An outbreak of severe weather is as much a part of springtime in the United States and West Texas as wildflowers and windy days. April is a very historic month for severe weather in the USA and Texas.
It was on April 3, 1964 that the famous Wichita Falls tornado cut a wide track nearly 4 miles long, killing 7, injuring 111, and destroying 225 homes.
On April 5, 1936, The USA’s 4th deadliest tornado on record struck Tupelo, Mississippi, killing 216 residents. The very next day, the USA's 5th deadliest tornado on record struck Gainesville, Georgia killing 213 people.
April 9, 1947 Woodward, Oklahoma was the target of the USA's 6th deadliest tornado on record as 181 people were killed.
April 11, 1965 was known as “The Great Lakes Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak.” 51 tornadoes strike Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa killing 256 and injuring over 1500 people.
April 18, 1880 The USA's 15th deadliest tornado on record strikes Marshfield, Missouri killing 99 people.
April 20, 1920 The USA's 21st deadliest tornado on record strikes Starkville, Mississippi and Waco, Alabama killing 88 people.
April 24, 1908 The USA's 7th deadliest tornado on record strikes Amite, Louisiana and Purvis, Mississippi killing 143 people. On the same day another tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi killing 91 people. This is the 19th deadliest tornado on record in the USA.
Wow! A pretty sobering look back at severe weather history for the month of April. As severe weather season continues into the month of April, keep you all-hazards radio handy, and stay tuned to KTAB-TV for timely and accurate information. Remember, “During severe weather, you are not alone.” The KTAB Weather Team is severe weather coverage you can count on.
When the storm clouds roll in, we’ll be here for you.
