Tornadoes of 1972

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1972, 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 1972
Damage from an F2 tornado in Key West, Florida
TimespanJanuary 1, 1972 - December 30, 1972
Maximum rated tornadoF4 tornado
Tornadoes in U.S.741
Damage (U.S.)Unknown
Fatalities (U.S.)34
Fatalities (worldwide)>34

Synopsis

1972 was a near normal year, producing 741 tornadoes. Deaths were significantly below average, but there was a very high total of over 900 injuries.

Events

United States yearly total
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 174 345 181 37 4 0 741

January

33 tornadoes were reported in the United States in January.[1]

January 13
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 7 4 2 0 0

On January 13, tornadoes touched down across portions of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. An F2 tornado struck Fort Rucker and two nearby trailer parks occupied by army dependents. The tornado destroyed 68 trailers, killing four people and injuring 88. An F3 tornado (possibly two tornadoes) traveled from east of Wadley to Waynesboro, Georgia, injuring 21 people. An F2 tornado destroyed two homes southwest of Pelham, Georgia, carrying the residents of one home approximately 200 yards without injuring them.[2][3]

February

7 tornadoes were reported in the United States in February.[4]

March

69 tornadoes were reported in the United States in March.[5]

March 26–29
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 5 7 5 1 0 0

A front moved through Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida on the days of March 26–29, producing an F3 tornado that struck Urbana, Arkansas and an F2 that injured 13 people in Lufkin, Texas. A suspected F2 tornado hit Hillsboro, Texas, injuring 2 people and causing at least $500,000 (1972 USD) in damages. The outbreak produced an F2 that touched down outside of El Dorado, Arkansas, injuring 3 people and causing major damage. An F1 tornado touched down in Milton, Florida, injuring 1 person. The outbreak ended with no fatalities but 19 injuries.[6][7][8][9]

April

96 tornadoes were reported in the United States in April.[10]

April 5
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 0 0 2 2 0 0
See also: 1972 Portland–Vancouver tornadoes

An unusual series of strong tornadoes struck Oregon and Washington. The worst event was a deadly F3 tornado struck Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The tornado carved a 8.7 mile path of destruction across the heavily populated Portland metropolitan area, leaving 6 people dead and 300 injured while causing $3–5 million (1972 USD) in damage. It was the deadliest tornado in the United States in 1972 and remains the deadliest tornado in the history of the Pacific Northwest.[11][12] It was the first F3 tornado to strike Oregon since June 3, 1894. Later that day, three more strong tornadoes touched down in Washington. The first was an F2 tornado near Hartline, while the second was an even stronger F3 tornado that injured one near Creston. The final tornado was an F2 tornado that moved through areas west-southwest of Kettle Falls. This remains the strongest tornado outbreak to hit the region since 1950.[13]

April 19–22
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 14 10 6 1 0

A large and destructive outbreak of 28 tornadoes tore through the Great Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. On April 19, a violent F4 tornado in Carter, Murray, Garvin Counties in Oklahoma killed five and injured six. Overall, the outbreak killed eight and injured 42.[14]

April 29–May 2
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 4 5 4 7 1 0

A very intense outbreak sequence of 21 tornadoes struck the Great Plains, Midwest, and Northeast during the transition from April into May. On April 29, an F4 tornado passed near Jetmore, Kansas, injuring one. Overall, 12 people were injured in the outbreak.[15][16]

May

140 tornadoes were reported in United States in May.[17]

May 14–15
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 3 2 1 1 1 0

A small but damaging outbreak of eight tornadoes struck the Midwest and Southeast. The worst event occurred on May 14, when a violent F4 tornado caused major damage in Indianapolis. The tornado was first seen by people near the 9700 block of East Washington Street. The tornado blew the second-floor wall off of an apartment building. Three high-tension towers were also blown down and bent. The worst damage occurred in the Heather Hills subdivision where ten houses were flattened. In Marion County, at least 70 homes were damaged or destroyed. In Mount Comfort, clocks were stopped at 12:25 P.M. in houses as they were being destroyed and a railroad car was tipped over. Near Eden, roofs were damaged and trees were damaged. Northwest of Markleville, several mobile homes were severely damaged. In Mechanicsburg, a barn's roof was uplifted. A total of 20 people were injured by the tornado, which is deemed as the strongest tornado to touch down in the Indianapolis area.[18][19] Overall, the outbreak injured 27.[20]

June

114 tornadoes were reported in the United States in June.[21]

June 18–19
Main article: Hurricane Agnes tornado outbreak
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 7 9 2 0 0
Plots of the tornadoes caused by Hurricane Agnes.

Hurricane Agnes made landfall in Florida, producing tornadoes that killed seven people.

July

115 tornadoes were reported in the United States in July.[22]

August

59 tornadoes were reported in the United States in August.[23]

September

49 tornadoes were reported in the United States in September.[24]

September 28–30
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 5 4 1 1 0

An F4 tornado hit Waukegan, Illinois, injuring 20. At least 11 other tornadoes were also associated with this outbreak, which as a whole injured 27.[25]

October

34 tornadoes were reported in the United States in October.[26]

November

17 tornadoes were reported in the United States in November.[27]

November 12–13
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5
0 1 8 5 0 0 0

An outbreak of 14 tornadoes struck the Southeast. In the early morning hours of November 13, an F2 tornado struck areas south of Nancy, Texas killing two people. Overall, the outbreak killed two and injured five.[28]

December

8 tornadoes were reported in the United States in December.[29]

See also

References
  1. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/1/map
  2. Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 1129–1133. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
  3. Lietz, Joshua. "Tornadoes on January 13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  4. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/2/map
  5. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/3/map
  6. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/3/26/map
  7. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/3/27/map
  8. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/3/28/map
  9. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/3/29/map
  10. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/4/map
  11. ""Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington" Details". Waymark. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
  12. National Weather Service (2006). "NWS Oregon Tornadoes". NOAA. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
  13. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/4/5/table
  14. "April 19-22, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  15. "April 29-30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  16. "May 1-2, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  17. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/5/map
  18. "Indiana Tornadoes: May 14, 1972 Indianapolis Area Tornado". May 14, 2012.
  19. "Indiana F4". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  20. "May 14-15, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  21. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/6/map
  22. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/7/map
  23. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/8/map
  24. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/9/map
  25. "September 28-30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  26. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/10/map
  27. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/11/map
  28. "November 12-13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  29. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/12/map
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