Tornado outbreak sequence of December 1–6, 1953 explained

Tornado outbreak sequence of December 1–6, 1953
Formed:December 1, 1953
Active:5 days, 16 hours
Dissipated:December 6, 1953
Lowest Temperature:31lk=onNaNlk=on
Vicksburg, MS on December 6.
Tornadoes:19
Fujitascale:F5
Total Fatalities:49 fatalities, 404 injuries
Damages:$45.709 million (1953 USD)
$ (USD)[1]
Enhanced:no
Partof:tornado outbreaks of 1953

The first six days of December 1953 produced a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak sequence across the Southern United States. There were 19 confirmed tornadoes, including a violent F4 tornado that hit the northwest side of Alexandria, Louisiana and even more violent F5 tornado that hit Vicksburg, Mississippi. In all, the tornadoes killed 49 people, injured 404 others, and caused $45,709 million (1953 USD) in damage. The death toll made this deadliest December tornado outbreak ever recorded and it would not be surpassed until 2021. This was also the last of the series of deadly and catastrophic tornado outbreaks to strike the US in 1953.

Background

1953 had already been extremely deadly tornado season due to multiple outbreaks that affected a vast majority of the country in the Spring and Early-Summer. In particular, tornadoes in Waco, Texas, Flint, Michigan, and Worcester, Massachusetts had taken 324 lives and injured thousands more. Tornado activity had slowed down heading into July, however, with no fatal tornadoes having occurred from July to November. Climatologically, however, the Southeast can routinely provide favorable conditions for tornado outbreaks in the Winter months and on December 1, 1953, a mile-wide F3 tornado southeast of Seguin, Texas kicked off six straight days of active and deadly tornado activity.[2]

Meteorological synopsis

At least three low-pressure systems formed and moved northward over the Great Plains. Adequate moisture and wind shear on the warm side of the system allowed for repeated rounds of severe and tornadic supercells and squall lines over a six-day period. The outbreak ended as a surface anti-cyclone pushed through the region.[3] [4]

Confirmed tornadoes

Daily statistics of tornadoes produced by the tornado outbreak sequence of Early-December 1953
DateTotalFujita scale ratingDeathsInjuriesDamage
 FU  F0  F1  F2  F3  F4  F5 
December 110000100010[5] [6]
December 270033100212
December 330001110973
December 41000100000
December 54000300138308
December 63001200001
Total190041031149404
Death toll
StateTotalCounty/
Parish
County/
Parish
total
Texas2Washington2
Louisiana9Vernon7
La Salle2
Mississippi38Warren38
Totals49
All deaths were tornado-related

December 1 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F3SE of SeguinGuadalupeTX01:00–?5.1miles1760ydSeven houses were destroyed, and seven others were damaged with total damages estimated at $250,000. Ten people were injured. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[7]

December 2 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F3TanglewoodLeeTX12:15–?3.3miles100ydFour people were injured by this unusual northwest-moving tornado. Two churches and three houses were destroyed with damages estimated at $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[8]
bgcolor=# F2Lane CityWhartonTX16:30–?1.5miles200ydThis tornado moved northward through Lane City and pushed two farmhouses off their foundations. There was $2,500 in damages.[9]
bgcolor=# F2W of NavasotaWashingtonTX19:35–?0.1miles50yd2 deaths – Two people died when their house was completely destroyed, and five others were injured. A barn was demolished, and a windmill and two other homes sustained some damage.[10]
bgcolor=# F1PollokAngelinaTX20:45–?2.7miles100ydThree houses were unroofed, two garages were damaged, two other houses were "blown out of plumb", and a dwelling was moved off its foundation in the town of Pollok. Damage was estimated at $2,500.<[11]
bgcolor=# F2WSW of BryanBrazosTX21:30–?0.2miles67ydA strong tornado struck near Bryan Air Force Base and obliterated a house. Damage was estimated at $25,000.[12]
bgcolor=# F1ENE of Lone Grove to Dougherty to Sulphur to WNW of HickoryCarter, MurrayOK01:30–?31.4miles880ydThis large, long-track tornado touched down multiple times. West of Ardmore, the tornado injured one person and caused about $2,000 in damage. In Sulphur, the tornado injured another person and caused an additional $3,000 in damage. Both of the injured lived in Murray County.[13]
bgcolor=# F1ShawneePottawatomieOK03:30–?1.5miles880ydA large, but weak tornado moved northeastward directly through Shawnee, injuring one person and leaving a well-defined path of mostly minor damage that totaled about $2,500.[14]

December 3 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F4Fort Polk to Northwestern Alexandria to Dry Prong to TullosVernon, Rapides, Grant, La SalleLA07:00–09:1585.5miles300yd9 deaths – See section on this tornado – A total of 50 people were injured.[15]
bgcolor=# F2SE of South MansfieldWinnLA09:00–?1miles100ydThis low-end F2 tornado caused three injuries and $25,000 in damage. Only one house was destroyed.[16]
bgcolor=# F3W of Fitler to Cary to ENE of Rolling ForkIssaquena, SharkeyMS11:30–?18.8miles300ydThis strong tornado touched down along the Mississippi-Louisiana border and proceeded northeast, causing major damage as it passed near the town of Cary. A total of 34 houses and cars were destroyed or damaged and 20 people were injured (all in Issequena County). Damages were estimated at $2.75 million.[17]

December 4 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F2Mount BethelCobbGA22:35–?1miles100ydThis strong tornado struck south of East Cobb in the Northern Suburbs of Atlanta. Shingles were blown off several houses and a store, and a small garage was shaken from its foundation. The most damage occurred at the Parkaire Airport, where three hangars and 20 or more airplanes were severely damaged. Losses totaled at about $25,000.[18]

December 5 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F2Bernice to S of Mount UnionUnionLA22:00–?9.7miles33ydThis strong tornado destroyed or badly damaged four houses in rural areas south of Spearsville. A number of other houses and structures incurred lesser damage. A total of 16 people sustained injuries and estimated losses totaled $25,000.[19]
bgcolor=# F2N of Spencer, LA to NNW of Cosgrove, ARUnion (LA), Morehouse (LA), Ashley (AR)LA, AR23:00–00:0058.3miles880ydThis strong, long-tracked tornado family may have begun in Ouachita Parish and continued through Rocky Branch and Spencer where 14 houses were significantly damaged. At least 14 people may have been injured in Spencer, but some of the injuries are not officially listed. Heavy unspecified damage also occurred between Stevenson and Beekman. Finally, the tornado destroyed nine houses in Montrose and dissipated shortly thereafter. Officially, the tornado injured 11 people (all from Union Parish) and losses totaled $300,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis and NWS Jackson classified this tornado as an F3.[20] [21] [22]
bgcolor=# F5Delta, LA to Vicksburg, MS to SW of Villanova, MSMadison (LA), Warren (MS)LA, MS23:31–?9miles500yd38 deaths – See article on this tornado – 270 people were injured and damages reached $25 million. Some tornado experts dispute the rating, claiming that the tornado only deserved an F4 rating.[23]
bgcolor=# F2SW of Sherard, MS to NNE of Fair Landing, ARCoahomaMS02:15–?8.2miles30ydThis tornado may have first touched down in Deeson, Bolivar County; however, damage officially began west of Clarksdale. This tornado behaved in an atypical manner as it moved toward the north-northwest. This tornado damaged or destroyed 19 houses, and its total path length may have been as high as 13miles since it may have ended north of Lyon. A total of 11 people were injured, and estimated losses totaled $25,000.[24]

December 6 event

F#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary
bgcolor=# F1NW of HeadlandHenryAL13:00–?0.1miles10ydThis brief tornado with a "black as night" colored funnel occurred near Napier Field and caused about $2,500 in damages.[25]
bgcolor=# F2E of HeadlandHenryAL14:00–?2miles10ydEyewitness saw this strong tornado form about 100yd from his house. The tornado moved northeastward and damaged 15 houses. One person was injured and estimated damages are about $25,000.[26]
bgcolor=# F2S of Meridian to SSE of IamoniaLeonFL17:00–?8.4miles10ydThis strong tornado mostly remained over Lake Iamonia, but it still caused damage to several buildings, vehicles, and trees. Losses totaled $25,000.[27]

Fort Polk–Alexandria–Dry Prong–Tullos, Louisiana

Fort Polk–Alexandria–Dry Prong–Tullos, Louisiana
Basin:atl
Fujita-Scale:F4
Enhanced:no
Deaths:9
Injuries:50
Damages:$17.5 million
Affected:Central Louisiana

This violent, deadly, long-track tornado was embedded within a much larger area of damaging straight-line winds, heavy rain, and a sharp temperature gradient. It followed an erratic path, devastating areas in and around Fort Polk, Alexandria, Georgetown, and Kisatchie National Forest during the early-morning hours of December 3. It first touched down in Fort Polk and caused heavy tree damage as it moved northeastward towards Alexandria. Then, the tornado moved through Lacamp and clipped the northwest side of Leander where, at peak intensity, it severely damaged four houses. Many other houses, barns, and miscelleanous buildings were damaged or destroyed as well.[28] Seven of the nine fatalities occurred in Leander where the tornado caused $2.5 million in damages.

In Rapides Parish, the tornado caused some damage in the town of Hineston before moving back into rural areas. It proceeded into the town of Otis, clipped the northwest side of the Claiborne Range, then moved over the Kincaid Reservoir and into the western side of Alexandria. Along its northeasterly path, the tornado caused major damage in the northwestern section of Lee Heights as well as the Kingsville neighborhood where it destroyed or damaged 20 houses. The tornado then made an abrupt turn to the north-northwest (possibly occluding or reforming) and struck the Paradise community east of Tioga causing significant property damage. A trailer with four sleeping highway employees was thrown 100yd, but all of them survived. Four buildings in the present-day town of Ball were destroyed and 43 others were damaged in the latter location. Throughout Rapides Parish, the tornado injured ten other people and caused $5 million in damage.

After entering Grant Parish and striking Pollock Municipal Airport, the tornado heavily damaged the town of Bentley. It then paralleled US-167 and struck the town of Dry Prong. From there, the tornado continued along a northeasterly track, clipping the towns of Breezy Hill and Western Lincecum and heavily damaging Mudville as it crossed over US 165. It passed through the town of Selma as well as the east side of Georgetown. Throughout Grant Parish, the tornado destroyed two houses, many barns, and other buildings, then damaged 25 other homes damaged, injured five people and caused $7.5 million in damage.

The tornado then entered La Salle Parish with catastrophic results. Severe damage occurred in a rural area before the tornado struck Tullos. Approximately 60 houses and many other buildings were damaged or destroyed, two small children were killed and 15 other people were injured. Thousands of trees were damaged in this area as well, many of which were downed or splintered, before the tornado rapidly weakened and dissipated. Damage in and around Tullos was estimated at $2.5 million.

The tornado (or tornado family) was on the ground for 85.5miles or at least two hours and 15 minutes with a maximum width of 300yd. It damaged mostly harvested crops and agricultural supplies in storage in addition to damaging or destroying thousands of trees. The same storm produced very severe lightning with little thunder that affected Colfax. The tornado also passed east of a climatological substation near Winnfield, which showed a rapid rise of 5° and then a very rapid fall of 12°. High winds accompanied the tornado over an area of, and excessive rainfall also affected the entire area. Grazulis listed the event as three separate tornadoes from different storms rather than the same storm with the F4 tornado being the last of three; he rated the other two tornadoes F2.

Madison Parish, Louisiana/Vicksburg–Waltersville, Mississippi

See main article: 1953 Vicksburg, Mississippi tornado.

Madison Parish, Louisiana/Vicksburg–Waltersville, Mississippi
Basin:atl
Fujita-Scale:F5
Enhanced:no
Deaths:38
Injuries:270
Damages:$25 million
Affected:Vicksburg and Waltersville in Warren County

On December 5, a powerful and destructive tornado touched down near the small community of Delta, Louisiana in Madison Parish, the rapidly growing and strengthening tornado would then crossed the Yazoo River in Warren County, Mississippi, and struck Downtown Vicksburg, causing major devastation throughout the city.[29] It destroyed electrical services and multiple buildings in and around downtown, ignited several fires, and totaled numerous automobiles.[30] [31] The tornado was officially given an F5 rating, but the rating is questionable since the tornado reportedly demolished only frail structures.[32] Thomas P. Grazulis unofficially gave this tornado an F4 rating.

Non-tornadic effects

On December 1, severe thunderstorm winds destroyed several barns and chicken houses, damaged a house, and blew down a few trees in Huntsville, Texas. Several fronts produced strong winds throughout various regions on December 4, causing severe damage and several casualties. In Southeastern Wisconsin, one person was killed and another was injured while in Central Arizona, there were seven injuries and one death. Additionally, severe thunderstorm winds injured seven people near Clarksdale, Mississippi on December 5.[33]

Aftermath and recovery

The F4 tornado in Louisiana temporarily knocked out power to the Alexandria area, hampering communications. At one point the twister was actually headed directly towards the downtown area, but fortunately narrowly missed it as well the VA hospital five miles north of the city. No one was injured and no property damage was reported there or in the city.

In Vicksburg, Mississippi, the F5 tornado broke the city's gas line, which remained out of service after repairs.[34] Residents were forced to go without cooked food even as temperatures dropped to 31lk=onNaNlk=on overnight on December 6.

See also

Notes and References

  1. National Weather Service . August 2019 . Tornado Summaries . . 2 December 2019.
  2. Web site: Tornado History Project: 1953. www.tornadohistoryproject.com. July 4, 2020. July 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703061345/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1953/map. live.
  3. Web site: Bureau . United States Weather . Climatological Data: National summary . U.S. Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau. . 21 August 2022 . en . 1953.
  4. Web site: North America Tornado Cases 1950 to 1959 . bangladeshtornadoes.org . 14 February 2021.
  5. U.S. Weather Bureau . Severe Storms . Climatological Data National Summary . December 1953 . 4 . 12 . 380–1 . . . Asheville, North Carolina.
  6. Book: Grazulis . Thomas P. . Thomas P. Grazulis . Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events . July 1993 . The Tornado Project of Environmental Films . . 1-879362-03-1 . 975–976 .
  7. Web site: Texas Event Report: F3 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  8. Web site: Texas Event Report: F3 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  9. Web site: Texas Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  10. Web site: Texas Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  11. Web site: Texas Event Report: F1 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  12. Web site: Texas Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Oklahoma Event Report: F1 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020. Web site: Oklahoma Event Report: F1 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  14. Web site: Oklahoma Event Report: F1 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020.
  15. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . Tornado History Projects . Storm Predicition Center . 1 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 1 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F4 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  16. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  17. Web site: Mississippi Event Report: F3 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Mississippi Event Report: F3 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  18. Web site: Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  19. National Weather Service . August 2019 . Louisiana Event Report: F2 Tornado . National Centers for Environmental Information . 2 December 2019.
  20. Web site: December 5, 1953 Beekman-Montrose Tornado . NWS WFO in Jackson, Mississippi . National Weather Service . 2 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191128204048/https://www.weather.gov/jan/1953_vicksburgtornado-arklaf3 . 28 November 2019 . Flowood, Mississippi . live.
  21. News: More Than 100 . Charleston Daily Mail . 1953.
  22. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Louisiana Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020. Web site: Arkansas Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  23. National Weather Service . August 2019 . Mississippi Event Report: F5 Tornado . National Centers for Environmental Information . 2 December 2019.
  24. National Weather Service . August 2019 . Mississippi Event Report: F2 Tornado . National Centers for Environmental Information . 2 December 2019.
  25. Web site: Alabama Event Report: F1 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  26. Web site: Alabama Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  27. Web site: Florida Event Report: F2 Tornado . NCDC . National Climatic Data Center . 2 July 2020.
  28. Web site: Leander, Tullos, LA Tornado Damage, Dec 1953 GenDisasters ... Genealogy in Tragedy, Disasters, Fires, Floods . www.gendisasters.com.
  29. Web site: December 5, 1953 Vicksburg Tornado . . . 28 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170128034956/https://www.weather.gov/jan/1953_vicksburgtornado . 28 January 2017 . Flowood, Mississippi. live.
  30. News: 28 Killed, 230 Hurt as Twister Shakes City of Vicksburg . . . 1953.
  31. News: Vicksburg Storm . Charleston Daily Mail . 1953.
  32. Book: Grazulis . Thomas P. . F5–F6 Tornadoes . 1991 . The Tornado Project of Environmental Films . St. Johnsbury, Vermont .
  33. News: 230 Injured as Tornado Rips Vicksburg, Miss. . . 1953.
  34. News: Tornado . . Associated Press . 1953.