The March 16, 1965 tornado

F4Grant, Kay, Sumner and Cowley counties, Kansas and Oklahoma

An F4 tornado on a 82.7-mile path that injured 7. It was one of 9 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · March 16, 1965

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 82.7 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 300 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: 82.7 mi; Width up to 300 yards
Killed: 0; Along the whole path
Injured: 7; Along the whole path
Date and time: Tuesday, March 16, 1965; 4:40 PM CST
That day: 9; 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.