Tornadoes of 1966

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1966, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.

Tornadoes of 1966
A photograph of the F5 Topeka, Kansas tornado
TimespanJanuary - December 1966
Maximum rated tornadoF5 tornado
Tornadoes in U.S.585[1]
Damage (U.S.)Unknown
Fatalities (U.S.)98
Fatalities (worldwide)>98

Events

United States yearly total
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 169 239 145 25 4 3 585

January

One tornado was reported in the U.S.A. in January.[2]

January 28
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 0 0 1 0 0

The only confirmed tornado of the month, a brief, nighttime F3 tornado, struck near New Orleans, Louisiana. No injuries or fatalities were reported.[2]

February

There were 28 tornadoes were reported in February.[3]

February 8–10
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 3 3 1 0 0

A localized outbreak occurred in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. An F3 tornado struck areas near Edna, Texas. There were no fatalities or injuries from the outbreak.[3]

March

There were 12 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in March.[4]

March 3–4
Main article: Tornado outbreak of March 3–4, 1966
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 3 0 0 0 1

On March 3, a supercell produced an extremely violent, exceptionally long-tracked F5 tornado that devastated parts of Jackson, Mississippi and Alabama. The tornado, dubbed the Candlestick Park Tornado (after the shopping center it leveled) killed 58 people and injured over 500 along its 202.5 mile long track. The same supercell that produced the Candlestick Park Tornado also spawned two short lived F1 tornadoes with an additional F1 tornado occurring the next day.[4]

April

There were 80 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in April.[5]

April 4
Main article: 1966 Tampa tornado family
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Two long-track tornadoes touched down in Florida, and traveled across the whole state. One tornado touched down near Largo and tore through Northern Tampa at around 8:00 in the morning. This tornado devastated several communities across Florida, receiving an F4 rating. That tornado killed 11 people, and injured over 500. The second tornado, an F2, did not cause as much damage as the first tornado, as the funnel remained aloft for most of its life span.[5]

May

98 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in May.[6]

May 16
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 3 2 2 0 0 0

An F1 tornado injured 11 people when it tracked through Columbus, Georgia. It was one of seven tornadoes to touch down that day.[6]

June

126 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in June.[7]

June 3–12
Main article: June 1966 tornado outbreak sequence
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 22 14 18 2 2 1

A violent F5 tornado tracked through Topeka, Kansas on June 8, killing 16 people and injuring 450. This tornado disproved several myths, as Burnett’s mound, a local hill, was believed to protect the city from tornadoes. However, the F5 tornado traveled directly over the mound and into Topeka, where it killed 16 people. The tornado directly impacted Washburn University, and rows of homes were absolutely clean from their foundations. Elsewhere, an F4 tornado struck Leavenworth, Kansas, killing one and injuring two. In total, the outbreak produced 59 tornadoes, killed 18 people, and injured 543.[7]

July

100 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in July.[8]

August

58 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in August.[9]

August 9
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 5 1 0 0 0 0

Isolated tornadoes touched down in multiple regions of the U.S.. The strongest one was an unusual F1 tornado that injured 9 people near Globe, Arizona.[9]

September

22 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in September.[10]

September 29
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 0 0 1 0 0

An isolated, but strong 60–yard wide F3 tornado tracked 4.5 miles through southeastern Cleveland, Ohio, injuring 20 people, but killing no one.[10]

October

29 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in October.[11]

October 14–15
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 6 13 2 0 1

A tornado outbreak occurred across the Midwest. The outbreak produced a violent F5 tornado that devastated Belmond, Iowa, killing six and injuring 172, although the F5 rating is disputed. In all, 23 tornadoes touched down across four states, killing six people and injuring 225 others.[11]

November

20 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in November.[12]

November 7
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 1 3 0 0 0

An unusual tornado outbreak occurred in Southern California, affecting Los Angeles. Two F2 tornadoes touched down in Los Angeles, injuring 10 people but killing no one.[12]

December

11 tornadoes were reported in the U.S.A. in December.[13]

See also


References
  1. "Tornado History Project: 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  2. "Tornado History Project: January, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  3. "Tornado History Project: February, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  4. "Tornado History Project: March, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  5. "Tornado History Project: April, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  6. "Tornado History Project: May, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  7. "Tornado History Project: June, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  8. "Tornado History Project: July, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  9. "Tornado History Project: August, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  10. "Tornado History Project: September, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  11. "Tornado History Project: October, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  12. "Tornado History Project: November, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
  13. "Tornado History Project: December, 1966". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
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