Tornado outbreak sequence of April 19–21, 1973

On April 19–21, 1973, a significant tornado outbreak sequence affected portions of the Southern and Midwestern United States, primarily in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.[nb 2] The severe weather event generated at least 68 tornadoes, 12 of which were rated as intense events on the Fujita scale. A destructive F3 tornado struck Batesville, Arkansas, injuring 18 people. An F4 tornado killed one person and injured three others near Atlanta, Missouri, though its rating is disputed among tornado specialists. Additionally, destructive F3 tornadoes occurred near Ada, Oklahoma, and Harrison, Arkansas, respectively, killing one person and injuring 40 others.

Tornado outbreak sequence of April 19–21, 1973
TypeTornado outbreak sequence
DurationApril 19–21, 1973
Tornadoes confirmed≥ 68 confirmed
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak22 days, 13 hours, 25 minutes
Highest winds
Largest hail4 inches (10 cm) in diameter
in Iowa on April 21
Damage$31,355,000 (1973 USD)[nb 1]
$285 million (2021 USD)
Casualties2 fatalities, 106 injuries
Areas affectedSouthern and Midwestern United States, primarily Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Daily statistics
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 4 26 26 9 3 0 ≥ 68*
"FU" denotes unclassified but confirmed tornadoes.
  • At least four other tornadoes were reported by either Storm Data or Grazulis, but are not listed in the official records maintained by the Storm Prediction Center. They are as follows:
•Benton County, Missouri (west of Lincoln) – Possible F2 tornado razed a barn and a trailer.[7]
•Andrew County, Missouri (Savannah) – Tornado reported.[8]
•DeKalb County, Missouri – Tornado reported.[8]
•Harrison County, Missouri (Eagleville) – Tornado reported.[8]
Daily statistics of tornadoes produced by the tornado outbreak sequence of April 19–21, 1973
Date Total Fujita scale rating Deaths Injuries Damage Ref.
 FU   F0   F1   F2   F3   F4   F5 
April 19 30 0 1 14 13 1 1 0 0 26 $3,717,970 [9][10]
April 20 26 0 3 5 9 8 1 0 2 69 $16,488,030 [9][10]
April 21 12 0 0 7 4 0 1 0 0 11 $11,150,000 [9][10]
Total 68 0 4 26 26 9 3 0 2 106 $31,355,000 [9][10]
Outbreak death toll[9]
State Total County County
total
Arkansas 1 Boone 1
Missouri 1 Macon 1
Totals 2
All deaths were tornado-related

Confirmed tornadoes

April 19 event
List of known tornadoes – Thursday, April 19, 1973[nb 3][nb 4][9]
F# Location County / Parish State Start
coord.		 Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F1 Nashville Sevier AR 33.95°N 93.85°W / 33.95; -93.85 (Nashville (April 19, F1)) 15:45–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A brief, narrow tornado produced minimal damage, accompanied by 1-inch-diameter (2.5 cm) hail. Losses only totaled $30. [12][13]
F1 E of Millington Shelby TN 35.33°N 89.83°W / 35.33; -89.83 (Millington (April 19, F1)) 16:15–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 100 yards (91 m) This short-lived tornado struck a number of mobile homes, six of which were damaged significantly. Nearby, 13 others sustained minor damage. Losses totaled $25,000. The tornado occurred near present-day Naval Support Activity Mid-South. [14][15]
F2 N of Kensington Smith KS 39.87°N 99.03°W / 39.87; -99.03 (Kensington (Apr. 19, F2)) 16:31–? 4.6 miles (7.4 km) 100 yards (91 m) A tornado affected farmland in northern Kansas, wrecking farm equipment and several outbuildings. Losses totaled $2,500. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [16][17][18]
F1 E of Mountain Valley Garland AR 34.63°N 93.05°W / 34.63; -93.05 (Mountain Valley (April 19, F1)) 16:55–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) Another short-lived tornado downed trees and electrical lines. Nearby, it leveled a barn as well. Losses totaled $2,500. The actual touchdown location may have been south of Hot Springs. [12][19]
F3 Southern Batesville Independence AR 35.75°N 91.63°W / 35.75; -91.63 (Batesville (April 19, F3)) 17:15–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 500 yards (460 m) See section on this tornado – A total of 18 people were injured. [20][12][21]
F2 Northeastern North Little Rock Pulaski AR 34.8°N 92.25°W / 34.8; -92.25 (North Little Rock (April 19, F2)) 17:17–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 100 yards (91 m) This tornado occurred near present-day Lakewood Park and caused general tree damage as it skipped along. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [22][17][12]
F1 N of Olive Branch Lauderdale TN 35.75°N 89.67°W / 35.75; -89.67 (Olive Branch (April 19, F1)) 17:30–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 100 yards (91 m) A store received minimal damage to its roof and one of its walls. A home in the area was shifted off its foundation, and several trees were downed. Losses totaled $25,000. [14][23]
F1 WSW of Tylersville Dyer TN 36°N 89.58°W / 36; -89.58 (Tylersville (April 19, F1)) 18:35–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 50 yards (46 m) A very brief tornado inflicted damage to several structures, including a mobile home that was flattened, as well as an electrical wire. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. [14][24]
F2 N of Covington Pemiscot MO 36.13°N 89.87°W / 36.13; -89.87 (Covington (April 19, F2)) 19:00–? 2.5 miles (4.0 km) 33 yards (30 m) This tornado occurred near Gibson and Hayti. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [25][17][8]
F2 S of Hickman to WNW of Farmington Fulton, Hickman, Graves KY 36.55°N 89.18°W / 36.55; -89.18 (Hickman (April 19, F2)) 19:30–? 35.4 miles (57.0 km) 33 yards (30 m) A long-tracked, skipping tornado or tornado family produced three intermittent areas of damage. It first caused minimal damage to a cemetery near Hickman. Later, it leveled several barns and felled trees in its path near Pryorsburg and Mayfield. Losses totaled $25,000. [26][27][21]
F2 ESE of Artesian to ENE of Alpena Sanborn SD 44°N 97.9°W / 44; -97.9 (Artesian (April 19, F2)) 20:15–? 20.1 miles (32.3 km) 200 yards (180 m) A tornado tracked northwest across Sanborn County, tearing the roof from a business and leveling a barn. Some other barns sustained damage as well. The time of occurrence may have been 23:15 UTC. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. [28][21][14]
F2 S of England Lonoke AR 34.5°N 91.97°W / 34.5; -91.97 (England (April 19, F2)) 20:15–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A short-lived tornado caused damage to four mobile homes, trees, electrical wires, and farm equipment. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [29][12][17]
F2 SSE of Hendron to NW of Little Cypress McCracken, Marshall KY 37.03°N 88.62°W / 37.03; -88.62 (Little Cypress (April 19, F2)) 21:30–? 9.1 miles (14.6 km) 33 yards (30 m) A skipping tornado or series of tornadoes first appeared south of Paducah and struck the edge of the Little Cypress settlement, where it leveled a few trailers and caused marginal F2-level damage. Power lines were blown down as well, and nearby structures sustained some damage. Losses totaled $25,000. [30][27][21]
F1 WNW of Oak Level Marshall KY 36.87°N 88.47°W / 36.87; -88.47 (Oak Level (April 19, F1)) 22:00–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A short-lived tornado occurred near Kaler and struck a rural area, producing minimal damage to trees and structures. Losses were unknown. [31][27]
F1 S of Alvord Lyon IA 43.3°N 96.3°W / 43.3; -96.3 (Alvord (April 19, F1)) 22:00–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 50 yards (46 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [32]
F1 SSE of Goodwin Lee AR 34.88°N 91°W / 34.88; -91 (Godwin (April 19, F1)) 22:15–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A tornado struck a home, causing minor damage, and leveled outbuildings before dissipating. Nearby trees were prostrated as well. Losses totaled $2,500. [33][12]
F2 ENE of Harding Union KY 37.65°N 87.97°W / 37.65; -87.97 (Harding (April 19, F2)) 22:30–? 0.5 miles (0.80 km) 33 yards (30 m) A low-end F2 tornado near Grove Center killed cattle on a farm and damaged or destroyed several structures. Losses totaled $25,000. [34][21]
F2 ENE of King City to NE of Gentryville Gentry MO 40.08°N 94.4°W / 40.08; -94.4 (King City (April 19, F2)) 23:00–? 5.9 miles (9.5 km) 50 yards (46 m) A strong tornado caused $2,500 in damage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [35][17][8]
F1 ENE of Kiron Crawford IA 42.2°N 95.3°W / 42.2; -95.3 (Kiron (April 19, F1)) 23:00–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 300 yards (270 m) This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. [36]
F1 NW of Volin Turner SD 43°N 97.23°W / 43; -97.23 (Volin (April 19, F1)) 23:07–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 33 yards (30 m) This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. [37]
F2 WNW of Rockham to SW of Miranda Faulk SD 44.92°N 98.9°W / 44.92; -98.9 (Rockham (April 19, F2)) 23:30–? 4.9 miles (7.9 km) 27 yards (25 m) This tornado caused $2,500 in damage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [17][38]
F1 NE of Spencer McCook SD 43.78°N 97.5°W / 43.78; -97.5 (Spencer (April 19, F1)) 23:30–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 27 yards (25 m) This tornado caused $25,000 in damage. [39]
F2 N of Carbon Hill Grundy IL 41.3°N 88.3°W / 41.3; -88.3 (Carbon Hill (April 19, F2)) 23:45–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [40][17]
F1 NE of Miranda to WNW of Devoe Edmunds SD 45°N 98.93°W / 45; -98.93 (Devoe (April 19, F1)) 00:00–? 6.4 miles (10.3 km) 20 yards (18 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [41]
F2 SE of Cameron Clinton, Caldwell MO 39.7°N 94.2°W / 39.7; -94.2 (Cameron (April 19, F2)) 00:00–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 50 yards (46 m) Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [42][8][17]
F1 SW of Beaconsfield Ringgold IA 40.77°N 94.1°W / 40.77; -94.1 (Beaconsfield (April 19, F1)) 00:15–? 2.7 miles (4.3 km) 300 yards (270 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [43]
F1 Southeastern Creston Union IA 41.05°N 94.35°W / 41.05; -94.35 (Creston (April 19, F1)) 00:20–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 200 yards (180 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [44]
F4 Western Windsor Henry MO 38.53°N 93.53°W / 38.53; -93.53 (Windsor (April 19, F4)) 01:30–? 10 miles (16 km) 880 yards (800 m) A large tornado, reportedly up to 1 1⁄2 mi (2.4 km) wide at times, struck the Windsor area, resulting in five injuries. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [45][46][8][17]
F2 NW of Osceola Clarke IA 41.1°N 93.83°W / 41.1; -93.83 (Osceola (April 19, F2)) 02:00–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 400 yards (370 m) This tornado passed a short distance west-southwest of Jamison. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [47][16][17]
F0 W of Wishek McIntosh ND 46.25°N 99.77°W / 46.25; -99.77 (Wishek (April 19, F0)) 02:00–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A brief, very weak tornado demolished some structures on a couple of farms, including granaries. Losses totaled $25,000. [48][49]

April 20 event
List of known tornadoes – Friday, April 20, 1973[nb 3][nb 4][9]
F# Location County / Parish State Start
coord.		 Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F2 N of Velma Stephens OK 34.5°N 97.67°W / 34.5; -97.67 (Velma (April 20, F2)) 05:00–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 83 yards (76 m) This tornado destroyed or damaged several homes. Four minor injuries were reported. Losses totaled $25,000. [50][49][7]
F2 NE of Hiawatha Brown KS 39.88°N 95.47°W / 39.88; -95.47 (Hiawatha (April 20, F2)) 05:30–? 0.2 miles (0.32 km) 100 yards (91 m) Losses totaled only $30. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The tornado may have occurred earlier than officially listed, at around 17:00 UTC. [51][27][17]
F2 SW of Pauls Valley to W of Byars Garvin, McClain OK 34.7°N 97.3°W / 34.7; -97.3 (Pauls Valley (April 20, F2)) 05:45–? 16.8 miles (27.0 km) 250 yards (230 m) Outbuildings and a school were destroyed or extensively damaged. Two people were injured. Losses totaled $2.5 million. [52][7]
F3 Ada to WNW of Francis Pontotoc OK 34.78°N 96.68°W / 34.78; -96.68 (Ada (April 20, F3)) 06:15–? 7.9 miles (12.7 km) 100 yards (91 m) A large and intense tornado, attended by downbursts, destroyed numerous homes and a trailer park as it moved through parts of Ada. At the Ada Municipal Airport, the tornado flattened a hangar and destroyed many airplanes. A phonograph record was hurled into and became lodged in a utility pole. The tornado attained a peak width of up to 1 1⁄2 mi (2.4 km) at times. 21 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million. [53][49][7][45]
F1 SSE of Subiaco Logan AR 35.25°N 93.62°W / 35.25; -93.62 (Subiaco (April 20, F1)) 13:30–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A very short-lived tornado touched down north-northeast of Corley. A barn and a chicken coop sustained minor damage. Losses totaled $2,500. The tornado may have first affected Cove Lake. [54][12]
F2 E of Morrison Bluff Logan AR 35.38°N 93.5°W / 35.38; -93.5 (Morrison Bluff (April 20, F2)) 13:50–? 1.5 miles (2.4 km) 500 yards (460 m) 11 homes and barns were damaged. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [12][17]
F3 Northeastern Gaither Township to NE of Harrison Boone AR 36.15°N 93.15°W / 36.15; -93.15 (Gaither Township (April 20, F3)) 16:15–? 7.8 miles (12.6 km) 500 yards (460 m) 1 death – About 200 structures were destroyed or damaged. Several homes were shifted on their foundations and torn apart. Large sections of the homes were either partly or entirely blown away. A woman was hurled 100 yards (91 m) from her home and killed. 19 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million. This tornado may have first touched down near Mount Sherman in Newton County. [55][12][7]
F1 N of Kalona Washington IA 41.5°N 91.7°W / 41.5; -91.7 (Kalona (April 20, F1)) 18:15–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 350 yards (320 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [56]
F0 NW of Osceola to ENE of Lowry City St. Clair MO 38.08°N 93.75°W / 38.08; -93.75 (Lowry City (April 20, F0)) 19:00–? 5.7 miles (9.2 km) 17 yards (16 m) Losses totaled $2,500. [57]
F1 E of Crooks Springs St. Clair MO 37.92°N 93.83°W / 37.92; -93.83 (Crooks Springs (April 20, F1)) 19:08–? 13 miles (21 km) 17 yards (16 m) This tornado, which touched down south-southwest of Roscoe, leveled barns and cabins in its path. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado may have continued as far as Osceola, as homes sustained damage or had their roofs torn off there. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. [58][7]
F2 W of Roscoe to WSW of Osceola St. Clair MO 37.97°N 93.85°W / 37.97; -93.85 (Osceola (April 20, F2)) 19:10–? 5.7 miles (9.2 km) 17 yards (16 m) Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [59][17]
F1 ESE of Billingsville Cooper MO 38.9°N 92.78°W / 38.9; -92.78 (Billingsville (April 20, F1)) 19:50–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 10 yards (9.1 m) Losses totaled $2,500. [60]
F3 SW of Crisp Cedar, Dade MO 37.57°N 93.8°W / 37.57; -93.8 (Crisp (April 20, F3)) 20:30–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 50 yards (46 m) This tornado developed east-northeast of Arcola. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [61][17]
F3 ESE of Santiago Pettis, Benton MO 38.42°N 93.4°W / 38.42; -93.4 (Santiago (April 20, F3)) 20:30–? 5 miles (8.0 km) 50 yards (46 m) Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [62][17]
F0 SW of Holbrook Navajo AZ 34.83°N 110.23°W / 34.83; -110.23 (Holbrook (April 20, F0)) 20:55–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 33 yards (30 m) A brief tornado was reported by aircraft flying in the vicinity. Losses were unknown. [63]
F0 WNW of Pulaski Davis IA 40.7°N 92.3°W / 40.7; -92.3 (Pulaski (April 20, F0)) 22:00–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 150 yards (140 m) Losses totaled $2,500. [64]
F2 S of Carrollton Carroll MO 39.32°N 93.5°W / 39.32; -93.5 (Carrollton (April 20, F2)) 22:55–? 5 miles (8.0 km) 33 yards (30 m) Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [65][17]
F1 NE of Vista to ENE of Iconium St. Clair, Benton MO 38.02°N 93.63°W / 38.02; -93.63 (Vista (April 20, F1)) 23:05–? 9.8 miles (15.8 km) 33 yards (30 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [66]
F3 NE of Warsaw to Western Cole Camp to W of Bahner Benton, Pettis MO 38.3°N 93.28°W / 38.3; -93.28 (Warsaw (April 20, F3)) 23:15–? 19.4 miles (31.2 km) 100 yards (91 m) This intense tornado leveled numerous structures, including both small and large homes in its path. The tornado tore off the roof of a farmhouse and dispersed debris more than 2 mi (3.2 km) from foundations. Four injuries (possibly three) occurred, two of which were inside a barn. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4. The tornado may have occurred at 23:45 UTC. [67][68]
F4 N of Atlanta to SE of La Plata Macon MO 39.93°N 92.48°W / 39.93; -92.48 (Atlanta (April 20, F4)) 23:30–? 3.8 miles (6.1 km) 440 yards (400 m) 1 death – A violent tornado leveled a couple of homes, 12 barns, and several garages. A woman died in a home that crumpled and disintegrated. Three injuries occurred. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3. [69][7]
F2 Mora Benton MO 38.53°N 93.22°W / 38.53; -93.22 (Mora (April 20, F2)) 00:00–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 33 yards (30 m) Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [70][17]
F3 NNW of Santiago to NNW of Manila Benton, Pettis MO 38.45°N 93.47°W / 38.45; -93.47 (Manila (April 20, F3)) 00:25–? 10.1 miles (16.3 km) 100 yards (91 m) This tornado severely damaged a home near Brandon and caused significant damage to farm equipment. Other homes and barns had their roofs ripped off and sustained general damage. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado ended southeast of Green Ridge. [71][68]
F3 SW of Arbela to NE of Prospect Grove Scotland MO 40.43°N 92.05°W / 40.43; -92.05 (Arbela (April 20, F3)) 00:35–? 9.5 miles (15.3 km) 440 yards (400 m) This tornado razed a gas station and ruined almost all of a house, leaving only the kitchen intact. Another home had its roof ripped off, and seven or more homes sustained damage as the tornado hit Arbela. One car was hurled and tumbled for 100 yd (91 m). Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. [72][68]
F2 SSW of Hoffman Cooper MO 38.83°N 92.95°W / 38.83; -92.95 (Hoffman (April 20, F2)) 00:35–? 2.3 miles (3.7 km) 50 yards (46 m) This tornado occurred outside Pilot Grove. It struck and leveled a couple of sizable barns. A nearby home lost its roof as well. Losses totaled $25,000. [73][68]
F2 E of Sedalia Pettis MO 38.7°N 93.18°W / 38.7; -93.18 (Sedalia (April 20, F2)) 01:25–? 2 miles (3.2 km) 50 yards (46 m) This tornado, which struck near the Sedalia Memorial Airport, injured eight (possibly 13) people as it leveled numerous mobile homes and barns in its path. Airborne 2-by-4-inch (51 by 102 mm) boards reportedly pierced vehicles, and debris was strewn for a few miles. Losses totaled $2.5 million. [74][68][45]
F3 WSW of Lockwood to N of Greenfield Dade MO 37.38°N 93.97°W / 37.38; -93.97 (Lockwood (April 20, F3)) 04:40–? 7.8 miles (12.6 km) 100 yards (91 m) An intense tornado wrecked 15 homes as it passed through Lockwood, injuring six (possibly 12) people. A few of the homes were described as "leveled." The tornado also damaged or destroyed half a dozen mobile homes and 31 other residences. Winds lofted and dispersed debris for 35 mi (56 km). Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4. [75][68][45]

April 21 event
List of known tornadoes – Saturday, April 21, 1973[nb 3][nb 4][9]
F# Location County / Parish State Start
coord.		 Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary Refs.
F4 NE of Mill Grove to WNW of Lucerne Mercer, Putnam MO 40.33°N 93.55°W / 40.33; -93.55 (Lucerne (April 21, F4)) 20:00–? 14.6 miles (23.5 km) 440 yards (400 m) A violent tornado leveled all structures on a few farms, including four homes and one mobile home. Several cattle were killed, and about 20 barns sustained at least some damage. The tornado lofted a car for up to 150 yd (140 m) from its original location and caused a pickup truck to disintegrate; portions of the truck were transported for 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). One injury (possibly two) occurred inside a barn. Losses totaled $2.5 million. [76][77][78][45]
F2 S of Holbrook to NE of Oxford Iowa, Johnson IA 41.58°N 91.92°W / 41.58; -91.92 (Holbrook (April 21, F2)) 21:40–? 13.2 miles (21.2 km) 33 yards (30 m) This tornado hit 25 farms in its path, tearing off roofs, leveling several barns, and causing one home to slide and buckle. Six injuries (possibly only one) occurred. Losses totaled $2.5 million. The tornado dissipated west-southwest of Green Castle Airport. [79][80][81][45]
F2 NNW of Millersburg to ENE of Green River Mercer, Rock Island, Henry IL 41.27°N 90.83°W / 41.27; -90.83 (Millersburg (April 21, F2)) 23:43–? 30.2 miles (48.6 km) 33 yards (30 m) A long-tracked, erratic tornado or tornado family extensively damaged farm buildings in its path and killed livestock. Mobile homes and barns were leveled as well, resulting in two injuries. Losses totaled $2.5 million (possibly only $500,000). [82][83][84][81]
F1 E of Houghton Lee, Henry IA 40.78°N 91.58°W / 40.78; -91.58 (Houghton (April 21, F1)) 00:10–? 4.1 miles (6.6 km) 250 yards (230 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [85]
F1 SSW of Success Craig OK 36.6°N 95.03°W / 36.6; -95.03 (Success (April 21, F1)) 02:00–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 120 yards (110 m) Trees and power lines were downed as a tornado passed near Ketchum and Cleora. Losses totaled $25,000. [86][49]
F1 NNE of Success to SSE of Afton Craig, Delaware, Ottawa OK 36.63°N 95.02°W / 36.63; -95.02 (Afton (April 21, F1)) 02:40–? 5.1 miles (8.2 km) 40 yards (37 m) A tornado only damaged power lines in its path. Losses were unknown. [87][49]
F2 Southern Wheaton Cook IL 41.85°N 88.1°W / 41.85; -88.1 (Southern Wheaton (April 21, F2)) 03:00–? 0.2 miles (0.32 km) 33 yards (30 m) A brief tornado caused damage to approximately 10 residences. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. [88][89][17]
F1 Western Wheaton Cook IL 41.87°N 88.12°W / 41.87; -88.12 (Western Wheaton (April 21, F1)) 03:15–? 0.2 miles (0.32 km) 33 yards (30 m) A weak tornado flattened a home and lightly damaged several others nearby. Losses totaled $25,000. [90][89]
F1 W of Winfield Henry IA 41.13°N 91.45°W / 41.13; -91.45 (Winfield (April 21, F1)) 03:20–? 1 mile (1.6 km) 150 yards (140 m) Losses totaled $25,000. [91]
F2 SSW of Maxville Jasper MO 37.18°N 94.28°W / 37.18; -94.28 (Maxville (April 21, F2)) 03:35–? 5 miles (8.0 km) 100 yards (91 m) Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The tornado developed east of Carthage. [92][17]
F1 ENE of Langley to SSE of Walnut Bureau IL 41.37°N 89.68°W / 41.37; -89.68 (Langley (April 21, F1)) 04:15–? 11.6 miles (18.7 km) 33 yards (30 m) This tornado and the following event badly damaged farms and killed livestock near Sheffield and Wyanet. Losses totaled $250,000. [93][89]
F1 S of Manlius to W of Princeton Bureau IL 41.45°N 89.67°W / 41.45; -89.67 (Manlius (April 21, F1)) 04:20–? 8.6 miles (13.8 km) 60 yards (55 m) This tornado, the companion of the preceding event, produced an intermittent swath of damage. Losses totaled $250,000. [94][89]

Batesville, Arkansas
Batesville, Arkansas
F3 tornado
Max. rating1F3 tornado
Damage$2.5 million (1973 USD)
$22.8 million (2021 USD)
Casualties0 fatalities, 18 injuries
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

An intense tornado struck the town of Batesville and caused widespread destruction in its path. The tornado passed over the campus of Lyon College, which was called Arkansas College at the time. The tornado tore roofs from buildings on campus. The tornado also dislodged homes and other structures from their foundations, some of which sustained collapse of their walls or lost their roofs. At least one home was completely swept from its foundation but remained intact, suggesting little or no anchoring.[21] 18 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million.[20][45] Prolific rains attended the parent supercell, further damaging structures in town, and severe damage occurred to trees as well.[12] The tornado is officially rated F3, but Thomas P. Grazulis assigned an F2 rating because structures were unattached to their foundations.[21]

Non-tornadic effects

Numerous reports of strong winds and hail came out of this outbreak sequence, including an 80 mph (130 km/h) wind gust in Huron, South Dakota on April 19 and 4 in (10 cm) hail in New London, Iowa on April 21. Overall, there were 101 reports of hail and strong winds.[95]

See also

Notes
  1. All losses are in 1973 USD unless otherwise noted.
  2. An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes (the number sometimes varies slightly according to local climatology) with no more than a six-hour gap between individual tornadoes. An outbreak sequence, prior to (after) the start of modern records in 1950, is defined as a period of no more than two (one) consecutive days without at least one significant (F2 or stronger) tornado.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
  3. All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.
  4. Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[11]

References
  1. Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875-2003) (PDF). 22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  2. Hagemeyer, Bartlett C. (September 1997). "Peninsular Florida Tornado Outbreaks". Weather and Forecasting. Boston: American Meteorological Society. 12 (3): 400. Bibcode:1997WtFor..12..399H. doi:10.1175/1520-0434(1997)012<0399:PFTO>2.0.CO;2.
  3. Grazulis 2001, p. 206
  4. Hagemeyer 1997, p. 401
  5. Hagemeyer, Bartlett C.; Spratt, Scott M. (2002). Written at Melbourne, Florida. Thirty Years After Hurricane Agnes: the Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster (PDF). 25th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. San Diego, California: American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  6. Grazulis, Thomas P. (2001). The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-8061-3538-0.
  7. Grazulis 1993, p. 1137
  8. Storm Data 1973, p. 8
  9. National Weather Service (March 2020). Events reported between 04/19/1973 and 04/21/1973 (3 days). Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  10. National Weather Service (April 1973). "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena". Storm Data. Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center. 15 (4): 2, 4–6, 8–11.
  11. Brooks, Harold E. (April 2004). "On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity". Weather and Forecasting. Boston: American Meteorological Society. 19 (2): 310. Bibcode:2004WtFor..19..310B. doi:10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  12. Storm Data 1973, p. 2
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  14. Storm Data 1973, p. 11
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