The April 26, 1991 tornado

F5Sedgwick and Butler counties, Kansas

An F5 tornado on a 46.0-mile path that killed 17 and injured 225. It was one of 53 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 12 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of April 26, 1991: 53 tornadoes in 7 states

F5 tornado · April 26, 1991

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 46.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 440 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: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 46.0 mi; Width up to 440 yards
Killed: 17; Along the whole path
Injured: 225; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, April 26, 1991; 4:57 PM CST
That day: 53; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Sedgwick CountyKS
Butler CountyKS

Other notable tornadoes that day

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