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1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak

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1967 St. Louis tornado outbreak
Path of the F4 tornado in St. Louis
Tornado outbreak
Maximum ratingF4 tornado
DurationJanuary 24, 1967
Overall effects
Fatalities7
Injuries268
Areas affectedPrimarily the Upper Midwest
Part of the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1967

An extremely rare wintertime tornado outbreak affected the Midwestern United States on January 24, 1967. Of the 30 confirmed tornadoes, 13 occurred in Iowa, nine in Missouri, seven in Illinois, and one in Wisconsin. The outbreak produced, at the time, the northernmost tornado to hit the United States in winter, in Wisconsin, until January 7, 2008. The tornadoes formed ahead of a deep storm system in which several temperature records were broken[citation needed]. The deadliest and most damaging tornado of the outbreak struck Greater St. Louis at F4 intensity, killing three people and injuring 216.[nb 1]

Background

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Upper-air analysis at 00:00 UTC on January 25, 1967

On Tuesday, January 24, 1967, a negatively tilted trough bisected the Midwestern United States. As a cold front traversed the Upper Midwest, a line of intermittent, tornado-producing supercells developed.[2]

Impact

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Confirmed tornadoes

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Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 3 4 15 6 2 0 30*

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991.[3][nb 2] 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments.[7][nb 3] Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

Color/symbol key
Color / symbol Description
† Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b
Data from a local National Weather Service office
※ Data from the 1967 Storm Data publication
‡ Data from the NCEI database
♯ Maximum width of tornado
± Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.
  • Along with the 30 confirmed tornadoes listed, tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis listed two additional F2 tornadoes that may have touched down.
    • The first occurred west of Muscatine, Muscatine County, Iowa, at 22:30 UTC, unroofing and tearing apart a house. It was officially listed as a severe thunderstorm wind in Storm Data.[14]
    • The other occurred on the southern outskirts of Illinois City, Rock Island County, Illinois, at an unknown time, damaging homes before ripping the roof off a farmhouse. It was officially listed as part of a complex of severe thunderstorm winds in Storm Data.[15]
List of confirmed tornadoes in the tornado outbreak of January 24, 1967
F# Location County / Parish State Start Coord.[nb 4] Time (UTC)[nb 5] Path length Width[nb 6] Damage
F2 N of De Kalb to SSE of Lake Station Buchanan MO 39°36′N 94°56′W / 39.60°N 94.93°W / 39.60; -94.93 (De Kalb (January 24, F2)) 17:50–? 6.1 mi (9.8 km) 100 yd (91 m)
This strong tornado affected 12 or more farmsteads. It destroyed a concrete barn, along with assorted outbuildings and other barns. Homes lost their roofs, along with some walls. Losses totaled $250,000.[19][20][21]
F2 E of Haynesville to S of Barnesville Clinton MO 39°27′N 94°14′W / 39.45°N 94.23°W / 39.45; -94.23 (Haynesville (January 24, F2)) 18:35–? 2.5 mi (4.0 km) 50 yd (46 m)
This strong but relatively brief tornado developed 1 mi (1.6 km) west of the junction of Missouri Supplemental Route PP and U.S. Route 69. As it headed northeast, it struck five farmsteads, extensively damaging outbuildings on a few of them. Losses totaled $25,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[22][23][21]
F3 SSE of Lake City to Northwestern Buckner to NE of Albany Jackson, Ray MO 39°06′N 94°15′W / 39.10°N 94.25°W / 39.10; -94.25 (Lake City (January 24, F3)) 18:40–19:00 14.5 mi (23.3 km) 200 yd (180 m)
2 deaths – This intense tornado first developed over the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, 3 mi (4.8 km) from Buckner. Tracking northeastward, it first produced a narrow, spasmodic swath of structural damage, skirting Buckner and passing east of Sibley. As it neared Orrick, the tornado widened and intensified, striking Orrick High School while at maximum intensity. Part of a roof at the school collapsed, killing two students underneath. Two homes were destroyed and another lost its second story. Barns and outbuildings were leveled along the path. 18 people were injured and losses totaled $5 million.[19][24][25][21]
F0 SE of Polo Caldwell MO 39°33′N 94°03′W / 39.55°N 94.05°W / 39.55; -94.05 (Polo (January 24, F0)) 18:50–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 100 yd (91 m)
Losses totaled $25,000.[26][21]
F0 E of Sturges Livingston MO 39°53′N 93°29′W / 39.88°N 93.48°W / 39.88; -93.48 (Sturges (January 24, F0)) 20:00–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 10 yd (9.1 m)
Losses totaled $30.[27][21]
F1 W of Green City to N of Pennville Sullivan MO 40°16′N 93°01′W / 40.27°N 93.02°W / 40.27; -93.02 (Green City (January 24, F1)) 20:20–? 7.3 mi (11.7 km) 50 yd (46 m)
This tornado wrecked a number of outbuildings and a barn. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2.[19][28][21]
F1 Glendale to NW of Livonia Putnam MO 40°29′N 92°46′W / 40.48°N 92.77°W / 40.48; -92.77 (Glendale (January 24, F1)) 20:45–? 2.5 mi (4.0 km) 50 yd (46 m)
Moving generally northeastward, this tornado developed near the junction of Missouri Route 149 and U.S. Route 136. Losses totaled $2,500.[29][21]
F4 ESE of Queen City, MO to ESE of Pulaski, IA Schuyler (MO), Scotland (MO), Davis (IA) MO, IA 40°24′N 92°32′W / 40.40°N 92.53°W / 40.40; -92.53 (Queen City (January 24, F4)) 20:45–? 25.7 mi (41.4 km) 440 yd (400 m)
This violent tornado damaged or destroyed numerous outbuildings and barns on 24 farmsteads. Five of the farmsteads were destroyed, two of which had every structure leveled, including the farmhouse. A total of approximately 20 other farms were damaged as well. Two people were injured and losses totaled $2,525,000. Most of the path and the F4-level damage were in Missouri. Only a 2-mile-long (3.2 km) segment continued into Iowa, with F1-level damage.[19][30][31][32]
F3 S of Douds to E of Fairfield Van Buren, Jefferson IA 40°52′N 92°05′W / 40.87°N 92.08°W / 40.87; -92.08 (Douds (January 24, F3)) 21:15–? 25 mi (40 km) 400 yd (370 m)
This intense tornado produced sporadic damage. It badly damaged several homes, some of which lost roofs and walls. Barns and outbuildings were destroyed as well. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2. The NCEI only lists a single coordinate, north of Douds.[19][33][34]
F1 Western Washington Washington IA 41°18′N 91°42′W / 41.30°N 91.70°W / 41.30; -91.70 (Washington (January 24, F1)) 21:45–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 200 yd (180 m)
Losses totaled $2,500.[35][34]
F0 N of Winfield Henry IA 41°09′N 91°26′W / 41.15°N 91.43°W / 41.15; -91.43 (Winfield (January 24, F0)) 21:50–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 150 yd (140 m)
Losses totaled $250,000.[36][34]
F2 SW of Columbus City Louisa IA 41°18′N 91°22′W / 41.30°N 91.37°W / 41.30; -91.37 (Columbus City (January 24, F2)) 22:00–? 3 mi (4.8 km) 250 yd (230 m)
Losses totaled $30. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. The NCEI lists the path as occurring north of Fredonia and extending into Muscatine County.[22][37][34]
F3 N of Fort Madison to S of Wever (1st tornado) Lee IA 40°40′N 91°19′W / 40.67°N 91.32°W / 40.67; -91.32 (Fort Madison (January 24, F3)) 22:15–? 4.3 mi (6.9 km) 300 yd (270 m)
1 death – This intense tornado destroyed a pair of homes, one of which only had a single wall left standing. Six people were injured and losses totaled $250,000.[19][38][34]
F2 S of Wever (2nd tornado) to N of Skunk River Lee IA 40°42′N 91°14′W / 40.70°N 91.23°W / 40.70; -91.23 (Wever (January 24, F2)) 22:20–? 3 mi (4.8 km) 200 yd (180 m)
This strong tornado crossed the Skunk River near Wever. Homes had their roofs torn off and barns were wrecked. Trailers were destroyed as well, injuring four people. Losses totaled $250,000.[19][39][34]
F2 ENE of Cairo Louisa IA 41°12′N 91°17′W / 41.20°N 91.28°W / 41.20; -91.28 (Cairo (January 24, F2)) 22:20–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 150 yd (140 m)
This strong tornado tore loose a wall from a house and tossed an automobile against the home. A nearby barn was destroyed as well. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000.[19][40][34]
F2 ESE of Gladstone to W of Reeds Henderson IL 40°51′N 90°56′W / 40.85°N 90.93°W / 40.85; -90.93 (Gladstone (January 24, F2)) 22:40–22:50 5.7 mi (9.2 km) 77 yd (70 m)
This tornado, while mostly affecting treetops, unroofed or otherwise damaged many outbuildings and barns. At least one barn was flattened, six utility poles splintered, and a farm shorn of all its outbuildings. Losses totaled $25,000. The tornado passed north of Biggsville.[19][41][42]
F2 S of Wheatland Clinton IA 41°48′N 90°50′W / 41.80°N 90.83°W / 41.80; -90.83 (Wheatland (January 24, F2)) 22:45–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 150 yd (140 m)
Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[22][43][34]
F2 NNE of Dixon Clinton IA 41°47′N 90°46′W / 41.78°N 90.77°W / 41.78; -90.77 (Dixon (January 24, F2)) 22:50–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 143 yd (131 m)
Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. Storm Data indicates that the tornado occurred near Calamus.[22][44][34]
F2 Southern Eldridge Scott IA 41°37′N 90°35′W / 41.62°N 90.58°W / 41.62; -90.58 (Eldridge (January 24, F2)) 23:11–? 2 mi (3.2 km) 250 yd (230 m)
This strong tornado touched down just west of Mount Joy. It hurled an automobile and a truck from a roadway. Homes sustained breakage of their windows and barns were wrecked. Losses totaled $250,000.[19][45][34]
F2 NW of Elvira Clinton IA 41°52′N 90°22′W / 41.87°N 90.37°W / 41.87; -90.37 (Elvira (January 24, F2)) 23:15–? 1 mi (1.6 km) 200 yd (180 m)
Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[22][46][34]
F2 NE of Tenmile Clinton IA 41°57′N 90°20′W / 41.95°N 90.33°W / 41.95; -90.33 (Tenmile (January 24, F2)) 23:15–? 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 100 yd (91 m)
Several barns, a warehouse, and a Granger Hall were destroyed. Homes nearby had their roofs torn off. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado may have developed near Bryant. Storm Data listed a 5-mile-long (8.0 km) path.[19][47][34]
F3 E of Burke to NE of Mount Carroll Carroll IL 42°03′N 90°02′W / 42.05°N 90.03°W / 42.05; -90.03 (Burke (January 24, F3)) 23:30–? 7.4 mi (11.9 km) 77 yd (70 m)
This intense tornado destroyed three homes on the northwestern side of Mount Carroll, one of which it impacted at borderline-F4 intensity. Roofing, outbuildings, and barns incurred extensive damage as well. 12 people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the time of occurrence as 22:40 UTC.[19][48][42]
F1 WSW of Saidora to NNE of White City Mason IL 40°06′N 90°10′W / 40.10°N 90.17°W / 40.10; -90.17 (Saidora (January 24, F1)) 23:30–? 4.5 mi (7.2 km) 30 yd (27 m)
This tornado paralleled the following event, just 3 mi (4.8 km) away. Outbuildings, a hangar, and trees were destroyed or extensively damaged. An airplane was damaged as well. One person was injured. Losses were unknown. Storm Data attributed the sole injury to the next event.[19][49][42]
F3 S of Snicarte to SE of Bluff City Mason IL 40°07′N 90°13′W / 40.12°N 90.22°W / 40.12; -90.22 (Snicarte (January 24, F3)) 23:30–? 5.1 mi (8.2 km) 80 yd (73 m)
1 death – This intense tornado destroyed rural homes and outbuildings. Three people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. The body of the dead was tossed 200 yd (600 ft). Storm Data stated that the path was only 1 mi (1.6 km) long.[19][50][42]
F3 S of Brodhead to SE of Milton Green, Rock WI 42°36′N 89°22′W / 42.60°N 89.37°W / 42.60; -89.37 (Brodhead (January 24, F3)) 00:10–00:40 24.9 mi (40.1 km) 200 yd (180 m)
This intense but intermittent tornado wrecked a number of barns. A country club was stripped of its roof and a pair of walls as well. Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis listed the tornado as an F2. At the time the tornado was the northernmost wintertime tornado on record in the contiguous United States.[22][51][42]
F2 ENE of Cooper to WSW of Cruger Tazewell, Woodford IL 40°40′N 89°23′W / 40.67°N 89.38°W / 40.67; -89.38 (Cooper (January 24, F2)) 00:30–? 3.3 mi (5.3 km) 77 yd (70 m)
This strong tornado snapped and felled trees. Roofing and outbuildings were damaged as well. Losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[22][52][42]
F2 S of Virden Macoupin IL 39°29′N 89°46′W / 39.48°N 89.77°W / 39.48; -89.77 (Virden (January 24, F2)) 00:50–? 2.5 mi (4.0 km) 100 yd (91 m)
This tornado flipped a home upside down and shifted another. In all about 100 homes were damaged to varying degrees. Most of the damage was to roofing or from fallen trees. Several trailers were damaged as well, and a few grain bins were moved 200–440 yd (600–1,320 ft). Losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.[22][53][42]
F2 NW of Metamora Woodford IL 00:50– 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
F4 NE of Chesterfield to NE of Spanish Lake St. Louis MO 00:55– 25 mi (40 km)
3 deaths – See section on this tornado
F2 Champaign–Urbana Champaign IL 02:40– 10.4 mi (16.7 km)
A trailer was destroyed and scattered, two others were overturned, and two more were damaged. One house had its roof torn off.

Northern Chesterfield–Maryland Heights–St. Ann–Lambert Field–Spanish Lake, Missouri

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Northern Chesterfield–Maryland Heights–St. Ann–Lambert Field–Spanish Lake, Missouri
Aerial view of damage in Chesterfield, Missouri, after the F4 tornado of January 24, 1967
Meteorological history
FormedJanuary 24, 1967, 6:55 p.m. CST (UTC−06:00)
F4 tornado
on the Fujita scale
Overall effects
Fatalities3
Injuries216
Damage$25,000,000 (1967 USD)
$228 million (2024 USD)

Tornado moved through the St. Louis suburbs striking Maryland Heights, St.Ann, Lambert Field, and Spanish Lake. 168 homes were destroyed and 1740 others were damaged. Some of the homes were leveled. A nursing home was also badly damaged.[54]

Non-tornadic effects

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Aftermath and recovery

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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. ^ 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.[4] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[5] 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.[6]
  3. ^ 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.[8][9] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by the National Weather Service.[10] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[11] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;[12] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.[13]
  4. ^ All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
  5. ^ 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. ^ The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes, with those having known maximum widths denoted by ♯. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.[16] Values provided by Grazulis are the average width, with estimates being rounded down (i.e. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) is rounded down from 880 yards to 800 yards.[17][18]

References

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  1. ^ 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 September 17, 2019.
  2. ^ "Janurary [sic] 24, 1967 Tornado Outbreak". Quad Cities, IA/IL Weather Forecast Office. Davenport, Iowa: National Weather Service. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  3. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1496.
  4. ^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.
  5. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
  7. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, pp. 1497, 1503.
  8. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
  9. ^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
  10. ^ Edwards et al. 2013, p. 641–642.
  11. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  12. ^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ^ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ^ Multiple sources:
  15. ^ Multiple sources:
  16. ^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1494.
  17. ^ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
  18. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. ix.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Grazulis 1993, p. 1086.
  20. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056784
  21. ^ a b c d e f g Storm Data 1967, p. 4.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h Grazulis 1993, pp. 1086–7.
  23. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056790
  24. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056791
  25. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056793
  26. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056792
  27. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056795
  28. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056796
  29. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056797
  30. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10056798
  31. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10011998
  32. ^ Storm Data 1967, pp. 2, 4.
  33. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10011999
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Storm Data 1967, p. 2.
  35. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012000
  36. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012001
  37. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012002
  38. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012003
  39. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012004
  40. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012005
  41. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009966
  42. ^ a b c d e f g Storm Data 1967, p. 7.
  43. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012006
  44. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012007
  45. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012008
  46. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012009
  47. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10012010
  48. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009969
  49. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009968
  50. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009970
  51. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10148040
  52. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009973
  53. ^ Storm Data Publication 1967, #10009974
  54. ^ "January 24th 1967 F4 Tornado St. Louis County". St. Louis, MO Weather Forecast Office. St. Charles, Missouri: National Weather Service. Retrieved 4 October 2022.

Sources

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