The November 6, 2005 tornado
F3Henderson, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Spencer counties, Indiana and Kentucky
An F3 tornado on a 41.3-mile path that killed 24 and injured 238. It was one of 4 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Watch how it happenedF3 tornado · November 6, 2005
How it happened
Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.
The tornado
- Rating
- F3
- Fujita scale
- Path length
- 41.3 mi
- Width up to 500 yards
- Killed
- 24
- Along the whole path
- Injured
- 238
- Along the whole path
- Date and time
- Sunday, November 6, 2005
- 1:39 AM CST
The National Weather Service account
Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.
The tornado that would cause mass casualties in the Evansville, Indiana area crossed the Ohio River a second time. This second crossing was from Vanderburgh County, Indiana into Henderson County. The tornado then crossed the river a third time less than a mile west of the U.S. Highway 41 twin bridges. The river does not form the state line at the third crossing. From the bridges, extensive tree damage was visible along both sides of the Ohio River. Almost immediately after crossing the river, the tornado slammed into a horse racing facility named Ellis Park. There was extensive damage to grandstands and housing facilities for jockeys. A few race horses were killed. This facility was the first major facility to be impacted by the tornado. All of the Henderson County tornado injuries were at Ellis Park. The tornado then crossed back into Vanderburgh County, Indiana after striking Ellis Park.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.
Counties on its path
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.