The April 22, 1981 tornado

F4Dunklin, New Madrid and Mississippi counties, Missouri

An F4 tornado on a 63.0-mile path that killed 1 and injured 32. It was one of 9 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · April 22, 1981

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 63.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 400 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: 63.0 mi; Width up to 400 yards
Killed: 1; Along the whole path
Injured: 32; Along the whole path
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 1981; 4:50 PM CST
That day: 9; 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.