The May 5, 1960 tornado

F5Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee and Creek counties, Oklahoma

An F5 tornado on a 71.8-mile path that killed 5 and injured 81. It was one of 31 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 8 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 5, 1960: 31 tornadoes in 7 states

F5 tornado · May 5, 1960

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 71.8 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 800 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: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 71.8 mi; Width up to 800 yards
Killed: 5; Along the whole path
Injured: 81; Along the whole path
Date and time: Thursday, May 5, 1960; 5:00 PM CST
That day: 31; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Latimer County16 killed
F4, Sequoyah County5 killed

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