The May 7, 1971 tornado

F4Gibson, Carroll, Benton and Humphreys counties, Tennessee

An F4 tornado on a 50.9-mile path that killed 3 and injured 137. It was one of 4 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · May 7, 1971

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 50.9 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: 50.9 mi; Width up to 100 yards
Killed: 3; Along the whole path
Injured: 137; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 7, 1971; 5:45 PM CST
That day: 4; 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.