The May 26, 1973 tornado

F4Woodruff, Jackson, Poinsett and Craighead counties, Arkansas

An F4 tornado on a 54.8-mile path that killed 3 and injured 289. It was one of 32 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 5 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · May 26, 1973

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 54.8 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 300 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: 54.8 mi; Width up to 300 yards
Killed: 3; Along the whole path
Injured: 289; Along the whole path
Date and time: Saturday, May 26, 1973; 10:30 PM CST
That day: 32; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Muskogee County5 killed

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