The May 7, 1961 tornado

F4Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Platte and Clay counties, Kansas and Missouri

An F4 tornado on a 26.2-mile path that injured 12. It was one of 21 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 7, 1961: 21 tornadoes in 6 states

F4 tornado · May 7, 1961

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 26.2 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 50 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: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 26.2 mi; Width up to 50 yards
Killed: 0; Along the whole path
Injured: 12; Along the whole path
Date and time: Sunday, May 7, 1961; 3:15 PM CST
That day: 21; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

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