The May 15, 1968 tornado

F4Jackson, Craighead and Mississippi counties, Arkansas

An F4 tornado on a 20.9-mile path that killed 35 and injured 364. It was one of 33 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 9 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 15, 1968: 33 tornadoes in 9 states

F4 tornado · May 15, 1968

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 20.9 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 250 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: 20.9 mi; Width up to 250 yards
Killed: 35; Along the whole path
Injured: 364; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, May 15, 1968; 8:45 PM CST
That day: 33; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

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