1953 Sarnia tornado

On the afternoon of Thursday, May 21, 1953, a violent F4 tornado struck the cities of Port Huron, Michigan, United States and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The long-tracked, over mile-wide tornado destroyed large sections of the downtown areas of both cities, as well scores of neighborhoods in the surrounding areas. Seven people were killed, 117 others were injured, and damages were estimated $17.6 million (1953 USD). The tornado was the last of a two-day severe weather outbreak that also produced two intense tornadoes in Iowa the day before.

Tornado event

One of many violent tornadoes during this exceedingly active and deadly season, this tornado touched down at 4:21 p.m. near Smiths Creek, Michigan (approximately southwest of Port Huron). It moved steadily towards the east-northeast at passing through Tappan before devastating the southern edge of Port Huron some 20 minutes later (Grazulis, 1990) resulting in widespread F3 and F4 damage. Two people were killed in Port Huron and 68 more were injured. Close to 400 homes were damaged or destroyed in the United States with monetary losses totaling $2.6 million ($24.4 million 2018 USD)(Grazulis, 1990).

Before crossing the St. Clair River into Canada, the parent thunderstorm dumped heavy amounts of rain and golf-ball-size hail on the city of Sarnia. This circumstance was credited with clearing the streets of motorists and pedestrians, thus reducing the potential number of tornado-related casualties. By 5:45 p.m., however, the over wide tornado roared into Canada just south of Sarnia Harbour (Grazulis, 1990). Moving to the northeast, the tornado passed directly through the downtown area where nearly a hundred commercial buildings sustained damage. A four-floor hotel on the waterfront lost many of its upper floors, as did a furniture store on Christina Street. The auditorium of the Imperial Theatre completely collapsed. Nearby however, a steel-reinforced telephone exchange building received minimal damage, as a result of its sturdy construction.

At least 150 homes on the more suburban outskirts of the city were damaged and in some instances reduced to rubble. Before exiting Sarnia, the tornado curved even further to the northeast and began to weaken, as its path narrowed to approximately across. The nearby radio station CHOK was severely damaged by the tornado as well. As it moved into rural Lambton and Middlesex Counties, more F4 damage was inflicted upon farmsteads and homes near Nairn, before the tornado dissipated south of Stratford around 7 pm EDT (Grazulis, 1990). This suggests a total path length exceeding , though it is highly probable that this damage path was made up of more than one tornado, possibly as many as four.Tornadoes_-_Atmospheric_Hazards_Web_Site_-_Ontario_-_Adaptation_and_Impacts_Research_Group_-_[Meteorological_Service_of_Canada_-_The_Green_Lane]
/ref>_At_the_very_least,_there_were_two_other_storm_tracks_that_day_both_of_which_paralleled_the_Sarnia_storm_to_its_north_and_south._One_of_these_tracked_from_Strathroy_to_northeast_of_London_whereas_the_other_originated_near_Lambton_Shores_before_weakening_near_St._Mary's._Significant_tornado_damage_in_the_F2_to_F4 range_was_also_reported_with_these_storms,_and_it_is_likely_that_these_parent_supercells_were_also_of_the_cyclic_variety._As_many_as_nine_individual_tornadoes_may_have_touched_down_during_this_outbreak._Financial_losses_in_Canada_totaled_$15 million;_five_people_were_killed,_48_were_injured,_and_500_were_left_homeless.

Overall,_the_tornado_was_on_the_ground_for_2 hours_and_39 minutes,_tracked_,_and_was__wide_at_its_peak._Seven_people_were_killed,_117 others_were_injured,_and_damages_were_estimated_$17.6 million_(1953 USD).

_Aftermath

Although_CHOK_returned_to_the_air_within_a_few_hours,_it_remained_under_emergency_circumstances_for_several_days,_and_Port_Huron's_two_AM_radio_stations,_WPHM.html" "title="eteorological Service of Canada - The Green Lane]">Tornadoes - Atmospheric Hazards Web Site - Ontario - Adaptation and Impacts Research Group - [Meteorological Service of Canada - The Green Lane]
/ref> At the very least, there were two other storm tracks that day both of which paralleled the Sarnia storm to its north and south. One of these tracked from Strathroy to northeast of London whereas the other originated near Lambton Shores before weakening near St. Mary's. Significant tornado damage in the F2 to F4 range was also reported with these storms, and it is likely that these parent supercells were also of the cyclic variety. As many as nine individual tornadoes may have touched down during this outbreak. Financial losses in Canada totaled $15 million; five people were killed, 48 were injured, and 500 were left homeless.

Overall, the tornado was on the ground for 2 hours and 39 minutes, tracked , and was wide at its peak. Seven people were killed, 117 others were injured, and damages were estimated $17.6 million (1953 USD).

Aftermath

Although CHOK returned to the air within a few hours, it remained under emergency circumstances for several days, and Port Huron's two AM radio stations, WPHM">WTTH