The April 3, 1956 tornado

F5Allegan, Ottawa, Kent and Montcalm counties, Michigan

An F5 tornado on a 58.8-mile path that killed 17 and injured 292. It was one of 29 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 9 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of April 3, 1956: 29 tornadoes in 11 states

F5 tornado · April 3, 1956

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 58.8 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 400 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 start and end points. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 58.8 mi; Width up to 400 yards
Killed: 17; Along the whole path
Injured: 292; Along the whole path
Date and time: Tuesday, April 3, 1956; 4:40 PM CST
That day: 29; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

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