May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The May 1957 Central Plains tornado outbreak was a tornado outbreak
that took place across the US Central Plains from May 19 to May 21, 1957. The F5
tornado that was included in this outbreak and the most significant, is often called the Ruskin Heights Tornado according to people in the Kansas City
area as the worst of the damage occurred in the Ruskin Heights
area, a suburb and housing development south of Kansas City. Fifty-seven tornadoes were reported from Colorado
to the Mississippi Valley and 59 people were killed during the outbreak including 44 from the Ruskin Heights tornado.
The tornado touched down shortly after 6:00 PM CDT in Williamsburg, Kansas
and lifted about 71 miles (114 km) later just outside the town of Little Blue, Missouri southeast of Kansas City near the present-day interchange
of Interstates 70
and 470
.
Thirty-nine people were reported dead with in the first forty-eight hours, with five more dying from injuries over the years.
The tornado struck areas around Ottawa
, and Spring Hill, Kansas
before hitting Martin City, part of Grandview
, and the unincorporated area known as Hickman Mills which contained Ruskin Heights (a huge subdivision), and Knobtown, Missouri. The 71 miles (114 km) path leveled numerous houses and businesses. At one point the F5 tornado was over a mile (1.6 km) wide, but as it went through Ruskin Heights, the funnel was about three to four street blocks wide.
The U.S. Weather Bureau (now the NWS-National Weather Service) SELS (SEvereLocalStorms) unit- a precursor to today's Storm Prediction Center (SPC)- knew by late that Monday afternoon that there was a distinct possibility of tornadoes in and/or around Metropolitan Kansas City and even expressed that concern in updated forecasts sent to the local news media.
Around 5:30 p.m.- Weather Bureau radar showed a thunderstorm cell develop and grow rapidly in intensity as it moved from the Emporia KS area. By 6 p.m.- a tornado touched down near the small town of Williamsburg, KS..
On U.S. 50 on the southwest outskirts of Ottawa, KS, the tornado destroyed the U-Rest motel and a restaurant. The manager of the motel took his guests to the basement, while the owner of the restaurant whisked his customers safely away from the approaching tornado in a station wagon.
The now multiple-vortex tornado missed the Franklin county seat itself- but roared northeast where it demolished a farmhouse, killing the elderly copule inside.
The tornado approached and crossed the Johnson county KS line by 7 p.m..
The Larson family lived at the south edge of Spring Hill KS and their Miami County home was destroyed. Fortunately the family made it to the basement in time.
Less fortunate was the Isham Davis family, also of Spring Hill. All four were killed..
The tornado continued northeast, passing south of the Stanley KS community (now Overland Park) and crossed the Missouri state line around 7:30 p.m..
Tornado warnings ("Tornado Alerts" actually) were now being issued with increasing frequency and urgency on Kansas City television and radio stations. Twenty-seven bulletins would be issued by the Kansas City Weather Bureau office that night.
Just south of the unincorporated town of Martin City (now Kansas City MO) was the Ozanam Boys Home. As the tornado approached Martin City, it struck a barn and outbuildings at the Ozanam Boy's home at 137th and Holmes Road. Twenty-three boys huddled in the basement and escaped injury.
Entering Martin City, the tornado demolished ten homes along Oak Street between 135th and 136th streets. It then struck the Bartlett and Company grain elevators on the Missouri-Pacific railroad line.
Next hit was the Methodist Church at 135th and Holmes. There was a birthday party in progress at the church, but the more than 40 people there were not injured.
The tornado then demolished the Faith Tabernacle leaving only a few pews standing. The pastor and his family had just left the building moments before.
The popular Jess and Jim's Steakhouse was destroyed, but amazingly the owner's parakeet was unharmed. The restaurant was not open on Monday night. This fortuitous happenstance saved many lives.
Virtually every house and building in Martin City was damaged or destroyed. Twenty-five to thirty homes were leveled.
The death toll was 2 with 35 injuries.
The tornado then continued northeast toward Hickman Mills ... and Ruskin Heights.
There were many square blocks of devastation in the community of Hickman Mills, then-located along old U.S. 71 Highway south of Longview Road.
The Hickman Mills Bank at 117th and U.S. 71 lost its south wall to the winds and later had to be protected by the Army National Guard of Missouri. The Hickman Mills Furniture Company was also destroyed. Automobiles from a Chevrolet dealership across from the bank were picked up and blown blocks away.
Shoppers inside the A&P grocery store in the Ruskin Shopping Center at Red Bridge & Blue Ridge Extention saw the store's lights go out, the store's front windows explode, then parts of the roof above them being lifted away. Survivors later told of seeing persons and cars in the parking lot being blown away.
A car occupied by a mother and her child was picked up by the tornado and slammed against a water tower behind the shopping center. Both were killed.
The tornado ripped through the shopping center, across Blue Ridge, then blasted into the Ruskin Junior high school then the one-year-old Ruskin High School, demolishing both buildings.
The only letters left on the high school sign were RU and IN.
Some people in Ruskin Heights saw airborne debris, many could hear the loud, jet engine-like roar of the tornado.
Because of the media and visual warnings, many Ruskin Heights residents were able to take refuge in their basements, with neighbors who had basements or simply outrun the tornado in their cars. On East 110th street there were least 50 people in one basement, literally lying on top of each other. In this case the roof was blown away but no one was injured. There were many homes without basements and this led to a greater proportion of fatalities.
Today, there is a memorial
located at the entrance to Ruskin Heights (111th and Blue Ridge) commemorating those who were killed.
. An F4 tornado in Carter County
killed 7 and injured 75 while an F3 tornado in St. Francois County killed 8 and injured 50.
Tornado outbreak
While there is no single agreed upon definition, generally at least 6-10 tornadoes produced by the same synoptic scale weather system is considered a tornado outbreak. The tornadoes usually occur within the same day, or continue into the early morning hours of the succeeding day, and within the...
that took place across the US Central Plains from May 19 to May 21, 1957. The F5
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
tornado that was included in this outbreak and the most significant, is often called the Ruskin Heights Tornado according to people in the Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
area as the worst of the damage occurred in the Ruskin Heights
Ruskin Heights, Missouri
Ruskin Heights is a housing development located in South Kansas City, Missouri. Ruskin Heights was built in the early 1950s and was in the Levittown community model. In 1952 the Whitley estate, a large tract of land east of Hickman Mills, Missouri became available for deployment. The land was...
area, a suburb and housing development south of Kansas City. Fifty-seven tornadoes were reported from Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
to the Mississippi Valley and 59 people were killed during the outbreak including 44 from the Ruskin Heights tornado.
May 19 event
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Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
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| Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River.... |
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| F1 | NW of Bayard Bayard, Nebraska Bayard is a city in Morrill County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,247 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bayard is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Scotts Bluff Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska -National protected area:* North Platte National Wildlife Refuge* Scotts Bluff National Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 36,951 people, 14,887 households, and 10,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 16,119... |
0130 | 1.7 miles (2.7 km) |
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| F2 | N of Northport | Scotts Bluff Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska -National protected area:* North Platte National Wildlife Refuge* Scotts Bluff National Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 36,951 people, 14,887 households, and 10,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 16,119... |
0330 | 5.1 miles (8.2 km) |
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| F1 | W of Gurley Gurley, Nebraska Gurley is a village in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 228 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gurley is located at .... |
Cheyenne Cheyenne County, Nebraska -History:Cheyenne County was formed in 1871. It was named after the Cheyenne Native American tribe.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, of 2000, there were 9,830 people, 4,071 households, and 2,686 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile . There... |
0400 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - May 19, 1957 Storm Data | ||||||
May 20 event
| List of confirmed tornadoes | ||||||
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Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
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| Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
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| F0 | W of Burlington, CO Burlington, Colorado Burlington is a Home Rule Municipality, county seat, most populous place and only city in Kit Carson County, Colorado, United States. Its population was 4191 at the U.S. Census 2010... to NW of St. Francis, KS St. Francis, Kansas St. Francis is a city in and the county seat of Cheyenne County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,329.-Geography:St. Francis is located at... |
Kit Carson, CO Kit Carson County, Colorado Kit Carson County is the 18th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 8,011 at U.S. Census 2000. The county was named for Kit Carson... , Sherman, KS Sherman County, Kansas Sherman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,010... , Cheyenne Cheyenne County, Kansas Cheyenne County is a county located in Northwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,726. Its county seat and most populous city is St... , Rawlins Rawlins County, Kansas Rawlins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,519. The largest city and county seat is Atwood... |
1700 | 70.1 miles (112.2 km) |
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| Kansas Kansas Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south... |
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| F0 | Phillipsburg Phillipsburg, Kansas Phillipsburg is a city in and the county seat of Phillips County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,581.-19th century:... area |
Phillips Phillips County, Kansas Phillips County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,642... |
1755 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
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| F0 | N of Downs Downs, Kansas Downs is a city in Osborne County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 900.-History:Downs began as the end point of the Central Branch Railroad in 1879. It became an incorporated town in December of the same year. In 1910, the city had a population of 1,427... |
Osborne Osborne County, Kansas Osborne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,858. The largest city and county seat is Osborne.-19th century:... |
1915 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F0 | SW of Hunter Hunter, Kansas Hunter is a city in Mitchell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 57.-Geography:Hunter is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77... |
Mitchell Mitchell County, Kansas Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,373... |
1925 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | N of Burr Oak Burr Oak, Kansas Burr Oak is a city in Jewell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 174.-Geography:Burr Oak is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 265... |
Jewell Jewell County, Kansas Jewell County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,077. Its county seat and most populous city is Mankato.-19th century:... |
2005 | 5.7 miles (9.1 km) |
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| F4 | E of Glasco Glasco, Kansas Glasco is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 498.-History:The land that now makes up Glasco was part of a land grant from the U.S. Government to Isaac Biggs, one of the earliest pioneers. Glasco was originally incorporated as "The Dell... to N of Morrowville Morrowville, Kansas Morrowville is a city in Washington County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 155.-Geography:Morrowville is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Area attractions:*... |
Cloud Cloud County, Kansas Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:... , Republic Republic County, Kansas Republic County is a county located in the state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,980. The largest city and county seat is Belleville.-19th century:... , Washington Washington County, Kansas Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,799... |
2050 | 44.6 miles (71.4 km) |
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| F2 | NW of Aurora Aurora, Kansas Aurora is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 60.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Aurora to Superior, Nebraska... |
Cloud Cloud County, Kansas Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:... |
2050 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F2 | W of Huscher Huscher, Kansas Huscher is an unincorporated rural area in Cloud County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Huscher to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad... (1st tornado) |
Cloud Cloud County, Kansas Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:... |
2050 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F2 | W of Huscher Huscher, Kansas Huscher is an unincorporated rural area in Cloud County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Huscher to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad... (2nd tornado) |
Cloud Cloud County, Kansas Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:... |
2050 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F3 | NE of Rice Rice, Kansas Rice is an unincorporated rural community in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. It is located a significant distance away from Rice County, Kansas.... |
Cloud Cloud County, Kansas Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:... |
2050 | 6.1 miles (9.8 km) |
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| F0 | S of Hartford Hartford, Kansas Hartford is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 371. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hartford is located at... |
Lyon Lyon County, Kansas Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county was named for General Nathaniel Lyon, who was killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in the Civil War. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 33,690. Emporia is the largest city and county seat... |
2345 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
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| F0 | NW of Madison Madison, Kansas Madison is a city in Greenwood County, Kansas, United States, along the Verdigris River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 701.-Geography:Madison is located at... |
Greenwood Greenwood County, Kansas Greenwood County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,689... |
0015 | 1 miles (1.6 km) |
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| F5 | SW of Williamsburg, KS Williamsburg, Kansas Williamsburg is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 397.-Geography:Williamsburg is located at... to E of Raytown, MO Raytown, Missouri Raytown is a city in Jackson County, Missouri, United States, and is a suburb of Kansas City. The population was at 29,526 in 2010 census. The mayor of Raytown is David Bower.-History:... (SE Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties... ) |
Franklin, KS Franklin County, Kansas Franklin County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 25,992. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa... , Miami Miami County, Kansas Miami County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 32,787. Its county seat and most populous city is Paola... , Johnson Johnson County, Kansas Johnson County is a county located in northeast Kansas, in the central United States. The county is largely suburban, being part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, and containing many of its affluent southwestern suburbs. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 544,179. Its county... , Jackson, MO Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan... |
0015 | 69.4 miles (111 km) |
44 deaths | |
| F3 | Homewood area | Franklin Franklin County, Kansas Franklin County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 25,992. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa... |
0137 | 5.6 miles (9 km) |
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| Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River.... |
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| F0 | N of Red Cloud Red Cloud, Nebraska Red Cloud is a city in and the county seat of Webster County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,131 at the 2000 census.-History:The region of present-day Red Cloud was intermittently occupied and used as hunting grounds by the Pawnees until 1833. In that year, a treaty was signed in... |
Webster Webster County, Nebraska -History:Webster County was formed in 1871. It was named after the statesman Daniel Webster.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 4,061 people, 1,708 households, and 1,118 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile . There were 1,972 housing... |
2015 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | NE of Broken Bow Broken Bow, Nebraska Broken Bow is a city in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,491 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Custer County.-History:... |
Custer Custer County, Nebraska -History:Custer County was formed in 1877. It was named after General George Armstrong Custer, who was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.-Demographics:... |
2017 | 2.7 miles (4.3 km) |
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| F0 | E of Guide Rock Guide Rock, Nebraska Guide Rock is a village in Webster County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 245 at the 2000 census. The town was the first settlement in Webster County, with the first white settlers arriving in 1870. The town was named after Guide Rock, a hill on the opposite bank of the Republican River... |
Nuckolls Nuckolls County, Nebraska Nuckolls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,500. Its county seat is Nelson.... |
2020 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | SW of Anselmo Anselmo, Nebraska Anselmo is a village in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 159 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Anselmo is located at .... |
Custer Custer County, Nebraska -History:Custer County was formed in 1877. It was named after General George Armstrong Custer, who was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.-Demographics:... |
2100 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F2 | W of Reynolds Reynolds, Nebraska Reynolds is a village in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 88 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Reynolds is located at .... to E of Palmyra Palmyra, Nebraska Palmyra is a village in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 546 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Palmyra is located at .... |
Thayer Thayer County, Nebraska -History:Thayer County was formed in 1872. It was named after the General and Governor John Milton Thayer.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,055 people, 2,541 households, and 1,689 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were... , Jefferson Jefferson County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,527 households, and 2,352 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 3,942 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile... , Salnie Saline County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,843 people, 5,188 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile... , Lancaster Lancaster County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 250,291 people, 99,187 households, and 60,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 298 people per square mile . There were 104,217 housing units at an average density of 124 per square mile... |
2200 | 75.3 miles (120.5 km) |
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| F2 | Doniphan Doniphan, Nebraska Doniphan is a village in Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 763 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Grand Island, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town of Doniphan was platted by local pioneer William J. Burger in 1879 as a midway point between Hastings and Grand... to NE of Phillips Phillips, Nebraska Phillips is a village in Hamilton County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 336 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Phillips is located at .... |
Hall Hall County, Nebraska -History:Hall County was formed in 1858. It was named after Augustus Hall, an early judge of this territory.- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 53,534 people, 20,356 households, and 14,086 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile... , Hamilton Hamilton County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,403 people, 3,503 households, and 2,676 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 3,850 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile... |
2300 | 18.2 miles (29.1 km) |
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| F2 | NE of Friend Friend, Nebraska Friend is a city in Saline County, Nebraska, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,027.-History:The city is named for Charles E. Friend who homesteaded the land and initially named the community Friendville. He operated a dry goods store and post office... to N of Emerald |
Saline Saline County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,843 people, 5,188 households, and 3,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile... , Gage Gage County, Nebraska -History:Gage County was formed with land taken from the Oto in an 1854 treaty. It was named after the minister William D. Gage.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 22,993 people, 9,316 households, and 6,204 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per... , Lancaster Lancaster County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 250,291 people, 99,187 households, and 60,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 298 people per square mile . There were 104,217 housing units at an average density of 124 per square mile... |
2320 | 23.9 miles (38.2 km) |
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| South Dakota South Dakota South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over... |
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| F1 | N of Rockerville | Pennington Pennington County, South Dakota As of the census of 2000, there were 88,565 people, 34,641 households, and 23,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 37,249 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile... |
2100 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... |
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| F2 | W of Weatherby Weatherby, Missouri Weatherby is a village in DeKalb County, Missouri, United States. The population was 123 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is part of the St... |
DeKalb DeKalb County, Missouri DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population is 12,892. The county was organized in 1845 and is named after the American Revolutionary War general Johann de Kalb. The county along with Buchanan and Andrew counties in Missouri and Doniphan County,... |
2300 | 9.8 miles (15.7 km) |
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| F2 | SW of Richmond Richmond, Missouri Richmond is a city in Ray County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,797 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Ray County.-Geography:Richmond is located at... |
Jackson Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan... , Ray |
0137 | 12.8 miles (20.5 km) |
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| Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state... |
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| F0 | N of Pawnee Pawnee, Oklahoma Pawnee is a city in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,230 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pawnee County.-Geography:Pawnee is located at... |
Pawnee Pawnee County, Oklahoma Pawnee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 16,612. Its county seat is Pawnee.-History:The Osage Tribe used the area that contains present day Pawnee County as buffalo hunting grounds... |
2300 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
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| F2 | NE of Hominy Hominy, Oklahoma Hominy is a city in Osage County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,565 at the 2010 census, a 38 percent increase from 2,584 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hominy is located at .... |
Osage Osage County, Oklahoma Osage County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Coterminous with the Osage Indian Reservation, it is the home of the federally recognized Osage Nation. As of the 2010 census, the population was 47,472 a 6.8 percent increase from 2000, when the population was 44,437... |
2345 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F2 | NW of Prague Prague, Oklahoma Prague is a city in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,138 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prague is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Lincoln Lincoln County, Oklahoma Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2010 was 34,273. It is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.Its county seat is Chandler.... |
0000 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F0 | NW of Kiefer Kiefer, Oklahoma Kiefer is a town in Creek County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,026 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kiefer is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Creek Creek County, Oklahoma Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 69,967. Its county seat is Sapulpa.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water.... |
0100 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F0 | E of Hogshooter | Nowata Nowata County, Oklahoma Nowata County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,573, a decline of 0.3 percent from 2000, when the population was 10,569... |
0100 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | Broken Arrow Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Broken Arrow is a city located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa County but also with a small section of the city in western Wagoner County. It is the largest suburb of Tulsa. According to the 2010 US Census, Broken Arrow has a population of 98,850 residents... area (SE Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's... ) |
Tulsa Tulsa County, Oklahoma Tulsa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is 603,403. Its county seat is Tulsa.-History of Tulsa County:The history of Tulsa County greatly overlaps the history of the city of Tulsa... |
0130 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) |
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| F0 | SW of Beggs Beggs, Oklahoma Beggs is a city in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,364 at the 2000 census. Beggs was named for C.H. Beggs, vice president of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway.-Geography:... |
Okmulgee Okmulgee County, Oklahoma Okmulgee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 39,685. Its county seat is Okmulgee.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,819 km²... |
0204 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | W of Chelsea Chelsea, Oklahoma Chelsea is a town in Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,136 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chelsea is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Rogers Rogers County, Oklahoma Rogers County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 86,905. Its county seat is Claremore. The county was originally created in 1906 and named Cooweescoowee... |
0430 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | NW of Centralia Centralia, Oklahoma Centralia is a rural unincorporated community in Craig County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office opened April 11, 1899. The ZIP Code is 74301. It is said to have been named for Centralia, Illinois.-Sources:... |
Craig Craig County, Oklahoma Craig County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 15,029, a gain of 0.5 percent from 14,950 in 2000. Its county seat is Vinita.Craig County was organized in 1907.-History:... |
0500 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F1 | NE of Vinita Vinita, Oklahoma Vinita is a city in south-central Craig County, Oklahoma. As of 2009, the population estimate was 6,057. It is the county seat of Craig County.-Geography:... |
Craig Craig County, Oklahoma Craig County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 15,029, a gain of 0.5 percent from 14,950 in 2000. Its county seat is Vinita.Craig County was organized in 1907.-History:... |
0500 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| F3 | NW of Garland to NE of Sallisaw Sallisaw, Oklahoma Sallisaw is a city in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 8,880 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Sequoyah County. It has three highways running through it: U.S. 59, or Kerr Boulevard,... |
Mayes Mayes County, Oklahoma Mayes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It was named for Samuel Houston Mayes, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899. According to the 2010 census the population was 41,259, a 7.5 percent increase from 2000, when the population was 38,369... , Delaware Delaware County, Oklahoma Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 37,077 and the newest population estimate is 45,000. Its county seat is Jay. The county was named for the Delaware Indians resettled in what was then Indian Territory in the 1830s. .Delaware County... |
0510 | 20.4 miles (32.6 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - May 20, 1957 Storm Data | ||||||
May 21 event
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Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
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| Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... |
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| F1 | NE of Staples Staples, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 3,104 people, 1,278 households, and 732 families residing in the city. The population density was 684.5 people per square mile . There were 1,436 housing units at an average density of 316.7 per square mile... |
Todd Todd County, Minnesota -External links:*... , Cass Cass County, Minnesota Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:... |
1800 | 3.8 miles (6.1 km) |
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| F4 | E of Rush City Rush City, Minnesota As of the census of 2010, there were 3,079 people, 844 households, and 524 families residing in the city. The population density was 990.3 people per square mile . There were 908 housing units at an average density of 292.9 per square mile... |
Chisago | 1900 | 9.2 miles (14.7 km) |
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| Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... |
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| F3 | E of Doss Doss, Missouri Doss is a small unincorporated community in Dent County, Missouri, United States. It is located about five miles south of Salem. Its post office has closed and mail now comes from nearby Salem. The community was founded in 1889 and is named for the printer William Doss, of the Dent County... |
Dent Dent County, Missouri Dent County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 14,927. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 15,119. The largest city and county seat is Salem... |
2100 | 10.2 miles (16.3 km) |
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| F2 | S of Squires Squires, Missouri Squires is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Missouri, United States. Squires is located about eight miles south of Ava on Route 5.... |
Taney Taney County, Missouri Taney County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat is Forsyth.... , Douglas Douglas County, Missouri Douglas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,684. The largest city and county seat is Ava. The county was officially organized on October 29, 1857, and is named after U.S. Senator Stephen A... |
2115 | 14.5 miles (23.2 km) |
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| F1 | NE of Mill Spring Mill Spring, Missouri Mill Spring is a village in Wayne County, Missouri, United States, along the Black River. The population was 219 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mill Spring is located at .... |
Wayne Wayne County, Missouri Wayne County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 13,259. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,652. The county seat is Greenville... |
2130 | 13 miles (20.8 km) |
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| F1 | S of Centerville Centerville, Missouri Centerville is a city in Reynolds County, Missouri, along the West Fork of the Black River. The population was 171 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Reynolds County.-West Fork Lead Mine:... |
Reynolds Reynolds County, Missouri Reynolds County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 6,689. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 6,388. Its county seat is Centerville... |
2145 | 0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
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| F3 | SW of Sunlight to Desloge Desloge, Missouri Desloge is a city in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States. The estimated 2008 population was 5,190. It was 4,802 at the 2000 census.-History:... |
Washington Washington County, Missouri Washington County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 25,195. The largest city and county seat is Potosi... , St. Francois |
2145 | 22.2 miles (35.5 km) |
8 deaths | |
| F4 | NE of Fremont Fremont, Missouri Fremont is an unincorporated community in western Carter County, Missouri, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about ten miles west of Van Buren. The community was founded in about 1887 and was named for its founder, A. J... |
Carter Carter County, Missouri Carter County is a county located in the central western portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina in 1812. ... |
2153 | 9.1 miles (14.6 km) |
7 deaths | |
| F2 | N of Burfordville Burfordville, Missouri Burfordville is an unincorporated community in western Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States. It is located five miles west of Jackson on Route 34. Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is located here, on the banks of the Whitewater River.... |
Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Cape Girardeau County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 75,764. While the largest city in the county is Cape Girardeau, the county seat is actually Jackson, which was the first city named in honor of President... |
2300 | 5.1 miles (8.2 km) |
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| F2 | E of Lewistown Lewistown, Missouri Lewistown is a city in Lewis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 595 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is located on state highway 6 and near the junction of state highway 6 and state highway 16.... |
Lewis | 2330 | 7.4 miles (11.8 km) |
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| F1 | E of Cardwell Cardwell, Missouri Cardwell is a city in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 789 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cardwell is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.... to N of Deering Deering, Missouri Deering is an unincorporated community in Pemiscot County, Missouri. It is located eight miles west of Caruthersville.Deering began as a lumber town in the early 1900s. After the Wisconsin Lumber Company ceased operations in Deering, the town's population began to dwindle. The town is now so... |
Dunklin Dunklin County, Missouri Dunklin County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 33,155. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 31,454. The largest city and county seat is Kennett... , Pemiscot Pemiscot County, Missouri Pemiscot County is a county located in the Bootheel in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 20,047. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 18,515. The largest city and county seat is Caruthersville... |
0545 | 23.7 miles (37.9 km) |
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| F2 | W of Kennett Kennett, Missouri Kennett is a city in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census, but a 2008 estimate indicates a 4.9% decrease in population to 10,707. Kennett is the county seat of Dunklin County... |
Dunklin Dunklin County, Missouri Dunklin County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 33,155. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 31,454. The largest city and county seat is Kennett... |
0545 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... |
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| F2 | S of Columbia Columbia, Illinois Columbia is a city in Monroe and St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Illinois, about south of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 7,922 at the 2000 census.-History:... to SE of Shiloh Shiloh, Illinois Shiloh is a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. A 2005 census recorded a population of 11,000.-Geography:Shiloh is located at .... |
Monroe Monroe County, Illinois Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 32,957, which is an increase of 19.3% from 27,619 in 2000. Its county seat is Waterloo... , St. Clair St. Clair County, Illinois St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau placed the mean center of U.S. population in St. Clair County. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 270,056, which is an increase of 5.5% from 256,082 in 2000. Its county seat is... |
2150 | 19.7 miles (31.5 km) |
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| F2 | SE of Claremont Claremont, Illinois Claremont is a village in Richland County, Illinois, United States. The population was 212 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Claremont is located at .... |
Richland | 2300 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) |
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| F3 | S of Makanda Makanda, Illinois Makanda is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 561. In the early 20th Century it used the slogan "Star of Egypt."Makanda is part of the Carbondale, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.... |
Union, Jackson Jackson County, Illinois Jackson County, incorporated January 10, 1816, is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 60,218, which is an increase of 1.0% from 59,612 in 2000... |
0007 | 8.5 miles (13.6 km) |
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| F3 | N of Good Hope Good Hope, Illinois Good Hope is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 415 according to the 2000 census.-Geography:Good Hope is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.... |
McDonough | 0140 | 13.7 miles (21.9 km) |
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| Iowa Iowa Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New... |
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| F2 | W of Stockton Stockton, Iowa Stockton is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 182 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Stockton is located at .... |
Cedar Cedar County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,956 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,064 housing units, of which 7,511 were occupied.-2000 census:... , Muscatine Muscatine County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 42,745 in the county, with a population density of . There were 17,910 housing units, of which 16,412 were occupied.-2000 census:... , Scott Scott County, Iowa -2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:... |
2300 | 8.9 miles (14.2 km) |
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| Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... |
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| F2 | SW of Pelzer | Warrick Warrick County, Indiana As of the census of 2000, there were 52,383 people, 19,438 households, and 15,181 families residing in the county. The population density was 136 people per square mile . There were 20,546 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile... |
0203 | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) |
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| Kentucky Kentucky The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... |
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| F2 | W of English | Carroll Carroll County, Kentucky Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky and located at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers. It was formed in 1838 and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The population was 10,155 at the 2000 census... |
0700 | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) |
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| Source: Tornado History Project - May 21, 1957 Storm Data | ||||||
Williamsburg, KS - Near Knobtown, MO or "The Ruskin Heights Tornado" Event
| State | Total | County | County total |
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| Kansas Kansas Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south... |
7 | Franklin Franklin County, Kansas Franklin County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 25,992. Its county seat and most populous city is Ottawa... |
3 |
| Miami Miami County, Kansas Miami County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 32,787. Its county seat and most populous city is Paola... |
4 | ||
| Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... |
52 | Carter Carter County, Missouri Carter County is a county located in the central western portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina in 1812. ... |
7 |
| Jackson Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan... |
37 | ||
| St. Francois | 8 | ||
| Totals | 59 | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
The tornado touched down shortly after 6:00 PM CDT in Williamsburg, Kansas
Williamsburg, Kansas
Williamsburg is a city in Franklin County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 397.-Geography:Williamsburg is located at...
and lifted about 71 miles (114 km) later just outside the town of Little Blue, Missouri southeast of Kansas City near the present-day interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
of Interstates 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
and 470
Interstate 470 (Missouri)
Interstate 470 is a loop of the Interstate Highway System that serves to link southeast Kansas City to Independence via Lee's Summit in Jackson County, Missouri. The western terminus of the freeway is at the Grandview Triangle interchange while the northern terminus is an cloverleaf interchange...
.
Thirty-nine people were reported dead with in the first forty-eight hours, with five more dying from injuries over the years.
The tornado struck areas around Ottawa
Ottawa, Kansas
Ottawa is a city situated along the Marais des Cygnes River in the central part of Franklin County, located in east-central Kansas, 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, Mo., in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,649. It is the county seat and most populous...
, and Spring Hill, Kansas
Spring Hill, Kansas
Spring Hill is a city in Johnson and Miami counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,437.-History:In 1856, James B. Hovey named the community after a town near Mobile, Alabama...
before hitting Martin City, part of Grandview
Grandview, Missouri
Grandview is a city in Jackson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 24,475 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Grandview is located at , along U.S...
, and the unincorporated area known as Hickman Mills which contained Ruskin Heights (a huge subdivision), and Knobtown, Missouri. The 71 miles (114 km) path leveled numerous houses and businesses. At one point the F5 tornado was over a mile (1.6 km) wide, but as it went through Ruskin Heights, the funnel was about three to four street blocks wide.
The U.S. Weather Bureau (now the NWS-National Weather Service) SELS (SEvereLocalStorms) unit- a precursor to today's Storm Prediction Center (SPC)- knew by late that Monday afternoon that there was a distinct possibility of tornadoes in and/or around Metropolitan Kansas City and even expressed that concern in updated forecasts sent to the local news media.
Around 5:30 p.m.- Weather Bureau radar showed a thunderstorm cell develop and grow rapidly in intensity as it moved from the Emporia KS area. By 6 p.m.- a tornado touched down near the small town of Williamsburg, KS..
On U.S. 50 on the southwest outskirts of Ottawa, KS, the tornado destroyed the U-Rest motel and a restaurant. The manager of the motel took his guests to the basement, while the owner of the restaurant whisked his customers safely away from the approaching tornado in a station wagon.
The now multiple-vortex tornado missed the Franklin county seat itself- but roared northeast where it demolished a farmhouse, killing the elderly copule inside.
The tornado approached and crossed the Johnson county KS line by 7 p.m..
The Larson family lived at the south edge of Spring Hill KS and their Miami County home was destroyed. Fortunately the family made it to the basement in time.
Less fortunate was the Isham Davis family, also of Spring Hill. All four were killed..
The tornado continued northeast, passing south of the Stanley KS community (now Overland Park) and crossed the Missouri state line around 7:30 p.m..
Tornado warnings ("Tornado Alerts" actually) were now being issued with increasing frequency and urgency on Kansas City television and radio stations. Twenty-seven bulletins would be issued by the Kansas City Weather Bureau office that night.
Just south of the unincorporated town of Martin City (now Kansas City MO) was the Ozanam Boys Home. As the tornado approached Martin City, it struck a barn and outbuildings at the Ozanam Boy's home at 137th and Holmes Road. Twenty-three boys huddled in the basement and escaped injury.
Entering Martin City, the tornado demolished ten homes along Oak Street between 135th and 136th streets. It then struck the Bartlett and Company grain elevators on the Missouri-Pacific railroad line.
Next hit was the Methodist Church at 135th and Holmes. There was a birthday party in progress at the church, but the more than 40 people there were not injured.
The tornado then demolished the Faith Tabernacle leaving only a few pews standing. The pastor and his family had just left the building moments before.
The popular Jess and Jim's Steakhouse was destroyed, but amazingly the owner's parakeet was unharmed. The restaurant was not open on Monday night. This fortuitous happenstance saved many lives.
Virtually every house and building in Martin City was damaged or destroyed. Twenty-five to thirty homes were leveled.
The death toll was 2 with 35 injuries.
The tornado then continued northeast toward Hickman Mills ... and Ruskin Heights.
There were many square blocks of devastation in the community of Hickman Mills, then-located along old U.S. 71 Highway south of Longview Road.
The Hickman Mills Bank at 117th and U.S. 71 lost its south wall to the winds and later had to be protected by the Army National Guard of Missouri. The Hickman Mills Furniture Company was also destroyed. Automobiles from a Chevrolet dealership across from the bank were picked up and blown blocks away.
Shoppers inside the A&P grocery store in the Ruskin Shopping Center at Red Bridge & Blue Ridge Extention saw the store's lights go out, the store's front windows explode, then parts of the roof above them being lifted away. Survivors later told of seeing persons and cars in the parking lot being blown away.
A car occupied by a mother and her child was picked up by the tornado and slammed against a water tower behind the shopping center. Both were killed.
The tornado ripped through the shopping center, across Blue Ridge, then blasted into the Ruskin Junior high school then the one-year-old Ruskin High School, demolishing both buildings.
The only letters left on the high school sign were RU and IN.
Some people in Ruskin Heights saw airborne debris, many could hear the loud, jet engine-like roar of the tornado.
Because of the media and visual warnings, many Ruskin Heights residents were able to take refuge in their basements, with neighbors who had basements or simply outrun the tornado in their cars. On East 110th street there were least 50 people in one basement, literally lying on top of each other. In this case the roof was blown away but no one was injured. There were many homes without basements and this led to a greater proportion of fatalities.
Today, there is a memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
located at the entrance to Ruskin Heights (111th and Blue Ridge) commemorating those who were killed.
Other tornadoes
Two other killer tornadoes occurred on May 21 across MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. An F4 tornado in Carter County
Carter County, Missouri
Carter County is a county located in the central western portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina in 1812. ...
killed 7 and injured 75 while an F3 tornado in St. Francois County killed 8 and injured 50.