A widespread and deadly

tornado outbreak A tornado outbreak is the occurrence of multiple tornadoes spawned by the same Synoptic scale meteorology, synoptic scale weather system. The number of tornadoes required to qualify as an outbreak typically are at least six to ten, with at least ...

affected the

Great Plains The Great Plains is a broad expanse of plain, flatland in North America. The region stretches east of the Rocky Mountains, much of it covered in prairie, steppe, and grassland. They are the western part of the Interior Plains, which include th ...

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, and

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between March 12–15, 1953. At least 23 tornadoes were confirmed with the strongest one reaching F4 intensity and striking O'Brien, Texas on

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. Overall, 21 people were killed, 72 others were injured, and damages were estimated at $6.835 million (1953 USD). There were additional casualties from non-tornadic events as well.

Meteorological synopsis

Unusually warm weather surged into the

Eastern United States The Eastern United States, often abbreviated as simply the East, is a macroregion of the United States located to the east of the Mississippi River. It includes 17–26 states and Washington, D.C., the national capital. As of 2011, the Eastern ...

on March 12. A jet stream dip, as well as the presence of a southeastward-moving surface low pressure system that had formed over

Montana Montana ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota to the east, South Dakota to the southeast, Wyoming to the south, an ...

on March 12 led to creation of widespread strong to severe thunderstorms throughout the region along an unusual eastward moving

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and

dryline A dry line (also called a dew point line, or Marfa front, after Marfa, Texas) is a line across a continent that separates moist air and dry air. One of the most prominent examples of such a separation occurs in central North America, especially ...

on March 13. Starting in Central Plains, this area of severe and tornadic thunderstorms pushed eastward, producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes to a total of 16 states before the low, which had turned northeastward, moved into

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

and was replaced by a surface anti-cyclone on March 15.

Confirmed tornadoes

March 12 event

March 13 event

March 14 event

March 15 event

Jud–O'Brien–Southeastern Knox City, Texas

This violent F4 tornado first touched down in Jud and almost immediately became violent. Five people died when their home in the town was obliterated. The tornado then swept northeast, passing west of Rochester, where four more people were killed in another destroyed home. The tornado then continued through open terrain before moving directly through O'Brien, causing catastrophic damage and three more fatalities. Throughout Haskell County, the tornado killed 12, injured 20, and caused $2.5 million in damage. The tornado then moved into Knox County, where some of the most intense damage occurred. It struck several neighborhoods in Southeastern Knox City, which sustained almost total destruction. Many homes were swept away along an eight block stretch through the city and in rural areas nearby while many others were destroyed or damaged. In all, 139 homes in Knox City were damaged or destroyed, killing five and injuring another five. As the tornado moved out the east side of town, it quickly weakened and ultimately dissipated shortly thereafter. Along with the casualties, there was $2.5 million in damage in Knox County. The tornado was on the ground for at least 15 minutes, traveled , was wide, and caused $5 million in damage. Along its path, the tornado destroyed 33 homes, damaged 139 others, and destroyed 43 other buildings. A total of 17 people were killed and 25 (possibly 60) others were injured, all severely.

Allison–Melbourne–LaCrosse–Myron, Arkansas

Around the same time the F3 tornado touched down well to its southwest, this second long-tracked, strong F2 tornado touched down west of Mountain View just southeast of the joint towns of Newnata and Big Springs, which sustained some damage. It moved northeast, striking the joint rural community of

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and Sylamore along the White River and inflicting moderate damage. The tornado then continued northeast over the Brandenburg Mountain, just missing

Lone Star Lone Star, Lone Starr, Lone Stars or Lonestar may refer to: Communities in the United States * Lone Star, Arizona, a populated place * Lone Star, Fresno County, California, an unincorporated community * Lone Star, Humboldt County, California ...

before moving directly through

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

, where moderate to severe damage was inflicted to multiple structures and homes. It then moved out of Melbourne and hit the northwest side of

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, where more damage was observed. The tornado then moved back into rural areas of Izard County and reached its peak intensity as it passed southeast of

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and into

Myron Myron of Eleutherae (480–440 BC) (; , ''Myrōn'' ) was an Athenian sculptor from the mid-5th century BC. Alongside three other Greek sculptors, Polykleitos Pheidias, and Praxiteles, Myron is considered as one of the most important sculptors ...

. It caused severe damage and destroyed multiple structures before it abruptly weakened and dissipated as it was approaching Ash Flat from the southwest. The tornado was on the ground for at least 30 minutes, traveled , was wide, and caused $250,000 (1953 USD) in damage. A total of 22 homes were extensively damaged or destroyed and three barns were destroyed as well. Similar to the previous tornado however, there were no casualties from this early-morning tornado.

Bailey–Northern Wilson–Macclesfield–Crisp, North Carolina

This narrow but long-tracked, intense F3 tornado touched down southeast of Bailey in

Nash County Nash County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 94,970. Its county seat is Nashville. Nash County is part of the Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. History The area ...

and moved southeast, damaging five homes and 10 other buildings with seven families being affected. As it moved into Wilson County west-southwest of

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, it turned east and strengthened as it moved towards the northern side of Wilson. It then struck several neighborhoods there, causing heavy damage, especially on east side of the area where it reached its peak strength. A total of 16 homes were severely damaged, a school sustained so much damage ($30,000) that it was forced to close, one person was injured and 16 families were impacted. Local officials stated that it was the worst storm to hit the area since 1929. Moving east, the tornado exited Wilson into rural areas of Wilson County damaging mostly farmlands. It then moved through the rural community of Wilbanks, damaging the homes in the area. The tornado then began to weaken as it moved into

Edgecombe County Edgecombe County ( or )Talk Like a Tarheel
, from the North Caro ...

and directly into

Macclesfield Macclesfield () is a market town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East, Cheshire, England. It is sited on the River Bollin and the edge of the Cheshire Plain, with Macclesfield Forest to its east; the town lies south of Ma ...

, causing severe damage. The tornado then moved into Crisp, causing some additional damage before dissipating east of town. Damage along this final portion included the destruction of a home and another building with damage being inflicted to three other homes and four families were affected as well. The tornado was on the ground for at least 50 minutes, traveled , was wide, and caused $250,060 (1953 USD) in damage, with $70,000 coming from Wilson alone. It caused no fatalities, but did injure one person. Grazulis classified this tornado as an F2.

Non-tornadic impacts

On March 12, small, but abundant hail caused heavy damage to planes at the Little Rock Municipal Airport while also damaging a commercial greenhouse. The next day,

Oklahoma Oklahoma ( ; Choctaw language, Choctaw: , ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northea ...

was pelted by numerous severe thunderstorms that produced considerable hail and wind damage across mainly the southern and eastern portions of the state. In

Elmer Elmer is a name of Germanic British origin. The given name originated as a surname, a medieval variant of the given name Aylmer, derived from Old English ''æþel'' (noble) and ''mær'' (famous). It was adopted as a given name in the United State ...

many roofs and windows were damaged, a barn was blown down, and the roof of an abandoned school was blown off. Even worst damage occurred in Lawton, where high winds and hail damaged every roof, broke many windows, and dented many vehicles in town while nearby

Fort Sill Fort Sill is a United States Army post north of Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles (137 km) southwest of Oklahoma City. It covers almost . The fort was first built during the Indian Wars. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark a ...

saw extensive damage to airplanes and buildings. Losses in the area alone was estimated at $2 million (1953 USD). The town of

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also suffered heavy wind damage while multiple roads and bridges in the area were washed out by heavy rainfall as well. On the cold side of the system, heavy snow caused a man to die of exposure after he got lost near Esterbrook, Wyoming. The severe weather outbreak in Oklahoma continued into the early-morning hours of March 14 with lightning striking and damaging church in

Tulsa Tulsa ( ) is the second-most-populous city in the state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tul ...

. By that time, the outbreak had begun to shift into

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States. It borders Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, and Oklahoma ...

with severe thunderstorms inflicting hail damage to numerous areas Van Buren County. That afternoon, more hail damage was inflicted to roofs and neon signs in

Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...

. Widespread hail and wind damage also occurred across

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

and

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

while a tenant home in the Lepanto-

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area was destroyed by strong winds. That night, a thundersquall caused some wind damage in

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Jefferson Parish () is a List of parishes in Louisiana, parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 440,781. Its parish seat is Gretna, Louisiana, Gretna, its largest community is ...

while a barn with stored grain in Boone Township, Indiana was destroyed by high winds as well, although a tornado may have been involved. On the south side of Wayne, Arkansas, a severe storm also caused wind damage to a drive-in theatre and hail damage to several car. Early on March 15, a lightning strike sparked a fire that destroyed a barn and stored crops and killed livestock near

Granville, Ohio Granville is a Village (United States)#Ohio, village in Licking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,946 at the United States Census 2020, 2020 census. The village is located in a rural area of hills, known locally as the Welsh Hills ...

. That night in

Fort Meade, Maryland Fort Meade is a census-designated place (CDP) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,324 at the 2020 census. It is the home to the National Security Agency, Central Security Service, United States Cyber Command an ...

, lightning struck a home, damaging two rooms, with the family of four inside being treated for shock. Later, another severe storm in

Hopewell, Virginia Hopewell is an independent city (United States), independent city surrounded by Prince George County, Virginia, Prince George County and the Appomattox River in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. At the 202 ...

partially ripped the roof off of a radio station, buckled rafters at a partially constructed church, which also saw its basement roof crack open, damaged nearly 100 homes damaged, caused minor power failures, and uprooted trees. Farther north, a glaze of ice due to freezing rain disrupted 63 long-distance phone circuits in North-Central Wisconsin.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1953-03 tornado outbreak Tornadoes of 1953 F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes Tornado outbreaks in the United States Tornadoes in Texas Tornadoes in Oklahoma Tornadoes in Arkansas Tornadoes in Mississippi Tornadoes in Missouri Tornadoes in Tennessee Tornadoes in Illinois Tornadoes in Indiana Tornadoes in North Carolina Tornado 1953-03 Tornado 1953-03 Tornado 1953-03