Tornado outbreak sequence of April 5–8, 1954

From April 5–8, 1954, a tornado outbreak sequence affected portions of the Central and Southern United States, primarily the Upper Midwest. The U.S. states of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin were hardest hit by tornadoes. The first day of the severe weather event featured three intense (F3 or stronger) tornadoes along the Missouri–Iowa border, including a long-tracked F4 that obliterated rural farmsteads. The deadliest tornado of the sequence, retroactively rated F3, struck Illinois a few days later, killing one person and injuring 13 others. Other strong tornadoes hit Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, and Georgia during the sequence. In all, the event resulted in 22 injuries.[note 2][2]

Tornado outbreak sequence of April 5–8, 1954
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes25
Maximum ratingF4 tornado
DurationApril 5–8, 1954
Overall effects
Fatalities1
Injuries22
Damage$999,330 ($11,340,000 in 2024 USD)[note 1]
Areas affectedCentral and Southern United States

Part of the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1954

Confirmed tornadoes

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Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 1 7 11 5 1 0 25

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991.[3][note 3] 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments.[7][note 4] Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

Color/symbol key
Color / symbol Description
Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b
Data from a local National Weather Service office
Data from the 1954 Climatological Data National Summary publication
Data from the NCEI database
Maximum width of tornado
± Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.

April 5 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Monday, April 5, 1954[note 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 6] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 7] Damage
F1 Mexico Audrain Missouri 39°23′N 91°56′W / 39.38°N 91.93°W / 39.38; -91.93 (Mexico (April 5, F1)) 08:00–? 0.2 mi (0.32 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) $2,500
This and the following event destroyed a home. Outbuildings were wrecked or damaged as well. Agricultural implements were also damaged.[17][18]
F1 S of Benton City Audrain Missouri 39°06′N 91°46′W / 39.10°N 91.77°W / 39.10; -91.77 (Benton City (April 5, F1)) 08:00–? 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 17 yd (16 m) $25,000
See previous event.[19][18]
F3† E of Scranton to NW of Farlin Greene Iowa 42°02′N 94°32′W / 42.03°N 94.53°W / 42.03; -94.53 (Scranton (April 5, F3)) 23:10–? 7 mi (11 km)† 800 yd (730 m)† $100,000
This intense tornado badly damaged five farmsteads and caused less severe damage to 13 others. One or more farmhouses were wrecked, and a boxcar was lofted through the air. Timbers also pierced the walls of homes. An injury occurred.[20][21][22]
F3† NW of Westboro (MO)† to SE of Northboro (IA) Atchison (MO), Page (IA) Missouri, Iowa 40°33′N 95°23′W / 40.55°N 95.38°W / 40.55; -95.38 (Westboro (April 5, F3)) 23:30–?† 8 mi (13 km)† 500 yd (460 m)† $200,000
This was probably a family of "twin" tornadoes that damaged farmsteads at "near-F4" intensity. A pickup truck in Missouri was tossed 300 yd (900 ft), and four homes were torn apart in that state. Three additional homes were wrecked in Iowa. A few injuries occurred, both in Missouri.[20][23][24][22]
F4† Near Elmo (MO) to S of Braddyville (IA) to N of Bedford (IA) Nodaway (MO)†, Page (IA), Taylor (IA)† Missouri, Iowa 40°36′N 95°14′W / 40.60°N 95.23°W / 40.60; -95.23 (Elmo (April 5, F4)) 23:30–? 25 mi (40 km)† 900 yd (820 m)† Un­known
This long-lived, violent tornado caused F4 damage to numerous farms. A pair of farmhouses were obliterated northwest of Siam, Iowa.[25][20][26][22]
F2± W to NE of Bedford Taylor Iowa 40°40′N 94°53′W / 40.67°N 94.88°W / 40.67; -94.88 (Bedford #1 (April 5, F2)) 23:45–? 11.5 mi (18.5 km) 333 yd (304 m) $250
Details are unavailable.[27][22]
F2† NW of Bedford Taylor Iowa 40°41′N 94°44′W / 40.68°N 94.73°W / 40.68; -94.73 (Bedford #2 (April 5, F2)) 00:15–? 5 mi (8.0 km)† 200 yd (180 m) $250
A pair of spacious barns were blown to pieces, their debris strewn "for miles". 20 farmsteads received some manner of wind-related damage, and livestock in the path was killed.[20][28][22]
F2± N of Milford to ESE of Riley Geary Kansas 39°11′N 96°55′W / 39.18°N 96.92°W / 39.18; -96.92 (Milford (April 5, F2)) 00:45–? 9 mi (14 km)※ 33 yd (30 m) Un­known
This tornado damaged many farms in or near Fort Riley.[29][22]
F1 S of Soldier Jackson Kansas 39°22′N 95°57′W / 39.37°N 95.95°W / 39.37; -95.95 (Soldier (April 5, F1)) 01:30–? 5 mi (8.0 km)※ 100 yd (91 m) $5,000
Rural trees and structures were damaged.[30][22]
F2+ ESE of Northboro Page Iowa Un­known Un­known Un­known Un­known Un­known
A short-lived tornado, related to the Westboro F3, tore the roof off a home.[20][22]

April 6 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, April 6, 1954[note 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 6] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 7] Damage
F1 ENE of Wheatland Knox Indiana 38°40′N 87°17′W / 38.67°N 87.28°W / 38.67; -87.28 (Wheatland (April 6, F1)) 10:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 27 yd (25 m) $4,000
Some buildings were stripped of their roofs. Fallen roofing damaged a truck.[31][22]
F1 Glezen Pike Indiana 38°30′N 87°17′W / 38.50°N 87.28°W / 38.50; -87.28 (Glezen (April 6, F1)) 11:00–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 33 yd (30 m) $5,000
This tornado damaged a pair of houses and a few barns, along with the roof of a store. A few porches were ripped off, one of which was stripped of most roofing.[32][33]
F2± Eastern Ferdinand to SSE of Saint Anthony Dubois Indiana 38°14′N 86°51′W / 38.23°N 86.85°W / 38.23; -86.85 (Ferdinand (April 6, F2)) 13:00–? 3.3 mi (5.3 km) 33 yd (30 m) $6,000
This tornado hit many homes and a church, damaging their roofs. Garages and barns were affected as well.[34][33]
F1 Petersburg Pike Indiana 38°30′N 87°17′W / 38.50°N 87.28°W / 38.50; -87.28 (Petersburg (April 6, F1)) 20:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 33 yd (30 m) $800
A chicken coop was destroyed.[35][33]

April 7 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, April 7, 1954[note 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 6] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 7] Damage
F3† N of Highland to SE of Avoca Iowa Wisconsin 43°08′N 90°23′W / 43.13°N 90.38°W / 43.13; -90.38 (Highland (April 7, F3)) 11:45–? 8 mi (13 km)† 400 yd (370 m) $60,000
This intense tornado leveled several barns and destroyed a farmhouse. It also damaged seven other farmhouses and destroyed or damaged 50 outbuildings. Four people were injured.[20][36][33]
F2± E of Mount Calvary Fond du Lac Wisconsin 43°42′N 88°32′W / 43.70°N 88.53°W / 43.70; -88.53 (Mount Calvary (April 7, F2)) 18:30–? 1.9 mi (3.1 km) 33 yd (30 m) $2,500
This tornado collapsed a 60-by-40-foot (20 by 13 yd) barn, crushing to death five cattle beneath. It also uplifted a 140-foot-long (47 yd) section of roofing and tore a 400-pound (180 kg) concrete covering off a silo. Strong winds in Mount Calvary also downed a few television transmission towers and shattered windows.[37][33]
F1 Oconomowoc Waukesha Wisconsin 43°06′N 88°31′W / 43.10°N 88.52°W / 43.10; -88.52 (Oconomowoc (April 7, F1)) 19:15–? Un­known Un­known $25,000
This tornado crossed downtown Oconomowoc, splintering trees and television antennae. It damaged 13 businesses in town, smashed plate glass, and tore off roofing.[38][33]
F3± SW of Saunemin Livingston Illinois 40°53′N 88°25′W / 40.88°N 88.42°W / 40.88; -88.42 (Saunemin (April 7, F3)) 21:00–? 13 mi (21 km) 400 yd (370 m) $250,000
This, the first member of a two-tornado family, dissipated and reformed as the Kankakee County F3.[39][40][33]
F2† NE of Neshkoro to Lohrville to Redgranite Waushara Wisconsin Un­known 21:00–? 5 mi (8.0 km) 30 yd (27 m) Un­known
This tornado destroyed one or more barns.[39]
F3 Limestone Township† to Indian Oaks to W of Grant Park Kankakee Illinois 41°00′N 88°13′W / 41.00°N 88.22°W / 41.00; -88.22 (Limestone Township (April 7, F3)) 21:35–?† 16 mi (26 km)† 400 yd (370 m) $250,000
1 death – This intense tornado struck 30 farms, destroying many structures. It also damaged or destroyed 38 homes, as well as most of Indian Oaks. Empty storage tanks were carried more than 1 mi (1.6 km). 13 people were injured. The NCEI incorrectly begin this event west of Cabery.[39][41][33]
F2† E of Albion to SE of Kendallville Noble Indiana 41°26′N 85°17′W / 41.43°N 85.28°W / 41.43; -85.28 (Albion (April 7, F2)) 23:50–? 6 mi (9.7 km)† Un­known $30,000
This strong tornado leveled trees, wrecked two or more barns, and damaged the roofs of homes. Livestock was killed as well.[39][42][43][44]
F2† WNW of Fulton Kalamazoo Michigan 42°07′N 85°22′W / 42.12°N 85.37°W / 42.12; -85.37 (Fulton (April 7, F2)) 00:00–? 1 mi (1.6 km)† 30 yd (27 m)† Un­known
A few barns were wrecked.[39][45][44]

April 8 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, April 8, 1954[note 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 6] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 7] Damage
F2† SW of Dawsonville Dawson Georgia 34°22′N 84°12′W / 34.37°N 84.20°W / 34.37; -84.20 (Dawsonville (April 8, F2)) 18:00–? 5 mi (8.0 km)† 300 yd (270 m)† $8,000
This tornado flattened much timber and destroyed a pair of barns.[39][46][44]
F0 S of Iowa Jefferson Davis Louisiana 30°14′N 92°57′W / 30.23°N 92.95°W / 30.23; -92.95 (Iowa (April 8, F0)) 21:00–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 10 yd (9.1 m) $30
A brief touchdown occurred over farmland.[47][44]
F2 Swartz Creek Genesee Michigan 42°57′N 83°50′W / 42.95°N 83.83°W / 42.95; -83.83 (Swartz Creek (April 7, F2)) 00:40–? 0.5 mi (0.80 km)† 10 yd (9.1 m)† $25,000
This tornado formed alongside six funnel clouds. It destroyed a garage and a fire station, moving the former's roof 100 yd (300 ft). It also wrecked windows, a pair of barns, a few fire engines, and two automobiles. A few people were injured.[39][48][44]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ All losses are in 1954 USD unless otherwise noted.
  2. ^ 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]
  3. ^ Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.[4] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[5] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.[6]
  4. ^ The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.[8][9] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by the National Weather Service.[10] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[11] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;[12] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.[13]
  5. ^ a b c d All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.
  6. ^ a b c d All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
  7. ^ a b c d The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes, with those having known maximum widths denoted by ♯. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.[14] Values provided by Grazulis are the average width, with estimates being rounded down (i.e. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) is rounded down from 880 yards to 800 yards.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875–2003) (PDF). 22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  2. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, Events reported
  3. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1496.
  4. ^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 2514.
  5. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
  7. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, pp. 1497, 1503.
  8. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
  9. ^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
  10. ^ Edwards et al. 2013, p. 641–642.
  11. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  12. ^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ^ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1494.
  15. ^ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
  16. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. ix.
  17. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063661
  18. ^ a b USWB 1954, p. 97.
  19. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063662
  20. ^ a b c d e f Grazulis 1993, p. 977.
  21. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10017056
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i USWB 1954, p. 98.
  23. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063663
  24. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10017057
  25. ^ Grazulis 1984, p. A-64.
  26. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10017058
  27. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10017059
  28. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10017060
  29. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026486
  30. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026487
  31. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004051
  32. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004052
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h USWB 1954, p. 99.
  34. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004053
  35. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004054
  36. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10147670
  37. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10147671
  38. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #
  39. ^ a b c d e f g Grazulis 1993, p. 978.
  40. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10009737
  41. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10010593
  42. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004055
  43. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10004056
  44. ^ a b c d e USWB 1954, p. 100.
  45. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10039431
  46. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10000286
  47. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10029330
  48. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10039432

Sources

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