Timespan | January 6 – December 20 |
---|---|
Maximum rated tornado | F4 tornado
|
Tornadoes in U.S. | 260 [1] |
Damage (U.S.) | $65.506 million (1951 USD) |
Fatalities (U.S.) | 34 |
Fatalities (worldwide) | >34 |
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1951, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The article, therefore, documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
1951 was the second year where tornadoes were officially documented in the United States. The year saw 59 more tornadoes than the previous year, although they were more spread out time wise and more weak tornadoes were confirmed. The most active and deadliest month of the year was June with 76 tornadoes and nine fatalities. [1] [3]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 49 | 100 | 83 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 260 |
There were 2 confirmed tornadoes in January. [4]
An F3 tornado developed within a squall line and moved northward through the Alexandria, Louisiana metropolitan area causing severe damage in the towns of Sieps, Tioga, Simms, and Pollock, damaging stores, homes, and other buildings. Losses were estimated at $500,000 and 11 people were injured. [3] [5] [6]
A rare F2 tornado struck Mountain View, California, damaging and destroying numerous homes, buildings, and trees. It caused $2.5 million in damage, but no casualties. [3] [7]
There were 10 confirmed tornadoes in February. [8]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A tornado outbreak struck areas from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley. On February 19, a long-track F2 tornado, or tornado family, tracked through parts of El Reno, Oklahoma, damaging or destroying a weather station, homes, stores, and other buildings, injuring five people. [3] [9] [10] The next day, another F2 tornado tracked 112.8 mi (181.5 km) through Arkansas from Keo and Marked Tree, destroying several homes and farm buildings and injuring three. [3] [11] [12] Meanwhile, a brief, but strong F3 tornado destroyed a farm home and outbuildings, killed one person and injured another near Westland Heights, Mississippi west of Starkville. [3] [13] Near Bankston, Alabama, an F2 tornado destroyed one building, and damaged 14 others, and caused considerable damage to telephone and power lines, injuring two. [3] [14] Overall, seven tornadoes touched down, injuring 11 and killing one. [15]
There were 26 confirmed tornadoes in April. [16] [18]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak of six tornadoes struck the Great Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley. Although most of the tornadoes were weak, a couple of strong tornadoes did touchdown and there were numerous casualties. On April 21, back-to-back F0 tornadoes in Louisiana injured two and one in rural La Salle and Ouchita Parishes respectively. [3] [19] The worst tornado was a long-tracked F3 tornado that touched down in Jones County, Mississippi, and moved north-northeastward, causing major damage in Lebanon halfway between Soso and Laurel. It then moved through rural areas into Jasper County before dissipating. Two people were killed and 16 others were injured. [3] [20] Overall, this outbreak killed two and injured 19. [21]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Six destructive tornadoes hit Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The first tornado of the outbreak was an early morning F3 tornado that hit Pratt, Kansas and areas west of Preston, tearing roofs off of homes, blowing out plate glass windows, and blowing down trees, light and telephone poles, and wires. [3] [22] That afternoon, another F3 tornado moved northeastward directly through Downtown Oklahoma City. It damaged over 1000 structures over path of about 100 blocks long, including extensive damage to commercial buildings and homes. [3] [23] However, despite the extensive damage, no casualties were reported from any of the tornadoes. [3] [16] [24]
There were 57 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May. [16] [25]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A small, but destructive outbreak of seven tornadoes struck Oklahoma and Texas. On May 18, a violent F4 tornado hit areas north of Olney, Texas. Many homes in town were destroyed, some of which were swept away with very little debris left. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis noted that the tornado may have reached F5 intensity as well. [26] Two people were killed and 100 others were injured. [3] [27] All the other tornadoes struck Oklahoma, with no additional casualties. [28]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Another series of deadly tornadoes struck areas from the Great Plains to the Southeast. On May 24, an F1 tornado destroyed a small house west of O'Brien, Texas. [3] [29] One person was killed, although this may have been due to lightning and not the tornado. The next day, an F3 tornado south of Clay Center, Kansas, destroyed farm buildings, damaged cars, and killed chickens on at least four farms. One person was killed, although they had a heart ailment, possibly making it only indirect. [3] [30] The deadliest tornado came on May 26, when an F1 tornado struck Carrabelle, Florida damaging buildings, boats, and commercial fishing equipment. Three fishermen drowned. [3] [31] Overall, the outbreak produced seven tornadoes and five fatalities. [16] [32]
There were 76 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June. [16] [33]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Several tornadoes touched down in Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. An F2 tornado near Plevna, Alabama north of New Market leveled a home resulting in two minor injuries while also destroying a granary and damaging other buildings. [3] [34] Another F2 tornado near Clinton Lake southwest of Lawrence in Douglas County, Kansas, removed the roof and destroyed the front and sides of a barn on a farm. [3] [35] The most notable event was a slow-moving, but large, destructive F3 tornado that struck Corn and Colony, Oklahoma, doing extensive damage to both towns. It destroyed 25 homes and 22 farm buildings, damaged 80 additional homes and buildings, and killed 26 heads of hogs and cattle and 1,650 chickens. Objects picked up by the tornado was carried as far as 90 miles (140 km) away. Ample warning prior to the storm striking the towns resulted in no casualties from this tornado. This tornado was the first in the United States to be caught on film and was also one of the most photographed tornadoes in Oklahoma at the time. Photographs showed that two tornadoes touched down, but only one is officially documented. Grazulis rated one of the tornadoes as an F4 while rating the other one F2, while noting that the latter may have been anticyclonic. [3] [26] [36] [37] Overall, seven tornadoes were confirmed. [38]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
An F2 tornado tore through the northwest side of Richmond, Virginia. It destroyed eight homes, a church, and 26 minor outbuildings; 120 other buildings had major damage while 264 other buildings suffered minor damage. [3] [39] 600 families were affected, trees were severely damaged and 12 people were injured. A destructive, but non-fatal F1 tornado also hit Surf City, North Carolina damaging buildings and vehicles. [3] [40] [41]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
An outbreak of five tornadoes struck the Midwest and Great Plains. [42] The only tornado to cause casualties was a large, long-tracked F4 tornado family in Minnesota that caused major destruction in the western and northwestern Minneapolis suburbs, especially in the towns of Hutchinson, Medicine Lake, Brooklyn Center, and Anoka. It killed one and injured 20 on its 52.6-mile-path (84.7 km). [43]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Two fatal tornadoes struck Kansas on June 23. The first tornado was an F1 tornado that hit areas just east of Rolla. It broke all the windows on north side of two churches, destroying the roof of a home, large grain bin, and small houses, fatally injuring an occupant. [3] [16] [44] At the same time, an even stronger F2 tornado moved over the Hugoton Municipal Airport, destroying three hangars. It reportedly killed one person and injured five others, although the CDNS report does not list the fatality and one of the injuries may have been due to hail in Rolla. [3] [45] Overall, the two tornadoes killed two and injured five. [46]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A deadly and destructive three-day outbreak sequence affected areas from Colorado to Pennsylvania. The worst day of the outbreak came on June 27, which is when most of the injuries and all of the fatalities occurred. The first, and deadliest, of the seven tornadoes that touched down that day was the only violent tornado of the outbreak. The F4 tornado ripped through a residential areas on the north side of WaKeeney, Kansas, killing five and injuring 100. With a path length of less than a mile, it was one of the shortest-lived F4 tornadoes on record. [47] [26] Later, the two F3 tornadoes of the outbreak struck Illinois. The first F3 tornado struck Heman, injuring 35. [48] [49] The second one moved through rural Logan County before striking the north side of Atlanta, killing one and injuring 15. [48] [50] Overall, 13 tornadoes touched down, killing six and injuring 161. [51]
There were 23 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July. [16] [52]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Two strong, destructive tornadoes caused casualties on July 20. The first tornado, which was rated F2 and was accompanied by damaging straight-line winds and heavy rain, struck the southeast side of Watertown, South Dakota while also passing near Kranzburg and Goodwin, South Dakota, damaging four trailers, destroying a small home and several barns, and injuring four. (The NCEI point is incorrectly placed in Minnesota, and the CDNS report only lists this tornado in their annual report and does not include any casualties.) [3] [26] [53] Later, an F3 tornado caused major damage in the southwestern Minneapolis, Minnesota suburbs of Minnetonka, Edina, and Richfield. At the Wold–Chamberlain Field, it destroyed about 63 airplanes and damaged about 37 others. Several W.M.L. hangars, military barracks, and other buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. Several homes were completely destroyed, other properties were extensively damaged, and power and communication lines were severely affected. Hundreds of trees were blown down, with some landing on roofs and vehicles. Deemed the most damaging tornado on record in Minnesota, it killed five people and injured 40 others. [3] [54] Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis stated that this event was probably a “complex combination of tornadoes and microbursts”, that deaths may not have been directly due to tornadoes, and that most of the damage was due to microburst. [55] Overall, the two tornadoes caused five deaths and 44 injuries. [56]
There were 27 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August. [16] [57]
A strong, multi-vortex tornado accompanied by heavy rain and hail swept through the Khimki district of the Soviet Union. [58] The worst damage was in the village of Skhodnya, where a wooden railway platform was overturned. [59]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A series of strong tornadoes struck New England. On August 21, a long-tracked F2 tornado family (which may have been a group of tornadoes from separate storms) moved through several towns west and near Hartford, Connecticut, injuring nine people. (the CDNS report indicates only one injury) [60] The strongest tornado was an F3 tornado in East Hampton, Connecticut that injured eight when it tore the roof off a fishnet factory. [3] [61] Overall, the five tornadoes injured 17. [62]
There were 9 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September. [16] [63]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Two violent and deadly F4 tornadoes struck Wisconsin. The first one hit Cobb Town and Southern Manawa, killing six and injuring three. [64] The second one moved through rural Columbia County before striking areas south of Cambria, killing one and injuring nine. [65] Additionally, a fatal F2 tornado moved through the Huron–Manistee National Forests north of Bitely, Michigan, killing one and injuring three. Overall, the three tornadoes caused eight deaths and 15 injuries. [66]
There were 2 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October. [67]
There were 12 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November. [68]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak of mostly strong tornadoes struck areas from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Southeast. On November 13, an F3 tornado struck Como, Missouri, completely destroying a home and a barn while ripping the roof of another home. One man was injured when his leg was broken in the leveled home. [3] [69] An F2 tornado then struck Campbell Hill, Illinois, destroying 10 homes and the city hall, causing additional damage in the business district, and injuring seven. (the CDNS report lists six injuries) [3] [70] This was followed by a short-lived, but strong F2 tornado that caused considerable damage to buildings, trees and other structures in the Gary, Indiana suburb of Glen Park. [3] [71] The worst tornado then occurred in Kentucky, where an F3 tornado struck Gilbertsville, destroying 12 buildings, killing horses and cows, and ruining tobacco in barns. One person was killed when a tree fell on their home and 11 others were injured. [3] [72] Between November 15–16, three F2 tornadoes caused injuries in Alabama. On November 15, the first of these three tornadoes struck Walter, destroying two homes and a barn while damaging another home, injuring two. [3] [73] [74] The second tornado struck near Oakland, destroying several barns, a ballpark, and a home–which was blown 175 ft (53 m)–while also damaging other smaller buildings. Six people were injured. [3] [73] [75] Early on November 16, the third tornado heavily damaged or destroyed three homes near Blountsville, injuring one person. [3] [73] [76] Overall, 10 tornadoes touched down, killing one and injuring 28. [77]
There were 10 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December. [16] [78]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A brief, weak F1 tornado touched down south-southwest of Junction City, Oregon near Eugene. It lifted and destroyed a 30 by 32 feet (9.1 by 9.8 m) machine shed, spreading debris along its path. There were no casualties from this tornado. [3] [79] Hundreds of miles away in Illinois, an F3 tornado moved through Spring Valley, demolishing a railroad depot. One man was killed by falling debris while one other person was injured. The tornado then tracked through mostly rural areas before dissipating. [3] [80] [81]
The Wisconsin tornado outbreak of 2005 was an outbreak of tornadoes that occurred primarily in southern Wisconsin on August 18, 2005. A system of storms unleashed a total of 28 tornadoes, 27 of which were confirmed in southern Wisconsin, and 1 confirmed in Minnesota. This outbreak set a new record for the most tornadoes observed in the state in a single day, breaking the previous record of 24 tornadoes set on May 8, 1988. The system generating the Stoughton tornado was also accompanied by many reports of severe winds and hail throughout the region. The Stoughton tornado was documented on an episode of The Weather Channel's Storm Stories.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2004. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2001. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1999, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, as well as Europe. One particular event, the Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado, produced the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth, which was 301 ± 20 mph (484 ± 32 km/h).
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1963, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1962, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although tornadoes events can take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1954, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1953, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes. This was the first year to record an F5 tornado as well as one of the deadliest tornado seasons in official U.S. records, which go back to 1950.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1952, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1950, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally.
The first six days of December 1953 produced a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak sequence across the Southern United States. There were 19 confirmed tornadoes, including a violent F4 tornado that hit the northwest side of Alexandria, Louisiana and even more violent F5 tornado that hit Vicksburg, Mississippi. In all, the tornadoes killed 49 people, injured 404 others, and caused $45,709 million in damage. The death toll made this deadliest December tornado outbreak ever recorded and it would not be surpassed until 2021. This was also the last of the series of deadly and catastrophic tornado outbreaks to strike the US in 1953.
A destructive and deadly tornado outbreak tore through Eastern Alabama and Western Georgia during the afternoon of December 5, 1954. A total of 14 tornadoes were confirmed, 10 of which were significant (F2+), including one that hit Metro Atlanta. Two people were killed, 125 others were injured, and damages total $2.710 million.
A deadly and destructive outbreak sequence of 23 tornadoes struck parts of the Great Plains and the Great Lakes in late-June 1957. At least seven significant tornadoes (F2+) touched down during the outbreak sequence. The most devastating storm was a large, violent, and catastrophic 500-yard-wide F5 tornado family that struck Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday, June 20, 1957, killing 10 people and becoming the deadliest tornado ever recorded in North Dakota. The outbreak caused 11 fatalities, 105 injuries, and $25.883 million in damage.
A destructive and deadly outbreak of 17 tornadoes occurred on February 9–10, 1959, mostly during the overnight hours, causing widespread destruction in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. The strongest of the outbreak was a violent F4 tornado which tore through Northwestern Downtown St. Louis. An F3 tornado also caused heavy damage to numerous structures in Southern Highland County, Ohio, including a school that was in session at the time the tornado hit. Overall, the outbreak caused 21 fatalities, 358 injuries, and $53.713 million in damage. Non-tornadic impacts also caused two more fatalities, and at least 70 more injuries.
Between April 23–30, 1961, a tornado outbreak sequence struck the Midwest, Ohio, and Mississippi Valleys, and the Eastern United States. Large hailstorms accompanied the tornadoes as well and numerous other weather events also occurred. Three people were killed, 38 others were injured and losses totaled $26.810 million. Two additional fatalities also occurred due to flooding and lightning.
Hurricane Carla triggered a destructive and deadly outbreak of 21 tornadoes in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Michigan that occurred from September 10–13, 1961. A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Louisiana, and eight more in Texas. The strongest tornado of the outbreak was a 1 mile (1.6 km) long, 100 yards (91 m) wide F4 tornado that moved across Galveston Island in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 12, 1961, killing eight people. This was the first of only two known violent tornadoes ever spawned by a hurricane with the other one happening during Hurricane Hilda in 1964. By the time it was over, the outbreak had killed 14 people, injured 337 others, and caused over $3.461 million in damage.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1949, primarily in the United States. Most recorded tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.