1056:
888:, where almost 100 commercial buildings sustained damage. At least 150 homes on the more suburban outskirts of the city were damaged and in some instances reduced to rubble. Five people were killed in Sarnia. Before exiting Sarnia, the tornado curved even further to the northeast and began to weaken, as its path narrowed to approximately 30 m (33 yd) across. The tornado then restrengthened as it moved into rural Lambton and Middlesex Counties, where more F4 damage was inflicted upon farmsteads and homes near
892:, before it dissipated south of Stratford. This suggested a total path length exceeding 120 km (75 mi), though it is highly probable that this damage path was made up of more than one tornado, possibly as many as four. Overall, the tornado was on the ground for 2 hours and 39 minutes, tracked 75–90 miles (121–145 km), and was 1–1.5 miles (1.6–2.4 km) wide at its peak. Seven people were killed, 117 others were injured, and damages were estimated $ 17.6 million (1953 USD).
517:. Many barns, outbuildings, and a silo were destroyed on at least 10 farms. The tornado family also killed hundreds of chickens. The sole fatality came from a farmer who had a heart attack while he was working in a field when the storm struck and therefore indirectly attributable to the tornado at most. No damage value was given for the tornado. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis assessed the tornado family as having caused F2-level damage.
29:
916:, a man was crushed to death when a tree fell on him while he was in bed. Other towns in the area reported mostly light damage with uprooted trees and disrupted power and communication lines and light scattered damage was reported elsewhere outside these counties as well. Wind and hail damage was also reported in Southern
211:, on May 21, damaging or destroying hundreds of structures and causing dozens of casualties. Overall, the tornadoes killed eight people, injured 123 others, and caused at least $ 17.6 million (1953 USD) in damage. Thunderstorm winds also caused an additional fatality when a tree fell on a house in
619:. In all, the tornado affected 10 farms, destroyed or damaged several barns, and unroofed a house. Seven people were injured; four in Linn County and three in Jones County. As listed above, the tornado possibly started as far back as
928:. Rural areas were particularly hard-hit as farm buildings were damaged and small barns were destroyed. Hail caused some slight damage to crops throughout the region as well. Storm damage was also reported in
880:
and 68 more were injured. Close to 400 homes were damaged or destroyed in the United States with monetary losses totaling $ 2.6 million ($ 24.4 million 2018 USD). Crossing the
1009:
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
958:
720:
555:
445:
1490:
1374:
408:
1443:
Tornadoes - Atmospheric
Hazards Web Site - Ontario - Adaptation and Impacts Research Group - [Meteorological Service of Canada - The Green Lane]
884:, the 1-mile-wide (1.6 km) tornado moved into Canada just south of Sarnia Harbour. Moving to the northeast, the tornado moved directly through
607:
on the eastern side of Cedar Rapids and tracked east-northeastward through mainly rural areas, hitting the town of
Martelle and striking areas near
953:
876:. It moved northeast and quickly strengthened before hitting Port Huron, resulting in widespread F3 and F4 damage. Two people were killed in
513:
with most concentrated damage occurring at the later towns. The first member of the family felled trees and was observed as a narrow funnel near
1013:, 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
1342:
1485:
623:, giving it a track of 72 miles (116 km); however it is not officially listed as such. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.
33:
Aftermath: the photo here was taken by Gordon Cooke, a chemical engineer at
Imperial Oil, a couple of days later as the cleanup began.
1417:
1195:
889:
1145:
1500:
1097:
1505:
1101:
191:
region during May 20-21, 1953. The strongest of these storms produced three intense, long-tracked tornadoes in
1510:
1495:
987:
696:
658:
387:
1010:
937:
704:
350:. However, it is not officially listed. It is also possible that this was actually the beginning stage of second
1137:
700:
1463:
1187:
1141:
869:
679:
429:
1480:
604:
1391:
1309:
1291:
1265:
1247:
1229:
1211:
877:
873:
683:
204:
941:
920:. Trees were uprooted, disrupting power and communication lines to several large cities, including
863:
769:
433:
425:
421:
343:
1179:
925:
691:
543:
526:
514:
417:
412:
1349:
1368:
1191:
1128:
539:
339:
166:
243:
by May 21 as it made a gradual northeastward turn, producing more severe weather across
1124:
1006:
510:
498:
331:
54:
1442:
1038:
881:
687:
208:
1421:
231:
as favorable conditions to its east generated scattered severe thunderstorms across the
203:. The worst tornado event was a violent F4 tornado that tore through the cities of
933:
913:
772:– 117 people were injured and losses totaled $ 17.6 million (1953 USD).
530:
494:
212:
1474:
905:
620:
616:
534:
502:
335:
327:
232:
1014:
853:
815:
789:
640:
612:
608:
506:
369:
261:
228:
174:
97:
909:
188:
736:
722:
571:
557:
461:
447:
983:
921:
917:
240:
1130:
Tornado
Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875-2003)
322:
According to Thomas P. Grazulis, an F2 tornado destroyed or damaged a
28:
929:
709:
248:
196:
152:
932:
the next day with winds damaged a couple of farm buildings northeast of
187:
A localized but devastating series of severe thunderstorms affected the
713:
236:
224:
200:
156:
900:
Widespread wind damage occurred throughout an 18 county area in
885:
1184:
Significant
Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events
944:
were completely destroyed by fire after it was struck by lightning.
868:
This large, violent tornado touched down at 4:21 p.m. CST near
235:
thanks in part to another low that was moving northeastward through
497:
caused major damage while passing through the rural communities of
323:
901:
548:
438:
351:
347:
244:
192:
148:
1190:: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. p. 972.
130:
8 fatalities (+1 non-tornadic), 123 injuries
986:
where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in
227:
early on May 20, 1953. This low moved eastward into
904:
on May 20. Some of the worst damage occurring near
959:
List of North
American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
364:
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 20, 1953
635:
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 21, 1953
251:
until a high-pressure system pushed out of the area.
842:
834:
808:
788:
669:
647:
644:
398:
376:
373:
239:. Continuing eastward, the original low moved into
144:
134:
126:
104:
90:
80:
60:
50:
338:, on May 20. The tornado reportedly struck
326:and several barns as it affected six farms near
223:A low pressure system formed over south central
1396:National Centers for Environmental Information
1386:
1384:
1314:National Centers for Environmental Information
1296:National Centers for Environmental Information
1270:National Centers for Environmental Information
1252:National Centers for Environmental Information
1234:National Centers for Environmental Information
1216:National Centers for Environmental Information
1061:National Centers for Environmental Information
16:Weather event in the United States and Canada
8:
1418:"Our History – Bluewater Power Distribution"
1337:
1335:
1333:
1331:
783:
21:
978:
976:
912:where farmsteads were severely damaged. In
1174:
1172:
1170:
1168:
1166:
1164:
1162:
782:
633:
362:
27:
20:
765:1,760–2,640 yd (1,610–2,410 m)
258:
1098:"Climatological Data: National summary"
1030:
998:
972:
954:List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
180:Time from first tornado to last tornado
1373:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
1366:
1138:22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms
1092:
1090:
1088:
1086:
1084:
1082:
1080:
1078:
493:1 death – A long-tracked, strong
7:
1491:May 1953 events in the United States
838:7 fatalities, 117 injuries
784:Port Huron, Michigan–Sarnia, Ontario
779:Port Huron, Michigan–Sarnia, Ontario
138:≥$ 17.6 million (1953 USD)
936:while a home and it contents along
846:$ 17.6 million (1953 USD)
611:before dissipating halfway between
1398:(Report). National Weather Service
1316:(Report). National Weather Service
1298:(Report). National Weather Service
1272:(Report). National Weather Service
1254:(Report). National Weather Service
1236:(Report). National Weather Service
1218:(Report). National Weather Service
14:
1392:Michigan Event Report: F4 Tornado
982:All dates are based on the local
603:A strong tornado touched down in
1460:Significant Tornadoes: 1880–1989
852:Most severe tornado damage; see
762:75–90 mi (121–145 km)
334:before causing severe damage in
173:Most severe tornado damage; see
1146:American Meteorological Society
1039:"Tornado History Project: 1953"
809:
91:
1127:; Schaefer, Joseph T. (2004).
748:Smiths Creek (May 21, F4)
674:
583:Cedar Rapids (May 20, F3)
521:
487:116.1 mi (186.8 km)
403:
140:≥$ 200 million (2024 USD)
1:
1310:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1292:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1266:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1248:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1230:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1212:Iowa Event Report: F3 Tornado
1043:www.tornadohistoryproject.com
473:Zenorsville (May 20, F3)
354:F3 tornado listed below.
1102:United States Weather Bureau
597:38.6 mi (62.1 km)
22:1953 Sarnia tornado outbreak
770:See article on this tornado
1527:
1063:. National Weather Service
988:Coordinated Universal Time
861:
1486:May 1953 events in Canada
1017:(F2 or stronger) tornado.
850:
830:
826:
822:
804:
800:
796:
666:
663:
656:
653:
650:
639:
600:400 yd (370 m)
490:400 yd (370 m)
395:
392:
385:
382:
379:
368:
288:
285:
282:
279:
276:
273:
270:
267:
167:tornado outbreaks of 1953
162:
122:
118:
114:
76:
72:
68:
46:
42:
38:
26:
260:Confirmed tornadoes by
1123:Schneider, Russell S.;
219:Meteorological synopsis
1466:: Environmental Films.
1464:St. Johnsbury, Vermont
1188:St. Johnsbury, Vermont
1142:Hyannis, Massachusetts
870:Smiths Creek, Michigan
1501:Tornadoes in Michigan
1458:Grazulis, T. (1990).
1424:on September 10, 2011
1506:Tornadoes in Ontario
205:Port Huron, Michigan
1180:Grazulis, Thomas P.
1057:"Tornado Summaries"
896:Non-tornadic events
864:1953 Sarnia tornado
785:
732: /
636:
567: /
457: /
365:
264:
255:Confirmed tornadoes
23:
634:
363:
259:
1511:Tornadoes of 1953
1496:Tornadoes in Iowa
1125:Brooks, Harold E.
1011:outbreak sequence
860:
859:
776:
775:
651:State / Province
627:
626:
319:
318:
185:
184:
1518:
1467:
1445:
1440:
1434:
1433:
1431:
1429:
1420:. Archived from
1414:
1408:
1407:
1405:
1403:
1388:
1379:
1378:
1372:
1364:
1362:
1360:
1355:on April 2, 2012
1354:
1348:. Archived from
1347:
1339:
1326:
1325:
1323:
1321:
1307:
1305:
1303:
1288:
1282:
1281:
1279:
1277:
1263:
1261:
1259:
1245:
1243:
1241:
1227:
1225:
1223:
1208:
1202:
1201:
1176:
1157:
1156:
1154:
1152:
1135:
1120:
1114:
1113:
1111:
1109:
1094:
1073:
1072:
1070:
1068:
1053:
1047:
1046:
1035:
1018:
1003:
991:
990:for consistency.
980:
811:
786:
768:7 deaths –
756:
755:
753:
752:
751:
749:
744:
743:
738:
733:
730:
729:
728:
725:
680:Smiths Creek, MI
648:County / Parish
637:
591:
590:
588:
587:
586:
584:
579:
578:
573:
568:
565:
564:
563:
560:
481:
480:
478:
477:
476:
474:
469:
468:
463:
458:
455:
454:
453:
450:
377:County / Parish
366:
332:Blairstown, Iowa
265:
107:tornado outbreak
93:
55:Tornado outbreak
31:
24:
1526:
1525:
1521:
1520:
1519:
1517:
1516:
1515:
1471:
1470:
1462:. Vol. 2.
1457:
1454:
1449:
1448:
1441:
1437:
1427:
1425:
1416:
1415:
1411:
1401:
1399:
1390:
1389:
1382:
1365:
1358:
1356:
1352:
1345:
1343:"Archived copy"
1341:
1340:
1329:
1319:
1317:
1308:
1301:
1299:
1290:
1289:
1285:
1275:
1273:
1264:
1257:
1255:
1246:
1239:
1237:
1228:
1221:
1219:
1210:
1209:
1205:
1198:
1178:
1177:
1160:
1150:
1148:
1133:
1122:
1121:
1117:
1107:
1105:
1096:
1095:
1076:
1066:
1064:
1055:
1054:
1050:
1037:
1036:
1032:
1027:
1022:
1021:
1004:
1000:
995:
994:
981:
974:
969:
950:
898:
886:Sarnia, Ontario
882:St. Clair River
872:, southwest of
866:
781:
747:
745:
741:
739:
737:41.73°N 98.93°W
735:
734:
731:
726:
723:
721:
719:
718:
632:
582:
580:
576:
574:
572:41.98°N 91.57°W
570:
569:
566:
561:
558:
556:
554:
553:
509:, and Southern
472:
470:
466:
464:
460:
459:
456:
451:
448:
446:
444:
443:
361:
257:
221:
209:Sarnia, Ontario
178:
171:
170:
139:
106:
82:
64:May 20–21, 1953
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1524:
1522:
1514:
1513:
1508:
1503:
1498:
1493:
1488:
1483:
1473:
1472:
1469:
1468:
1453:
1450:
1447:
1446:
1435:
1409:
1380:
1327:
1283:
1203:
1196:
1158:
1115:
1074:
1048:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1023:
1020:
1019:
997:
996:
993:
992:
971:
970:
968:
965:
964:
963:
962:
961:
949:
946:
897:
894:
862:Main article:
858:
857:
848:
847:
844:
840:
839:
836:
832:
831:
828:
827:
824:
823:
820:
819:
813:
806:
805:
802:
801:
798:
797:
794:
793:
780:
777:
774:
773:
766:
763:
760:
757:
716:
707:
705:Middlesex (ON)
697:St. Clair (MI)
694:
684:Port Huron, MI
676:
672:
671:
668:
665:
662:
655:
652:
649:
646:
643:
631:
628:
625:
624:
601:
598:
595:
592:
551:
546:
537:
523:
519:
518:
495:tornado family
491:
488:
485:
482:
462:42.15°N 93.7°W
441:
436:
415:
405:
401:
400:
397:
394:
391:
384:
381:
378:
375:
372:
360:
357:
356:
355:
317:
316:
313:
310:
307:
304:
301:
298:
295:
291:
290:
287:
284:
281:
278:
275:
272:
269:
256:
253:
220:
217:
213:Waterloo, Iowa
183:
182:
163:
160:
159:
146:
145:Areas affected
142:
141:
136:
132:
131:
128:
124:
123:
120:
119:
116:
115:
112:
111:
108:
102:
101:
95:
88:
87:
84:
78:
77:
74:
73:
70:
69:
66:
65:
62:
58:
57:
52:
48:
47:
44:
43:
40:
39:
36:
35:
32:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1523:
1512:
1509:
1507:
1504:
1502:
1499:
1497:
1494:
1492:
1489:
1487:
1484:
1482:
1479:
1478:
1476:
1465:
1461:
1456:
1455:
1451:
1444:
1439:
1436:
1423:
1419:
1413:
1410:
1397:
1393:
1387:
1385:
1381:
1376:
1370:
1351:
1344:
1338:
1336:
1334:
1332:
1328:
1315:
1311:
1297:
1293:
1287:
1284:
1271:
1267:
1253:
1249:
1235:
1231:
1217:
1213:
1207:
1204:
1199:
1197:1-879362-03-1
1193:
1189:
1185:
1182:(July 1993).
1181:
1175:
1173:
1171:
1169:
1167:
1165:
1163:
1159:
1151:September 17,
1147:
1143:
1139:
1132:
1131:
1126:
1119:
1116:
1103:
1099:
1093:
1091:
1089:
1087:
1085:
1083:
1081:
1079:
1075:
1062:
1058:
1052:
1049:
1044:
1040:
1034:
1031:
1024:
1016:
1012:
1008:
1002:
999:
989:
985:
979:
977:
973:
966:
960:
957:
956:
955:
952:
951:
947:
945:
943:
939:
935:
931:
927:
923:
919:
915:
911:
907:
903:
895:
893:
891:
887:
883:
879:
875:
871:
865:
856:
855:
849:
845:
841:
837:
833:
829:
825:
821:
817:
814:
807:
803:
799:
795:
791:
787:
778:
771:
767:
764:
761:
758:
754:
742:41.73; -98.93
717:
715:
711:
708:
706:
702:
698:
695:
693:
692:Stratford, ON
689:
685:
681:
677:
673:
660:
654:Start Coord.
642:
638:
629:
622:
618:
614:
610:
606:
602:
599:
596:
593:
589:
577:41.98; -91.57
552:
550:
547:
545:
541:
538:
536:
532:
528:
524:
520:
516:
512:
508:
504:
500:
496:
492:
489:
486:
483:
479:
442:
440:
437:
435:
431:
427:
423:
419:
416:
414:
410:
406:
402:
389:
383:Start Coord.
371:
367:
358:
353:
349:
345:
341:
337:
333:
329:
325:
321:
320:
314:
311:
308:
305:
302:
299:
296:
293:
292:
266:
263:
262:Fujita rating
254:
252:
250:
246:
242:
238:
234:
233:Upper Midwest
230:
226:
218:
216:
214:
210:
206:
202:
198:
194:
190:
181:
177:
176:
169:
168:
161:
158:
154:
150:
147:
143:
137:
133:
129:
125:
121:
117:
113:
110:27 hours
109:
103:
99:
96:
89:
85:
79:
75:
71:
67:
63:
59:
56:
53:
49:
45:
41:
37:
30:
25:
19:
1481:F4 tornadoes
1459:
1438:
1426:. Retrieved
1422:the original
1412:
1402:February 12,
1400:. Retrieved
1395:
1357:. Retrieved
1350:the original
1320:February 12,
1318:. Retrieved
1313:
1302:February 12,
1300:. Retrieved
1295:
1286:
1274:. Retrieved
1269:
1256:. Retrieved
1251:
1238:. Retrieved
1233:
1220:. Retrieved
1215:
1206:
1183:
1149:. Retrieved
1129:
1118:
1106:. Retrieved
1065:. Retrieved
1060:
1051:
1042:
1033:
1001:
899:
867:
854:Fujita scale
851:
759:21:21–00:00
701:Lambton (ON)
664:Path length
630:May 21 event
594:04:10–05:10
527:Cedar Rapids
515:Charles City
484:03:00–04:25
467:42.15; -93.7
413:Lime Springs
393:Path length
359:May 20 event
346:counties in
229:South Dakota
222:
186:
179:
175:Fujita scale
172:
165:
164:Part of the
18:
1276:February 5,
1258:February 5,
1240:February 5,
1222:February 5,
1067:February 5,
1015:significant
740: /
605:Vernon View
575: /
465: /
409:Zenorsville
189:Great Lakes
105:Duration of
1475:Categories
1108:August 20,
1025:References
878:Port Huron
874:Port Huron
835:Fatalities
746: (
688:Sarnia, ON
667:Max width
581: (
533:to NNW of
511:Alta Vista
499:Story City
471: (
396:Max width
127:Fatalities
984:time zone
942:St. Johns
940:south of
922:Milwaukee
918:Wisconsin
645:Location
411:to SW of
374:Location
241:Minnesota
83:confirmed
81:Tornadoes
1428:June 17,
1369:cite web
1359:June 15,
1007:outbreak
948:See also
930:Michigan
914:Waterloo
690:to S of
670:Summary
531:Martelle
525:Eastern
430:Chicasaw
399:Summary
249:Michigan
197:Michigan
153:Michigan
61:Duration
1452:Sources
926:Madison
906:Almoral
818:tornado
792:tornado
727:98°56′W
724:41°44′N
621:Chelsea
617:Wyoming
562:91°34′W
559:41°59′N
535:Wyoming
503:Hubbard
452:93°42′W
449:42°09′N
336:Fairfax
328:Chelsea
237:Ontario
225:Montana
201:Ontario
157:Ontario
100:tornado
1194:
1104:. 1953
843:Damage
812:rating
657:Time (
613:Onslow
609:Morley
507:Ackley
434:Howard
426:Butler
422:Hardin
407:NE of
386:Time (
380:State
344:Benton
289:Total
207:, and
199:, and
135:Damage
94:rating
1353:(PDF)
1346:(PDF)
1134:(PDF)
967:Notes
938:US 27
910:Elgin
890:Nairn
678:N of
544:Jones
418:Story
324:motel
1430:2011
1404:2021
1375:link
1361:2011
1322:2021
1304:2021
1278:2021
1260:2021
1242:2021
1224:2021
1192:ISBN
1153:2019
1110:2022
1069:2021
934:Bath
924:and
908:and
902:Iowa
810:Max.
615:and
540:Linn
352:Iowa
348:Iowa
342:and
340:Tama
330:and
247:and
245:Ohio
193:Iowa
149:Iowa
92:Max.
51:Type
1005:An
686:to
682:to
675:F4
659:UTC
529:to
522:F3
404:F3
388:UTC
286:F5
283:F4
280:F3
277:F2
274:F1
271:F0
268:FU
1477::
1394:.
1383:^
1371:}}
1367:{{
1330:^
1312:.
1294:.
1268:.
1250:.
1232:.
1214:.
1186:.
1161:^
1144::
1140:.
1136:.
1100:.
1077:^
1059:.
1041:.
975:^
816:F4
790:F4
714:ON
712:,
710:MI
703:,
699:,
661:)
641:F#
549:IA
542:,
505:,
501:,
439:IA
432:,
428:,
424:,
420:,
390:)
370:F#
315:3
312:0
309:1
306:2
303:0
300:0
297:0
294:0
215:.
195:,
155:,
151:,
98:F4
1432:.
1406:.
1377:)
1363:.
1324:.
1306:.
1280:.
1262:.
1244:.
1226:.
1200:.
1155:.
1112:.
1071:.
1045:.
750:)
585:)
475:)
86:3
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
