User:CapeVerdeWave/Tornado outbreak sequence of May 4–6, 1960
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On May 4–6, 1960, a large tornado outbreak sequence affected parts of the Midwestern and Southern United States. The severe weather event produced at least 71 confirmed tornadoes, including five violent tornadoes in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Major tornado activity began on the afternoon of May 4, with strong tornadoes affecting the Red River Valley and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Two F4 tornadoes struck parts of southern Oklahoma, causing significant damage to the Konawa and Soper areas. In all, at least 22 tornadoes formed between the early afternoon and late evening hours, with two more tornadoes forming early on May 5, shortly after midnight CDT. A much more significant tornado outbreak began on the afternoon of May 5 and continued overnight, spreading from eastern Oklahoma into portions of southern Missouri and Central Arkansas. At least 35 tornadoes developed between 6:00 a.m. CST on May 5–6, including a long-tracked F5 that struck rural areas in Northeastern Oklahoma and killed five people. Two other F4 tornadoes killed 21 people in and near Sequoyah County in the eastern portion of the state. Other strong tornadoes affected the Little Rock metropolitan area early on May 6 in Arkansas. In all, the tornado outbreak sequence killed 33 people and injured 302.[nb 2]
Type | Tornado outbreak sequence |
---|---|
Duration | May 4–6, 1960 |
Tornadoes confirmed | 71 confirmed |
Max. rating1 | F5 tornado |
Duration of tornado outbreak2 | 2 days, 1 hour, 50 minutes |
Fatalities | 33 fatalities, 302 injuries |
Damage | $32.618 million (1960 USD)[nb 1] $336 million (2024 USD) |
Areas affected | Midwestern and Southern United States, primarily Oklahoma and Arkansas |
Part of the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1960 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado |