View source for Tornado outbreak of November 15–16, 1955

{{Short description|Weather event in the United States}}
{{Infobox storm
| name                 = November 15–16, 1955 tornado outbreak
| image                =
| alt                  =
| caption              =
| type                 = [[Tornado outbreak]]
| active               = November 15–16, 1955
| lowest pressure      =
| lowest temperature   =
| tornadoes            = 18
| fujitascale          = F3
| tornado duration     = 14 hours and 20 minutes
| highest winds        = {{convert|91|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| hail                 = {{convert|7.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| gusts                =
| maximum snow         =
| power outages        =
| casualties           = 1&nbsp;fatality (+13&nbsp;non-tornadic), 35&nbsp;injuries (+≥32&nbsp;non-tornadic injuries)
| damages              = $4.665 million (1955 USD)<ref>{{cite web |title=Tornado Summaries |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=11&beginDate_dd=15&beginDate_yyyy=1955&endDate_mm=11&endDate_dd=16&endDate_yyyy=1955&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=-999%2CALL |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
| affected             = [[Mississippi Valley|Mississippi]] and [[Ohio Valley]]s
| current advisories   =
| enhanced             = no
| notes                =
| partof               = the '''[[Tornadoes of 1955|tornado outbreaks of 1955]]'''
}}
An unusually intense fall outbreak of tornadoes caused considerable damage to the [[Mississippi Valley|Mississippi]] and [[Ohio Valley]]s. One person was killed, 35 others were injured, and damages reached $4.665 million (1955 USD). A total of 13 other people were killed and over 32 others were injured by non-tornadic events as well.
==Meteorological synopsis==
A [[low-pressure system]] formed over [[Nevada]] on November&nbsp;14 and moved quickly eastward into [[Nebraska]] by the next day. It slowed down and rapidly deepened as it moved through [[Iowa|Northwestern Iowa]] into [[Wisconsin]] by November&nbsp;16. Favorable conditions led to a huge blow up of [[thunderstorm]]s across the [[Mississippi Valley|Mississippi]] and [[Ohio Valley]]s. These storms quickly became severe and tornadic as they moved generally eastward.<ref name="CDNS">{{cite web |title=Climatological Data National Summary Publication {{!}} IPS {{!}} National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/cdns/cdns.html |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>
==Confirmed tornadoes==
{{Tornado chart|F0=1|F1=7|F2=5|F3=5|Total=18}}
'''Note:''' The CDNS list several other suspected tornadoes that were not included in the final total.
*A suspected tornado accompanied by damaging straight-line winds destroyed two homes, damaged four others, and downed wires and trees in [[Kirklin, Indiana|Kirklin]], [[Terhune, Indiana|Terhune]] and [[Elizaville, Indiana]] on November 15.
*A suspected tornado accompanied by straight-line winds and heavy rain smashed several barns and damaged three homes in [[Polks Park, Indiana]] before moving into [[Gentryville, Indiana|Gentryville]], where two filling stations were demolished and three homes were damaged on November 15.
===November 15 event===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, November 15, 1955{{refn|group=nb|name=Date/Time|All dates are based on the local [[time zone]] where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in [[Coordinated Universal Time]] and dates are split at midnight [[Central Time Zone|CST/CDT]] for consistency.}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Width|Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.<ref name="Brooks">{{cite journal |last1=Brooks |first1=Harold E. |authorlink1=Harold E. Brooks |title=On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity |journal=[[Weather and Forecasting]] |date=April 2004 |volume=19 |issue=2 |page=310 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2 |url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0434%282004%29019%3C0310%3AOTROTP%3E2.0.CO%3B2 |access-date=11 September 2019 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |location=[[Boston]]|bibcode=2004WtFor..19..310B |doi-access=free }}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="col"  style="width:3%; text-align:center;"|[[Fujita scale|F#]]
! scope="col"  style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|Location
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|County / Parish
! scope="col"  style="width:5%; text-align:center;"|State
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Start<br>{{abbr|coord.|Coordinates}}
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Path length
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|{{abbr|Max.|Maximum}} width
! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:48%; text-align:center;"|Summary
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|S of [[Witter, Arkansas|Witter]]
|[[Madison County, Arkansas|Madison]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.90|-93.67|name=Witter (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|18:00–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief tornado developed over [[Buffalo Tower, Arkansas|Buffalo Tower]] on the [[Nubbin Ridge (Arkansas)|Nubbin Ridge]], damaging a house. Losses only totaled $250.<ref name="CDNS"/><ref name="Witter">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983067 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|N of [[Longview, Illinois|Longview]]
|[[Champaign County, Illinois|Champaign]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|39.90|-88.07|name=Longview (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|21:00–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief tornado threw a 20 by 30-foot building {{convert|1/4|mi|km}} from its original location. No monetary damage value was given.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Longview">{{cite report |title=Illinois Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010856 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|[[Heber Springs, Arkansas|Heber Springs]] to [[Hutchinson, Arkansas|Hutchinson]] to [[Huff, Arkansas|Huff]] to Northern [[Newark, Arkansas|Newark]]
|[[Cleburne County, Arkansas|Cleburne]], [[Independence County, Arkansas|Independence]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.48|-92.03|name=Heber Springs (November&nbsp;15, F3)}}
|21:17–22:00
|{{convert|36.5|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|133|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|<strong>1 death</strong> – [[Tornado outbreak of November 15–16, 1955#Heber Springs–Hutchinson–Huff–Northern Newark, Arkansas|See section on this tornado]] – Four people were injured and damage was estimated at $1 million.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis">{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=T. P. |title=Significant Tornadoes: A chronology of events |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yW5NAQAAIAAJ&dq=1952+%22Belfast%2C%22+Tennessee+tornado&pg=PA356 |publisher=Tornado Project |access-date=19 April 2022 |language=en |date=1990|isbn=9781879362024 }}</ref><ref name="HeberSprings1">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983068 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="HeberSprings2">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983070 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="HeberSprings3">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983071 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="HeberSprings4">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983072 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|[[Casa, Arkansas|Casa]]
|[[Perry County, Arkansas|Perry]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.03|-93.05|name=Casa (November&nbsp;15, F2)}}
|21:26–?
|{{convert|1.5|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|73|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A strong tornado touched down five or six times as it moved northeastward through the north side of Casa. Two homes and two other buildings were destroyed while three other homes and 13 other buildings were damaged. Some brick building "appeared to show explosive action." Damages were estimated at $250,000. A loud roaring sound was heard by Weather Bureau meteorologists that were hunting in the [[Ouachita National Forest]] about {{convert|25|mi|km}} southwest of town.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Casa">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F2 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983069 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|SSE of [[Schuline, Illinois|Schuline]] to SSE of [[Sparta, Illinois|Sparta]]
|[[Randolph County, Illinois|Randolph]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|38.07|-89.77|name=Schuline (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|21:30–?
|{{convert|4.5|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|880|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|This large tornado accompanied by large hail moved over open terrain. Although officially listed as causing no monetary damages, the CDNS report list $10,500 in damage, with hail doing an additional $5,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Schuline">{{cite report |title=Illinois Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010857 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|Southeastern [[Schram City, Illinois|Schram City]]
|[[Montgomery County, Illinois|Montgomery]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|39.15|-89.45|name=Southeastern Schram City (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|21:35–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief, but destructive tornado completely destroyed a barn east of [[Hillsboro, Illinois|Hillsboro]]. Losses totaled $25,000. Severe winds and hail caused more damage to buildings, trees, and power lines further downwind in [[Ohlman, Illinois|Ohlman]] and [[Rosamond, Illinois|Rosamond]].<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="SchramCity">{{cite report |title=Illinois Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010859 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|Southwestern [[Pana, Illinois|Pana]]
|[[Christian County, Illinois|Christian]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|29.95|-93.93|name=Southwestern Pana (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|22:45–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief tornado embedded within a larger swath of wind damage destroyed several farm buildings on the southwest side of Pana. No monetary damage was given. The tornado came from the same storm that produced the [[Schram City, Illinois|Schram City]] tornado. The storm itself traveled {{convert|50|mi|km}} from there to [[Bethany, Illinois|Bethany]] in [[Moultrie County, Illinois|Moultrie County]], causing $75,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Pana">{{cite report |title=Illinois Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010864 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|N of [[Hopewell, Cleburne County, Arkansas|Hopewell]]
|[[Cleburne County, Arkansas|Cleburne]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.43|-92.08|name=Hopewell (November&nbsp;15, F3)}}
|23:00–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief, but strong tornado occurred southwest of [[Heber Springs, Arkansas|Heber Springs]] just under two hours after the previous F3 tornado hit the town. It blew a tree down onto a car before tossing it again. A barn was also blown over and destroyed. Losses totaled $25,000. The tornado was not listed as significant by Grazulis.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Hopewell">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983073 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|storm}} | F0
|E of [[Jamaica, Illinois|Jamaica]]
|[[Vermilion County, Illinois|Vermilion]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|39.98|-87.77|name=Jamaica (November&nbsp;15, F0)}}
|23:00–?
|{{convert|0.2|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief tornado struck a farm, causing $250 in damage. The CDNS report list the damage as being $500.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Jamaica">{{cite report |title=Illinois Event Report: F0 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010866 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|[[Boonville, Indiana|Boonville]]
|[[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick]]
|[[Indiana|IN]]
|{{Coord|38.05|-87.27|name=Boonville (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|00:00–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A suspected damaging tornado was later confirmed to have touched down right over Boonville, blowing away and destroying a barn and knocking a tractor off the road. There was $2,500 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Boonville">{{cite report |title=Indiana Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10005164 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|[[Alicia, Arkansas|Alicia]] of ESE of [[Calvin, Arkansas|Calvin]]
|[[Lawrence County, Arkansas|Lawrence]]
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|35.92|-91.02|name=Alicia (November&nbsp;15, F3)}}
|00:05–?
|{{convert|3.8|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|880|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|This large, strong tornado moved through Alicia, destroying nine homes and 12 other buildings while damaging six homes and eight other buildings. There were nine injuries and $250,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Alicia">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983074 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|Eastern [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]]
|[[Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Vanderburgh]]
|[[Indiana|IN]]
|{{Coord|37.97|-87.53|name=Eastern Evansville (November&nbsp;15, F3)}}
|01:20–?
|{{convert|2|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|50|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|[[Tornado outbreak of November 15–16, 1955#Eastern Evansville, Indiana|See section on this tornado]] – Nine people were injured and damage was estimated at $250,000.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Evansville">{{cite report |title=Indiana Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10005166 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|NNW of [[Tuttle, Arkansas|Tuttle]] to [[Hartwell, Arkansas|Hartwell]] to N of [[Huntsville, Arkansas|Huntsville]]
|[[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]], [[Madison County, Arkansas|Madison]]<!-- Tornado clearly moved into Madison County even though it is not mentioned in the reports -->
|[[Arkansas|AR]]
|{{Coord|36.05|-94.00|name=Tuttle (November&nbsp;15, F2)}}
|01:30–?
|{{convert|15|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|220|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|This tornado touched down over mountainous terrain and moved east-northeastward through rural areas, striking the town of Hartwell before dissipating. One person was injured and there was $2,500 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Tuttle">{{cite report |title=Arkansas Event Report: F2 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9983075 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|W of [[Lynn, Indiana|Lynn, IN]]<!-- Starting location based on CDNS report. --> to [[Sharpeye, Ohio|Sharpeye, OH]] to [[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville, OH]]
|[[Randolph County, Indiana|Randolph (IN)]]<!-- Track for this county is not put into the system correctly -->, [[Darke County, Ohio|Darke (OH)]]
|[[Indiana|IN]], [[Ohio|OH]]
|{{Coord|40.10|-84.63|name=Lynn (November&nbsp;15, F3)}}
|01:30–?
|{{convert|21|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|400|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|[[Tornado outbreak of November 15–16, 1955#Lynn, Indiana/Sharpeye–Greenville, Ohio|See section on this tornado]] – There were eight injuries and $2.525 million in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Lynn1">{{cite report |title=Indiana Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10005168 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Lynn2">{{cite report |title=Ohio Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083349 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|[[Decker, Indiana|Decker]] area
|[[Knox County, Indiana|Knox]]
|[[Indiana|IN]]
|{{Coord|38.52|-87.52|name=Decker (November&nbsp;15, F1)}}
|04:00–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A brief, but damaging tornado struck an area about {{convert|12|mi|km}} west of Decker, twisting a barn to pieces and blowing out windows in three separate homes. Winds from the storm sounded like a "freight train" according to witnesses. Ping-pong-ball size hail that accompanied the tornado, which caused $25,000 in damage, struck the town of Decker itself, damaging churches, schools, and private homes while severely damaging roofs.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Decker">{{cite report |title=Indiana Event Report: F1 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10005169 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|[[Downtown Indianapolis]]
|[[Marion County, Indiana|Marion]]
|[[Indiana|IN]]
|{{Coord|38.52|-87.52|name=Downtown Indianapolis (November&nbsp;15, F2)}}
|04:35–?
|{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A strong tornado touched down right over Downtown Indianapolis and moved east-northeastward. A garage was demolished, timber was scattered, an apple tree was uprooted, a large brick building was partially unroofed, and a few other buildings suffered some damage. There were two injuries, and losses totaled $25,000. The tornado was not listed as significant by Grazulis.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Indianapolis">{{cite web |title=Indiana Event Report: F2 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10005170 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|}
===November 16 event===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, November 16, 1955{{refn|group=nb|name=Date/Time}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Width}}
|-
! scope="col"  style="width:3%; text-align:center;"|[[Fujita scale|F#]]
! scope="col"  style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|Location
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|County / Parish
! scope="col"  style="width:5%; text-align:center;"|State
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Start<br>{{abbr|coord.|Coordinates}}
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Path length
! scope="col"  style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|{{abbr|Max.|Maximum}} width
! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:48%; text-align:center;"|Summary
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|NE of [[South Fork, Missouri|South Fork]] to SW of [[Carson, Missouri|Carson]]
|[[Howell County, Missouri|Howell]]
|[[Missouri|MO]]
|{{Coord|36.67|-91.90|name=South Fork (November&nbsp;16, F2)}}
|06:15–?
|{{convert|4.3|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|1000|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|A large tornado hit the southern side of [[West Plains, Missouri|West Plains]], missing the center part of town by only a mile. Three homes were destroyed and 23 other homes and 10 other buildings were damaged. One house was split in half. There were two injuries, which included a man being thrown {{convert|150|yd|m}}, and $25,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="SouthFork">{{cite web |title=Missouri Event Report: F2 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10063690 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|NE of [[Valley Mission, Illinois|Valley Mission]] to E of [[Anna, Illinois|Anna]]
|[[Union County, Illinois|Union]]
|[[Illinois|IL]]
|{{Coord|37.43|-89.27|name=Valley Mission (November&nbsp;16, F2)}}
|08:20–?
|{{convert|4.5|mi|km|sortable=on}}
|{{convert|150|yd|m|sortable=on}}
|This strong tornado accompanied by hail moved east-northeast through the south sides of [[Jonesboro, Illinois|Jonesboro]] and Anna before moving into a rural area and dissipating. Although the funnel was only a few yards in diameter, the destruction was {{convert|50|to|300|yd|m}} wide. Multiple factory buildings were demolished and damage was estimated at $250,000. The CDNS stated that had the storm occurred during the day, many lives may have been lost.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="ValleyMission">{{cite web |title=Illinois Event Report: F2 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010871 |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
|}
===Heber Springs–Hutchinson–Huff–Northern Newark, Arkansas===
{{Infobox storm
| name                 = Heber Springs–Hutchinson–Huff–Northern Newark, Arkansas
| image                =
| fujitascale          = F3
| tornado duration     =
| highest winds        =
| casualties           = 1&nbsp;fatality, 4&nbsp;injuries
| damages              = $1&nbsp;million (1955 [[United States dollar|USD]])
| location             = [[Ozarks|Eastern Ozarks]]
| current advisories   =
| enhanced             = no
| notes                =
}}
The only fatal one of the outbreak, this long-tracked, strong F3&nbsp;tornado was first seen as a funnel cloud southwest of [[Heber Springs, Arkansas|Heber Springs]]. The funnel moved northeastward before touching down on the southeast side of town and moving over [[Round Mountain (Arkansas)|Round Mountain]]. Severe property damage occurred in this area and one person was injured. It then crossed over the [[Little Red River (Arkansas)|Little Red River]], moving over mountainous terrain before moving into [[Independence County, Arkansas|Independence County]]. Throughout [[Cleburne County, Arkansas|Cleburne County]], one person was injured, seven homes and four buildings were destroyed, 107&nbsp;homes and 40&nbsp;other buildings were damaged, and there was $250,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="HeberSprings1" />
Moving into Independence County, the tornado caused catastrophic damage as it hit the town of [[Floral, Arkansas|Floral]]. Multiple structures in several areas were destroyed and one person was injured.<ref name="HeberSprings2" /> It moved back over mountainous terrain before causing more destruction in [[Hutchinson, Arkansas|Hutchinson]], which saw $250,000 in damage when multiple areas were destroyed. The lone fatality from the entire outbreak, as well as two injuries, occurred here.<ref name="HeberSprings3" /> The tornado then turned east-northeast and reached its peak intensity, causing heavy damage in [[Huff, Arkansas|Huff]] and near [[Rosie, Arkansas|Rosie]]. The tornado then moved into [[Magness, Arkansas|Magness]], damaging 20&nbsp;homes, a church, a feed mill, and other buildings. The tornado was last spotted in [[Wycough Township, Arkanasas|Wycough Township]] north of [[Newark, Arkansas|Newark]], where a home was destroyed and three houses and a church were damaged. Shortly afterwards, the tornado dissipated south of [[Mt. Carmel, Arkansas|Mt. Carmel]]. Throughout Independence County, the tornado destroyed 22&nbsp;homes and 18&nbsp;other buildings, damaged 29&nbsp;homes and 22&nbsp;other buildings, and caused one death, three injuries, and $750,000 in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="HeberSprings4" />
The tornado was on the ground for at least 43&nbsp;minutes, traveled {{convert|36.5|mi|km}}, was {{convert|133|yd|m|sortable=on}} wide at its peak, and caused $1&nbsp;million in damage. One person was killed and four others were injured.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="HeberSprings1" /><ref name="HeberSprings2" /><ref name="HeberSprings3" /><ref name="HeberSprings4" /> The tornado was rated F2 by Grazulis.<ref name="Grazulis"/>
{{Clear}}
===Eastern Evansville, Indiana===
{{Infobox storm
| name                 = Eastern Evansville, Indiana
| image                =
| fujitascale          = F3
| tornado duration     =
| highest winds        =
| casualties           = 9 injuries
| damages              = $250,000 (1955 [[United States dollar|USD]])
| location             = [[Evansville, Indiana]]
| current advisories   =
| enhanced             = no
| notes                =
}}
A very destructive, nighttime F3 tornado touched down right over Eastern Evansville and heavily damaged the area, destroying five homes and damaging 70 others. In one extreme case, a house was twisted off its foundation and blown away with its heavy window air conditioning unit thrown into the yard, a post driven through the storm door and through the roof before it was blown off, and a metal carport on the property being found over a mile away. Miraculously, all the three people, including the mother, survived, including two small children that were blown off their chairs, rolled up into the living room rug, and lodged under a stone planter box, protecting them from the tornado. The tornado traveled {{convert|2|mi|km}} and was {{convert|50|yd|m}} wide. It injured nine and caused $250,000 in damage. Witnesses did not see the funnel of the tornado due to the darkness, but did report a roar that sounded like an approaching airplane as it went through.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Evansville" />
{{clear}}
===Lynn, Indiana/Sharpeye–Greenville, Ohio===
{{Infobox storm
| name                 = Lynn, Indiana/Sharpeye–Greenville, Ohio
| image                =
| fujitascale          = F3
| tornado duration     =
| highest winds        =
| casualties           = 8&nbsp;injuries
| damages              = $2.525&nbsp;million (1955 [[United States dollar|USD]])
| location             = [[Indiana|Eastern Indiana]], [[Ohio|Western Ohio]]
| current advisories   =
| enhanced             = no
| notes                =
}}
This large, strong F3&nbsp;tornado touched down west of [[Lynn, Indiana]] and moved northeastward. A home in the path was obliterated, injuring all seven occupants, including a young child who was stripped of clothing. The residents of the home heard a "train" roar as the tornado approached and a passing motorists saw the funnel and house before a bolt a lightning revealed the destroyed home. Two cars on the property were tossed into an adjacent field as well. In the vicinity of [[Carlos, Indiana|Carlos]], Lynn, and [[Spartansburg, Indiana|Spartansburg]], the tornado wrecked and smashed a garage and a [[school bus]], damaged many roofs, sheds and barns, and flattened corn to the tune of 50%&nbsp;losses before crossing into [[Ohio]]. At this point, the tornado was moving more east-northeastward and skipping, passing [[Sharpeye, Ohio|Sharpeye]], [[Longtown, Ohio|Longtown]], and [[Nashville, Darke County, Ohio|Nashville]]. It then touched down solidly again about {{convert|7|mi|km}} west of [[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]]. The [[Commodity Credit Corporation]] and the surrounding area suffered damage to farm buildings, utility lines, some standing crops, and large [[grain bin]]s. One man was injured by flying glass in this area. The tornado then moved into areas just north of the city limits of Greenville before finally dissipating. The tornado traveled {{convert|21|mi|km}} and was {{convert|440|yd|m}} wide. There were eight injuries and $2.525&nbsp;million in damage.<ref name="CDNS" /><ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="Lynn1"/><ref name="Lynn2"/>
{{clear}}
==Non-tornadic impacts==
Many hail and wind reports came out of this event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Non-Tornadic Impacts |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28Z%29+Astronomical+Low+Tide&eventType=%28Z%29+Avalanche&eventType=%28Z%29+Blizzard&eventType=%28Z%29+Coastal+Flood&eventType=%28Z%29+Cold%2FWind+Chill&eventType=%28Z%29+Debris+Flow&eventType=%28Z%29+Dense+Fog&eventType=%28Z%29+Dense+Smoke&eventType=%28Z%29+Drought&eventType=%28C%29+Dust+Devil&eventType=%28Z%29+Dust+Storm&eventType=%28Z%29+Excessive+Heat&eventType=%28Z%29+Extreme+Cold%2FWind+Chill&eventType=%28C%29+Flash+Flood&eventType=%28Z%29+Flood&eventType=%28Z%29+Freezing+Fog&eventType=%28Z%29+Frost%2FFreeze&eventType=%28C%29+Funnel+Cloud&eventType=%28C%29+Hail&eventType=%28Z%29+Heat&eventType=%28C%29+Heavy+Rain&eventType=%28Z%29+Heavy+Snow&eventType=%28Z%29+High+Surf&eventType=%28Z%29+High+Wind&eventType=%28Z%29+Hurricane+%28Typhoon%29&eventType=%28Z%29+Ice+Storm&eventType=%28Z%29+Lake-Effect+Snow&eventType=%28Z%29+Lakeshore+Flood&eventType=%28C%29+Lightning&eventType=%28Z%29+Marine+Hail&eventType=%28Z%29+Marine+High+Wind&eventType=%28Z%29+Marine+Strong+Wind&eventType=%28Z%29+Marine+Thunderstorm+Wind&eventType=%28Z%29+Rip+Current&eventType=%28Z%29+Seiche&eventType=%28Z%29+Sleet&eventType=%28Z%29+Sneakerwave&eventType=%28Z%29+Storm+Surge%2FTide&eventType=%28Z%29+Strong+Wind&eventType=%28C%29+Thunderstorm+Wind&eventType=%28Z%29+Tropical+Depression&eventType=%28Z%29+Tropical+Storm&eventType=%28Z%29+Tsunami&eventType=%28Z%29+Volcanic+Ash&eventType=%28Z%29+Waterspout&eventType=%28Z%29+Wildfire&eventType=%28Z%29+Winter+Storm&eventType=%28Z%29+Winter+Weather&beginDate_mm=11&beginDate_dd=15&beginDate_yyyy=1955&endDate_mm=11&endDate_dd=16&endDate_yyyy=1955&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=-999%2CALL |website=National Weather Service |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> A peak wind gust of {{convert|91|mph|km/h}} was recorded at [[Tyrrell, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite report |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083348 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref> Illinois saw many large hail reports on November 15 with baseball-sized hail being recorded in rural [[Effingham County, Illinois|Northern Effingham County]] as well as [[Browns, Illinois|Western Browns]].<ref>{{cite report |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010862 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Storm Events Database - Event Details {{!}} National Centers for Environmental Information |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10010867 |website=www.ncdc.noaa.gov |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref>
On November&nbsp;15 in [[Gibson, Dunklin County, Missouri|Gibson]] and near [[Fagus, Missouri]], several barns were damaged by winds and lightning burned a house to the ground. In [[Spiceland, Indiana]], a trailer and its contents were extensively damaged when it was picked and thrown by the winds and two people were killed when they came into contact with high-voltage power lines that were blown down. A young man was also killed in [[Huntington County, Indiana]] when he was struck by lightning while hunting. Lightning also destroyed a grain elevator in [[Gwynneville, Indiana]]. Many large and very large hail reports came out of [[Indiana]], including some hailstones that reached {{convert|7.5|in|cm}} in diameter west of [[Lebanon, Indiana|Lebanon]]. The towns of [[Milledgeville, Indiana|Milledgeville]], [[Whitestown, Indiana|Whitestown]], [[Kingman, Indiana|Kingman]], [[Alamo, Indiana|Alamo]], [[Middleton, Indiana|Middleton]], and [[New Market, Indiana|New Market]] were all heavily damaged by severe hail with New Market describing it as "rough hunks of ice the size of hens' eggs". Overnight in [[Centerville, Ohio]], straight-line winds and heavy rains damaged farm buildings and flooded basements, injuring three. High-tension lines were also downed, killing one person that came in contact with it. The event was unofficially referred to as a tornado, although a through investigation determined that it was straight-line winds. Early the next morning in [[Franklin, Arkansas]], very heavy rain forced the Sugar Creek and Youngs Creek out of their banks, necessitating evacuation of 45-50&nbsp;families and causing damage to household furnishings, some commercial establishments, warehouses, and basements, closed the main highway in town, and undermined some sections of pavement. Straight-line winds on November&nbsp;16 destroyed a cinder block house in [[Somerset County, Pennsylvania]], injuring three while five others were injured in [[Chicago]] due to winds breaking out a store window. Chicago also saw broken trees, downed power lines, and more shattered windows.<ref name="CDNS" />
The storm system transitioned when it got into [[Iowa]] on November&nbsp;15, producing [[blizzard]] conditions in [[Wisconsin]] while also generating [[snow]] and high winds over Iowa, [[Michigan]] and [[New York (state)|New York]]. This was the deadliest part of the event, killing nine and injuring over 20, including one 12-year-old boy in [[Washburn County, Wisconsin]] that suffocated in heavy snow on November 17.<ref name="CDNS" />
==See also==
* [[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1955-11-15 Tornado Outbreak}}
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1955|11-15]]
[[Category:F3 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Illinois]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Indiana]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Ohio]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Missouri]]