinguishable from the [[cloud base]] as it passed through Pleasant Valley. Afterward, the tornado retained F3 strength as it passed {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} north of [[Funkhouser, Bartow County, Georgia|Funkhouser]] and heavily damaged three to five homes of brick or wood construction. It went on to destroy or damage four homes near the intersections of Bartow, Gordon, and Pickens Counties. Entering Pickens County, the tornado grew to {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} wide, snapping most trees at their base, and killed six people in a trailer that was thrown {{convert|100|to|250|yd|ft|sigfig=3}}.<ref name=NCDC2 /><ref name=Update3>{{harvnb|Grazulis|1997|p=1359}}</ref> It then killed two more people as it destroyed a single-story residence and a mobile home before lifting {{convert|3|mi|km}} northeast of Jasper. It caused a total of $12,250,000 in damage and killed a total of nine people along its path.<ref name=NCDC2 /> At one point, according to engineer [[Timothy P. Marshall]], the tornado moved at {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|sigfig=2}} and downed 1,000 trees each second.<ref name=Update1 /> A second, weaker, F2 tornado overlapped part of the path of this tornado and hit Pleasant Valley just 30 minutes after this F3 tornado left.
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Dahlonega, Georgia|Dahlonega]] to NE of [[Cleveland, Georgia|Cleveland]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Lumpkin County, Georgia|Lumpkin]], [[White County, Georgia|White]]
|1923
|{{convert|22|mi|km}}
|3 deaths – The second of two F3 tornadoes to hit near Dahlonega touched down {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} northwest of that town at 3:23&nbsp;p.m. EST. Only a minute later, it intensified to F2 intensity and instantly killed two people in a mobile home that disintegrated.<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado continued to intensify to F3 intensity as it caused a third and final death in a mobile home while snapping many large pines in rural areas north and northeast of Dahlonega. Then it fluctuated in intensity to F1 strength before passing {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of Cleveland, causing significant damage to four businesses and ten homes.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Soon after, it re-intensified into an F3 tornado as it passed just {{convert|.25|mi|km}} south of the earlier F3 tornado while badly damaging 20 homes and destroying 15 in a rural subdivision. It then lifted after striking the subdivision and causing $3.5 million in total damages. Overall the tornado killed three people.<ref name=NCDC2 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''ESE of [[Adairsville, Georgia|Adairsville]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow]]
|1935
|{{convert|2|mi|km}}
|This tornado hit the same area that was damaged by the previous event and went through Pleasant Valley, but while only at F2 intensity. It destroyed or badly damaged five to seven homes in Pleasant Valley.<ref name=Update2 /><ref name=NCDC2 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Dawsonville, Georgia|Dawsonville]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Dawson County, Georgia|Dawson]]
|1942
|{{convert|4|mi|km}}
|Tornado uprooted several large trees.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''[[Tallulah Falls, Georgia|Tallulah Falls]] to [[Walhalla, South Carolina]]'''<ref name=NCDC3>{{cite journal|title=Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena|journal=Storm Data|date=March 1994|volume=36|issue=3|pages=51–53|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|location=[[Asheville, North Carolina]]}}</ref>
|[[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]], [[Rabun County, Georgia|Rabun]], [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee (SC)]]
|2004
|{{convert|30|mi|km}}
|This tornado badly damaged five buildings at Tallulah Falls before descending a {{convert|500|ft|m|sigfig=3|adj=on}} cliff.<ref name=Update2 /><ref name=NCDC2 /> It destroyed about 60 homes in Oconee County, South Carolina, with $5.5 million in damage there.<ref name=NCDC3 /> It was part of the Piedmont, Alabama, tornado family as items from that town, more than {{convert|140|mi|km|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} to the southwest, were found at Tallulah Falls.<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado was F2 at Tallulah Falls<ref name=NCDC2 /> and F3 in South Carolina.<ref name=Update2 /><ref name=NCDC3 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]] to SE of [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd]]
|2301
|{{convert|20|mi|km}}
|''[[1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak#Cave Spring/Lindale, Georgia|See section on this tornado]]''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''SE of [[Cave Spring, Georgia|Cave Spring]] to S of [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd]]
|2304
|{{convert|10|mi|km}}
|Badly damaged roofs of frail wood homes and either uprooted or broke pine trees in half.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''WNW of [[Bremen, Georgia|Bremen]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Haralson County, Georgia|Haralson]]
|0035
|{{convert|2|mi|km}} 
|Moderately damaged roofs and badly damaged a mobile home along with a chicken coop while uprooting or snapping trees.<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''NW of [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]]'''<ref name=NCDC2 /> 
|[[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb]]
|0110
|{{convert|2|mi|km}} 
|Produced minimal roof damage to three homes and downed trees. Dissipated near [[Lake Allatoona]] in suburban [[Atlanta]].<ref name=NCDC2 />
|-
|colspan="7" align=center|'''[[South Carolina]]'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat2}} | <big>'''F2'''</big>
|'''NE of [[Inman, South Carolina|Inman]] to SE of [[Chesnee, South Carolina|Chesnee]]'''<ref name=NCDC3 /> '''to [[High Shoals, North Carolina]], area'''<ref name=NCDC4>{{cite journal|title=Late Reports|journal=Storm Data|date=April 1994|volume=36|issue=4|pages=213–215|publisher=United States Department of Commerce|location=Asheville, North Carolina}}</ref> 
|[[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg]], [[Cherokee County, South Carolina|Cherokee]], [[Cleveland County, North Carolina|Cleveland (NC)]], [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston (NC)]]
|2055
|{{convert|45|mi|km}} 
|This long-tracked tornado destroyed two mobile homes, badly damaged another home, and ripped apart three transmission towers—all indicative of F2 damage—before crossing into North Carolina.<ref name=NCDC3 /> Upon entering North Carolina, the tornado downed three [[High voltage|high-voltage]] transmission towers about {{convert|15|mi|km}} southwest of [[Shelby, North Carolina|Shelby]]. Just {{convert|300|yd|ft|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} to the northeast of the transmission towers, the tornado destroyed a home along with a large [[barn|barn house]], plus three additional transmission towers, four mobile homes, two vehicles, and a [[Concrete masonry unit|cinder-block]] structure nearby.<ref name=NCDC4 /> Nearing [[Boiling Springs, North Carolina|Boiling Springs]], the still-F2 tornado struck [[Gardner–Webb University]] and damaged several vehicles that were parked on campus. Just afterward, it hit [[downtown]] Boiling Springs, destroying an [[Duplex (building)|apartment duplex]], a [[Floristry|flower shop]], and a [[car wash|car-wash]] station.<ref name=NCDC4 /> After leaving Boiling Springs, the tornado weakened to F1 intensity and leveled a greenhouse north of [[North Carolina Highway 150]]. It also blew down many trees before entering [[Shelby, North Carolina|Shelby]], damaging a church [[Steeple (architecture)|steeple]] and a [[billboard]] in town.<ref name=NCDC4 /> Thence it intensified somewhat and badly damaged homes, trees, and power lines before passing {{convert|3|mi|km}} south of [[Cherryville, North Carolina|Cherryville]]. As it passed near Cherryville, the F1 tornado caused a [[porch]] roof to collapse east of [[North Carolina Highway 274]]. It also broke trees and blew a roof off a barn.<ref name=NCDC4 /> Farther along, the tornado also badly damaged three mobile homes. After crossing [[North Carolina Highway 279]], the tornado finally dissipated as it approached the town of High Shoals in Gaston County.<ref name=NCDC4 /> 
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''[[Lyman, South Carolina|Spartanburg]] to [[Blacksburg, South Carolina|Blacksburg]]'''<ref name=NCDC3 />
|[[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg]], [[Cherokee County, South Carolina|Cherokee]]
|2130
|{{convert|35|mi|km}}
|Tornado injured four people by falling trees and partially damaged roofs. Threw large tree branches onto homes and badly damaged a [[Electrical substation|power substation]]. Numerous trees and power lines downed.<ref name=NCDC3 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat1}} | <big>'''F1'''</big>
|'''S of [[Landrum, South Carolina|Landrum]] to NW of [[Chesnee, South Carolina|Chesnee]]'''<ref name=NCDC3 />
|[[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville]], [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg]]
|2140
|{{convert|19|mi|km}} 
|Tornado caused minimal F1 damage to roofs, outbuildings, trees, and power lines. Formed from the same supercell that produced the Tallulah Falls–Walhalla tornado.<ref name=NCDC3 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|cat3}} | <big>'''F3'''</big>
|'''NE of [[Clover, South Carolina|Clover]]'''<ref name=NCDC3 /> '''to [[Lake Wylie, South Carolina|Lake Wylie]] to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]'''
|[[York County, South Carolina|York]], [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston (NC)]], [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg (NC)]]
|2327
|{{convert|18|mi|km}} 
|This tornado produced F1 damage in South Carolina, destroying a mobile home and an outbuilding; it also damaged many other mobile homes and outbuildings in Lake Wylie.<ref name=Update2 /><ref name=NCDC3 />  After crossing into North Carolina, it destroyed a brick home and three mobile homes before striking the [[Catawba River]]. Next, the tornado struck [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport]], where an [[Air National Guard]] building lost its roof.<ref name=Update2 /> Many vehicles and a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|DC-9]] aircraft sustained damage as well. Two people were injured. The tornado then struck apartments and homes, several of which lost three-story walls and had roof damage.<ref name=Update2 /> Nearby, the tornado ripped steel poles at a restaurant from their concrete foundations, downed large trees, and caused significant damage to an elementary school before lifting just north of downtown Charlotte. At least two, and possibly nine, people were injured along the path.<ref name=Update2 />
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''[[Tigerville, South Carolina|Tigerville]]'''
|[[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville]]
|0450
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km}} 
|Weak tornado displaced a garage roof, threw a boat, downed a large oak, and caused other negligible damage near the [[North Greenville University]] campus.<ref name=NCDC3 /> 
|-
|colspan="7" align=center|'''[[North Carolina]]'''
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''NE of [[Liberty, North Carolina|Liberty]]'''
|[[Alamance County, North Carolina|Alamance]]
|0040
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km}} 
|Brief touchdown in sparsely populated area.
|-
|bgcolor=#{{Storm colour|storm}} | <big>'''F0'''</big>
|'''[[Asheboro, North Carolina|Asheboro]]'''
|[[Randolph County, North Carolina|Randolph]]
|0100
|{{convert|0.5|mi|km}} 
|Brief touchdown at the southeastern edge of Asheboro, with little damage.
|-
|colspan="7" | <small>Sources: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110116224928/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/outbreaks/the-palm-sunday-outbreak-1994 Tornado History Project Data for March 27, 1994]}}, [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/sp3/plot.php SPC Storm Data]</small>
|}
{{clear}}

===Ragland - Piedmont - Rock Run, Alabama ===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Ragland - Piedmont - Rock Run, Alabama
| image = 1994piedmont.jpg
| caption = The tornado taking a large wedge shape.
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| fujita-scale = F4
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 22<ref>[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10313929 Alabama Event Report: F4 Tornado], NOAA</ref>
| injuries = 150<ref>[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10313929 Alabama Event Report: F4 Tornado], NOAA</ref>
| damages = $50.5 million (1994 USD)
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
This violent and deadly tornado developed {{convert|1|mi|km}} south-southwest of Ragland in St. Clair County, Alabama, at 10:55&nbsp;a.m. CST. With a {{convert|45|to|55|mi/h|km/h|adj=on}} forward speed, the tornado first destroyed buildings east of Ragland before killing a woman on a [[Campsite|campground]] west of [[Neely Henry Lake]]. Just prior to entering Calhoun County, the tornado destroyed 18 homes and 20 mobile homes.<ref name=NCDC1 /> Upon crossing the north side of [[Ohatchee, Alabama|Ohatchee]] the tornado threw a van into a ditch, killing a man inside and injuring three other occupants. After causing the death on [[U.S. Route 431 in Alabama|U.S. Route 431]], it passed through sparsely populated, wooded land about {{convert|4|to|5|mi|km}} west-northwest of [[Piedmont, Alabama|Piedmont]]. As it passed north of Piedmont, the tornado struck the Goshen United Methodist Church in the former community of Goshen, killing 20 people in the church and injuring 92;<ref name=NCDC1 /> some sources say 90 were injured.<ref name=Goshen>{{harvnb|Grazulis|2001|p=160}}</ref> The tornado also destroyed two nearby [[Church (building)|churches]], but killed no one in their congregations.<ref name=NYT1>{{cite news|last=Bragg|first=Rick|title=Piedmont Journal: Tried by Deadly Tornado, an Anchor of Faith Holds|newspaper=New York Times|date=April 2, 1994|pages=2–12}}</ref> Parishioners in the Goshen United Methodist Church apparently received no warning<ref name=NYT2>{{cite news|last=Applebome|first=Peter|title=Across the Tornado Belt, the Rubble Is Real but the Losses Are So Hard to Grasp|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 29, 1994|pages=A20}}</ref> while attending services and some were crushed to death as the walls and roof collapsed upon them.<ref name=NYT1 /> An [[Inflow (meteorology)#Thunderstorms|inflow jet]] caused the south wall—which, being {{convert|18|ft|m|sigfig=2}} tall and {{convert|60|ft|m|sigfig=2}} wide, was built solely of [[Concrete masonry unit|masonry block]]—to collapse inward, so the timber-and-steel [[gable]] roof and other walls followed suit, crushing parishioners inside the sanctuary.<ref name=Goshen /> After striking the church, the tornado continued on and later dissipated {{convert|5|mi|km}} northeast of Rock Run, near the Alabama–Georgia [[Border|state line]]. Overall, the tornado killed 22 people.<ref name=NCDC1 />
{{clear}}

=== Rome–Canton–Jasper, Georgia ===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Rome–Canton–Jasper, Georgia
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| fujita-scale = F4
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 3
| damages = ~$7 million (1994 USD)
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
The second violent tornado of the outbreak developed in a rural area of Floyd County, Georgia, about {{convert|9|mi|km}} southeast of Rome, at 1:14&nbsp;p.m. EST. Upon touching down, the {{convert|.125|mi|km|adj=on}} wide tornado uprooted large [[pine]]s and [[oak]]s while causing F0 damage to five or six homes of "mixed brick and wood construction."<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado then moved northeast as it snapped trees before intensifying to F1 strength about {{convert|10|mi|km}} west of [[Cartersville, Georgia|Cartersville]]. During this, the tornado initially shrunk to {{convert|.06|mi|km}} wide, but then widened again to {{convert|.125|mi|km}} as it passed through [[Cassville, Georgia|Cassville]], with F1 damage primarily to the roofs of 10–15 homes. The tornado blew down 20 large trees and damaged power lines in Cassville.<ref name=NCDC2 />

Thereafter, the tornado increased greatly in size and intensity as it passed between [[White, Georgia|White]] and [[Rydal, Georgia|Rydal]], with the first and only F4 damage occurring in a rural area {{convert|15|mi|km}} northwest of [[Canton, Georgia|Canton]]. There, the {{convert|0.38|mi|km|adj=on}} wide tornado leveled "five two-story brick and wood homes" to the ground in the Indian Springs [[Subdivision (land)|subdivision]].<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado also severely damaged eight to 10 other homes and slightly damaged 12–15. Overall, the tornado was most destructive at Indian Springs and soon weakened as it continued northeast through wooded lands; however, its path briefly widened.<ref name=NCDC2 /> It killed two people in a [[Mobile home|trailer]] along [[Georgia State Route 140]] in Bartow County and snapped {{convert|80|to|90|ft|m|adj=on}} tall pine trees nearby. Though the {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} wide tornado impacted forested areas, it still caused major damage to 10 mobile homes and six permanent homes, as well as damage to four unspecified [[vehicle]]s.<ref name=NCDC2 />

Henceforth, the tornado continued to weaken to F2 intensity and contracted to {{convert|.75|mi|km}} wide as it passed into Pickens County, severely damaging 10–15 [[chicken coop]]s along with 20–25 homes of brick and wood construction.<ref name=NCDC2 /> It killed one more person in a trailer before lifting from the ground about {{convert|6|mi|km}} east-southeast of Jasper. Ultimately, it caused almost $7 million (1994 [[United States dollar|USD]]) in losses to properties and businesses in Bartow County alone, with another $1.5 million in losses in adjourning Pickens County.<ref name=NCDC2 /> The tornado killed three people and over 500,000 [[chicken]]s along its track and leveled "thousands" of trees, with over $10 million in losses to agricultural interests.<ref name=NCDC2 />
{{clear}}

=== Cave Spring/Lindale, Georgia ===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Cave Spring/Lindale, Georgia
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| fujita-scale = F3
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| damages = $6.75 million (1994 USD)
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
The sixth and final F3+ tornado to hit Georgia on March 27 touched down {{convert|8|mi|km}} northwest of Cedartown at about 7:00&nbsp;p.m. EST. Though mainly impacting rural areas at first, it badly damaged four wood homes and blew down many trees with resultant F1 damage. The tornado appeared reddish to eyewitnesses as it passed through rugged terrain.<ref name=NCDC2 /> As it crossed near [[Georgia State Route 100|SR 100]], the tornado produced major roof damage to a few homes and destroyed a pair of chicken coops. Widening to {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} wide, the tornado acquired a [[multiple vortex tornado|multiple vortex]] structure as residents observed two or three funnels rotating around the main vortex.<ref name=NCDC2 /> In southern Floyd County, about {{convert|2|mi|km}} east of Cave Spring, the multiple-vortex tornado snapped trees in half and badly damaged five [[Mobile home#Construction and sizes|double-wide]] mobile homes along with three or four frail wood homes.

Afterward, the tornado strengthened to F2 intensity, causing more severe damage to wood homes, but soon contracted in size to {{convert|.25|mi|km}} wide and weakened into an F1 tornado.<ref name=NCDC2 /> However, as it neared to within {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} southwest of [[Lindale, Georgia|Lindale]], it widened yet again and rapidly strengthened into an F3 tornado as it passed through Leawood Estates. There, it reportedly leveled "fifteen mixed single and two story mixed brick and wood homes of poor construction,"<ref name=NCDC2 /> along with some homes that were being built. The tornado caused 30 injuries, including one of a man who was thrown {{convert|1000|yd|mi}} into the street across from his home. Residents reported continuous lightning preceding and during the passage of the tornado and were alerted by their dogs barking.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Some residents also reported a smaller tornado south of the primary one.

After hitting Leawood Estates at maximum intensity, the tornado weakened back into an F2 tornado and shrunk to {{convert|.25|mi|km}} wide as it passed {{convert|6|mi|km}} south of Rome. There, it badly damaged three poorly built wood homes, destroyed four mobile homes, and uprooted large trees.<ref name=NCDC2 /> Farther along, it decreased in size to just {{convert|.125|mi|km}} wide but caused significant damage to 15–20 homes of brick and wood construction. As it passed {{convert|7.2|mi|km}} southeast of Rome, the tornado degenerated into an F0 tornado over wooded [[Arable land|farmland]] while causing major roof damage to a few homes before dissipating.<ref name=NCDC2 /> According to the National Weather Service, the tornado destroyed 55–60 homes and did at least some damage to 140–150 others, with total losses reaching $6,750,000.
{{clear}}

== Effects on National Safety ==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2015}}
The deaths at Goshen United Methodist Church brought to light the deficiencies in the [[NOAA Weather Radio]] network across the United States and the lack of NOAA Weather Radio use in many public spaces. Budget cuts in the 1970s had forced the National Weather Service to cut back on the expansion of new broadcast stations. Most urban and suburban areas in the country had sufficient coverage, but many rural areas had no coverage at all. After a visit to the Goshen site, then Vice President [[Al Gore]] pushed for further funding and expansion of the NOAA Weather Radio system, especially in rural areas. This was accomplished through an expansion of private-public partnerships, primarily by the National Weather Service leasing or using donated tower space from entities such as TV stations, public utilities, and state government agencies. Gore, also, pushed for facilities such as schools, hospitals, churches, and nursing homes to have weather radios on hand.

== See also ==
* [[1920 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak]]
* [[1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak]]
* [[2020 Easter tornado outbreak]]
* [[Tornado outbreak sequence of March 24–28, 2021]]

== References ==
{{More footnotes needed|date=April 2009}}
{{Reflist}}
{{clear}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{citation|last=Grazulis|first=Thomas|year=1997|title=Significant Tornadoes Update, 1992–1995|publisher=Environmental Films|location=[[St. Johnsbury, Vermont]]|isbn=978-1879362048}}
* {{citation|last=Grazulis|first=Thomas|year=2001|title=The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman, Oklahoma|isbn=978-0-8061-3538-0}}
{{clear}}
* Hamilton, David W., Yuh-Lang Lin, Ronald P. Weglarz, Michael L. Kaplan (1998). "[https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/1520-0493%281998%29126%3C2061%3AJFFDFW%3E2.0.CO%3B2 Jetlet Formation from Diabatic Forcing with Applications to the 1994 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak]". ''[[Monthly Weather Review]]'', 126 (8).
* Kaplan, Michael L., Yuh-Lang Lin, David W. Hamilton, Robert A. Rozumalski (1998). "[https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/1520-0493%281998%29126%3C2133%3ATNSOAU%3E2.0.CO%3B2 The Numerical Simulation of an Unbalanced Jetlet and Its Role in the Palm Sunday 1994 Tornado Outbreak in Alabama and Georgia]". ''[[Monthly Weather Review]]'', 126 (8).
* Koch, Steven E., David Hamilton, Devin Kramer, Adam Langmaid (1998). "[https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/1520-0493%281998%29126%3C2031%3AMDITPS%3E2.0.CO%3B2 Mesoscale Dynamics in the Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak]". ''[[Monthly Weather Review]]'', 126 (8).
* Langmaid, Adam H., Allen J. Riordan (1998). "[https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/1520-0493%281998%29126%3C2117%3ASMPDTP%3E2.0.CO%3B2 Surface Mesoscale Processes during the 1994 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak]". ''[[Monthly Weather Review]]'', 126 (8).

== Further information ==
* {{cite video  | people = Nicholas, Stein  | title = Anatomy of a Tornado  | medium = TV broadcast  | publisher = [[National Geographic Channel]] |date = 2006}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_03271994 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak March 27, 1994] (NWS Birmingham, Alabama)
* [http://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/palmsunday94.pdf NWS Service Assessment]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110116224928/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/outbreaks/the-palm-sunday-outbreak-1994 Map of the 1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak]}} The Tornado History Project
* [http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Palm_Sunday_Killer_Tornados Palm Sunday Killer Tornadoes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519152602/http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Palm_Sunday_Killer_Tornados |date=2011-05-19 }}

{{Alabama tornado events}}
{{1994 tornado outbreaks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1994-03-27 Tornado Outbreak}}
[[Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1994|03-27]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Alabama]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in South Carolina]]
[[Category:1994 natural disasters in the United States|Tornado, 03-27]]
[[Category:Tornado outbreaks in the United States]]
[[Category:March 1994 in the United States|Tornado, 27]]
[[Category:1994 in Texas|Tornado, 03-27]]
[[Category:1994 in Alabama|Tornado, 03-27]]
[[Category:1994 in Georgia (U.S. state)|Tornado, 03-27]]
[[Category:1994 in North Carolina|Tornado, 03-27]]
[[Category:1994 in South Carolina|Tornado, 03-27]]