The May 22, 1952 tornado

F4Douglas, Leavenworth, Johnson and Wyandotte counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado on a 26.9-mile path that injured 3. It was one of 3 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · May 22, 1952

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 26.9 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 440 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: 26.9 mi; Width up to 440 yards
Killed: 0; Along the whole path
Injured: 3; Along the whole path
Date and time: Thursday, May 22, 1952; 5:10 PM CST
That day: 3; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

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