Tornado outbreak of April 2-3, 1956
From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki
 F5 damage in Standale, Michigan, on April 3 | |
| Type | Tornado outbreak |
|---|---|
| Duration | April 2–3, 1956 |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 45 confirmed |
| Max rating1 | F5 tornado |
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 | ~44 hours |
| Damage | $58.165 (1956 USD)[1][nb 1] |
| Fatalities | 40 fatalities, 685 injuries |
| Areas affected | Central United States |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado | |
On April 2–3, 1956, a large, deadly tornado outbreak affected the Great Plains, parts of the South, and the Upper Midwest in the contiguous United States. The outbreak produced at least 45 tornadoes, including an estimated F5 that devastated the Hudsonville and Standale areas in the U.S. state of Michigan on April 3, killing 18 people and injuring 340 others. It was one of three intense, long-tracked tornado families to move across southwest Lower Michigan on that day.[nb 2][nb 3][nb 4]
Background[edit]
Tuesday, April 3, 1956, was a warm and humid day across most of the Midwestern U.S., the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley. Temperatures in the areas affected by the worst of the outbreak were well into the 70s °F, approaching 80 °F (27 °C) in Michigan, with anomalously high dew points—the latter exceeding 60 °F (16 °C) near the shoreline of Lake Michigan. A potent low-pressure area accompanied an intense mid-latitude cyclone with a pronounced dry line located near the western Great Lakes. An attendant warm front extended eastward over Wisconsin, a vigorous cold front southward through Illinois. In tandem with the advancing trough, a strong jet stream with winds up to 135 kn (155 mph; 250 km/h) extended over Little Rock, Arkansas, and impinged on the Upper Midwest. Prior to the arrival of the storms in the region, schools had closed earlier than usual due to the threat of severe weather. By late afternoon, the cold front crossed over the western Great Lakes including Lake Michigan.[11][12][13]
Outbreak statistics[edit]
| Outbreak death toll[14] | |||
| State | Total | County | County total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 2 | Cowley | 1 |
| Elk | 1 | ||
| Kentucky | 1 | Webster | 1 |
| Michigan | 20 | Benzie | 2 |
| Kent | 4 | ||
| Ottawa | 14 | ||
| Oklahoma | 5 | Creek | 5 |
| Tennessee | 3 | Henderson | 3 |
| Wisconsin | 9 | Portage | 2 |
| Green Lake | 7 | ||
| Totals | 38 | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
Confirmed tornadoes[edit]
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 1 | ≥ 45 |
- In addition to confirmed tornadoes, there were several unconfirmed but possible tornadoes. On April 2 a 5-to-6-mile-long (8.0 to 9.7 km) F2 tornado may have destroyed a barn and unroofed a home in or near Cedar Point, Kansas.[15] On April 3 another F2 tornado may have tracked for 7 mi (11 km) from east of Ogdensburg to near Symco, Wisconsin, destroying or damaging nine barns, a general store, and a rural school.[16]
April 2 event[edit]
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. |
Time (UTC) | Path length | Max. width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Eastern Owasso | Tulsa | OK | 36°16′N 95°50′W / 36.27°N 95.83°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
16:30–? | 0.3 miles (480 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado destroyed a pair of rural outbuildings. Losses were unknown.[18][19] |
| F0 | WSW of Pawnee Rock | Barton | KS | 38°17′N 99°00′W / 38.28°N 99°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:00–? | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Brief tornado damaged structures on a farmstead. Losses were unknown.[20][21] |
| F3 | NW of Ellinwood to SW of Ellsworth | Barton, Rice, Ellsworth | KS | 38°21′N 98°34′W / 38.35°N 98.57°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:30–? | 20.1 miles (32.3 km) | 350 yards (320 m) | Intense tornado struck Ellinwood Municipal Airport, causing F1 damage and $30,000 in losses to a few hangars and six airplanes. In Holyrood five homes shifted on their foundations, and bleachers and a gym were destroyed. One person was injured and losses totaled $75,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2 and as part of the same family as the next event, which followed the same path.[22][23][24][25][21] |
| F3 | WNW of Claflin to E of Farhman | Ellsworth | KS | 38°32′N 98°33′W / 38.53°N 98.55°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:45–? | 5.4 miles (8.7 km) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado first damaged communication wires and then struck oil wells on K-4, damaging drilling equipment and small homes. Losses totaled $25,000.[22][26][21] |
| F3 | SSW of Hopeton to W of Burlington | Woods, Alfalfa | OK | 36°41′N 98°40′W / 36.68°N 98.67°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:05–? | 20 miles (32 km) | 400 yards (370 m) | Tornado struck 11 farmsteads, destroying or damaging 30 buildings, including 20 homes, and a grain elevator. 11 boxcars were tipped over as well. Two people were injured and losses totaled $500,000.[22][27][28][29] |
| F0 | W of Attica | Harper | KS | 37°15′N 98°15′W / 37.25°N 98.25°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:15–? | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Brief tornado felled trees and warped buildings. Losses were unknown.[30][29] |
| F0 | N of Hunter to WNW of Blue Hill | Mitchell | KS | 39°16′N 98°24′W / 39.27°N 98.40°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:30–? | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado damaged outbuildings on farms and transmission lines. Losses were unknown.[31][29] |
| F2 | W of Kremlin to W of Medford | Garfield, Grant | OK | 36°33′N 97°53′W / 36.55°N 97.88°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:45–? | 18.4 miles (29.6 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado impacted eight farmsteads, destroying at least 12 barns. Homes were destroyed as well. Four people were injured and losses totaled $500,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as a high-end F3, based on damage to a few farms.[22][32][33][29] |
| F2 | NE of Polk | Kay | OK | 36°39′N 97°27′W / 36.65°N 97.45°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
02:45–? | ≥0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado wrecked an entire farm, except for the farmhouse. Chickens were killed, and farm machinery, an automobile, and a truck were destroyed. Losses totaled $30. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. Climatological Data National Summary listed a 4-mile-long (6.4 km) path.[34][35][29] |
| F1 | Northern Tishomingo | Johnston | OK | 34°15′N 96°40′W / 34.25°N 96.67°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
03:29–? | 8 miles (13 km) | 23 yards (21 m) | Tornado destroyed a metal fence, several outbuildings, loudspeaker posts, and a concession stand at a drive-in theater. Losses totaled $2,500.[36][29] |
| F1 | ENE of Whitewater to ENE of Florence | Butler, Marion | KS | 37°58′N 97°08′W / 37.97°N 97.13°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
03:30–03:45 | 22.9 miles (36.9 km) | 500 yards (460 m) | Tornado destroyed sheds and barns, dispersing debris for miles. A 90-pound (41 kg) stone penetrated a roof. Two people were injured and losses totaled $500,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as a 16-mile-long (26 km) F2.[22][37][38][39][40] |
| F2 | ENE of Skedee to E of Fairfax | Pawnee, Osage | OK | 36°23′N 96°42′W / 36.38°N 96.7°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
03:30–? | 12.6 miles (20.3 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado destroyed or unroofed barns and three homes. Livestock were killed as well. One person was injured and losses totaled $50,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F3.[22][41][42][29] |
| F4 | NW of Uncas, OK to Gridley, KS | Kay (OK), Cowley (KS), Chautauqua (KS), Elk (KS), Greenwood (KS), Woodson (KS), Coffey (KS) | OK, KS | 36°49′N 96°58′W / 36.82°N 96.97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
03:30–05:00 | 108.3 miles (174.3 km) | 880 yards (800 m) | 2 deaths – Long-tracked family of four or more tornadoes debarked trees and produced high-end F4 damage in Oklahoma. F4 damage also occurred near Grenola and Gridley, Kansas, including to a seven-room home. A dead infant was carried for more than 1 mi (1.6 km). 29 people were injured and losses totaled $5,575,000.[22][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] |
| F3 | S of Jacktown to Southern Drumright | Lincoln, Creek | OK | 35°30′N 97°00′W / 35.5°N 97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
03:33–? | 42.6 miles (68.6 km) | 300 yards (270 m) | 5 deaths – Long-tracked tornado began near U.S. Route 62 and moved north-northeast, causing eight injuries in Davenport before destroying or damaging 269 homes in Drumright, where all the fatalities occurred. A church and numerous rural farms were destroyed as well. 68 people were injured and losses totaled $5 million. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F4.[22][53][54][52] |
| F3 | WSW of Cedar Point to ESE of Monrovia | Marion, Chase, Morris, Lyon, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson, Atchison | KS | 38°15′N 96°52′W / 38.25°N 96.87°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
04:40–06:25 | 128.8 miles (207.3 km) | 500 yards (460 m) | Long-lived family of five or more tornadoes hurled a vehicle 250 ft (83 yd), mildly injuring the latter's driver, and wrecked 16 lakeside cottages. In the final 20 mi (32 km) of its path the tornado caused F3 damage to farmhouses and killed 19 cattle in a barn. Timber- and cropland, television antennae, brick façades, house trailers, a conveyor belt, and glass were destroyed, damaged, or overturned as well. Eight people were injured and losses totaled $10 million.[22][55][56][57][58][59][60] |
| F2 | SE of Auburn | Nemaha | NE | 40°22′N 95°50′W / 40.37°N 95.83°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
04:45–? | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado wrecked a garage. Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][61][40] |
April 3 event[edit]
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. |
Start Time (UTC) | Path length | Avg. width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F3 | Sobol | Pushmataha | OK | 34°09′N 95°13′W / 34.15°N 95.22°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
06:05–? | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Brief but intense tornado wrecked a farmstead and damaged buildings at a school. Three people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2.[22][62][63] |
| F4 | SW of Narcissa, OK to E of Carterville, MO | Ottawa (OK), Cherokee (KS), Jasper (MO) | OK, KS, MO | 36°46′N 94°58′W / 36.77°N 94.97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
06:10–? | 41.8 miles (67.3 km) | 400 yards (370 m) | Long-tracked tornado destroyed or damaged 118 homes, 15 outbuildings, agricultural equipment, several garages, a grandstand, and a factory. Utility poles and trees were toppled as well. 59 people were injured and losses totaled $31⁄4 million. Tornado affected the Joplin, Missouri, metropolitan area, while hitting Miami and Quapaw, Oklahoma, directly. A catastrophic EF5 tornado hit Joplin on May 22, 2011.[22][64][65][66][67][68] |
| F1 | S of Armstrong Quarry to NNE of Pineville | McDonald | MO | 36°30′N 94°29′W / 36.5°N 94.48°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
06:30–? | 8.8 miles (14.2 km) | 37 yards (34 m) | Tornado destroyed five barns and damaged roofing. Several trucks and trailers were impacted as well. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2.[22][69][70] |
| F2 | NE of Highland | Iowa | WI | 43°06′N 90°15′W / 43.1°N 90.25°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
17:00–? | 3 miles (4.8 km) | 200 yards (180 m) | Tornado leveled a pair of barns, one of which had its CMU foundation torn out. Losses totaled $250,000.[16][71][70] |
| F2 | NNE of Thebes | Ashley | AR | 33°18′N 91°35′W / 33.3°N 91.58°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
18:25–? | 2.1 miles (3.4 km) | 207 yards (189 m) | Tornado destroyed or damaged timberland, sheds, a home, and a barn. Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][72][70] |
| F2 | NNW of Plainfield to NW of Amherst Junction | Portage | WI | 44°15′N 89°31′W / 44.25°N 89.52°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
18:50–? | 18.2 miles (29.3 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | 2 deaths – Intense tornado struck eight farmsteads, wrecking outbuildings, barns, and homes. Seven people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F3.[16][73][70] |
| F2 | Southern Lake Village | Chicot | AR | 33°15′N 91°26′W / 33.25°N 91.43°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
19:00–? | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 20 yards (18 m) | Strong but brief tornado destroyed or damaged four homes, one of which contained four rooms. Sheds and a barn were leveled as well. Losses totaled $25,000.[16][74][70] |
| F4 | SSW of Berlin to Northern Omro | Green Lake, Winnebago | WI | 43°56′N 88°58′W / 43.93°N 88.97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
19:45–? | 11.5 miles (18.5 km) | 440 yards (400 m) | 7 deaths – Violent tornado destroyed 20 or more homes, some of which it leveled, along with a few factories. Automobiles, trees, and telecommunications were destroyed, damaged, or downed as well. Light items from Berlin were found up to 75 mi (121 km) distant. 50 people were injured and losses totaled $5 million.[16][75][76][77] |
| F2 | ENE of Boyer to ENE of Saltillo | Sunflower, Leflore, Grenada, Yalobusha, Calhoun, Pontotoc, Lee | MS | 33°33′N 90°36′W / 33.55°N 90.6°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
20:30–? | 124.9 miles (201.0 km) | 33 yards (30 m) | Long-lived tornado family destroyed five or more homes. Six people were injured, yet monetary losses were unknown.[78][79][80][81][77] |
| F2 | Northeastern Lawrenceville to ESE of Pinkstaff | Lawrence | IL | 38°44′N 87°41′W / 38.73°N 87.68°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
20:30–? | 3.3 miles (5.3 km) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado destroyed or damaged a few sizeable structures. Windows were smashed and lumber tossed as well. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][82][77] |
| F3 | E of Dixon to NNE of Zion | Webster, Henderson | KY | 37°31′N 87°40′W / 37.52°N 87.67°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
22:00–? | 22.9 miles (36.9 km) | 223 yards (204 m) | 1 death – Intense tornado destroyed a home, several barns, and assorted outbuildings on farms. A woman was thrown 250 ft (83 yd) and killed. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000.[16][83][84][77] |
| F1 | Pana | Christian | IL | 39°39′N 88°30′W / 39.65°N 88.5°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
22:00–? | 4.5 miles (7.2 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado felled trees and overturned a pair of structures. Losses totaled $25,000.[85][77] |
| F2 | ESE of Kempton | Ford | IL | 40°55′N 88°12′W / 40.92°N 88.2°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
22:00–? | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 50 yards (46 m) | Tornado destroyed a chicken coop, shattered windows, unroofed a barn, and damaged miscellaneous outbuildings. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][86][77] |
| F2 | SW of Weldon to NE of Combs | De Witt, Piatt | IL | 40°06′N 88°47′W / 40.1°N 88.78°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
22:08–? | 9.5 miles (15.3 km) | 40 yards (37 m) | Tornado wrecked outbuildings and unroofed homes. Losses totaled $25,000.[16][87][77] |
| F4 | SE of Chapel Hill to Alberton | Henderson | TN | 35°35′N 88°28′W / 35.58°N 88.47°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
22:45–23:00 | 11.6 miles (18.7 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | 3 deaths – Violent tornado struck Lexington, destroying or damaging 296 homes and 22 businesses. 60 people were injured and losses totaled $21⁄2 million.[88][89][77] |
| F2 | Northern Fairview Park | Vermilion | IN | 39°25′N 86°58′W / 39.42°N 86.97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
23:00–? | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado northeast of Klondyke shattered a window, unroofed a barn, and tore shingles from a farmhouse. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][90][77] |
| F0 | SW of Pride | Union | KY | 37°33′N 87°54′W / 37.55°N 87.9°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
23:30–? | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Brief tornado, perhaps part of the same family as the Dixon–Zion F3, damaged a barn, a garage, and many residences. One person was injured and losses totaled $2,500.[91][92] |
| F5 | Saugatuck to NNE of Trufant | Allegan, Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm | MI | 42°39′N 86°13′W / 42.65°N 86.22°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
23:30–00:41 | 58.8 miles (94.6 km) | 400 yards (370 m) | 18 deaths – See section on this tornado – 340 people were injured and losses exceeded $10 million.[93][94][88][95][96][97][98][99][100][101] |
| F4 | N of Portage Point to ESE of Suttons Bay | Manistee, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau | MI | 44°23′N 86°16′W / 44.38°N 86.26°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
23:35–00:22 | 50.3 miles (81.0 km) | 400 yards (370 m) | 2 deaths – Long-tracked tornado family destroyed at least 26 barns and 13 homes. 24 people were injured and losses totaled $400,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F3.[88][102][103][104][105][100][101] |
| F2 | SW of Salem to Canton | Washington | IN | 38°36′N 86°07′W / 38.6°N 86.12°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
23:45–? | ≥0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Tornado destroyed or damaged more than 100 structures, including many barns, a school, and a church. A bridge was blown off its abutments and a freezer was hurled 1⁄2 mi (0.80 km). 12 people were injured and losses totaled 21⁄2 million. Grazulis listed the tornado as a 15-mile-long (24 km) F3. Climatological Data National Summary indicated a 23-mile-long (37 km) path.[88][106][107][101] |
| F3 | NW of Silver Lake | Kosciusko | IN | 40°59′N 85°58′W / 40.98°N 85.97°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:04–? | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | 70 yards (64 m) | Tornado struck Yellow Creek Lake, destroying or damaging 10 lakeside cottages. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2.[88][108][101] |
| F3 | ENE of McDonald to Eastern Lowell | Van Buren, Allegan, Barry, Kent | MI | 42°16′N 86°08′W / 42.27°N 86.13°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:15–01:30 | 60.6 miles (97.5 km) | 200 yards (180 m) | Long-lived tornado family destroyed or damaged 42 homes, along with a factory, barns, and agricultural outbuildings. 12 people were injured and losses totaled $1 million. Tornado may have produced F4 damage to a farmhouse, but was listed as a low-end F3 by Grazulis.[88][109][110][111][112][113][114][100][101] |
| F2 | ESE of Leiters Ford to WNW of Richland Center | Fulton | IN | 41°07′N 86°23′W / 41.12°N 86.38°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
00:30–? | 4.1 miles (6.6 km) | 50 yards (46 m) | Tornado damaged a number of rural barns. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[34][115][92] |
| F2 | SSE of Cedarbluff to Siloam | Clay | MS | 33°35′N 88°50′W / 33.58°N 88.83°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:30–? | 5.1 miles (8.2 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado destroyed a number of homes, barns, and a pair of churches. Many livestock were killed as well. Two people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. NCEI lists the endpoint as north of Mhoons Valley.[88][116][92] |
| F0 | Jenera | Hancock | OH | 40°54′N 83°44′W / 40.9°N 83.73°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:30–? | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Brief tornado occurred, but was operationally detected aloft, as a funnel cloud. Losses were unknown.[117][92] |
| F1 | W of Sulphura | Sumner | TN | 36°32′N 86°27′W / 36.53°N 86.45°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:45– | 0.2 miles (320 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Several homes and two barns were destroyed. |
| F1 | SW of Wawaka | Noble | IN | 41°26′N 85°30′W / 41.43°N 85.5°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
01:50– | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 77 yards (70 m) | A brief tornado damaged or destroyed six barns, one of which it tossed onto a highway. Another of the barns broke into pieces as well. The tornado was rated F2 by Grazulis. |
| F2 | SW of Lagrange | LaGrange | IN | 41°38′N 85°29′W / 41.63°N 85.48°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
02:05– | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Homes were moved, damaged, and unroofed, and four barns were destroyed. Destroying or damaging numerous buildings, including a home and a barn that were blown down, and throwing two people from a horse and buggy, neither of whom was injured. |
| F2 | W of Boston | Wayne | IN | 39°44′N 84°53′W / 39.73°N 84.88°W ⧼validator-fatal-error⧽ |
02:30– | 0.1 miles (160 m) | 33 yards (30 m) | Homes and farms were damaged. The tornado was not rated as significant by Grazulis. |
Saugatuck–Hudsonville–Standale, Michigan[edit]
| F5 tornado | |
|---|---|
 The tornado shortly after formation | |
| Max rating1 | F5 tornado |
| Fatalities | 18 fatalities, 340 injuries |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
| |
Officially listed as a single tornado, but may have been a tornado family of two or more tornadoes, one of which was an F4 and the other an F5. The first (F4) tornado may have lifted near Holland, passing aloft over Zeeland before touching down as a second (F5) tornado just east of town. The second tornado then continued northeast before lifting northeast of Trufant.
Just before 6:00 PM EST, a tornado touched down on the beach near Saugatuck, Michigan, and proceeded 9 mi (14 km), producing F4 damage and injuring seven people while destroying barns, outbuildings and garages. The tornado destroyed multiple homes, some of which were swept away. The historic lighthouse on the shore near Saugatuck was also leveled by the winds. Some reports indicate that the tornado dissipated near Holland and formed into a new, more powerful tornado southwest of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area at around 6:30 PM. Officially, however, a single continuous track is listed.
Beginning in Vriesland in Ottawa County, the F5 tornado moved northeast for 52 mi (84 km) over the southwestern and northern suburbs of Grand Rapids. Homes in Hudsonville were cleanly swept away from their foundations, with only small pieces of debris recovered in some locations. At least one home was so obliterated that all the floor tiles had been completely scoured from the foundation. Vehicles nearby were tossed hundreds of yards and mangled beyond recognition. Extensive wind-rowing of debris was observed, and hundreds of trees were snapped and debarked as well. In all, the tornado destroyed numerous homes and businesses, especially in Standale. Some homes in this area were swept away as well. The tornado continued northeast, destroying a mobile home park before dissipating. Officially, 18 people were killed and 340 others were injured by the storm. This was the last F5 (confirmed and/or possible) in the U.S. state of Michigan and occurred three years after the Flint Tornado that killed 116. The tornado that struck the Grand Rapids area was the inspiration for the La Dispute song "Hudsonville, MI 1956". Hudsonville would be hit directly by a brief but strong F2 tornado just one year later, although that tornado caused no casualties.[118][94][93]
See also[edit]
- 1953 Flint–Beecher tornado – Deadliest Michigan tornado on record
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
Notes[edit]
- ↑ All losses are in 1956 USD unless otherwise noted.
- ↑ 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.[2]
- ↑ The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.[3][4] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[5] Canada utilized the old scale until April 1, 2013;[6] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.[7]
- ↑ Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.[8] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[9] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.[10]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 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.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[17]
References[edit]
- ↑ Storm Events Database, NOAA
- ↑ Schneider, Russell S.; Brooks, Harold E.; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004). Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875-2003) (PDF). 22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, Massachusetts: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ↑ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
- ↑ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
- ↑ Edwards, Roger (5 March 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.
- ↑ Edwards, Roger (5 March 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
- ↑ Ostuno 2008, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ "1956 Tornado Outbreak Overview". Grand Rapids, MI Weather Forecast Office. Grand Rapids, Michigan: National Weather Service. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ↑ "Hudsonville-Standale tornado". WOOD-TV. Grand Rapids, Michigan: WorldNow. 3 April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 September 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, Events Reported
- ↑ Multiple sources:
- Grazulis 1993, p. 993
- USWB 1956, p. 109
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Grazulis 1993, p. 994.
- ↑ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092621
- ↑ USWB 1956, p. 106.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025422
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 USWB 1956, p. 107.
- ↑ 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 22.10 22.11 Grazulis 1993, p. 993.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025434
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025434
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025434
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025425
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092622
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092623
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 USWB 1956, p. 108.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025427
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025429
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092624
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092625
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 Grazulis 1993, pp. 993–5.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092627
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092628
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025437
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025441
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025444
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 USWB 1956, p. 109.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092629
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092632
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092630
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025440
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025445
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025447
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025448
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025451
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025452
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025455
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025457
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 USWB 1956, pp. 108–9.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10092631
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10093494
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025438
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025446
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025449
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025453
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025456
- ↑ USWB 1956, pp. 109–10.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10069400
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10093496
- ↑ USWB 1956, p. 110.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10093497
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025458
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10025459
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10063708
- ↑ USWB 1956, pp. 110–1.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10063707
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 70.3 70.4 USWB 1956, p. 111.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10147919
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #9983100
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10147920
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #9983101
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10147921
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10147922
- ↑ 77.0 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 77.5 77.6 77.7 77.8 USWB 1956, p. 112.
- ↑ Grazulis 1993, p. 994–5.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10049838
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10049839
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10049840
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10007476
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10037016
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10037017
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10007480
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10007478
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10007479
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 88.3 88.4 88.5 88.6 Grazulis 1993, p. 995.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10127395
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10005193
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10037018
- ↑ 92.0 92.1 92.2 92.3 USWB 1956, p. 114.
- ↑ 93.0 93.1 "1956 Tornado Outbreak: Saugatuck to Holland". Grand Rapids, MI Weather Forecast Office. Grand Rapids, Michigan: National Weather Service. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ↑ 94.0 94.1 "1956 Tornado Outbreak: Vriesland to Trufant". Grand Rapids, MI Weather Forecast Office. Grand Rapids, Michigan: National Weather Service. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ↑ Grazulis 2001b, p. 22.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040545
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040547
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040550
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040553
- ↑ 100.0 100.1 100.2 Storm Prediction Center 1956.
- ↑ 101.0 101.1 101.2 101.3 101.4 USWB 1956, p. 113.
- ↑ Ostuno 2008, p. 14.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040544
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040546
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040549
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10005194
- ↑ "Tornado Listing". Louisville, KY Weather Forecast Office. Louisville, Kentucky: National Weather Service. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10005195
- ↑ Ostuno 2008, pp. 14, 16.
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040543
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040548
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040551
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040552
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10040554
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10005196
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10049841
- ↑ Storm Data Publication 1956, #10083356
- ↑ Hayden, Jim (3 April 2006). "Five decades ago, titanic tornado took out century-old lighthouse". The Holland Sentinel. Holland, Michigan: Gatehouse Media. Archived from the original on 4 April 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
Sources[edit]
- Brooks, Harold E. (April 2004). "On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity". Weather and Forecasting. 19 (2): 310–19. Bibcode:2004WtFor..19..310B. doi:10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2.
- Cook, A. R.; Schaefer, J. T. (August 2008). "The Relation of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to Winter Tornado Outbreaks". Monthly Weather Review. 136 (8): 3135. Bibcode:2008MWRv..136.3121C. doi:10.1175/2007MWR2171.1.
- Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1. Search this book on
- Grazulis, Thomas P. (2001a). The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3538-0. Search this book on
- Grazulis, Thomas P. (2001b). F5-F6 Tornadoes. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Search this book on
- National Weather Service (April 1956). Storm Data Publication. Storm Events Database (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information.
- National Weather Service (April 1956). Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2019). Storm Prediction Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Ostuno, E. J. (2008). Written at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roger Edwards, ed. "A Case Study in Forensic Meteorology: Investigating the 3 April 1956 Tornadoes in Western Lower Michigan" (PDF). e-Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology. Norman, Oklahoma. 3 (1): 1–33. doi:10.55599/ejssm.v3i1.14. Unknown parameter
|s2cid=ignored (help) - U.S. Weather Bureau (April 1956). "Storm data and unusual weather phenomena". Climatological Data National Summary. Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center. 7 (4): 106–14.
DEFAULTSORT:April 1956 Hudsonville-Standale Tornado
This article "Tornado outbreak of April 2-3, 1956" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Tornado outbreak of April 2-3, 1956. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
