The February 21, 1971 tornado

F4Grenada, Marshall, Issaquena, Sharkey, Humphreys, Leflore and Hardeman counties, Mississippi and Tennessee

An F4 tornado on a 202.1-mile path that killed 58 and injured 795. It was one of 14 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 4 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · February 21, 1971

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 202.1 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 100 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: 202.1 mi; Width up to 100 yards
Killed: 58; Along the whole path
Injured: 795; Along the whole path
Date and time: Sunday, February 21, 1971; 4:00 PM CST
That day: 14; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F5, Madison Parish47 killed
F4, Warren County13 killed

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