The April 4, 1966 tornado

F4Okeechobee, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk and Osceola counties, Florida

An F4 tornado on a 135.8-mile path that killed 11 and injured 530. It was one of 2 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · April 4, 1966

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 135.8 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: 135.8 mi; Width up to 300 yards
Killed: 11; Along the whole path
Injured: 530; Along the whole path
Date and time: Monday, April 4, 1966; 7:00 AM CST
That day: 2; 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.