The May 21, 1957 tornado

F4Carter County, Missouri

An F4 tornado on a 9.1-mile path that killed 7 and injured 75. It was one of 18 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 6 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 21, 1957: 18 tornadoes in 5 states

F4 tornado · May 21, 1957

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 9.1 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 9.1 mi; Width up to 500 yards
Killed: 7; Along the whole path
Injured: 75; Along the whole path
Date and time: Tuesday, May 21, 1957; 3:53 PM CST
That day: 18; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Carter CountyMO

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Chisago County9.2 mi
F3, Washington County8 killed

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