The April 18, 1970 tornado

F4Gray, Swisher, Briscoe, Armstrong and Donley counties, Texas

An F4 tornado on a 65.0-mile path that killed 16 and injured 42. It was one of 9 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · April 18, 1970

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 65.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 880 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: 65.0 mi; Width up to 880 yards
Killed: 16; Along the whole path
Injured: 42; Along the whole path
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 1970; 1:00 AM 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.