The May 8, 1965 tornado

F4Madison, Pierce, Cedar, Hall, Greeley, Boone and Antelope counties, Nebraska

An F4 tornado on a 125.7-mile path that killed 4 and injured 53. It was one of 38 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 7 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 8, 1965: 38 tornadoes in 8 states

F4 tornado · May 8, 1965

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 125.7 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 10 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 along the path were not logged, so the replay moves at an even pace. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 125.7 mi; Width up to 10 yards
Killed: 4; Along the whole path
Injured: 53; Along the whole path
Date and time: Saturday, May 8, 1965; 5:30 PM CST
That day: 38; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Howard County78.9 mi
F5, Tripp County30.1 mi

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