1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
On May 23–24, 1946, a tornado outbreak occurred across the Central and Midwestern United States. Over two days at least 15 significant tornadoes struck parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, killing four people and injuring 42 others.[2][1] The storm system also caused numerous other impacts including hail, heavy rains, and damaging lightning strikes.
Confirmed tornadoes
This weather event happened before the invention of an official ratings system for tornadoes in 1950. The events were later assessed by tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis, and rated unofficially on the Fujita scale. Grazulis documented 15 significant tornadoes (F2+), but the true number of tornadoes for this outbreak is most likely higher.[2]
A large tornado caused a six-mile-long damage path through wheat fields according to the U.S. Weather Bureau. This tornado did not receive a rating on the Fujita scale from Thomas P. Grazulis, indicating Grazulis estimates F0 to F1 intensity.[1]
1 death – A violent tornado struck west of the community of Enosdale, where eight farms were severely damaged. Two farmhouses were completely swept off their foundations, killing an elderly woman. In total, six people were injured and 70 head of livestock were killed.[2] The U.S. Weather Bureau published the tornado's path length as 20 miles (32 km).[1]
This violent tornado traveled a path nearly parallel to the previous tornado. East of Washington a farmhouse was completely leveled, five others were damaged near the community of Emmons. The tornado injured two people and caused $100,000 in damage ($1.5 million in 2022).[2] The U.S. Weather Bureau published the tornado's width as 440 yards (400 m).[1]
An intense tornado, which was described as having "feelers"[2] extending around the main funnel, damaged or destroyed multiple structures. Three homes sustained "near-F4 damage".[2] A roast was found in a car thrown into a tree, with parts of the refrigerator it had been in thrown 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The tornado injured four people and caused $335,000 in damage ($5.03 million in 2022). Thomas P. Grazulis notes this was likely a tornado family.[2]
2 deaths – South of Martin City, the tornado destroyed a barn and silo. It then struck Holmes Park "with full force" before lifting in the southeastern portion of Swope Park. An elderly couple was killed when their home was completely destroyed and carried 100 yards (91 m). Five other people were injured.[2]
A long-tracked and intense tornado damaged or destroyed numerous homes and barns. "Near-F4 damage"[2] occurred at a farm west of Bogard. The total damage for this tornado and a parallel F2 tornado, which occurred an hour later, was $500,000 ($7.5 million in 2022). Between the two tornadoes, fifty homes were damaged or destroyed.[2]
This tornado moved parallel and 7 miles (11 km) southeast of an F3 tornado that occurred an hour earlier. Homes and barns were damaged or destroyed along its track. Seven injuries occurred at a home near Bosworth.[2]
May 24 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 24, 1946[note 1]
A long-tracked tornado skipped as it damaged or destroyed several structures. Twenty farms sustained damaged, five homes were unroofed, and several barns were destroyed. About 30 cottages were damaged or destroyed along the western shore of Lake Mendota. This tornado was noted to most likely be a tornado family by Thomas P. Grazulis.[2][3] The U.S. Weather Bureau published this event as a thundersquall with a width of 100 to 133 yards (91 to 122 m) (a thundersquall is a combined thunderstorm and squall). They also noted that two people were injured by debris, and a third person by lightning.[1]
A long-tracked tornado skipped as it damaged or destroyed several structures. "Near-F4 damage" occurred in the community of Woodville, where two homes, three barns, and a gas station were obliterated. Several homes were "torn apart" in Hudson Lake and New Carlisle. Near Buchanan multiple barns were leveled. The tornado injured five people and caused $250,000 in damage ($3.75 million in 2022).[2]
This tornado destroyed a home and unroofed a dairy barn as it moved northeast and then east around Collinsville. The National Weather Service lists the width for this tornado as 500 yards (460 m).[2][5]
1 death – A boy was killed and his mother injured in one of two homes completely leveled and swept away by the tornado. Every building on their farm "literally vanished," and all their livestock was killed.[2] The tornado split a nearby house in two, with half of the home "splintered". A large tractor was also moved 50 yards (46 m).[2][1]
^ abAll dates and times are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down.
^ abAll ratings on the Fujita scale were done by Thomas P. Grazulis, a tornado expert, and are classified unofficial ratings since official ratings for tornadoes began in 1950.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuGrazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 922–925. ISBN1-879362-03-1.
