| Tornado outbreak sequence of April 19–21, 1973 | |
| Type: | Tornado outbreak sequence |
| Active: | April 19–21, 1973 |
| Tornadoes: | ≥ 68 confirmed |
| Fujitascale: | F4 |
| Tornado Duration: | 2 days, 13 hours, 25 minutes |
| Highest Winds: | 70abbr=onNaNabbr=on |
| Hail: | 4inches in diameter |
| Casualties: | 2 fatalities, 106 injuries |
| Damages: | $31,355,000 (1973 USD) $ (USD) |
| Affected: | Southern and Midwestern United States, primarily Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma |
| Enhanced: | no |
| Partof: | the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1973 |
On April 19–21, 1973, a significant tornado outbreak sequence affected portions of the Southern and Midwestern United States, primarily in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The severe weather event generated at least 68 tornadoes, 12 of which were rated as intense events on the Fujita scale. A destructive F3 tornado struck Batesville, Arkansas, injuring 18 people. An F4 tornado killed one person and injured three others near Atlanta, Missouri, though its rating is disputed among tornado specialists. Additionally, destructive F3 tornadoes occurred near Ada, Oklahoma, and Harrison, Arkansas, respectively, killing one person and injuring 40 others.
•Benton County, Missouri (west of Lincoln) – Possible F2 tornado razed a barn and a trailer.
•Andrew County, Missouri (Savannah) – Tornado reported.
•DeKalb County, Missouri – Tornado reported.
•Harrison County, Missouri (Eagleville) – Tornado reported.
| Region | Locale | Deaths | Injuries | Damages | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Arizona | 0 | 0 | |||
| Arkansas | 1 | 39 | ||||
| Illinois | 0 | 2 | ||||
| Iowa | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Kansas | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Missouri | 1 | 29 | ||||
| Oklahoma | 0 | 27 | ||||
| North Dakota | 0 | 0 | ||||
| South Dakota | 0 | 2 | ||||
| Tennessee | 0 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 2 | 106 | ||||
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor=# | F1 | Nashville | Sevier | AR | 15:45–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A brief, narrow tornado produced minimal damage, accompanied by 1adj=midNaNadj=mid hail. Losses only totaled $30. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | E of Millington | Shelby | TN | 16:15–? | 1miles | 100yd | This short-lived tornado struck a number of mobile homes, six of which were damaged significantly. Nearby, 13 others sustained minor damage. Losses totaled $25,000. The tornado occurred near present-day Naval Support Activity Mid-South. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | N of Kensington | Smith | KS | 16:31–? | 4.6miles | 100yd | A tornado affected farmland in northern Kansas, wrecking farm equipment and several outbuildings. Losses totaled $2,500. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | E of Mountain Valley | Garland | AR | 16:55–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | Another short-lived tornado downed trees and electrical lines. Nearby, it leveled a barn as well. Losses totaled $2,500. The actual touchdown location may have been south of Hot Springs. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | Southern Batesville | Independence | AR | 17:15–? | 1miles | 500yd | See section on this tornado – A total of 18 people were injured. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | Northeastern North Little Rock | Pulaski | AR | 17:17–? | 1miles | 100yd | This tornado occurred near present-day Lakewood Park and caused general tree damage as it skipped along. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | N of Olive Branch | Lauderdale | TN | 17:30–? | 0.1miles | 100yd | A store received minimal damage to its roof and one of its walls. A home in the area slid off its foundation, and several trees were downed. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | WSW of Tylersville | Dyer | TN | 18:35–? | 0.1miles | 50yd | A very brief tornado inflicted damage to several structures, including a mobile home that was flattened, as well as an electrical wire. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | N of Covington | Pemiscot | MO | 19:00–? | 2.5miles | 33yd | This tornado occurred near Gibson and Hayti. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | S of Hickman to WNW of Farmington | Fulton, Hickman, Graves | KY | 19:30–? | 35.4miles | 33yd | A long-tracked, skipping tornado or tornado family produced three intermittent areas of damage. It first caused minimal damage to a cemetery near Hickman. Later, it leveled several barns and felled trees in its path near Pryorsburg and Mayfield. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | ESE of Artesian to ENE of Alpena | Sanborn | SD | 20:15–? | 20.1miles | 200yd | A tornado tracked northwest across Sanborn County, tearing the roof off a business and leveling a barn. Some other barns sustained damage as well. The time of occurrence may have been 23:15 UTC. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | S of England | Lonoke | AR | 20:15–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A short-lived tornado caused damage to four mobile homes, trees, electrical wires, and farm equipment. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | SSE of Hendron to NW of Little Cypress | McCracken, Marshall | KY | 21:30–? | 9.1miles | 33yd | A skipping tornado or series of tornadoes first appeared south of Paducah and struck the edge of the Little Cypress settlement, where it leveled a few trailers and caused marginal F2-level damage. Power lines were blown down as well, and nearby structures sustained some damage. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | WNW of Oak Level | Marshall | KY | 22:00–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A short-lived tornado occurred near Kaler and struck a rural area, producing minimal damage to trees and structures. Losses were unknown. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | S of Alvord | Lyon | IA | 22:00–? | 1miles | 50yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | SSE of Goodwin | Lee | AR | 22:15–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A tornado struck a home, causing minor damage, and leveled outbuildings before dissipating. Nearby trees were prostrated as well. Losses totaled $2,500. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | ENE of Harding | Union | KY | 22:30–? | 0.5miles | 33yd | A low-end F2 tornado near Grove Center killed cattle on a farm and damaged or destroyed several structures. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | ENE of King City to NE of Gentryville | Gentry | MO | 23:00–? | 5.9miles | 50yd | A strong tornado caused $2,500 in damage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | ENE of Kiron | Crawford | IA | 23:00–? | 1miles | 300yd | This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | NW of Volin | Turner | SD | 23:07–? | 1miles | 33yd | This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | WNW of Rockham to SW of Miranda | Faulk | SD | 23:30–? | 4.9miles | 27yd | This tornado caused $2,500 in damage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | NE of Spencer | McCook | SD | 23:30–? | 2miles | 27yd | This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | N of Carbon Hill | Grundy | IL | 23:45–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | NE of Miranda to WNW of Devoe | Edmunds | SD | 00:00–? | 6.4miles | 20yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | SE of Cameron | Clinton, Caldwell | MO | 00:00–? | 1miles | 50yd | Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | SW of Beaconsfield | Ringgold | IA | 00:15–? | 2.7miles | 300yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | Southeastern Creston | Union | IA | 00:20–? | 1miles | 200yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F4 | Western Windsor | Henry | MO | 01:30–? | 10miles | 880yd | A large tornado, reportedly up to NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on wide at times, struck the Windsor area, resulting in five injuries. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | NW of Osceola | Clarke | IA | 02:00–? | 2miles | 400yd | This tornado passed a short distance west-southwest of Jamison. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F0 | W of Wishek | McIntosh | ND | 02:00–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A brief, very weak tornado demolished some structures on a couple of farms, including granaries. Losses totaled $25,000. |
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor=# | F2 | N of Velma | Stephens | OK | 05:00–? | 2miles | 83yd | This tornado destroyed or damaged several homes. Four minor injuries were reported. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | NE of Hiawatha | Brown | KS | 05:30–? | 0.2miles | 100yd | Losses totaled only $30. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The tornado may have occurred earlier than officially listed, at around 17:00 UTC. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | SW of Pauls Valley to W of Byars | Garvin, McClain | OK | 05:45–? | 16.8miles | 250yd | Outbuildings and a school were destroyed or extensively damaged. Two people were injured. Losses totaled $2.5 million. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | Ada to WNW of Francis | Pontotoc | OK | 06:15–? | 7.9miles | 100yd | A large and intense tornado, attended by downbursts, destroyed numerous homes and a trailer park as it moved through parts of Ada. At the Ada Municipal Airport, the tornado flattened a hangar and destroyed many airplanes. A phonograph record became lodged in a utility pole. The tornado attained a peak width of up to NaNmiles at times. 21 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | SSE of Subiaco | Logan | AR | 13:30–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A very short-lived tornado touched down north-northeast of Corley. A barn and a chicken coop sustained minor damage. Losses totaled $2,500. The tornado may have first affected Cove Lake. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | E of Morrison Bluff | Logan | AR | 13:50–? | 1.5miles | 500yd | 11 homes and barns were damaged. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | ENE of Gaither to NE of Harrison | Boone | AR | 16:15–? | 7.8miles | 500yd | 1 death – About 200 structures were destroyed or damaged. Several homes shifted on their foundations and partly disintegrated, large fragments of which careened through the air. A woman was thrown 100yd from her home and killed. 19 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million. This tornado may have first touched down near Mount Sherman in Newton County. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | N of Kalona | Washington | IA | 18:15–? | 2miles | 350yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F0 | NW of Osceola to ENE of Lowry City | St. Clair | MO | 19:00–? | 5.7miles | 17yd | Losses totaled $2,500. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | E of Crooks Springs | St. Clair | MO | 19:08–? | 13miles | 17yd | This tornado, which touched down south-southwest of Roscoe, leveled barns and cabins in its path. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado may have continued as far as Osceola, as homes sustained damage or had their roofs torn off there. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | W of Roscoe to WSW of Osceola | St. Clair | MO | 19:10–? | 5.7miles | 17yd | Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | ESE of Billingsville | Cooper | MO | 19:50–? | 0.1miles | 10yd | Losses totaled $2,500. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | SW of Crisp | Cedar, Dade | MO | 20:30–? | 1miles | 50yd | This tornado developed east-northeast of Arcola. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | ESE of Santiago | Pettis, Benton | MO | 20:30–? | 5miles | 50yd | Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F0 | SW of Holbrook | Navajo | AZ | 20:55–? | 0.1miles | 33yd | A brief tornado was reported by aircraft flying in the vicinity. Losses were unknown. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F0 | WNW of Pulaski | Davis | IA | 22:00–? | 2miles | 150yd | Losses totaled $2,500. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | S of Carrollton | Carroll | MO | 22:55–? | 5miles | 33yd | Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | NE of Vista to ENE of Iconium | St. Clair, Benton | MO | 23:05–? | 9.8miles | 33yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | NE of Warsaw to Western Cole Camp to W of Bahner | Benton, Pettis | MO | 23:15–? | 19.4miles | 100yd | This intense tornado leveled numerous structures, including both small and large homes in its path. The tornado tore off the roof of a farmhouse and dispersed debris more than 2miles from foundations. Four injuries (possibly three) occurred, two of which were inside a barn. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4. The tornado may have occurred at 23:45 UTC. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F4 | N of Atlanta to SE of La Plata | Macon | MO | 23:30–? | 3.8miles | 440yd | 1 death – A violent tornado leveled a couple of homes, 12 barns, and several garages. A woman died in a home that crumpled and disintegrated. Three injuries occurred. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | Mora | Benton | MO | 00:00–? | 2miles | 33yd | Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | NNW of Santiago to NNW of Manila | Benton, Pettis | MO | 00:25–? | 10.1miles | 100yd | This tornado severely damaged a home near Brandon and caused significant damage to farm equipment. Other homes and barns had their roofs ripped off and sustained general damage. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado ended southeast of Green Ridge. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | SW of Arbela to NE of Prospect Grove | Scotland | MO | 00:35–? | 9.5miles | 440yd | This tornado destroyed or damaged at least nine homes, one of which it unroofed. Only the kitchen of one home remained. A gas station was destroyed as well, and a car was thrown and tumbled for 100yd. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | SSW of Hoffman | Cooper | MO | 00:35–? | 2.3miles | 50yd | This tornado occurred outside Pilot Grove. It struck and leveled a pair of large barns. A nearby home lost its roof as well. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | E of Sedalia | Pettis | MO | 01:25–? | 2miles | 50yd | This tornado, which struck near the Sedalia Memorial Airport, injured eight (possibly 13) people as it leveled numerous mobile homes and barns in its path. Airborne 2by boards reportedly pierced vehicles, and debris was strewn for a few miles. Losses totaled $2.5 million. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F3 | WSW of Lockwood to N of Greenfield | Dade | MO | 04:40–? | 7.8miles | 100yd | An intense tornado wrecked 15 homes as it passed through Lockwood, injuring six (possibly 12) people. A few of the homes were reportedly leveled. The tornado also damaged or destroyed half a dozen mobile homes and 31 other residences. Winds lofted and dispersed debris for 35miles. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4. |
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor=# | F4 | NE of Mill Grove to WNW of Lucerne | Mercer, Putnam | MO | 20:00–? | 14.6miles | 440yd | A violent tornado leveled all structures on a few farms, including four homes and one mobile home. Several cattle were killed, and about 20 barns sustained at least some damage. The tornado lofted a car for up to 150yd from its original location and caused a pickup truck to disintegrate; portions of the truck were transported for NaNmiles. One injury (possibly two) occurred inside a barn. Losses totaled $2.5 million. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | S of Holbrook to NE of Oxford | Iowa, Johnson | IA | 21:40–? | 13.2miles | 33yd | This tornado hit 25 farms in its path, tearing off roofs, leveling several barns, and causing one home to slide and buckle. Six injuries (possibly only one) occurred. Losses totaled $2.5 million. The tornado dissipated west-southwest of Green Castle Airport. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | NNW of Millersburg to ENE of Green River | Mercer, Rock Island, Henry | IL | 23:43–? | 30.2miles | 33yd | A long-tracked, erratic tornado or tornado family extensively damaged farm buildings in its path and killed livestock. Mobile homes and barns were leveled as well, resulting in two injuries. Losses totaled $2.5 million (possibly only $500,000). | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | E of Houghton | Lee, Henry | IA | 00:10–? | 4.1miles | 250yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | SSW of Success | Craig | OK | 02:00–? | 0.1miles | 120yd | Trees and power lines were downed as a tornado passed near Ketchum and Cleora. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | NNE of Success to SSE of Afton | Craig, Delaware, Ottawa | OK | 02:40–? | 5.1miles | 40yd | A tornado only damaged power lines in its path. Losses were unknown. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | Southern Wheaton | Cook | IL | 03:00–? | 0.2miles | 33yd | A brief tornado caused damage to approximately 10 residences. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | Western Wheaton | Cook | IL | 03:15–? | 0.2miles | 33yd | A weak tornado flattened a home and lightly damaged several others nearby. Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | W of Winfield | Henry | IA | 03:20–? | 1miles | 150yd | Losses totaled $25,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F2 | SSW of Maxville | Jasper | MO | 03:35–? | 5miles | 100yd | Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The tornado developed east of Carthage. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | ENE of Langley to SSE of Walnut | Bureau | IL | 04:15–? | 11.6miles | 33yd | This tornado and the following event badly damaged farms and killed livestock near Sheffield and Wyanet. Losses totaled $250,000. | ||
| bgcolor=# | F1 | S of Manlius to W of Princeton | Bureau | IL | 04:20–? | 8.6miles | 60yd | This tornado, the companion of the preceding event, produced an intermittent swath of damage. Losses totaled $250,000. |
| Batesville, Arkansas | |
| Fujitascale: | F3 |
| Casualties: | 0 fatalities, 18 injuries |
| Damages: | $2.5 million (1973 USD) $ (USD) |
An intense tornado struck the town of Batesville and caused widespread destruction in its path. The tornado passed over the campus of Lyon College, which was called Arkansas College at the time. The tornado tore roofs from buildings on campus. The tornado also dislodged homes and other structures from their foundations, some of which sustained collapse of their walls or lost their roofs. At least one home was completely swept from its foundation but remained intact, suggesting little or no anchoring. 18 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million.[1] Prolific rains attended the parent supercell, further damaging structures in town, and severe damage occurred to trees as well. The tornado is officially rated F3, but Thomas P. Grazulis assigned an F2 rating because structures were unattached to their foundations.
Numerous reports of strong winds and hail came out of this outbreak sequence, including an 80mph wind gust in Huron, South Dakota, on April 19 and 4adj=midNaNadj=mid hail in New London, Iowa, on April 21. Overall, there were 101 reports of hail and strong winds.