The November 19, 1973 tornado

F3McClain, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties, Oklahoma

An F3 tornado on a 24.2-mile path that killed 5 and injured 36. It was one of 11 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day.

Watch how it happened

F3 tornado · November 19, 1973

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 24.2 miles

Now in—

RatingF3

Path milestones

Damage pathDrawn at its 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: F3; Fujita scale
Path length: 24.2 mi; Width up to 500 yards
Killed: 5; Along the whole path
Injured: 36; Along the whole path
Date and time: Monday, November 19, 1973; 7:30 PM CST
That day: 11; 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.