1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
The Hurricane Frances tornado outbreak was a widespread tornado outbreak associated with Hurricane Frances that came ashore on eastern Florida on September 4–5, 2004. Outer bands from the hurricane and its remnants, when it moved across the Appalachian Mountains, produced one of the largest tornado outbreaks ever spawned by a tropical cyclone in the United States in terms of number of tornadoes confirmed since records were kept in 1950. In addition, it was the largest tornado outbreak in South Carolina history, with nearly half of the tornadoes in that state.[2]
At least 103 tornadoes were confirmed from September 4 to September 8 across the Southeast and Middle Atlantic States. However, Hurricane Beulah in 1967 and Hurricane Ivan, which affected western Florida less than two weeks after Frances, produced more tornadoes. Other tornadoes from a separate system were spawned in Iowa and Minnesota on September 5.[3] Most of the tornadoes were weak F0's and F1's but a few strong tornadoes were produced across the Carolinas. In particular, an F3 affected areas near Camden, South Carolina producing extensive damage.[4]
Frances began as a tropical depression west-southwest of Cabo Verde on August 25 from a vigorous tropical wave that departed the coastline of Africa several days prior. As the system moved generally west-northwest, it grew steadily in strength, first to tropical storm strength later on August 25, and then hurricane intensity the next afternoon. After attaining its peak strength as a Category 4 hurricane while north of Puerto Rico, Frances made two landfalls as a major hurricane on San Salvador Island and subsequently Cat Island, in addition to two additional landfalls at Category 2 intensity on Eleuthera Island and Grand Bahama Island. High pressure built north of the cyclone by September 4, causing Frances to turn west and make landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida, with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) early on September 5. The system weakened over the state, briefly emerging into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico before making a final landfall at the mouth of the Aucilla River in Florida on the afternoon of September 6, with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). Frances continued inland, ultimately dissipating over the Gulf of St. Lawrence late on September 10. Along its path, the storm accrued over $9 billion (2004 USD) in damage and resulted in 50 deaths.[10]
The brunt of tornadic activity associated with Frances occurred on September 5 through September 8 as the system progressed northward across the East Coast of the United States. An attendant frontal boundary, originally positioned offshore on September 5, lifted northward across the region over subsequent days. Along the east-to-west-oriented boundary, low to moderate convective available potential energy, plentiful moisture, and strong low-level wind shear culminated in the development of several long-lived supercell thunderstorms within the outer rainbands of Frances. Like in most hurricanes, the concentration of rotating storms was focused well northeast of the storm's center. These supercells resulted in numerous tornadoes, including 45 in South Carolina on September 7 alone, setting a new daily record in the state previously held by 1994's Tropical Storm Beryl.[11][12] Frances also spawned 14 tornadoes in Virginia, tying Hurricane Gaston from the same year as the fifth-most-prolific producer in the state.[13] Overall, 106 tornadoes were confirmed in association with Frances, surpassed only by 127 with Hurricane Ivan and 115 associated with Hurricane Beulah.[14]
A picket fenced was knocked down. Part of the fence went through the door of a house. The roof of a house was partially lifted and then set back down. This caused some interior damage to the home.
3 mobile homes were destroyed with others damaged. Two businesses were damaged as well, and many trees and power lines were downed. 3 people were injured.
A large oak tree was blown onto a home, another was blown onto a car, and two other oak trees greater than 12 inches in diameter were snapped off about 25 feet in the air. People in the area reported a roaring noise around the time of the damage.
Several outbuildings and mobile homes were destroyed, while several cinder block horse stables were heavily damaged. A horse trailer was also lifted on top of a stable. Numerous trees and power lines were downed.
Shelters and storage facilities were damaged or destroyed and several homes sustained minor damage. One recreational van was flipped over. Numerous trees were downed, causing additional damage to homes and vehicles.
A roof was peeled off one home and some of the outside walls showed signs of bowing. At another dwelling, a garage door was blown into the garage and out of the sidewall. Several projectiles were lodged in the south side of the house. Three large green houses and some portable outhouses were also damaged. Two Ryder trucks were overturned. One truck fell on a small pickup, which sustained considerable damage.
Tornado caused damage to a greenhouse complex. A 20-foot square building with a sturdy metal roof was completely destroyed. Two cars in a parking lot were moved and a pickup truck was tipped over.