Tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 1954

On March 24–25, 1954, a small-but-intense tornado outbreak affected portions of the Central and Southern United States, killing two people and injuring 11. The outbreak generated 18 significant (F2 or stronger) tornadoes, including a deadly, violent event, retroactively rated F4, in Texas County, Missouri. Another intense tornado, rated F3, injured two people in a rural part of Barry County, also in Missouri. An F2 tornado in Benton County, Missouri, injured four. In addition, an F1 tornado in Collin County, North Texas—in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex—injured four more. At least four tornadoes also occurred in or near Greater St. Louis, causing locally extensive damage, and a quartet of strong tornadoes hit Oklahoma, with a few more F2s striking Arkansas.[note 2][2][3]

Tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 1954
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes28
Maximum ratingF4 tornado
DurationMarch 24–25, 1954
Overall effects
Fatalities2
Injuries11
Damage$526,100 ($5,970,000 in 2024 USD)[note 1]
Areas affectedCentral and Southern United States

Part of the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1954

Outbreak statistics

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Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 1954
Date[note 3] Total F-scale rating[note 4] Deaths Injuries Damage[note 5]
 FU   F0   F1   F2   F3   F4   F5 
March 24 16 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 0 8 $291,100
March 25 12 0 0 2 8 1 1 0 2 3 $235,000
Total 28 0 0 10 16 1 1 0 2 11 $526,100

Confirmed tornadoes

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Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 0 10 16 1 1 0 28

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991.[10][note 6] 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments.[14][note 4] Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

Color/symbol key
Color / symbol Description
Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b
Data from a local National Weather Service office
Data from the 1954 Climatological Data National Summary publication
Data from the NCEI database
Maximum width of tornado
± Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.

March 24 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 24, 1954
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 7] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 8] Damage
F1 Goltry Alfalfa Oklahoma 36°32′N 98°10′W / 36.53°N 98.17°W / 36.53; -98.17 (Goltry (March 24, F1)) 21:15–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 880 yd (800 m) Un­known
A brief tornado was reported.[18][19]
F2 ESE of Alfalfa Caddo Oklahoma 35°11′N 98°33′W / 35.18°N 98.55°W / 35.18; -98.55 (Alfalfa (March 24, F2)) 21:30–? 3 mi (4.8 km)† 75 yd (69 m)※ $4,900
Barns were wrecked on three farmsteads.[20][21][19]
F2 NNW of Newkirk Kay Oklahoma 36°56′N 97°06′W / 36.93°N 97.10°W / 36.93; -97.10 (Newkirk (March 24, F2)) 01:05–? 3 mi (4.8 km)※ 200 yd (180 m) $9,700
Barns on a few farmsteads lost their roofs. Five outbuildings and another barn were wrecked elsewhere.[20][22][23]
F2± E of Wellsville Franklin Kansas 38°44′N 95°03′W / 38.73°N 95.05°W / 38.73; -95.05 (Wellsville (March 24, F2)) 02:30–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km)‡ 33 yd (30 m)‡ $2,500
Sheds and barns were damaged on three farmsteads.[24][23]
F2± NW of Chanute to NW of Moran Wilson, Allen Kansas 37°43′N 95°31′W / 37.72°N 95.52°W / 37.72; -95.52 (Chanute (March 24, F2)) 03:00–? 22.2 mi (35.7 km) 880 yd (800 m) $25,000
Damage to farms may have commenced farther southwest in Wilson County than officially indicated.[25][23]
F1 Western Sapulpa to SW of Oakhurst Creek Oklahoma 36°00′N 96°07′W / 36.00°N 96.12°W / 36.00; -96.12 (Sapulpa (March 24, F1)) 03:05–03:20※ 3.6 mi (5.8 km) 200 yd (180 m) $2,500
Garages and other structures were damaged.[26][23]
F2 Western Haskell Muskogee Oklahoma 35°49′N 95°41′W / 35.82°N 95.68°W / 35.82; -95.68 (Haskell (March 24, F2)) 03:25–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 33 yd (30 m) $50,000
Half a dozen homes were damaged. A barn and a cannery were wrecked as well.[20][27][23]
F1 Frisco Collin Texas 33°09′N 96°49′W / 33.15°N 96.82°W / 33.15; -96.82 (Frisco (March 24, F1)) 03:30–? 4.9 mi (7.9 km) 67 yd (61 m) $12,000
This tornado shattered windows and tore off roofing. Television antennae, sheds, and barns were damaged. A grain elevator was wrecked as well. Four injuries occurred.[28][29]
F1 SE of Cherryvale Montgomery Kansas 37°12′N 95°37′W / 37.20°N 95.62°W / 37.20; -95.62 (Cherryvale (March 24, F1)) 03:30–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 440 yd (400 m) $15,000
Many farms were damaged, and trees were prostrated.[30][29]
F1 E of Columbus Cherokee Kansas 37°10′N 94°50′W / 37.17°N 94.83°W / 37.17; -94.83 (Columbus (March 24, F1)) 03:45–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 17 yd (16 m) Un­known
Farmsteads were damaged.[31][29]
F1 SE of Rose※ to NNE of Jay Delaware Oklahoma 36°12′N 94°58′W / 36.20°N 94.97°W / 36.20; -94.97 (ROse (March 24, F1)) 04:00–? 20 mi (32 km)※ 33 yd (30 m) $7,500
Damage occurred on three farmsteads.[32][29]
F1 Burgess Barton Missouri 37°07′N 94°32′W / 37.12°N 94.53°W / 37.12; -94.53 (Burgess (March 24, F1)) 04:00–? 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 17 yd (16 m) $2,000
Agricultural implements and a garage were damaged.[33][29]
F2† SW of Oakton to northern Lamar Heights to SW of Milford Barton Missouri 37°27′N 94°24′W / 37.45°N 94.40°W / 37.45; -94.40 (Oakton (March 24, F1)) 04:00–? 18 mi (29 km)† 100 yd (91 m)† $100,000
12 homes were severely damaged, and a quartet of barns were wrecked. Livestock was injured or killed as well.[20][34][29]
F1 NW of Seligman to W of Cape Fair Barry Missouri 36°33′N 93°58′W / 36.55°N 93.97°W / 36.55; -93.97 (Seligman (March 24, F1)) 04:00–? 23.9 mi (38.5 km) 50 yd (46 m) $25,000
This tornado passed near Washburn and ended near Flat Creek. Details are unavailable.[35][29]
F2± W of Pensacola to Grand Lake o' the Cherokees Mayes, Craig※, Delaware Oklahoma 36°27′N 95°09′W / 36.45°N 95.15°W / 36.45; -95.15 (Pensacola (March 24, F2)) 04:18–? 5.6 mi (9.0 km) 50 yd (46 m) $25,000
Details are unavailable.[36][29]
F2† Southern Centerton (1st tornado) to Bentonville to SW of Gateway Benton Arkansas 36°21′N 94°17′W / 36.35°N 94.28°W / 36.35; -94.28 (Centerton #1 (March 24, F2)) 04:40–? 20.6 mi (33.2 km) 400 yd (370 m) $10,000
Numerous outbuildings, barns, and homes were destroyed or damaged. Many chickens were killed as well. Four people were injured.[20][37][29]

March 25 event

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Confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, March 25, 1954
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[note 7] Time (UTC) Path length Width[note 8] Damage
F2± NE of Saratoga to Lanagan to WNW of Rocky Comfort McDonald, Newton Missouri 36°34′N 94°31′W / 36.57°N 94.52°W / 36.57; -94.52 (Saratoga (March 25, F2)) 05:00–? 26.1 mi (42.0 km) 50 yd (46 m) $25,000
This tornado destroyed or damaged many small frame farmhouses. Outbuildings and barns were wrecked as well. Livestock was killed or injured along the path, and one person was injured.[38][39][40]
F2† Fairview to Purdy to McDowell Newton, Barry Missouri 36°49′N 94°06′W / 36.82°N 94.10°W / 36.82; -94.10 (Fairview (March 25, F2)) 05:00–? 17.3 mi (27.8 km) 50 yd (46 m) $5,000
Barns, little frame homes, outbuildings, chicken coops, and machinery were destroyed or damaged. Trees were torn up and carried many yards.[20][41][42][43]
F2† Near Success Texas Missouri Un­known ~05:00–? 10 mi (16 km) Un­known $25,000
A small home was destroyed, along with a barn. The tornado killed "thousands" of poultry.[20][40]
F3 ESE of Cato Barry Missouri 36°43′N 93°40′W / 36.72°N 93.67°W / 36.72; -93.67 (Cato (March 25, F3)) 05:30–? 2 mi (3.2 km)† 100 yd (91 m)† $25,000
A seven-room, twin-story house was torn apart. A few injuries occurred.[20][44][29]
F2† S of Fordland to near Diggins† to N of Seymour Webster Missouri 37°10′N 92°57′W / 37.17°N 92.95°W / 37.17; -92.95 (Fordland (March 25, F2)) 05:45–? 10 mi (16 km)† 400 yd (370 m)† $20,000
A factory and a warehouse were flattened, along with four barns. 20 cows were also killed.[20][45][46][40]
F2† S of Selmore to Ozark Christian Missouri 36°58′N 93°14′W / 36.97°N 93.23°W / 36.97; -93.23 (Elk Valley (March 25, F2)) 05:45–? 5 mi (8.0 km) 600 yd (550 m)† $20,000
This strong tornado formed over Elk Valley, northwest of Christian Center, ripping the roof off a farmhouse and tearing away the front of another home. Barns were wrecked as well, and livestock was injured or killed. Debris obstructed vehicular and pedestrian traffic "for hours".[20][47][40]
F4 NW of Bendavis to SE of Old Success Texas Missouri 37°19′N 92°14′W / 37.32°N 92.23°W / 37.32; -92.23 (Bendavis (March 25, F4)) 06:55–? 12.1 mi (19.5 km) 100 yd (91 m) $25,000
2 deaths – This violent tornado hit more than 20 farms, tossing a vehicle a long distance. One home was obliterated, its debris scattered 2 mi (3.2 km). The dead were found 150 yd (450 ft) from the homesite. A truck, barns, and outbuildings were wrecked as well. Trees were uprooted and thrown many yards.[48][20][49][50][40]
F2† SSE of Gilmore to W of Portage des Sioux St. Charles Missouri 38°48′N 90°48′W / 38.80°N 90.80°W / 38.80; -90.80 (Gilmore (March 25, F2)) 08:00–? 21.6 mi (34.8 km) 20 yd (18 m)‡ $35,000
A few small, anchor-bolted cottages were blown off their CMU foundations. A small home was wrecked as well. A hangar and a barn sustained damage.[20][51][40]
F1 W of West Alton St. Charles Missouri 38°52′N 90°15′W / 38.87°N 90.25°W / 38.87; -90.25 (West Alton (March 25, F1)) 08:00–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 60 yd (55 m) $5,000
Outbuildings were tipped onto their sides. Other structures received minor damage. A porch lost its roof as well.[52][40]
F2 SW of Pacific to Maryland Heights Franklin, St. Louis Missouri 38°28′N 90°45′W / 38.47°N 90.75°W / 38.47; -90.75 (Pacific (March 25, F2)) 08:00–? 23 mi (37 km)† 30 yd (27 m)† $40,000
This strong tornado unroofed a brick home and wrecked another. A CMU garage was demolished, and a 6-foot-long (2.0 yd) timber was embedded in the wall of a dining room. Windows, agricultural implements, and barns were destroyed or damaged as well.[20][53][40]
F1 Gray Summit Franklin Missouri 38°35′N 90°46′W / 38.58°N 90.77°W / 38.58; -90.77 (Gray Summit (March 25, F1)) 08:00–? 20 mi (32 km)※ 100 yd (91 m)‡ $5,000
Several walls were downed, and a brick home was extensively damaged.[54][40]
F2† Southern Centerton (2nd tornado) Benton Arkansas 36°21′N 94°17′W / 36.35°N 94.28°W / 36.35; -94.28 (Centerton #2 (March 25, F2)) 08:15–? 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 400 yd (370 m)† $5,000
A small barn and farmhouse were wrecked. Outbuildings were damaged and 3,000 fledgling chickens killed.[20][55][40]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ All losses are in 1954 USD unless otherwise noted.
  2. ^ An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes (the number sometimes varies slightly according to local climatology) with no more than a six-hour gap between individual tornadoes. An outbreak sequence, prior to (after) the start of modern records in 1950, is defined as a period of no more than two (one) consecutive days without at least one significant (F2 or stronger) tornado.[1]
  3. ^ All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.
  4. ^ a b The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.[4][5] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by the National Weather Service.[6] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[7] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;[8] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.[9]
  5. ^ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Data publication does not list exact damage totals for every event, instead giving damage categories. As such, damage for individual tornadoes is not comprehensive.
  6. ^ Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.[11] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[12] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.[13]
  7. ^ a b All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
  8. ^ a b The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes, with those having known maximum widths denoted by ♯. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.[15] Values provided by Grazulis are the average width, with estimates being rounded down (i.e. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) is rounded down from 880 yards to 800 yards.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875–2003) (PDF). 22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  2. ^ Tornado reported between 03/24/1954 and 03/25/1954 (2 days). National Centers for Environmental Information (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Climatological Data National Summary Publication | IPS | National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  4. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
  5. ^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
  6. ^ Edwards et al. 2013, p. 641–642.
  7. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  8. ^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  9. ^ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  10. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1496.
  11. ^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 2514.
  12. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
  14. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, pp. 1497, 1503.
  15. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1494.
  16. ^ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
  17. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. ix.
  18. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099827
  19. ^ a b USWB 1954, p. 69.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Grazulis 1993, p. 977.
  21. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099828
  22. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099829
  23. ^ a b c d e USWB 1954, p. 70.
  24. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026482
  25. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026483
  26. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099830
  27. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099831
  28. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10121831
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j USWB 1954, p. 71.
  30. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026484
  31. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10026485
  32. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099832
  33. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063646
  34. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063645
  35. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063644
  36. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10099833
  37. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #9983055
  38. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063649
  39. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063650
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j USWB 1954, p. 72.
  41. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063647
  42. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063648
  43. ^ USWB 1954, pp. 71–2.
  44. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063651
  45. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063652
  46. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063653
  47. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063654
  48. ^ Grazulis 1984, p. A-64.
  49. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063655
  50. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063656
  51. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063660
  52. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063658
  53. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063659
  54. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #10063657
  55. ^ Storm Data Publication 1954, #9983056

Sources

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