List of United States tornadoes in 1946

Last updated

This page documents all the known tornadoes that touched down in the United States during 1946. Tornadoes which occurred in the United States prior to 1950 are not officially rated. Tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis rated significant tornadoes, those rated F2 or higher on the Fujita scale, and the ratings are accepted and acknowledged by the National Weather Service. However, since the National Weather Service did not rate the tornadoes, the ratings are considered unofficial. [1]

Contents

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥32≥1≥14917140114

January

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥1≥0≥04330≥11

January 4 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, January 4, 1946 [note 1]
F# LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2S of Decatur Wise TX 14:005 mi (8.0 km)70 to 300 yd (64 to 274 m)
The last three cars of a freight train were derailed, injuring five workers in the caboose. Two people were injured in a nearby farmhouse that was "torn apart" [2] by the tornado. According to the US Weather Bureau it was 300 yards (270 m) wide, caused eight injuries and destroyed two farmhouses, while Thomas P. Grazulis documents a width of 70 yards (64 m) with seven injuries and one farmhouse destroyed. [2] [3]
F3 Clawson Angelina TX 20:3010 mi (16 km)800 to 880 yd (730 to 800 m)
3 deaths – The tornado moved northeastward through the community of Clawson, where it destroyed 30 homes, killing three people in two separate homes. Along the tornado's path, it destroyed 48 buildings and damaged another 327. [2] The tornado injured 50 people and caused $500,000 in damage ($7.5 million in 2022). [3]
F4 Nacogdoches to Appleby Nacogdoches TX 20:45–21:30?20 mi (32 km)800 to 880 yd (730 to 800 m)
10 deaths – The tornado occurred 7 miles (11 km) from the previous one, both produced by the same supercell. It caused extensive damage in the city of Nacogdoches, where 80 homes were completely destroyed and 150 more were damaged. Throughout the city, 75 people were injured, and, on the west side of Nacogdoches, six were killed. The tornado also struck the city of Appleby, where 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed, thousands of acres of forestry were flattened, and three killed. Overall, the tornado caused ten fatalities, injured 200, and resulted in $1,500,000 in damages (equivalent to $22.5 million in 2022). [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Texas A&M University states that this tornado was the same tornado as above, which increased the tornado’s death toll to 13 and damage total to $2.1 million ($31.5 million in 2022). [7]
F2 Peniel Hunt TX 21:002 mi (3.2 km)200 yd (180 m)
In Peniel, known today as Greenville, 11 homes were destroyed and 8 more were damaged; 102 other buildings were damaged or destroyed. In total, 17 people were injured. [2] [3]
F4 Log Lake to Southview to Palestine Anderson TX 21:0018 mi (29 km)400 to 440 yd (370 to 400 m)
15 deaths – The tornado touched down 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Palestine moving northeastward. Two people were killed near Log Lake. In the Southview community, the tornado destroyed 36 homes and damaged another 122 structures. Thirteen deaths occurred in seven of the destroyed homes in Southview. Cars were thrown several hundred yards throughout Southview. [2] In total, the tornado killed 15 people and injured at least 60 others. [2] [3] [6] The National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas, lists this tornado as one of the worst tornadoes in the history of the state. [8] One surviving resident recalls the sound as a "freight train like roar". [9] [5] The damage total for this tornado was $500,000 ($7.5 million in 2022). [7]
F2 St. Paul to Shiloh Limestone TX 21:305 mi (8.0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
8 deaths – Nine homes were destroyed, leading to two deaths in two separate homes. Other property damage also occurred. [2] [3] The tornado injured at least 17 people. [2] The Madera Tribune reports this tornado killed "five or six negros...when the storm struck and demolished a gymnasium while a basketball game was in progress". [5] Neither Grazulis nor the US Weather Bureau report deaths at the gymnasium. [2] [3]

January 5 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, January 5, 1946 [note 1]
F# LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Waynesboro Wayne MS Unknown>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
A tornado struck around Waynesboro, causing mostly roof and tree damage. This tornado did not receive an estimated rating on the Fujita scale from Grazulis, meaning he believes it was F0 or F1 intensity. [3]

January 6 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, January 6, 1946 [note 1]
F# LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4SE of Wilmot to Lake Chicot to SE of Lake Village Ashley, Chicot AR 18:004 to 5 mi (6.4 to 8.0 km)
or
23 mi (37 km)
800 to 880 yd (730 to 800 m)
3 deaths – The large tornado leveled multiple homes of all sizes along its path, including over 20 homes on two plantations near Wilmot, with 3 more homes swept away into Lake Chicot. [2] The US Weather Bureau describes it as a "small tornado", with a path length of 4–5 miles, while stating that about 45 buildings were demolished and that 50 other buildings were damaged. [10] Both the US Weather Bureau and Grazulis state the tornado killed three people and injured 50 others. [10] [2] [11]
F3ENE of Seven Pines to near Coila to SE of Carrollton Carroll MS 18:0013 mi (21 km)>0 yd (0 m)
4 deaths – A dozen small homes were destroyed, with four deaths occurring in three of the destroyed homes. [2] The US Weather Bureau reports that when the tornado went through Seven Pines "it destroyed nearly every building.". [10] Grazulis notes that there were conflicts about when this tornado occurred, meaning there were potentially two separate tornadoes. [2] The US Weather Bureau records two people dead and five injured, while Grazulis states four dead and ten injured. [10] [2]
F3NW of Indianola to NW of Sunflower to E of Doddsville Sunflower MS 18:0020 mi (32 km)>0 yd (0 m)
4 deaths – Two people were killed when a church was destroyed north of Indianola, another when a nearby home was obliterated, and the fourth in a small home northwest of Sunflower. [2]

January 8 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, January 8, 1946 [note 1]
F# LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Port Arthur Jefferson TX 08:00 or 08:302 mi (3.2 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Two homes had their roofs ripped off. The U.S. Weather Bureau states that several homes and outbuildings were damaged by the tornado. [12] [1]

February

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥0≥1≥03100≥5

February 13 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, February 13, 1946 [note 1]
F# LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3 Ardmore Carter OK 02:45 or 03:004 mi (6.4 km)>0 yd (0 m)
1 death – On the eastern side of Ardmore 30–50 homes were destroyed and another 1,700 buildings damaged. In total, the tornado killed one person, injured 15 others, and caused $1–1.5 million in damage (equivalent to $15 million-$22.5 million in 2022). [13] [1] [14] Thomas P. Grazulis assigned an F3 rating, while Tornado Talk, a company dedicated to documenting tornado history, says this was a "possible F2 tornado". [15]
F2ENE of Cedartown to WNW of Rockmart Polk GA 20:453 mi (4.8 km)50 yd (46 m)
Eight barns were destroyed and five homes damaged in a rural community 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of Rockmart. [1]

February 18 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, February 18, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F0 Oklahoma City Oklahoma OK 15:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
A "small tornado" caused minor damage to homes on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. [13] This tornado did not receive an estimated rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, meaning he believes it was F0 or F1 intensity. The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma rated it an F0 based on local records kept at the office. [16]

February 27 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, February 27, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Tampa Hillsborough FL 14:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One home was destroyed and another partially unroofed in the Terrace Park neighborhood, leaving three people injured. [1] The U.S. Weather Bureau describes it as "freak tornado". [13]
F2SE of Lakeland Polk FL 15:100.5 to 0.7 mi (0.80 to 1.13 km)100 yd (91 m)
The tornado demolished a home, damaged another, and destroyed several barns and sheds. [13] Grazulis documents only one home being unroofed by the tornado. [1] Tornado Archive documents the length of this tornado as 0.7 miles (1.1 km). [17]

March

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥0≥0≥02010≥3

March 15 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, March 15, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Kewanee Lauderdale (confirmed)

Forrest, Wayne (possible)

MS 21:25–22:00>0 mi (0 km)400 to 900 yd (370 to 820 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documents a series of tornadoes in the Forrest, Wayne, and Lauderdale counties of Mississippi, which damaged several structures and caused $275,000 in damage ($4.13 million in 2022). [18]
Grazulis documents a tornado destroying multiple barns, a church, and a small home near Kewanne, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, but does not mention any damage or tornadoes in Forrest or Wayne county. One person was injured. [1]

March 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, March 22, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4SE of Wynona Osage OK 20:003 mi (4.8 km)440 to 800 yd (400 to 730 m)
This large tornado destroyed 15 homes and a power plant, and damaged ten other homes. A 500 pounds (230 kg) piece of machinery was carried 0.5 miles (0.80 km) by the tornado. [1] [18]

March 27 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 27, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2E of Houston Suwannee FL 13:00>0 mi (0 km)200 yd (180 m)
Several barns were destroyed and a school was unroofed. [18] [1]

April

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥3≥0≥01000≥4

April 5 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 5, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2Around Ottawa Franklin KS 16:306 mi (9.7 km)100 yd (91 m)
A large barn and several smaller farm buildings were demolished across two farms. [19] [1]

April 15 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, April 15, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Euless Tarrant TX 17:001 mi (1.6 km)33 yd (30 m)
The north-northeasterly tornado twisted and snapped large trees and blew in the front of multiple buildings. [19] This tornado did not receive an estimated rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, meaning he believes it was F0 or F1 intensity. [1]
FU Euless Tarrant TX 17:000.5 mi (0.80 km)33 yd (30 m)
This easterly moving twin of the previous tornado blew the roof off the Euless Lumber Company and collapsed a house. [19] This tornado did not receive an estimated rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, meaning he believes it was F0 or F1 intensity. [1]

April 21 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, April 21, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FUAround Timber Lake Dewey SD 22:006 mi (9.7 km)7,040 yd (6,440 m) [note 3]
The tornado struck the city of Timber Lake, causing at least $150,000 in property damage ($2.25 million+ in 2022). [19] This tornado did not receive an estimated rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, meaning he believes it was F0 or F1 intensity. [1] In 1946 the U.S. Weather Bureau published a paper stating the tornado’s width to be 4 miles (6.4 km), which would make this the widest tornado ever documented. [19]

May

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥9≥0≥015870≥39

May 10 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 10, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3Curved around Eufaula McIntosh, Pittsburg OK 19:4510 mi (16 km)850 to 1,700 yd (780 to 1,550 m)
1 death One person was killed and five injured; additionally, 11 buildings were destroyed and seven damaged. In total $35,000 in damage occurred ($375,000 in 2022), including $25,000 in property damage ($525,000 in 2022). [20] [1]
F2NW of Queen City, Texas Cass TX ??:??>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Two homes were destroyed. [1]

May 15 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 15, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4S of Loraine to Champion to Maryneal Mitchell, Nolan TX ??:??>0 mi (0 km)400 yd (370 m)
1 death On the west side of Champion, several homes were damaged and three destroyed, including one that was noted to be newly constructed. [1] Inside the recently built house one was killed and two were severely injured. [1] South of Loraine, two homes were destroyed, and in total over 100 animals were killed. [1] The United States Weather Bureau documented this event as a hailstorm, rather than a tornado. [20]
F2SW of Briscoe Wheeler TX ??:??>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
A home was unroofed. [1]

May 16 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 16, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Sandy Ridge Lowndes AL 02:003 to 4 mi (4.8 to 6.4 km)17 to 20 yd (16 to 18 m)
A large family home was destroyed, along with smaller homes and other farm buildings; pecan trees and a truck were also destroyed. [20] [1] [21]
FU Carnegie Caddo OK 20:00>0 mi (0 km)850 yd (780 m)
This southwestward-moving tornado damaged several buildings. [20]

May 17 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 17, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FUAround Marion and Crayne Crittenden KY 14:3017:30>0 mi (0 km)20 to 30 yd (18 to 27 m)
This tornado injured two near Crayne and caused $350,000 in damage ($5.25 million in 2022). [20]
F3NWN of West End to Norris City Franklin, Saline, Hamilton, White IL 16:3027 mi (43 km)150 yd (140 m)
1 death Six homes and twelve barns were damaged in rural areas. In Norris City, three homes were nearly leveled, killing one person. [1]

May 18 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, May 18, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Beloit Lyon IA 18:302 to 3 mi (3.2 to 4.8 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Small buildings and windmills were damaged; several trees were uprooted. [20]
F4SE of Stoneburg to NE of Bowie Clay, Montague, Denton TX 19:0030 mi (48 km)400 yd (370 m)
3 deaths In Stoneburg, a church was obliterated, with debris splintered and scattered for a mile. That said, a linen scarf was untouched that laid on the pulpit. [1] [ relevant? ] Elsewhere along the tornado's track, an elderly man was killed and his wife injured after their house was destroyed. Also killed were a "prominent elderly couple" [1] when their home was leveled, along with every barn on their new ranch. The U.S. Weather Bureau considers this tornado and the following tornado the same, while Grazulis splits the tornadoes up. In total, three people were killed, 15 others injured, and $112,000 in damage occurred ($1.68 million in 2022). [20] [1]
F4Around Sanger Denton TX 20:008 mi (13 km)200 yd (180 m)
1 death East of Sanger three homes were leveled and a nine-year-old girl was killed by flying debris while she ran for the storm cellar. Another home was destroyed on the north side of Sanger. The U.S. Weather Bureau considers this tornado and the following tornado the same, while Grazulis splits the tornadoes up. In total, one person was killed and five were injured. [20] [1]

May 19 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, May 19, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Moran City St. Mary LA 20:45>0 mi (0 km)100 yd (91 m)
A grocery store was destroyed and four homes were unroofed in Morgan City. [1]

May 20 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, May 20, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3SE of Seven Springs to N of Kinston to NW of Grifton Wayne, Lenoir, Pitt NC 20:1525 mi (40 km)150 yd (140 m)
2 deaths Three homes and twelve barns were destroyed, with 25 other homes damaged. An elderly couple was killed in their home northwest of Grifton. The U.S. Weather Bureau documents this as two separate tornadoes, with Wayne County being hit, while Grazulis documents this as one tornado that did not hit Wayne County. In total, two people were killed, 50 were injured, and the tornado caused $110,000 in damage ($1.65 million in 2022). [20] [1]

May 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 22, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Hill City Graham KS 18:0020 mi (32 km)6 yd (5.5 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documents this as a tornado and hail event that caused crop and property damage totaling $40,000 ($600,273 in 2022). [20]

May 23 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 23, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FUWheat fields Rooks KS 12:00–13:006 mi (9.7 km)2,600 yd (2,400 m)
A large tornado caused a six-mile-long damage path through wheat fields according to the U.S. Weather Bureau. This tornado did not receive a rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, indicating Grazulis estimates F0 to F1 intensity. [22]
F4SW of Enosdale to W of Washington Washington KS 14:0014 mi (23 km)600 yd (550 m)
1 death – A violent tornado struck west of the community of Enosdale, where eight farms were severely damaged. Two farmhouses were completely swept off their foundations, killing an elderly woman. In total, six people were injured and 70 head of livestock were killed. [23] The U.S. Weather Bureau published the tornado's path length as 20 miles (32 km). [22]
F4E of Washington to Emmons Washington KS 15:158 mi (13 km)600 yd (550 m)
This violent tornado traveled a path nearly parallel to the previous tornado. East of Washington a farmhouse was completely leveled, five others were damaged near the community of Emmons. The tornado injured two people and caused $100,000 in damage ($1.5 million in 2022). [23] The U.S. Weather Bureau published the tornado's width as 440 yards (400 m). [22]
F3NNE of Home, KS to W of Summerfield, KS to SSE of Liberty, NE Marshall (KS), Gage (NE) KS, NE 15:3010 mi (16 km)300 yd (270 m)
Several buildings across six farms were destroyed, on one farm only the house was left standing. Two people were injured. [23]
F3NE of Craig to W of Skidmore to NW of Pickering Holt, Atchison, Nodaway MO 17:0035 mi (56 km)300 yd (270 m)
An intense tornado, which was described as having "feelers" [23] extending around the main funnel, damaged or destroyed multiple structures. Three homes sustained "near-F4 damage". [23] A roast was found in a car thrown into a tree, with parts of the refrigerator it had been in thrown 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The tornado injured four people and caused $335,000 in damage ($5.03 million in 2022). Thomas P. Grazulis notes this was likely a tornado family. [23]
F2SE of Monrovia to SW of Atchison Atchison KS 18:0010 mi (16 km)400 yd (370 m)
A home had its roof ripped off and six barns were destroyed. [23]
F3S of Martin City to Holmes Park to Kansas City Jackson MO 18:2511 mi (18 km)600 yd (550 m)
2 deaths – South of Martin City, the tornado destroyed a barn and silo. It then struck Holes Park "with full force" before lifting in the southeastern portion of Swope Park. An elderly couple was killed when their home was completely destroyed and carried 100 yards (91 m). Five other people were injured. [23]
F3NE of Richmond to SE of Stet to NW of Tina Ray, Carroll MO 19:3040 mi (64 km)200 yd (180 m)
A long-tracked and intense tornado damaged or destroyed numerous homes and barns. "Near-F4 damage" [23] occurred at a farm west of Bogard. The total damage for this tornado and a parallel F2 tornado, which occurred an hour later, was $500,000 ($7.5 million in 2022). Between the two tornadoes, fifty homes were damaged or destroyed. [23]
F2NE of Parkville to Kansas City Platte, Clay MO 19:305 mi (8.0 km)70 yd (64 m)
The tornado destroyed a barn, and a few homes in Barry and Gashland (modern day Kansas City) were torn apart. [23]
F2N of Wellington to NW of Norborn to Bosworth Ray, Carroll MO 20:3040 mi (64 km)200 yd (180 m)
This tornado moved parallel and 7 miles (11 km) southeast of an F3 tornado that occurred an hour earlier. Homes and barns were damaged or destroyed along its track. Seven injuries occurred at a home near Bosworth. [23]

May 24 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 24, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2Near Shullsburg to DeForest Lafayette, Iowa, Dane WI 08:00–09:0060 mi (97 km)100 yd (91 m)
A long-tracked tornado skipped as it damaged or destroyed several structures. Twenty farms sustained damaged, five homes were unroofed, and several barns were destroyed. About 30 cottages were damaged or destroyed along the western shore of Lake Mendota. This tornado was noted to most likely be a tornado family by Thomas P. Grazulis. [23] [24] The U.S. Weather Bureau published this event as a thundersquall with a width of 100 to 133 yards (91 to 122 m) (a thundersquall is a combined thunderstorm and squall). They also noted that two people were injured by debris, and a third person by lightning. [22]
FUNear Shawnee Pottawatomie OK 15:306 mi (9.7 km)100 yd (91 m)
The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma documented this tornado and provided no further information. [25]
F3N of Valparaiso, IN to Woodville, IN to New Carlisle, IN to Buchanan, MI Porter (IN), LaPorte (IN), St. Joseph (IN), Berrien (MI) IN, MI 15:3540 mi (64 km)500 yd (460 m)
A long-tracked tornado skipped as it damaged or destroyed several structures. "Near-F4 damage" occurred in the community of Woodville, where two homes, three barns, and a gas station were obliterated. Several homes were "torn apart" in Hudson Lake and New Carlisle. Near Buchanan multiple barns were leveled. The tornado injured five people and caused $250,000 in damage ($3.75 million in 2022). [23]
F2NE of Sapulpa Creek OK 15:4510 mi (16 km)50 yd (46 m)
This skipping tornado destroyed one home and shifted two others. It also threw a car into a ditch. [23]
F2Around Collinsville Tulsa, Rogers OK 16:0010 mi (16 km)500 yd (460 m)
This tornado destroyed a home and unroofed a dairy barn as it moved northeast and then east around Collinsville. The National Weather Service lists the width for this tornado as 500 yards (460 m). [23] [26]
F4W of Granger Williamson TX 17:007 mi (11 km)400 yd (370 m)
1 death – A boy was killed and his mother injured in one of two homes completely leveled and swept away by the tornado. Every building on their farm "literally vanished," and all their livestock was killed. [23] The tornado split a nearby house in two, with half of the home "splintered". A large tractor was also moved 50 yards (46 m). [23] [22]
F2W of Talihina Latimer OK 18:00>0 mi (0 km)200 yd (180 m)
A home was destroyed, and another was damaged in Buffalo Valley. The tornado injured two people. [23] [22]

May 29 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 29, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4 Wellsford to Cullison Kiowa, Pratt KS 17:007 mi (11 km)400 yd (370 m)
Considerable damage occurred in Cullison, with up to $110,000 ($15 million in 2022) in damage documented by the U.S. Weather Bureau. One farmhouse was swept away, and numerous other farm buildings were destroyed. Five vortex clouds were observed with this tornado. [20] [1]
F2NE of Stoneburg or Forestburg Montague TX 18:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One home was destroyed and another was unroofed. The U.S. Weather Bureau said this tornado struck Forestburg while Grazulis said northeast of Stoneburg. [20] [1]
FU Penalosa Kingman KS 19:40>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
No damage was reported. [20]
FU Pratt Pratt KS P.M.>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documented that "chief loss in wheat [ranged] from 25 to 100 percent." [20]

May 30 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 30, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU??? Sumner, Cowley KS 13:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Minor damage occurred to buildings. [20]
F2SW of to Arkansas City Cowley KS 13:205 mi (8.0 km)30 yd (27 m)
"Homes, barns, and businesses were unroofed." [20] [1]
F2Through Creston Union IA 14:202 mi (3.2 km)400 yd (370 m)
Warehouses were destroyed, homes unroofed, and 40 railroad cars derailed. About 100 other homes sustained various types of damage from the combined effect of the tornado and accompanying downburst. The tornado caused $250,000 in damage ($3.75 million in 2022). [1]

May 31 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 31, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Arkansas City Cowley KS 14:155 mi (8.0 km)13 yd (12 m)
The tornado caused property damage. [20]
F2S of Fort Recovery to Sharpsburg Mercer OH 16:05 or 17:305 mi (8.0 km)200 yd (180 m)
Multiple buildings on four farms were destroyed and several homes were unroofed or damaged. [20] [1]

June

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥2≥0≥06310≥12

June 6 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, June 6, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Moose Lake to Barnum Carlton MN 19:00 or 19:45-21:4515 mi (24 km)8,800 yd (8,000 m) [note 3]
About 41[ clarify ] rural buildings were destroyed, two people injured, and hundreds of animals killed. A downburst associated with this storm damaged 25 homes; three homes were destroyed, but it was unknown[ citation needed ] if they were destroyed by the tornado or downburst. The U.S. Weather Bureau documented this as a "small tornado" with hail. [27] [1]

June 7 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, June 7, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3 Froid Roosevelt MT 14:0010 mi (16 km)200 yd (180 m)
1 death A five-room farmhouse was "nearly leveled", and one person was crushed by its chimney. A farm building was destroyed, furniture was thrown nearly a mile, and spruce trees were damaged. One person was killed, another was injured and damage totaled $12,500 ($187,600 in 2022). [27] [1]

June 10 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, June 10, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Wibaux Wibaux MT 2:303:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Limited crop loss was noted, along with the loss of 500 livestock. Damage totaled $25,000 (which is equivalent to $375,000 in 2022). [27]

June 11 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, June 11, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2NW of Waterloo DeKalb IN 17:30 or 18:152 to 7 mi (3.2 to 11.3 km)400 to 900 yd (370 to 820 m)
This zig-zagging tornado destroyed three barns, a vacant home, and several outbuildings on 11 farms. [27] [1]

June 16 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, June 16, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2S Ledyard Kossuth IA 18:00 or 19:00-20:005 mi (8.0 km)14,080 yd (12,870 m) [note 3]
Buildings on eight farms were damaged, with barns on four being destroyed. This tornado was accompanied by a damaging hailstorm, causing a total of $610,000 in damages ($9.15 million in 2022). [27] [1]
F2 Racine Mower MN 20:228 mi (13 km)167 to 170 yd (153 to 155 m)
A schoolhouse was leveled, multiple windmills were wrecked, and trees were uprooted. Farm machinery was also destroyed, as well as several buildings on five farms. [27] [1]

June 17 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, June 17, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4 Detroit (MI) to Windsor (ON) Wayne (MI), Essex (ON) MI, ON 17:55–18:0540 mi (64 km)200 yd (180 m)
17 deaths in Canada See article on this tornado . At least 200 people were injured across the United States and Canada. [27] Thomas P. Grazulis documents 15 deaths from this tornado. [1] [ clarification needed ]

June 23 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, June 23, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3N of Selfridge Sioux ND 14:304 mi (6.4 km)200 yd (180 m)
A home was destroyed, with only one wall left standing, a second home had its second floor sheared off. Buildings on three farms were also destroyed. Two people were injured by the tornado. [27] [1]
F3S of Selfridge Sioux ND 14:308 mi (13 km)200 yd (180 m)
Every single building[ clarify ] on a farm was obliterated and "not a board could be found intact" from any of the buildings. [27] [1]

June 26 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, June 26, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Cowden Washita OK 18:452 mi (3.2 km)445 yd (407 m)
A school gymnasium, two business houses,[ clarify ] and several residential homes were destroyed. Damage was totaled at $74,500 ($1.12 million in 2022). [27] [1]

June 27 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, June 27, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Detroit (MI), Windsor (ON) Wayne (MI), Essex (ON) MI, ON 14:37 or 15:30-15:333 mi (4.8 km)200 yd (180 m)
Bus and trailer garages were damaged, along with a manufacturing company, a warehouse, and parked cars. The worst damage from the tornado was in northeastern Detroit. In total, nine people were injured and $400,000 ($6 million in 2022) in damage occurred in the United States.[ clarification needed ] [27] [1]

June 28 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, June 28, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU??? Polk, Red Lake, Pennington MN 2:300 mi (0 km)>15 yd (14 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau notes a flax manufacturing plant, a school, a garage, farm homes, 66 farms and 40 outbuildings being destroyed by a "possible tornado". The storm also damaged 110 homes, 135 barns, 55 outbuildings, 40 silos, a municipal sewage disposal plant, and an airplane. Wires and poles were downed as well, and several thousand turkeys and chickens were killed. Four people were injured. [27]

July

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥12≥0≥15000≥18

July 1 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, July 1, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Laramie Albany WY 14:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
A tornado reported east-southeast of the Laramie Airport failed to reach the ground, causing no damage. [28]
F2W of Bennett Adams CO 15:004 mi (6.4 km)50 yd (46 m)
Two homes were unroofed and multiple businesses were "torn apart". [1] [28] [ clarification needed ]
F2N of Bennett Adams CO 15:00>0 mi (0 km)100 yd (91 m)
A home was unroofed and a barn was destroyed. The barn’s owner was watching a separate tornado in the distance while this tornado struck. [1] [28] [ clarification needed ]
FU Bennett Adams CO 15:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One of six tornadoes in the Bennett area. [1]
FU Bennett Adams CO 15:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One of six tornadoes in the Bennett area. [1]
FU Bennett Adams CO 15:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One of six tornadoes in the Bennett area. [1]
FU Bennett Adams CO 15:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
One of six tornadoes in the Bennett area. [1]

July 4 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, July 4, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Carpenter Laramie WY 16:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
No damage was reported. [28]
FU Cheyenne Laramie WY 16:15>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
No damage was reported. This tornado was produced by the same storm as the previous one. [28]

July 5 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, July 5, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Harahan to Metairie to Ridge to New Orleans Jefferson LA 20:20–20:305 mi (8.0 km)100 yd (91 m)
This skipping tornado unroofed two businesses and three homes, stripping the wallpaper in one. A little[ quantify ] crop damage was also reported. [28] [1]

July 6 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, July 6, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Hilliard Nassau FL P.M.>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
This small tornado caused no damage. [28]

July 13 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, July 13, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Edgar Carbon MT 15:30>0 mi (0 km)15 yd (14 m)
A farm building was damaged. [28]

July 14 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, July 14, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 East Helena Lewis and Clark MT 17:15–17:16>0 mi (0 km)50 yd (46 m)
One farmstead sustained damage, a large barn was destroyed and a home damaged. The U.S. Weather Bureau documents "blinding dust" accompanying this "small tornado". [28] [1]

July 19 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, July 19, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FUStengel Air College to Gainesville Alachua FL 16:00–16:30>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
At Stengel Air College a main hanger, shops, and cottages were damaged. Damage also occurred in Gainesville. [28]

July 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, July 22, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Houma Terrebonne LA 14:00>0 mi (0 km)100 yd (91 m)
Chief damage occurred to buildings. [28]
FU Crowley Acadia LA 15:15>0 mi (0 km)100 yd (91 m)
Small damage was reported from the tornado. [28]

July 23 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, July 23, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F1Vicinity around Concord Merrimack NH ??:??>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
1 death – Tornadic winds caused damage to northwestern parts of Concord, including a National Guard Arsenal, which leveled a 150-foot (46 m) section of a steel and brick building, destroying machinery and damaging army vehicles. Eight homes and several small buildings were destroyed, including the collapse of a barn, which killed a boy. Damages totaled $60,000 ($900,000 in 2022). [28] [1]


July 30 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, July 30, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 St. Petersburg Pinellas FL 19:00>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documented a tornado near St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida which demolished a garage, unroofed a two-story frame house, and caused an additional $150,000 in damages (equivalent to $2.25 million in 2022). [28]

August

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥2≥0≥00020≥4

August 5 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, August 5, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Hutchinson Reno KS 02:00–05:30>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
This "small tornado" never reached the ground. However, it damaged multiple buildings and roofs. Thomas P. Grazulis did not rate it. [29]

August 13 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, August 13, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Niagara Falls Niagara NY 11:30–12:15>0 mi (0 km)33 yd (30 m)
This tornado blew a man off a horse, destroyed two garages, and threw a boulder that destroyed the side of a house. It did not receive a rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis. [29]

August 17 event

-
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F4SW of Mankato to North Mankato Blue Earth MN 18:409 mi (14 km)400 to 440 yd (370 to 400 m)
11 deaths – At least eight farms and three homes were destroyed. All eleven deaths and most of the 100 injuries occurred during the complete obliteration of 26 cabins in Green Gables camp southwest of Mankato. Multiple cars were thrown at least 500 feet (170 yd; 150 m) and a 54,000 pounds (24,000 kg) road grader was thrown 100 feet (33 yd; 30 m). The U.S. Weather Bureau noted hundreds of trees uprooted, and the death of over 1,000 turkeys. In total, the tornado killed eleven people, injured at least 100 others and caused $300,000 in damage (equivalent to $4.5 million in 2022). [1] [29] [30]
F4SW of to Wells Faribault MN 19:30–19:487 mi (11 km)200 yd (180 m)
Southwest of Wells several buildings on two farms were severely damaged, with one of them sustaining F4 damage. The tornado hit downtown Wells at F2 intensity, damaging or destroying nearly every building in the business district; a theatre with at least 400 people inside collapsed. Hundreds of trees were noted to have been uprooted. In total, the tornado injured 30 people and caused $700,000 in damage (equivalent to $10.5 million in 2022). [1] [29] [30] The U.S. Weather Bureau documented the damage to the theatre as "high wind" rather than a tornado. [29]

September

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥3≥0≥04000≥7

September 2 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, September 2, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2SW of Eskridge to NE of Alma Wabaunsee KS 12:0020 mi (32 km)30 yd (27 m)
This skipping tornado destroyed a large barn. [1] [31]

September 10 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, September 10, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
FU Albion Calhoun MI 7:27–7:31>0 mi (0 km)300 yd (270 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau reports 100 trees downed at a cemetery and 50 at a park. [32]
FU Portland Cumberland ME 14:5015:10>0 mi (0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documents a tornado damaging northern suburbs of Portland, with two residences damaged, two barns leveled, and a garage unroofed; shade and pine trees were felled, and evidence of counterclock-wise wind movement was noted. [32]

September 16 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, September 16, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2Near Sidney Richland (MT) MT, ND 17:1520 mi (32 km)8 to 50 yd (7.3 to 45.7 m)
A small home was destroyed near Sidney and four people were injured. [1] [32] The U.S. Weather Bureau reports the tornado continuing into western North Dakota. [32]

September 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, September 22, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Mableton Cobb GA 15:050.3 mi (0.48 km)75 yd (69 m)
One home was destroyed, and four people were injured. [1] [33]
FU Lake Delton Sauk WI 17:5518:10>0 mi (0 km)27 yd (25 m)
The U.S. Weather Bureau documents damage to McBoyle Airport, where a trees were downed and a hangar was unroofed, damaging three airplanes and six vehicles. The storm that produced the tornado was noted moving southwest to northeast, with rotary winds. [32]

September 24 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, September 24, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Escanaba Delta MI 12:46–12:47 or 13:463 mi (4.8 km)1 to 200 yd (0.91 to 182.88 m)
One home was unroofed by the tornado and over $300,000 in damage ($4.5 million in 2022) occurred to coal-loading equipment and loading docks. [1] [32]

October

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥0≥0≥02100≥3

October 17 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, October 17, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2SE of Appleton City St. Clair MO 15:002 mi (3.2 km)50 yd (46 m)
A barn was destroyed and scattered, and the east side of a farmhouse was torn off. Multiple livestock were killed on two farms. [1]
F3SW of Goodland to Twin Oaks Choctaw OK 17:30–18:007 mi (11 km)100 to 200 yd (91 to 183 m)
Homes, farm buildings, and several school buildings at Goodland Indian School were damaged or destroyed. [34] [1]

October 18 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, October 18, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Greenwood Johnson IN 04:351 mi (1.6 km)30 to 33 yd (27 to 30 m)
Several buildings and two airplanes were destroyed and multiple trees and power lines were downed. [34] [1]

November

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥0≥0≥04100≥5

November 2 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, November 2, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F3SSW of Washington Hempstead AR 14:30 or 15:305 mi (8.0 km)150 to 200 yd (140 to 180 m)
1 death (died from injuries two weeks after the storm) – A tornado destroyed numerous residential areas and business offices, badly damaged a cotton gin, and flattened a service station, causing communication disruptions. Downed power lines caused outages in the northern portion of Hempstead County, while Washington, Arkansas was isolated from communication outside of the city, and had a famous landmark, an old church building, destroyed. [35] [1] [36]

November 10 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, November 10, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Calvert Mobile, Washington AL ??:??4 to 5 mi (6.4 to 8.0 km)>0 yd (0 m)
Three homes were destroyed. [1] [21]
F2S of Rayne to N of Lafayette Acadia, Lafayette LA 17:00>0 mi (0 km)880 yd (800 m)
Several barns and outbuildings were demolished and multiple homes were "twisted" from their foundations. In total, three people were injured by this skipping tornado. [35] [1]
F2Near Mississippi River Pointe Coupee LA 17:002 to 10 mi (3.2 to 16.1 km)50 yd (46 m)
2 deaths – On two plantations multiple barns and sheds were destroyed, killing a mother and child, and injuring eight others. Also damaged were a church and three homes, two of which were described as "frail".[ by whom? ] [35] [1]
F2 Hattiesburg Forrest or Lamar MS 21:001 mi (1.6 km)100 to 400 yd (91 to 366 m)
This tornado dipped and rose along its path as it unroofed several lumber buildings and damaged, unroofed or shifted a dozen homes. [1] The U.S. Weather Bureau reports a forward speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) and states that this may have been the same tornado that hit Point Coupee Parish earlier in the day. [35]

December

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
≥0≥0≥03000≥3

December 28 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, December 28, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2W of Newhope to E of Langley to SE of Mount Ida Howard, Pike, Montgomery AR 17:0025 mi (40 km)400 yd (370 m)

According to Grazulis the "losses included dozens of homes and thousands of trees." [1] In total, 21 people were injured. [1]

F2 Ouachita National Forest to S of Jessieville Garland AR 18:0015 mi (24 km)100 yd (91 m)
Two were injured and south of Jessieville, near the Blakely community, two homes, two trucks, and a gas station were destroyed. [1]

December 29 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, December 29, 1946 [note 1]
F#
[note 2]
LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (local)Path lengthMax width
F2 Fort Campbell Christian, Todd KY 00:15–01:3010 mi (16 km)100 to 800 yd (91 to 732 m)
This "bouncing type of tornado" [1] hit Camp Campbell, where it destroyed military equipment and several storage buildings. Also destroyed were tobacco and stock barns, and about a hundred trucks. In total, the tornado injured at least six people and caused $300,000 in damage ($4.5 million in 2022). The U.S. Weather Bureau reports a width between 100 and 800 yards (91–732 m) while Grazulis says 400 yards (370 m). [1] [37]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 All dates and times are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 All ratings on the Fujita scale were done by Thomas P. Grazulis, a tornado expert, and are classified unofficial ratings since official ratings for tornadoes began in 1950.
  3. 1 2 3 The officially recognized widest tornado in history is the 2013 El Reno tornado, with a width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km; 4,600 yd; 4,200 m). This tornado was marked by the United States Weather Bureau to have been wider than the 2013 El Reno tornado. However, due to recognition of that tornado as the widest tornado, it should be taken that this width is most likely an error from the U.S. Weather Bureau.

Related Research Articles

The 1936 Cordele–Greensboro tornado outbreak was a tornado outbreak that affected the Southeastern United States during April 1936. The Greensboro, North Carolina, and Cordele, Georgia, tornadoes were the deadliest spawned during the April 1–2 outbreak, which developed in three waves of tornadic activity over 14 hours, associated with the same storm system.

Forestburg is an unincorporated community in Montague County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 50 in 2000.

On February 19–20, 1884, one of the largest and most widespread tornado outbreaks in American history occurred over the Southeastern United States, known as the Enigma tornado outbreak due to the uncertain number of total tornadoes and fatalities. Nonetheless, an inspection of newspaper reports and governmental studies published in the aftermath reveals successive, long-tracked tornado families striking Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with an estimation of at least 51—and possibly 60 or more—tornadoes.

On April 23–25, 1908, a destructive tornado outbreak affected portions of the Midwestern and Southern United States, including the Great Plains. The outbreak produced at least 31 tornadoes in 13 states, with a total of at least 324 tornado-related deaths. Of these deaths, most were caused by three long-tracked, violent tornadoes—each rated F4 on the Fujita scale and considered to be a tornado family—that occurred on April 24. Most of the deaths were in rural areas, often consisted of African Americans, and consequently may have been undercounted. One of the tornadoes killed 143 people along its path, 73 of them in the U.S. state of Mississippi, making the tornado the third deadliest in Mississippi history, following the 1936 Tupelo F5, with 216 deaths, and the 1840 Natchez tornado, with 317 deaths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of August 28, 1884</span> 1884 weather events in Dakota Territory

On August 28, 1884, a tornado outbreak, including a family of least five strong tornadoes, affected portions of the Dakota Territory within present-day South Dakota. Among them was one of the first known tornadoes to have been photographed, an estimated F4 on the Fujita scale, that occurred near Howard and exhibited multiple vortices. Another violent tornado also occurred near Alexandria, and three other tornadoes were also reported. A sixth tornado also occurred in present-day Davison County. In all, the tornadoes killed at least seven people and injured at least two others. Contemporary records and survivors' recollections indicate that the storms were F3 or F4 on the Fujita scale, but cannot currently be verified, as official records begin in 1950.

On April 29–30, 1924, an outbreak of at least 28 tornadoes—26 of which were significant, meaning F2 or stronger—affected the Southern United States. The tornadoes left 114 dead and at least 1,166 injured, mostly in the Carolinas, with 76 deaths in South Carolina alone, along with 16 in Georgia and 13 in Alabama. Killer tornadoes touched down from Oklahoma and Arkansas to Virginia. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak was a long-lived tornado family that produced F4 damage in rural portions of South Carolina, killing 53 people and injuring at least 534. The tornado is the deadliest ever recorded in South Carolina and is one of the longest-tracked observed in the state, having traveled 105 miles (169 km); some sources list a total path length of 135 mi (217 km), including the segment in Florence County, but this is now believed to have been a separate, F3 tornado.

On April 19–21, 1920, a multi-day severe weather event affected the Southeastern United States. The most intense portion of the outbreak occurred on the morning of April 20. At least seven tornadoes affected the American U.S. states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, six of them rated violent F4s on the Fujita scale. The tornado outbreak killed at least 243 people.

From April 27–29, 1912, a major tornado outbreak generated at least six violent tornadoes in Oklahoma, with near-constant activity until early the next day. At least 15 cities were affected, 40 people died, and 120 others were injured. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis considered this outbreak to be among the worst on record in the state of Oklahoma, as measured by fatalities and violent tornadoes. At least five strong tornadoes affected Washita County, Oklahoma, during this outbreak.

Woodville is an unincorporated community in Liberty Township, Porter County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

The tornado outbreak of May 1927 occurred between May 7–9 in the Midwestern and Southern United States, producing numerous strong tornadoes and killing at least 217 people.

On April 12, 1945, a tornado outbreak occurred in the Midwestern United States, producing numerous strong tornadoes and killing at least 128 people and injuring over 1,000 others; however, the concurrent death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt overshadowed news of the outbreak. On July 5, 1945, the United States Weather Bureau documented this entire outbreak as a single wind event, not a tornado or series of tornadoes, which killed 119 people and caused $2.65 million in damage. This report was later corrected on December 1, 1945, when the report was corrected to be a series of tornadoes. J. L. Baldwin, a meteorologist at the United States Weather Bureau office in Washington, D.C., later stated that, “these storms made April 12 the worst single day of tornado disaster[s] in the history of Oklahoma.”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of September 29, 1927</span> Extreme weather event in central US

On Thursday, September 29, 1927, an outbreak of at least 15 significant tornadoes, including three F3 tornadoes, killed at least 82 people in the Central United States, particularly in Missouri and Illinois. The outbreak affected a broad expanse of the Midwestern and Southern United States, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. The deadliest tornado was an estimated F3 which affected portions of Greater St. Louis, killing at least 79 people and injuring at least 550 others. The tornado narrowly missed Downtown St. Louis, striking north of the central business district before crossing the Mississippi River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Isbell tornado outbreak</span>

Hurricane Isbell spawned one of the most significant tornado outbreaks to strike the Miami metropolitan area on October 14, 1964. It produced at least nine confirmed, and possibly as many as 17, tornadoes, four of which were rated significant (F2) on the Fujita scale. Although there were no fatalities, 48 people were injured and losses totaled $560,250. The most damaging of the tornadoes was an estimated F2 that injured 22 people at a mobile home park in Briny Breezes, causing $250,000 in losses.

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1946, 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.

On May 23–24, 1946, a tornado outbreak occurred across the Central and Midwestern United States. Over two days at least 15 significant tornadoes struck parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, killing four people and injuring 42 others. The storm system also caused numerous other impacts including hail, heavy rains, and damaging lightning strikes.

On January 4–6, 1946, a small but violent tornado outbreak struck the South-Central United States, killing 47 people and injuring at least 412 others. L. H. Seamon with the US Weather Bureau, the predecessor of the National Weather Service, later stated it was the "most disastrous" tornado event of the year; the US Weather Bureau stated in 1960 that January 4, 1946 had "outstanding tornadoes".

The following is a list of weather events that occurred on Earth in the year 1946. There were several natural disasters around the world from various types of weather, including blizzards, cold waves, droughts, heat waves, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak of February 12, 1945</span> Tornado outbreak in Southeastern US

On February 12, 1945, a devastating tornado outbreak occurred across the Southeastern United States. The storms killed 45 people and injured 427 others.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 922–925. ISBN   1-879362-03-1.
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  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 U.S. Weather Bureau (February 1946). "Late Storm Reports For January 1946". Monthly Weather Review. 74 (2): 37. Bibcode:1946MWRv...74Q..37.. doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0037:LSRFJ>2.0.CO;2 . ISSN   1520-0493 . Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. Cable (February 8, 1946). "TERRIFIC TEXAS TORNADO". The Horsham Times. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "TORNADOES RAZE TEXAS TOWNS OVER 20 DEAD AND 150 HURT BY HIGH WIND". Madera Tribune. LIII (258). January 5, 1946. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "IN THE WAKE OF THE TORNADO THAT SWEPT THROUGH NORTHEAST TEXAS: Louisiana and Mississippi Hit". ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Times: 12. January 6, 1946. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 31, 2023.
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  9. Larry F. York (January 9, 2011). "Palestine native recalls 1946 tornado". Palestine Herald Press. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 U.S. Weather Bureau (January 1946). "Severe Local Storms For January 1946". Monthly Weather Review. 74 (1): 18. Bibcode:1946MWRv...74...18.. doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0018:SLSFJ>2.0.CO;2 . ISSN   1520-0493 . Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  11. "On This Day: January 6". Tornado Talk. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023. January 6, 1946: A tornado given a rating of F4 moved through Ashley and Chicot Counties in Arkansas. The path length was 23 miles. It moved from near Wilmot to SE of Lake Village. 'Homes of all sizes were leveled by this large tornado. Over twenty were destroyed on two plantation near Wilmot. Three homes were blown into Lake Chicot.' Three were killed and 50 injured.
  12. U.S. Weather Bureau (February 1946). "Late Storm Reports For January 1946". Monthly Weather Review. 74 (2): 37. doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0037:LSRFJ>2.0.CO;2 . ISSN   1520-0493 . Retrieved April 18, 2023.
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  17. "Tornado Archive Data Explorer". Tornado Archive. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
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  21. 1 2 "Alabama Tornadoes 1946". National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
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  24. "MAY 25, 1946: TORNADO HITS NORTH COUNTY AREA PROPERTY DESTRUCTION MOST SEVERE AT JUNCTION OF STATE ROADS 6 AND 49; LOSS HEAVY". Porter County Museum. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  25. "Shawnee, Oklahoma Tornadoes (1875-Present)". National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  26. "Rogers County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present)". National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
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  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 U.S. Weather Bureau (July 1946). "Severe Local Storms For July 1946". Monthly Weather Review. 74 (7): 128–130. doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(1946)074<0128:SLSFJ>2.0.CO;2 . ISSN   1520-0493 . Retrieved April 24, 2023.
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  30. 1 2 "2 TORNADOES KILL 7 IN MINNESOTA; AFTER A TORNADO PASSED OVER A MINNESOTA TOWN". The New York Times. August 19, 1946. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
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