The April 8, 1957 tornado

F4Lancaster, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Scotland, Robeson, Cumberland and Sampson counties, North Carolina and South Carolina

An F4 tornado on a 121.4-mile path that killed 4 and injured 70. It was one of 17 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 7 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of April 8, 1957: 17 tornadoes in 8 states

F4 tornado · April 8, 1957

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 121.4 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 150 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: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 121.4 mi; Width up to 150 yards
Killed: 4; Along the whole path
Injured: 70; Along the whole path
Date and time: Monday, April 8, 1957; 4:00 PM CST
That day: 17; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Robeson County0.8 mi

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