The May 27, 1973 tornado

F4Talladega, Clay, Cleburne, Hale, Perry, Bibb and Shelby counties, Alabama

An F4 tornado on a 139.1-mile path that killed 7 and injured 199. It was one of 41 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 5 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 27, 1973: 41 tornadoes in 10 states

F4 tornado · May 27, 1973

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 139.1 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 139.1 mi; Width up to 800 yards
Killed: 7; Along the whole path
Injured: 199; Along the whole path
Date and time: Sunday, May 27, 1973; 5:20 PM CST
That day: 41; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Talladega CountyAL
Clay CountyAL
Cleburne CountyAL
Hale CountyAL
Perry CountyAL
Bibb CountyAL
Shelby CountyAL

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