The April 17, 1963 tornado

F4Kankakee, Newton, Jasper and Pulaski counties, Illinois and Indiana

An F4 tornado on a 57.3-mile path that killed 1 and injured 70. It was one of 6 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · April 17, 1963

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 57.3 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 130 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: 57.3 mi; Width up to 130 yards
Killed: 1; Along the whole path
Injured: 70; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, April 17, 1963; 3:55 PM CST
That day: 6; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

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