In all, 148 tornadoes were documented from this event, of which 95 were rated f2 or stronger on the fujita scale and 30 were f4 or f5. Twisters en masse on april 34, 1974, an outbreak of 148 tornadoes devastated portions of eight american states illinois, indiana, michigan, ohio, alabama, tennessee, georgia and north carolina and one canadian province ontario. Revisiting the 34 april 1974 super outbreak of tornadoes. The tornado outbreak of april 12, 1974, affected much of the eastern and central united states. Remembering the april 1974 super tornado outbreak whsv. The super outbreak was the worst tornado outbreak in u. In 17 hours time, a staggering 148 tornadoes appeared, including two killer twisters which hit limestone county, alabama, the. The april 34, 1974 super outbreak was one for the record books. The april 34, 1974 super outbreak affected states across the eastern united states, from the great lakes region all the way to the deep. Super outbreak of 1974, also called tornado super outbreak of 1974, series of tornadoes that caused severe damage to the midwestern, southern, and eastern united states and ontario, canada, on april 34, 1974. Tornado numbers are not unique and reset each year. A new look at the super outbreak of tornadoes on 34 april.
Entire years noted for their prominent tornado counts e. Four fatalities and more than seventy injuries were confirmed in this outbreak. Looking back at the april 34, 1974 super outbreak u. Remembering the april 34, 1974 tornado outbreak photo. This is the list of tornadoes confirmed that occurred during the recordbreaking 1974 super outbreak tornado event that occurred on april 34, 1974 across the eastern half of the united states and in ontario, canada. In the latter areas, tornadoes produced f3 damage on the fujita. Revisiting the 34 april 1974 super outbreak of tornadoes storm. Generally, state tornado numbers were assigned in the order the tornado occurred, but that is not always the case. Devastation, survival, and the most violent tornado outbreak of the 20th century at. In closing, i have to say, out of all the research ive done, it was truly a dark day that day. According to the national weather service, 148 documented tornadoes hit states in 18.
In terms of total number, path length, and total damage, the massive tornado occurrence of april 34, 1974, was more extensive than all previously known outbreaks. April 3, 1974, is known as the day of the killer tornadoes but it was also a turning point for severe weather forecasting across the weather enterprise. Meaning no disrespect to this wellwritten and engaging book, but this would make one heckuva disaster movie. If it takes too long to load the home page, tap on the button below. Theodore fujita at the university of chicago, this gave these twisters a ruinous rating of at least 207 mph winds.
Looking back at the april 34, 1974 super outbreak by us tornadoes. The super outbreak of tornadoes of 34 april 1974 remains one of the most outstanding severe convective weather episodes of record in the continental united states. The super outbreak of april 34, 1974 occurred across portions of the midwest, lower mississippi valley, and southeast. In one of the worst outbreaks of tornados in us history, 147 tornadoes touched down in states april 34, 1974. How 148 tornadoes in one day in 1974 changed emergency preparedness the super outbreak flattened towns and killed and injured thousands, all with little warning and in the space of 24 hours. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the april 34, 1974 tornado outbreak one of the worst tornado outbreaks to ever affect the u. Fortyfive years ago, april 34, 1974, a super outbreak of tornadoes killed more than 300 people. A very basic and to the point account of the super outbreak of april 34, 1974. Jordans book are used with specific permission by the author in moulton, alabama. April 3, 1974 super outbreak national weather service. This outbreak included a tornado that touched down in augusta county. F5 is the story of the april 34, 1974 super outbreak of tornadoes which spanned from alabama to ontario and from illinois to virginia.
The state tornado number assigned to the tornado for that specific state for that specific year. Temperatures on april 3, were very hot in the southeast with texas over 100 degrees and much of the south over 90 degrees. Devastation, survival, and the most violent tornado outbreak of the 20th century levine, mark on. Tornado super outbreak is it possible again does anyone think there will ever be another outbreak like the jumbo outbreak of april 34, 1974. Xenia, ohio f5 tornado april 3, 1974 the day of the killer tornadoes duration. Devastation, survival, and the most violent tornado outbreak of the 20th century.
A look back at the deadly tornado outbreak of april 3 and 4, 1974 updated mar 07, 2019. It was also the most violent tornado outbreak ever recorded, with 30 f4f5 tornadoes confirmed. The outbreak far surpassed previous and succeeding events in severity, longevity and extent, with the notable exception of the april 2011 outbreak. A look back at the deadly april 1974 tornado outbreak. In what was the worst tornado outbreak of the 20 th century, there were 148 tornadoes over the course of just 18 hours, over half of which were classified as significantstrong at f2 strength or higher. The widespread tornado outbreak of april 24, 1974 noaa natural disaster survey report 741. The 1974 super outbreak was the secondlargest tornado outbreak on record for a single 24hour period, just behind the 2011 super outbreak. Whnt alabama was among several states hit hard in the super outbreak of tornadoes on april 3 and 4, 1974.
A costly war had just come to its demoralizing end, and an unpopular. The palm sunday outbreak 1112 april 1965 and the super outbreak 34 april 1974 are widely regarded as two of the most extensive and violent outbreaks of tornadoes in the united states in the last half century. The april 34, 1974 super outbreak affected states across the eastern united states, from the great lakes region all the way to the deep south. As i grew older my knowledge of the destruction and death of those days in 1974 grew, as i read through the pages of this book by the courier journal in louisville, ky. Super outbreak of 1974 tornado disaster, north america.
A look back at april 34, 1974 tornado super outbreak. Before the tornado outbreak on april 27, 2011, 1974. Im reading a book about extreme weather and it talks about the 148 tornadoes that occurred in an 18 hour period from illinois to alabama and east to virginia. In 17 hours time, a staggering 148 tornadoes appeared, including two killer twisters which hit limestone county, alabama, the focal point of levines book.
We use maps to first look at the event from the past, then present the same information with a fresh face using some thoughtprovoking interactions and overlays. Iconic images from april 3, 1974 the super outbreak wdrb. Dubbed the super outbreak, at least 148 tornadoes struck states from the gulf coast to the great lakes over a 16 hour period from the afternoon of april 3, 1974 into the early morning hours of april 4, 1974. The 1974 super outbreak, at that time, was the most violent tornado outbreak ever recorded with nearly 30 tornadoes rated to be at least an f4 or f5. The april 34th, 1974 super outbreak affected states across the eastern us, from the great lakes region down into the deep south. The devastating tornado outbreak of 1974 by mark levine. Remembering the 1974 april 34 super tornado outbreak. This natural disaster survey team was formed by the evening of april 4. List of tornadoes in the 1974 super outbreak wikipedia. In the united states, tornadoes struck illinois, indiana, michigan, ohio, kentucky, tennessee, alabama, mississippi, georgia, north carolina, virgin.
Striking in two waves, one in the afternoon and a second during evening hours the. How 148 tornadoes in one day in 1974 changed emergency. Fortyfive years later, april 3, 1974 the day of the tornado super outbreak still stands as a dark day in louisvilles history. In terms of total number, path length, and total damage, the massive tornado occurrence of april 34, 1974, was more extensive than all previously. Devastation, survival, and the most violent tornado. Revisiting the 34 april 1974 super outbreak of tornadoes spc publication. How one of the worst tornado outbreaks in history led to meteorological innovation. One of the largest outbreaks of tornadoes ever recorded, it consisted of 148 tornadoes. The book concentrates primarily on limestone county, alabama. Map of the paths of tornadoes during the april 34, 1974. Iconic images from april 3, 1974 the super outbreak. Anniversary of april 3, 1974 super outbreak stormtrack. The super outbreak of april 34, 1974 national weather service.
From april 3 to 4, 1974, there were 148 tornadoes confirmed in u. Posted apr 03, 2016 destruction from the april 3, 1974 tornado outbreak. Tornado outbreak of april 34, 1974 real climate science. Mustsee photos of super outbreak of tornadoes in 1974. A histogram that displays the distribution of tornado duration for all the tornadoes. Looking back at the april 34, 1974 super outbreak lets look at the april 1974 outbreak from a different, visual perspective. The super outbreak of tornadoes of 34 april 1974 remains the most outstanding severe convective weather episode on record in the continental. How does the frequency of the most severe tornadoes of the april 34, 1974, outbreak compare with normal tornado formation. The super outbreak of that date impacted cities and towns in several states.
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