Mid–March 1953 tornado outbreak

The Mid–March 1953 tornado outbreak was a widespread and deadly tornado outbreak that affected the Great Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. At least 23 tornadoes were confirmed with the strongest one reaching F4 intensity and striking O'Brien, Texas on Friday the 13th. That same day, areas from Southern Oklahoma to the Southern Oklahoma City Metro were struck by an outbreak of six strong tornadoes that killed an additional three people and injured 22. The next day, 14 more tornadoes struck the Mississippi Valley causing 20 injuries and an additional death. The outbreak ended on March 15 after a long-tracked F3 tornado injured one in North Carolina. Overall, 21 people were killed, 72 others were injured, and damages were estimated at $6.835 million (1953 USD).[nb 1][2]

Mid–March 1953 tornado outbreak
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationMarch 12–15, 1953
Tornadoes confirmed23
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak23 days, 4 hours, 20 minutes
Damage$6.835 million (1953 USD)
Casualties21 fatalities, 72 injuries
Areas affectedGreat Plains, Mississippi Valley, Southeastern United States
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Confirmed tornadoes
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 1 4 11 6 1 0 23

March 12 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, March 12, 1953[nb 2]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F2 Northeastern Carthage Panola TX 32.17°N 94.33°W / 32.17; -94.33 (Carthage (Mar. 12, F2)) 22:30–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 80 yd (73 m) A tornado struck residential areas on northeastern side of Carthage. Homes lost their roofs and a garage was wrecked. Two people were injured and damages totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [3][4]

March 13 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, March 13, 1953[nb 2]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F4 SSE of Jud to O'Brien to E of Knox City Haskell, Knox TX 33.28°N 99.95°W / 33.28; -99.95 (Jud (Mar. 13, F4)) 20:00–20:15 13.9 mi (22.4 km) 50 yd (46 m) 17 deaths – See section on this tornado – A total of 25 people were injured and losses totaled $5 million (1953 USD). [3][5][6]
F2 SSE of Rush Springs to SSW of Middleberg Grady OK 34.77°N 97.95°W / 34.77; -97.95 (Rush Springs (Mar. 13, F2)) 23:15–? 23.6 mi (38.0 km) 100 yd (91 m) This long-tracked, strong tornado moved through a good portion of Grady County causing major damage. A total of 81 homes incurred damage, two of which were unroofed. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [3][7]
F3 Bradley Grady OK 34.88°N 97.7°W / 34.88; -97.7 (Bradley (Mar. 13, F3)) 00:19–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 100 yd (91 m) 1 death – Strong tornado struck Bradley, destroying the business district of the town. In all, six homes, four barns, the local post office, and a school were unroofed, destroyed, or otherwise damaged. Eight people were injured and damages totaled $250,000 (1953 USD). [8][9]
F2 N of Washington McClain OK 35.07°N 97.48°W / 35.07; -97.48 (Washington (Mar. 13, F2)) 00:45–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 100 yd (91 m) A strong tornado unroofed a school and multiple homes. A stone structure and cotton gin were destroyed, and 30 other structures sustained damage. Two people were injured and damages totaled $250,000 (1953 USD). [10][11]
F2 Eastern Norman Cleveland OK 35.18°N 97.25°W / 35.18; -97.25 (Norman (Mar. 13, F2)) 01:30–? 1.3 mi (2.1 km) 250 yd (230 m) A strong tornado moved through rural areas northwest of Etowah and south of Lake Thunderbird. There were no casualties although there was $2,500 (1953 USD) in damage. Grazulis did not list this tornado as significant (F2 or stronger). [10][12]
F3 NE of Burneyville to NNE of Tishomingo Love, Marshall, Carter, Johnston OK 33.92°N 97.27°W / 33.92; -97.27 (Burneyville (Mar. 13, F3)) 01:30–? 45.3 mi (72.9 km) 200 yd (180 m) 2 deaths – A long-tracked, strong tornado started just north of the Red River and moved northeast. A totla of 12 rural farmsteads were heavily damaged or destroyed, two of which incurred high-end F3-level damage. Only pieces of some walls were left standing on some homesites. Lake Murray was also hit by the tornado. There was $50,000 (1953 USD) in damage and 11 people were injured. [10][13][14]
F2 NW of Monroe Le Flore OK 35°N 94.53°W / 35; -94.53 (Monroe (Mar. 13, F2)) 04:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 100 yd (91 m) Brief but strong tornado struck the northwest side of Monroe. There were no casualties, but $2,500 (1953 USD) in damage was inflicted. Grazulis did not list this tornado as significant (F2 or stronger). [10][15]

March 14 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, March 14, 1953[nb 2]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F3 S of Branch to Hagarville Logan, Franklin, Johnson AR 35.22°N 93.95°W / 35.22; -93.95 (Branch (Mar. 14, F3)) 06:30–? 40.1 mi (64.5 km) 880 yd (800 m) A large, long-tracked, strong tornado touched down in the Fox Valley and moved northeast through rural areas and forest. It then struck the northwest side of Clarksville, which sustained heavy damage, including the destruction of three airplanes and four hangars. In Chismville the tornado also damaged or destroyed five homes and a church. Despite occurring in the early morning hours, there were no casualties, although there was $250,000 (1953 USD) in damage. Grazulis classified this tornado as an F2. [10][16]
F2 W of Mountain View to Melbourne to E of Franklin Stone, Izard AR 35.88°N 92.23°W / 35.88; -92.23 (Mountain View (Mar. 14, F2)) 06:30–? 36.2 mi (58.3 km) 333 yd (304 m) See section on this tornado – There was $250,000 (1953 USD) in damage. [10][17]
F3 E of Delaware to Dover Yell, Pope AR 35.28°N 93.28°W / 35.28; -93.28 (Delaware (Mar. 14, F3)) 07:30–? 12.2 mi (19.6 km) 880 yd (800 m) This large tornado touched down on the south shore of the Arkansas River before immediately crossing it as a tornadic waterspout, clipping the Delaware Park Public Use Area and Goose Island as it moved north-northeast. The tornado then made landfall south of London, turned northeast, and passed halfway between London and Mill Creek, damaging or destroying 74 homes. It then moved through more rural areas before moving into the southwest side of Dover. The tornado then dissipated in the central part of Dover shortly thereafter. Unlike the previous early morning tornadoes, seven people were injured and there was $5,000 (1953 USD) in damage. [10][18][19]
F2 NE of Altitude Prentiss MS 34.67°N 88.43°W / 34.67; -88.43 (Altitude (Mar. 14, F2)) 20:30–? 3.3 mi (5.3 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) 1 death – A strong tornado touched down east of Altitude and caused major damage as it moved northeast along MS 364. Two homes were destroyed, one of which caught fire, and eight farms were damaged. Losses totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [10][20][21]
F1 E of Dameron Lincoln MO 39.22°N 90.75°W / 39.22; -90.75 (Dameron (Mar. 14, F1)) 23:00–? 0.2 mi (0.32 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) One person was injured and damages totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [22][23]
F2 WNW of Stanton to Southeastern Brownsville to S of Bells Haywood TN 35.47°N 89.45°W / 35.47; -89.45 (Stanton (Mar. 14, F2)) 23:45–? 24.8 mi (39.9 km) 33 yd (30 m) A strong tornado tracked northeast through Southeastern Brownsville before passing northwest of Willow Grove. In all, 42 small homes and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed and eight people were injured. Losses totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [10][24]
F2 N of Silerton to Henderson to SSW of Lexington Chester, Henderson TN 35.37°N 88.78°W / 35.37; -88.78 (Silerton (Mar. 14, F2)) 00:00–? 24 mi (39 km) 100 yd (91 m) A strong tornado touched down in the Chickasaw State Park and moved northeast. It passed directly through Henderson, damaging or destroying 60 homes and other buildings. Losses totaled $50,000 (1953 USD) and two people were injured in Henderson County. This tornado struck areas that had been hit just under one year earlier by a longer-tracked F4 tornado. [10][25][26]
F1 N of Dyersburg Dyer TN 36.08°N 89.38°W / 36.08; -89.38 (Dyersburg (Mar. 14, F1)) 00:30–? 0.2 mi (0.32 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) Brief tornado moved through northern side of Dyersburg, causing $25,000 (1953 USD) in damage. [27][28]
F1 Northern Ripley Lauderdale TN 35.75°N 89.53°W / 35.75; -89.53 (Ripley (Mar. 14, F1)) 01:00–? 0.2 mi (0.32 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) Brief tornado hit areas just north of Downtown Ripley. Nine homes were damaged or destroyed, losses totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). Grazulis classified this tornado as an F2. [10][29][30]
F3 E of Denmark to Jackson to ESE of Spring Creek Madison TN 35.53°N 88.97°W / 35.53; -88.97 (Denmark (Mar 14, F3)) 01:30–? 24.7 mi (39.8 km) 100 yd (91 m) Strong tornado moved northeast through the northwest side of Downtown Jackson. A total of 26 homes and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, three people were injured, total losses reached $25,000 (1953 USD). Grazulis classified this tornado as an F2. [10][31]
F2 NE of Addieville to SSW of Greendale Washington, Marion IL 38.4°N 89.47°W / 38.4; -89.47 (Addieville (Mar. 14, F2)) 02:00–? 42.3 mi (68.1 km) 200 yd (180 m) Strong, long-tracked tornado caused major damage as it just barely missed several towns along its path. One home and several other structures were destroyed or damaged. Losses totaled $250,000 (1953 USD). [10][32]
F2 E of Martin Weakley TN 36.33°N 88.77°W / 36.33; -88.77 (Martin (Mar. 14, F2)) 03:15–? 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 600 yd (550 m) Brief but large, strong tornado struck a neighborhood east of Martin. A total of 16 homes, barns, and outbuildings were unroofed, destroyed, or otherwise damaged. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000 (1953 USD). [10][33]
F0 New Goshen Vigo IN 39.58°N 87.47°W / 39.58; -87.47 (New Goshen (Mar. 14, F0)) 04:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 100 yd (91 m) A brief, weak tornado just missed Downtown New Goshen, causing only $250 (1953 USD) in damage. [34]
F1 N of Bridgeton Parke IN 39.65°N 87.18°W / 39.65; -87.18 (Bridgeton (Mar. 14, F1)) 04:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 100 yd (91 m) A brief tornado just missed Downtown Bridgeton, touching down just north of Big Raccoon Creek and west-northwest of Bridgeton Covered Bridge. Tornado briefly moved northeast through farmlands north of the town in the direction of Snow Hill before dissipating. Damage was light, only reaching $30 (1953 USD). [35]

March 15 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, March 15, 1953[nb 2]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F3 ESE of Bailey to Macclesfield to Crisp Nash, Wilson, Edgecombe NC 35.77°N 78.1°W / 35.77; -78.1 (Bailey (Mar. 15, F3)) 02:00–02:50 30.1 mi (48.4 km) 27 yd (25 m) See section on this tornado – One person was injured and damage was estimated at $250,060 (1953 USD). [10][36][37]
[38]

Jud–O'Brien–Southeastern Knox City, Texas
Jud–O'Brien– Southeastern Knox City, Texas
F4 tornado
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Damage$5 million (1953 USD)
Casualties17 fatalities, 25 injuries
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

This narrow, but violent F4 tornado first touched down in Jud and almost immediately became violent. Five people died when their home in the town was obliterated. The tornado then swept northeast, passing west of Rochester, where four more people were killed in another destroyed home. The tornado then continued through open terrain before moving directly through O'Brien, causing catastrophic damage and three more fatalities. Throughout Haskell County, the tornado killed 12, injured 20, and caused $2.5 million in damage.[3][5]

The tornado then moved into Knox County, where some of the most intense damage occurred. It struck several neighborhoods in Southeastern Knox City, which sustained almost total destruction. Many homes were swept away along an eight block stretch through the city and in rural areas nearby while many others were destroyed or damaged. In all, 139 homes in Knox City were damaged or destroyed, killing five and injuring another five. As the tornado moved out the east side of town, it quickly weakened and ultimately dissipated. Along with the casualties, there was $2.5 million in damage in Knox County.[3][6]

The tornado was on the ground for at least 15 minutes, traveled 13.9 miles (22.4 km), was 50 yards (46 m) wide, and caused $5 million in damage. Along its path, the tornado destroyed or damaged 170 homes. A total of 17 people were killed and 25 (possibly 60) others were injured, all severely.[3][5][6]

Allison–Melbourne–LaCrosse, Arkansas
Allison–Melbourne–LaCrosse, Arkansas
F2 tornado
Max. rating1F2 tornado
Damage$250,000 (1953 USD)
CasualtiesNone
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

A second long-tracked, strong F2 tornado touched down around the same time the F3 tornado touched down well to its southwest. It moved northeast, striking the rural community of Allison and inflicting moderate damage. It continued northeast and hit Melbourne, where severe damage was inflicted to multiple structures and homes. It then moved out of Melbourne and hit the northwest side of Lacrosse, where more damage was observed. It then moved back into rural areas of Izard County before dissipating as it was approaching Ash Flat from the southwest.[17]

The tornado traveled 36.2 miles (58.3 km), was 333 yards (304 m) wide, and caused $250,000 (1953 USD) in damage. A total of 25 homes and barns destroyed or severely damaged.[10] Similar to the previous tornado however, there were no casualties from this early-morning tornado.[17]

Bailey–Northern Wilson–Macclesfield–Crisp, North Carolina
Bailey–Northern Wilson–Macclesfield–Crisp, North Carolina
F3 tornado
Max. rating1F3 tornado
Damage$250,060 (1953 USD)
Casualties1 injury
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

A narrow but long-tracked, strong F3 tornado touched down southeast of Bailey moving southeast, causing only minor damage at first.[36] West-southwest of Sims, it turned east and strengthened as it moved towards the northern side of Wilson. It then struck several neighborhoods there, causing heavy damage as 24 homes and a school were unroofed, lost walls, or were otherwise damaged.[10] Moving east, the tornado exited Wilson into rural areas of Wilson County damaging mostly farmlands. It then moved through the rural community of Wilbanks, damaging the homes in the area.[37] The tornado then began to weaken as it moved into Edgecombe County and directly into Macclesfield, causing only light damage. The tornado then moved into Crisp, causing some additional damage before dissipating east of town.[38]

The tornado was on the ground for at least 50 minutes, traveled 30.1 miles (48.4 km), was 27 yards (25 m) wide, and caused $250,060 (1953 USD) in damage. It caused no fatalities, but did injure one person.[36][37][38] Grazulis classified this tornado as an F2.[10]

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See also

Notes
  1. An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes (the number sometimes varies slightly according to local climatology) with no more than a six-hour gap between individual tornadoes. An outbreak sequence, prior to (after) the start of modern records in 1950, is defined as a period of no more than two (one) consecutive days without at least one significant (F2 or stronger) tornado.[1]
  2. All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References
  1. Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875-2003) (PDF). 22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  2. National Weather Service (February 2020). Events reported between 03/12/1953 and 03/15/1953 (4 days) (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. p. 966. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
  4. National Weather Service (February 2020). Texas Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. National Weather Service (February 2020). Texas Event Report: F4 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. National Weather Service (February 2020). Texas Event Report: F4 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  8. Grazulis 1993, pp. 966–7
  9. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  10. Grazulis 1993, p. 967
  11. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  12. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  13. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  14. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  15. National Weather Service (February 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  16. National Weather Service (February 2020). Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  17. National Weather Service (February 2020). Arkansas Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  18. National Weather Service (February 2020). Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  19. National Weather Service (February 2020). Arkansas Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  20. "Mississippi F2". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  21. National Weather Service (February 2020). Mississippi Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  22. "Missouri F1". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  23. National Weather Service (February 2020). Missouri Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  24. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  25. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  26. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  27. "Tennessee F1". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  28. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  29. "Tennessee F1". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  30. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  31. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  32. National Weather Service (February 2020). Illinois Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  33. National Weather Service (February 2020). Tennessee Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  34. National Weather Service (February 2020). Indiana Event Report: F0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  35. National Weather Service (February 2020). Indiana Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  36. National Weather Service (February 2020). North Carolina Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  37. National Weather Service (February 2020). North Carolina Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  38. National Weather Service (February 2020). North Carolina Event Report: F3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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