Tornadoes of 1972: Difference between revisions

Fatal United States tornadoes in 1972
	class=notpageimage\| Approximate touchdown location of killer tornadoes in 1972
Summary of tornadoes
	January 10 – Georgia (1 death); January 13 – Alabama (4 deaths); April 5 – Oregon, Washington (6 deaths); April 6 – Illinois (1 death); April 6 – Illinois (1 death); April 19 – Oklahoma (5 deaths); April 21 – Illinois (3 deaths); June 18 – Florida (1 death); June 18 – Florida (6 deaths); June 20 – Ohio (1 death); June 25 – Florida (1 death); August 7 – New York (1 death); August 9 – Massachusetts (1 death); November 13 – Texas (2 deaths); Total fatalities: 34

Tornadoes of 1972
	Tracks of all US tornadoes in 1972.
Timespan	January 1, 1972 – December 30, 1972
Maximum rated tornado	F4 tornado Ratliff City, Oklahoma; on April 19; Jetmore, Kansas; on April 30; Indianapolis, Indiana; on May 14; Waukegan, Illinois; on September 28;
Tornadoes in U.S.	741
Damage (U.S.)	Unknown
Fatalities (U.S.)	34
Fatalities (worldwide)	>34
	1970; 1971; 1972; 1973; 1974;

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This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1972, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.

Synopsis

1972 was a near normal year, producing 741 tornadoes. Deaths were significantly below average, but there was a very high total of over 900 injuries.

Events

United States yearly total

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5	Total
0	174	345	181	37	4	0	741

January

33 tornadoes were reported in the United States in January.^[2]

January 13

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	1	7	4	2	0	0

On January 13, tornadoes touched down across portions of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. An F2 tornado struck Fort Rucker and two nearby trailer parks occupied by army dependents. The tornado destroyed 68 trailers, killing four people and injuring 88. An F3 tornado (possibly two tornadoes) traveled from east of Wadley to Waynesboro, Georgia, injuring 21 people. An F2 tornado destroyed two homes southwest of Pelham, Georgia, carrying the residents of one home approximately 200 yards without injuring them.^[3]^[4]

February

7 tornadoes were reported in the United States in February.^[5]

March

69 tornadoes were reported in the United States in March.^[6]

March 26–29

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	5	7	5	1	0	0

A front moved through Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida on the days of March 26–29, producing an F3 tornado that struck Urbana, Arkansas and an F2 that injured 13 people in Lufkin, Texas. A suspected F2 tornado hit Hillsboro, Texas, injuring 2 people and causing at least $500,000 (1972 USD) in damages. The outbreak produced an F2 that touched down outside of El Dorado, Arkansas, injuring 3 people and causing major damage. An F1 tornado touched down in Milton, Florida, injuring 1 person. The outbreak ended with no fatalities but 19 injuries.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

April

96 tornadoes were reported in the United States in April.^[11]

April 5

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	0	0	2	2	0	0

An unusual series of strong tornadoes struck Oregon and Washington. The worst event was when a deadly F3 tornado struck Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The tornado carved a 8.7 mile path of destruction across the heavily populated Portland metropolitan area, leaving 6 people dead and 300 injured while causing $3–5 million (1972 USD) in damage. It was the deadliest tornado in the United States in 1972 and remains the deadliest tornado in the history of the Pacific Northwest.^[12]^[13] It was the first F3 tornado to strike Oregon since June 3, 1894. Later that day, three more strong tornadoes touched down in Washington. The first was an F2 tornado near Hartline, while the second was an even stronger F3 tornado that injured one near Creston. The final tornado was an F2 tornado that moved through areas west-southwest of Kettle Falls. This remains the strongest tornado outbreak to hit the region since 1950. In the aftermath, 6 people had died and 301 others were hurt.^[14]

April 19–22

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	1	14	10	6	1	0

A large and destructive outbreak of 28 tornadoes tore through the Great Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. On April 19, a violent F4 tornado in Carter, Murray, Garvin Counties in Oklahoma killed five and injured six. Overall, the outbreak killed eight and injured 42.^[15]

April 29 – May 2

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	4	5	4	7	1	0

A very intense outbreak sequence of 21 tornadoes struck the Great Plains, Midwest, and Northeast during the transition from April into May. On April 29, an F4 tornado passed near Jetmore, Kansas, injuring one. Overall, nobody was killed but 12 people were injured in the outbreak.^[16]^[17]

May

140 tornadoes were reported in United States in May.^[18]

May 14–15

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	3	2	1	1	1	0

A small but damaging outbreak of eight tornadoes struck the Midwest and Southeast. The worst event occurred on May 14, when a violent F4 tornado caused major damage in Indianapolis. The tornado was first seen by people near the 9700 block of East Washington Street. The tornado blew the second-floor wall off of an apartment building. Three high-tension towers were also blown down and bent. The worst damage occurred in the Heather Hills subdivision where ten houses were flattened. In Marion County, at least 70 homes were damaged or destroyed. In Mount Comfort, clocks were stopped at 12:25 P.M. in houses as they were being destroyed and a railroad car was tipped over. Near Eden, roofs were damaged and trees were damaged. Northwest of Markleville, several mobile homes were severely damaged. In Mechanicsburg, a barn's roof was uplifted. A total of 20 people were injured by the tornado, which is deemed as the strongest tornado to touch down in the Indianapolis area.^[19]^[20] Overall, the outbreak injured 27.^[21]

June

114 tornadoes were reported in the United States in June.^[22]

June 18–19

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	1	7	9	2	0	0

Plots of the tornadoes caused by Hurricane Agnes.

Hurricane Agnes made landfall in Florida, producing tornadoes that killed seven people.

July

115 tornadoes were reported in the United States in July.^[23]

August

59 tornadoes were reported in the United States in August.^[24]

August 10

A rare, narrow and brief F3 tornado struck Chino Valley, Arizona. No casualties were reported.^[25]

September

49 tornadoes were reported in the United States in September.^[26]

September 28–30

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	1	5	4	1	1	0

An F4 tornado hit Waukegan, Illinois, injuring 20. At least 11 other tornadoes were also associated with this outbreak, which as a whole injured 27.^[27]

October

34 tornadoes were reported in the United States in October.^[28]

October 21–22

An F2 tornado struck Waco, Texas, dealing an estimated 1.25 million USD in damages, and 3 injuries at the Heart O' Texas Fairgrounds.

On the 22nd, an F3 tornado struck Idabel, Oklahoma in the early morning hours, following a skipping path in the north part of the city. It traveled along a 1.5 mile long path, resulting in 1 injury. The same storm produced another tornado shortly after the first lifted, which was rated F2. In Texas, another F3 struck south-east of Marshall. Crossing I-20, it destroyed a home and damaged another. There were 2 injuries in the destroyed home.^[29]

November

17 tornadoes were reported in the United States in November.^[30]

November 12–13

FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5
0	1	8	5	0	0	0

An outbreak of 14 tornadoes struck the Southeast. In the early morning hours of November 13, an F2 tornado struck areas south of Nancy, Texas killing two people. Overall, the outbreak killed two and injured five.^[31]

December

8 tornadoes were reported in the United States in December.^[32]

December 29

An F2 tornado traveled 30 miles through northeastern Oklahoma, starting near the community of Ketchum, and was reported to follow a skipping path. The tornado ripped the front of a home off near Ketchum, leaving the 2 occupants uninjured.

References

^ "Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2021)". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 11, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
^ "Tornado History Project: January, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 1129–1133. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
^ Lietz, Joshua. "Tornadoes on January 13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
^ "Tornado History Project: February, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: March, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: March 26, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: March 27, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: March 28, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: March 29, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Tornado History Project: April, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ ""Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington" Details". Waymark. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
^ National Weather Service (2006). "NWS Oregon Tornadoes". NOAA. Archived from the original on 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
^ http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/4/5/table ^{[dead link‍]}
^ "April 19–22, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "April 29–30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "May 1–2, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "Tornado History Project: May, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
^ "Indiana Tornadoes: May 14, 1972 Indianapolis Area Tornado". May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ "Indiana F4". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "May 14–15, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "Tornado History Project: June, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ "Tornado History Project: July, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ "Tornado History Project: August, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9981786
^ "Tornado History Project: September, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ "September 28–30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "Tornado History Project: October, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ 1972-10 Publication https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
^ "Tornado History Project: November, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
^ "November 12–13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^ "Tornado History Project: December, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[1] "Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2021)". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 11, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.

[2] "Tornado History Project: January, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[sigtor-3] Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 1129–1133. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.

[4] Lietz, Joshua. "Tornadoes on January 13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 14 December 2020.

[5] "Tornado History Project: February, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[6] "Tornado History Project: March, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[7] "Tornado History Project: March 26, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[8] "Tornado History Project: March 27, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[9] "Tornado History Project: March 28, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[10] "Tornado History Project: March 29, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[11] "Tornado History Project: April, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[a-12] ""Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington" Details". Waymark. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2006-12-05.

[b-13] National Weather Service (2006). "NWS Oregon Tornadoes". NOAA. Archived from the original on 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2006-12-05.

[14] ttp://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1972/4/5/table ^{[dead link‍]}

[15] "April 19–22, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[16] "April 29–30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[17] "May 1–2, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[18] "Tornado History Project: May, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

[19] "Indiana Tornadoes: May 14, 1972 Indianapolis Area Tornado". May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[20] "Indiana F4". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[21] "May 14–15, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[22] "Tornado History Project: June, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[23] "Tornado History Project: July, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[24] "Tornado History Project: August, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[25] ttps://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9981786

[26] "Tornado History Project: September, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[27] "September 28–30, 1972 Tornadoes". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[28] "Tornado History Project: October, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[29] 1972-10 Publication https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html

[30] "Tornado History Project: November, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

[31] "November 12–13, 1972". Tornado History Project. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 July 2020.

[32] "Tornado History Project: December, 1972". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-28.

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v t e Tornadoes by year
1940s	1942 1945 (February, April) 1946 1947 1948 1949
1950s	1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960s	1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970s	1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980s	1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990s	1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000s	2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010s	2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020s	2020 2021 2022 2023 2024