Tornadoes of 1973
| Timespan | January 18 - December 31, 1973 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado | F5 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 1102[1] |
| Damage (U.S.) | >$1 billion |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 89 |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | >760 |
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1973, 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
1973 was the most active tornado year since 1967, seeing over 1,100 tornadoes. Deaths were exceptionally above average, and there were over 2,200 injuries.
Events
United States yearly total
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 219 | 497 | 301 | 71 | 13 | 1 | 1102 |
January
33 tornadoes were reported in January in the United States.[2]
February
10 tornadoes were reported in February in the United States.[3]
March
80 tornadoes were reported in March in the United States.[4]
March 31
Extremely destructive, though non-violent, tornadoes produced the costliest natural disaster in Georgia history. Officially rated F2, but at least one source considers them F4s. An F4 also occurred in South Carolina.
April
150 tornadoes were reported in April in the United States.[5]
April 17 (Bangladesh)
A tornado struck the Dhaka District of Bangladesh, killing 681 people.
April 19–20
At least 56 tornadoes touched down across Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. One tornado, an F4 tornado, touched down in Windsor, Missouri, destroying many buildings and injuring 5 people. An F3 tornado struck Batesville, Arkansas, injuring 18 people. Another F4 tornado touched down, killing 1 person S of La Plata, Missouri.[6][7]
May
250 tornadoes were reported in May in the United States.[8]
May 6
An F5 tornado touched down and destroyed several buildings in Valley Mills, Texas.
May 26–29
Several violent tornadoes touched down and caused at least 22 fatalities.
June
224 tornadoes were reported in June in the United States.[9]
July
80 tornadoes were reported in July in the United States.[10]
August
51 tornadoes were reported in August in the United States.[11]
August 28
F4 caused major damage in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, killing 4.
September
69 tornadoes were reported in September in the United States.[12]
October
25 tornadoes were reported in October in the United States.[13]
November
81 tornadoes were reported in November in the United States.[14]
December
49 tornadoes were reported in December in the United States.[15]
December 13
An F4 tornado killed two people in Greenwood, South Carolina. Three F3s and two F2s were also associated with the outbreak.[16]
See also
References
- ^ "1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "January 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "February 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "March 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "April 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "April 19, 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "April 20, 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "May 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "June 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "July 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "August 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "September 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "October 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "November 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "December 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "December 13, 1973". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 2016-01-15.