The April 21, 1984 tornado

F3Union, Leflore, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha and Lafayette counties, Mississippi

An F3 tornado on a 71.0-mile path that killed 15 and injured 76. It was one of 7 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F3 tornado · April 21, 1984

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s recorded path from touchdown to lift-off.

About this replay

Distance travelled—Historical replay — even pace

Distance—of 71.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF3

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 10 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 start and end points. Times along the path were not logged, so the replay moves at an even pace. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F3; Fujita scale
Path length: 71.0 mi; Width up to 10 yards
Killed: 15; Along the whole path
Injured: 76; Along the whole path
Date and time: Saturday, April 21, 1984; 4:00 PM CST
That day: 7; 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.