The February 12, 1950 tornado

F4De Soto, Caddo, Bossier and Webster counties, Louisiana

An F4 tornado on a 82.6-mile path that killed 18 and injured 77. It was one of 13 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · February 12, 1950

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 82.6 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 100 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 82.6 mi; Width up to 100 yards
Killed: 18; Along the whole path
Injured: 77; Along the whole path
Date and time: Sunday, February 12, 1950; 1:00 PM CST
That day: 13; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F2, De Soto Parish5 killed
F3, Sabine Parish5 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.