A Look Back at the Most Destructive Tornado in New England...

The OTUS project did it again!

🌪️ Tornado Talk Updates!

We continue to work on the May 31, 1985 Outbreak narratives, the Guin narrative (incorporating feedback), and organizing for the memorial.

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🌪️ This Week In Tornado History

June 9, 1953 - Massachusetts: It is the deadliest and most destructive tornado to ever hit the New England area. The Worcester, MA Tornado occurred during the mid-afternoon time on June 9, 1953. The destruction was overwhelming. Per Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes, an F5 rating could have been given to this event. “Many of the houses that were nearly leveled were two- or three-story tenement buildings, built with dozens of interior walls which would add considerable structural strength.”

Worcester Tornado near Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewbury at 522pm. Photo by the late Henry LaPrade

June 10, 1902 - Illinois: An F3 crosssed 15 miles from east of Canton, IL through Kingston Mines. There were 3 fatalities and 40 injuries. 16 homes were destroyed at Kingston Mines. The Methodist Church, the engine house, and a blacksmith shop were demolished.

June 11, 2008 - Kansas: The is EF4 tornado developed SW of Manhattan causing damage to a farm. It moved NE toward town hitting the Miller Ranch Area. It was here that EF4 damage was found. Fifteen well built homes were completely destroyed. The tornado continued its track northeast eventually moving onto the Kansas State University campus. Approx. $37 million dollars in damage was done to the campus. There were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Image from NWS Topeka.

June 12, 1881 - Kansas:  A possible F4 tornado moved 17 miles in Cowley County, KS. It devastated the town of Floral, many of the homes there were leveled. Per Thomas Grazulis, “The tornado’s progress was watched for a half hour from Seely and Akron. It was described as looking like rope at first, and then changed its form to resemble an elephant’s trunk.” 3 people were killed.

June 13, 1930 - Wisconsin: An F4 tornado moved from NE of Ellsworth, WI, passing near El Paso and ended along the northern part of Menomonie. About a half dozen farms were leveled. Four people were killed in one farm home west of Menomonie. A young girl was killed in another. Per Significant Tornadoes, “At the north edge of Menomonie, a man was unaware of the tornado until he glanced out a window, and saw a car fly by.”

June 14, 1957 - Illinois: This tornado tracked through the southeastern part of Springfield, IL near Jerome and was later rated F4. Per the NWS Springfield, IL, “The parent thunderstorm produced a 98 mph wind gust at Capital Airport on the north side of town.” Per the Sangamon County Historical Society: “Mrs. Paul Farley, 60, and Anna Belle Larson, 37 were killed in this tornado. Property damage was estimated at $3 million; 25 homes were destroyed and 175 others badly damaged.”

Image via Sangamon County Historical Society

June 15, 2019 - Indiana: An EF2 tornado struck near Ellettsville, IN. A garage was swept away, several outbuildings were destroyed, and trees were shredded.

🌪️ Twister Time: Bonus Round

The OTUS project did it again! Their research drone collected data in a dusty tornado near Morton, TX on Thursday. This team is doing amazing work!

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