This page documents all the known tornadoes that touched down in the United States during 1950. Hundreds of tornadoes went unnoticed in 1950 as only 201 were officially confirmed, compared to the average of over 1,000 per year.
The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The article, therefore, documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
Strong tornado destroyed or damaged 52 homes as it moved northeastward through Spanish Lake, Missouri, and Hartford, Illinois. An oil refinery in Roxanna incurred damage as well. Damages were estimated at $2.75 million and three people were injured. This is the first tornado ever documented in the database.[2][3][4][5]
This intense tornado, which was produced by the same storm that produced the previous F3 tornado, "reduced" four homes and a number of barns "to splinters." Damages were estimated at $250,000 and three people were injured.[3][4][6]
1 death – This brief tornado destroyed a poorly constructed home. Damages were estimated at $2,500 and one person was injured. This was the first killer tornado in the database. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F1.[8][4]
January 25 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, January 25, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
This tornado destroyed a CBS-built store, unroofed or otherwise damaged neighboring structures, and drove a 20-foot-long (6.1 m) steel beam into the ground. Damages were estimated at $250,000.[10][4]
January 26 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, January 26, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
20 businesses and homes were destroyed or unroofed. The NCEI database incorrectly extends the path to Webster through Galveston and Harris counties.[15][16][17]
1 death – An intense tornado damaged 25 homes in its path, some of which it destroyed. The remaining homes lost their roofs, and in all, some 200 structures incurred damage. 20 injuries took place, and a female centenarian was killed.[15][18][17]
This strong tornado passed just east of Tyler, leveling 16 structures, including the store of a blacksmith and three homes. The tornado passed within 100 yd (300 ft) of a church with 300 people in attendance. Five people were injured.[15][19][17]
A pair of homes were wrecked near the start of the path, resulting in a pair of injuries. At Omaha a gymnasium at a school was destroyed, along with several homes.[15]
1 death – At Hugh Springs 15 homes were a total loss and 24 others received damage. 15 injuries occurred in town. At Corley the tornado affected 15 additional homes, some of which it wrecked. Eight people were injured at Corley. In all 30 people were injured along the path.[15][20][21][17]
At Groesbeck approximately 20 businesses and homes lost their roofs or were destroyed. Debris rained on the courthouse in town, though the tornado dissipated beforehand. Four people were injured.[15][23][17]
3 deaths – This tornado struck two rural communities, sweeping away a home and strewing the debris for acres. A father and his two children died, and three other people sustained injuries, including the mother of the children. A school was destroyed as well.[15]
3 deaths – This intense, long-tracked tornado leveled a home at Fellowship, killing two people inside during lunchtime. 32 or more other injuries occurred in and near Fellowship. Other structures were damaged at Jericho. In Louisiana the tornado wrecked 12 homes, killing a third person. The tornado killed hundreds of chickens as well. In all, 37 people were injured along the path. This tornado belonged to the same family as the Shreveport F4 and ended near Logansport, Louisiana.[15][24][25][26][17]
A brief-but-strong tornado swept away a barn, flattened a small house, unroofed another home, destroyed an outhouse and a chicken coop, and knocked down a 2-acre (0.81 ha) swath of trees.[15][28][17]
8 deaths – A violent tornado tracked just northwest of Forbing, leveling several homes. On the southern outskirts of Shreveport, the tornado caused two deaths. It then hit the Shreveport Holding and Reconsignment Depot, which had recently been renamed Slack Air Force Depot, near Barksdale Air Force Base. The tornado destroyed the Depot, causing the deaths of six people, including five airmen and a civilian worker. Nearby, injuries occurred in a mess hall and barracks as the tornado hit the AFB. With a forward speed of 35 mph (56 km/h), the parent supercell progressed into Arkansas, where it later spawned the Mount Holly F2 tornado. In all, 30 people were injured.[29][15][30][31][32][17]
7+ deaths – This intense tornado claimed the lives of at least three—possibly four—children in a pair of homes near Grand Cane. On a plantation, the tornado leveled a tenant home, killing three family members inside the structure. Nearby, the tornado overturned a vehicle, killing a pedestrian who was sheltering in a ditch. At least one additional fatality took place before the tornado dissipated, and 30 people were injured along the path. The NCEI database incorrectly lists the path as beginning west of Williams and ending west of Haynesville, passing southeast of the towns of Caspiana and McDade.[33][34][35][17]
9 deaths – This tornado family first generated intermittent, F1-level damage at Zwolle, along with downburst-related effects. At Roy, near Castor, the tornado destroyed or damaged 25 homes, some of which were leveled, with six deaths in one of them, all of which were in one family; in all eight people died in town. A final fatality occurred just northeast of Castor. The tornado obliterated numerous small homes in its path, but its damage is poorly documented outside Roy. Bodies of the dead were carried as far as 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km) from their original locations. 40 people were injured along the path.[36][37][38][39][40][41]
A short-lived tornado destroyed outbuildings and caused extensive damage to a few farmhouses. Eight people were injured inside one of the houses.[44][41]
9 deaths – A very brief but devastating tornado struck a residential area, leveling a few small homes on the hilltop. Two parents and their six children were inside one of the homes that were swept away. The structure, which was poorly built, was lofted 85 yd (255 ft) before disintegrating, killing all nine occupants. An injury occurred as well. As of 2017, this is the deadliest F2/EF2 tornado ever recorded in the United States.[45][33][46][41]
This tornado leveled a small residence in its path. Additionally, it destroyed three barns nearby. The NCEI database lists a pair of injuries and three fatalities, but Grazulis does not list any casualties.[33][17]
February 27 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, February 27, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
This tornado touched down on the west side of Arkadelphia and moved northeastward along the Ouachita River, hitting the south side of Midway before dissipating. Three homes and 13 farm buildings were destroyed while six homes and 16 other buildings were damaged. Some livestock were killed as well. Damages were estimated at $50,000 and three people were injured.[55][56][57]
An intense tornado destroyed or damaged a church, a few stores, a large consolidated school building, 30 homes, and many barns. Two of the homes were unroofed as well. Damages were estimated at $250,000 and one person was injured. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[55][56][58]
This strong tornado first touched down on the southwest side of Little Rock in Meadowcliff and passed through Geyer Springs. A drive-in theater screen was damaged and two cars in the theater lot were overturned, injuring five people. The tornado then progressed northeastward and struck the residential district, causing considerable damage to roofs before striking the business district of Downtown Little Rock. There was extensive damage to roofs, windows, plate glass, signs, and brick and masonry parapets. A large radio antenna mast toppled from roof of the Gazette Building. The tornado then crossed the Arkansas River into North Little Rock, where it did considerable damage to roofs, trees and signs, and injured two more people. The tornado weakened after that, causing slight crop damage before dissipating west of Booker. Seven people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. Considerable water damage by rain entering buildings through torn roofs and broken windows also occurred as a result of this tornado. Some small hail was also observed as well.[55][56][59]
This massive, mile-wide tornado accompanied by moderate hail likely came from the same storm that produced the Little Rock tornado. Timber, farm buildings, farm equipment, and 33 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed and livestock was injured. Minimal crop damage also occurred. Damages were estimated at $250,000 and 20 people were injured. The CDNS report list 15 injuries. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2.[55][56][60]
A strong tornado, which likely came from the same storm that produced the Little Rock and Hickory Plains tornadoes, occurred southeast of Georgetown. A total of seven to 10 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, of which a few shifted and collapsed on their foundations, and several barns were destroyed as well. Two people were injured, but no damage value was given.[55][56][61]
A broom handle factory was obliterated by this funnel-less but strong, southeastward-moving tornado. Local residents were able to identify the damage as tornadic due to the pattern of the debris. Damages were estimated at $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[55][56][62]
1 death – A couple of barns and six tenant homes were destroyed while one large home was shifted on its foundation. Two people were injured.[55][56][63]
A total of 30 tenant homes and an unspecified number of barns were destroyed. Damages were estimated at $25,000 and two people were injured. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. This may have been the same tornado that struck Belzoni, Mississippi.[55][56][64]
This was the first of two strong tornadoes to hit Downtown Jackson along similar beginning paths before diverging. It also struck Forest Hill, Bradie, Wells, Meltonville, Cameron and Truitt. Damages were estimated at $500,000 and seven people were injured. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[55][56][66]
This was the second of two strong tornadoes to hit Downtown Jackson along similar beginning paths before diverging. It also struck Forest Hill, Bradie, Flowood, Northern Wells,Luckney, and Pisgah. Damages were estimated at $500,000 and six people were injured. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[55][56][67]
A Masonic lodge, two churches, and 24 homes were unroofed, damaged, or destroyed. Damages were estimated at $25,000 and two people were injured. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[55][56][70]
This strong tornado, which was described as having a "whitish" colored, funnel, destroyed several outbuildings on one farm and knocked down power lines. Damages were estimated at $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[55][56][72]
1 death – This intense tornado, moving northeastward, destroyed a home, five barns, one hay shed, two garages, and 10 t (22,000 lb; 10,000 kg) of hay. One home was unroofed as well. There were eight injuries, one of which was serious, and $2,500 in damage. The CDNS report listed only four injuries. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[73][74]
Strong tornado accompanied by strong winds and hail formed west of Anderson and touched down three times as it moved southeastward through Carney and Dudley throwing debris high into the air. There was $2,500 in damages. Advance warning allowed most residents to take shelter in storm cellars before the storm, which reportedly had a high-pitched roar. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[75][76]
Tornado moved eastward directly through Yarbro. Two homes were heavily damaged, one of which was destroyed, and there was considerable damage to farm buildings, power and telephone lines, and sign boards. The tornado destroyed a barn as well. Losses totaled $2,500. Some small, non-damaging hail also fell with this storm. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[77][78]
April 3 event
List of known tornadoes – Tuesday, April 3, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
This intense tornado first hit in the Wragg Swamp west of Mobile and moved north-northeastward past the University of South Alabama campus before turning more northeastward. It passed within 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) of the Spring Hill seismograph, causing an abrupt vibration which lasted for one minute and 13 seconds. A building materials warehouse and 11 homes were destroyed and other buildings damaged. The tornado also tossed a home against another 200 yd (180 m) away. There were 15 injuries and $25,000 in damages. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[81][82]
This event was listed as a probable tornado by the CDNS report because the fallen trees indicated straight-line winds, but the narrow path suggested that the damage area was possibly in the right hand side of a large, weak tornado that moved north-northeastward instead. One house was unroofed and three other buildings were damaged. Losses totaled $2,500.[83][84]
April 24 event
List of known tornadoes – Monday, April 24, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
This tornado followed a path that was similar to the one that occurred the previous month with the greatest damage inflicted to a church. Losses totaled $25,000.[85][86]
April 27 event
List of known tornadoes – Thursday, April 27, 1950[nb 1][nb 2]
Westward-moving tornado, embedded within a larger area of violent winds and hen-egg-sized or larger hail that fell for about 23 minutes, destroyed 12 homes and unroofed five others near Moncks Corner. Hail damaged plants while the winds damaged or destroyed a total of 17 structures. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[87][88]
1 death – This intense, multi-vortex tornado touched down at Lake Lugert and moved northeastward, before first turning north-northeastward and then north, passing east of Lone Wolf and through Cambridge while moving at 30 to 35 miles per hour (48 to 56 km/h). Five homes were destroyed, three others suffered major damage, and three more had minor damage and 17 families affected. The tornado struck 17 farmsteads in its path. There was one injury and $750,000 in damages. As many as three tornado columns were observed at one time and a CAA airways observer reported that the column turning counter-clockwise. Heavy rain accompanied by hail fell after the tornado had dissipated.[90]
This was likely a tornado family as several funnel clouds and tornadoes were reported along the track of this tornado. It passed west of Burlington—where two small funnel clouds were seen—east of New Strawn, and through Sharpe while causing scattered damage along its path. Barns and other small buildings were damaged or destroyed and numerous trees were twisted out of the ground. There was $25,000 in damages.[91]
5 deaths – This short-lived but violent tornado moved north-northeastward through the north side of Clyde, obliterating everything in its path. 21 homes were destroyed or damaged. Nothing remained of two homes but debris scattered for more than 1 mi (1.6 km). A refrigerator lodged atop a telephone pole 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km) distant as well. Five people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. Hail that accompanied the storm damaged crops as well.[92]
5 deaths – This violent tornado began 2 mi (3.2 km) southwest of Holdenville at 7:05 pm CST and moved northeastward directly through the city. It cut a swath of destruction six blocks wide and 18 blocks long in the northwest section of Holdenville. A total of 38 homes were destroyed while 188 other homes were damaged. After exiting Holdenville, the tornado turned to the north and dissipated 1 mi (1.6 km) north of town. There were 32 injuries and $250,000 in damage. The NWS Norman puts the property losses in Holdenville at $500,000. Two of the dead were found 150 yd (140 m) from their homesite.[93]
A short-lived but strong tornado struck Cottonwood 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northeast of Coalgate, destroying two homes, five barns, and a car. Damage was estimated at $25,000.[94]
A strong and very destructive tornado impacted Columbia and areas to the northeast, destroying six buildings and damaging 225 others. Losses totaled $250,000.[95]
This tornado, which was accompanied by large hail, moved southward through Comanche and into rural farmland, damaging ranches, dairy farms, some crops, and livestock. Although losses were estimated $25,000, the CDNS report states that the storm as a whole caused $62,400 in damage with hail doing about $600 of that.[96]
1 death – Strong tornado cut a half-block wide directly through Perryton caused major damage as it moved. Several houses and a large warehouse were destroyed. One man was killed as he hurried his family to shelter. There were also 13 injuries and $250,000 in damages.[3][99]
Large, long-tracked, violent tornado touched down and struck the town of Zook, destroying 11 homes, including two that incurred near-F5 damage. A housing development northwest of Great Bend was also hit. There was one injury and $500,000 in damages.[3][100]
^ abcdefghijklmnPrior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[1]
^All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
^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.[12] 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.[13][14]
^ abPrior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[54]
^ abPrior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[89]
^Murdock, Scott D. (1998). "Barksdale AFB Off-Base Sites". Scott's USAF Installations Page. Airforcebase.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Arkansas Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Alabama Event Report: F3 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Alabama Event Report: F2 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Louisiana Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). South Carolina Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Kansas Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Texas Event Report: F4 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F4 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Oklahoma Event Report: F2 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Mississippi Event Report: F2 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Texas Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
National Weather Service (October 2020). Louisiana Event Report: F1 Tornado. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
^Texas Event Report: F2 Tornado. National Centers for Environmental Information (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
^Kansas Event Report: F4 Tornado. National Centers for Environmental Information (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved 16 February 2021.Kansas Event Report: F4 Tornado. National Centers for Environmental Information (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
Grazulis, Thomas P. (November 1990). Significant Tornadoes 1880–1989. Vol. 2. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN1-879362-02-3.
