The February 21, 1971 tornado

F5Madison, East Carroll, Sunflower, Leflore, Issaquena, Sharkey, Washington and Humphreys counties, Louisiana and Mississippi

An F5 tornado on a 109.2-mile path that killed 47 and injured 510. 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

F5 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 109.2 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 500 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: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 109.2 mi; Width up to 500 yards
Killed: 47; Along the whole path
Injured: 510; Along the whole path
Date and time: Sunday, February 21, 1971; 2:50 PM CST
That day: 14; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Grenada County58 killed
F4, Warren County13 killed

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