The May 25, 1955 tornado

F5Kay, Sumner and Cowley counties, Kansas and Oklahoma

An F5 tornado on a 56.4-mile path that killed 80 and injured 273. It was one of 16 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 4 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F5 tornado · May 25, 1955

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s recorded path from touchdown to lift-off.

About this replay

Distance travelled—Historical replay — even pace

Distance—of 56.4 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

The tornado

Rating: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 56.4 mi; Width up to 1,320 yards
Killed: 80; Along the whole path
Injured: 273; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, May 25, 1955; 10:00 PM CST
That day: 16; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Kay CountyOK
Sumner CountyKS
Cowley CountyKS

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Collingsworth County2 killed
F5, Kay County20 killed

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