| Tornado outbreak of May 19–22, 1957 | |
| Duration: | May 19–22, 1957 |
| Tornadoes: | 59 |
| Fujitascale: | F5 |
| Largest Hail: | 7inches |
| Year: | 1957 |
| Fatalities: | 59 |
| Injuries: | 341 |
| Affected: | Primarily Central United States |
From May 19–22, 1957, a tornado outbreak took place across the US Central Plains. A total of 59 tornadoes were reported from Colorado to the Mississippi Valley. The most destructive tornado of the severe weather event—likely part of a long-lived family—was rated at F5, the highest level, and is often called the Ruskin Heights tornado, after the site of its worst damage, a suburb and housing development in southern Kansas City, Missouri. Additionally, a powerful F4 tornado virtually destroyed Fremont, Missouri, claiming seven lives, and an F3 tornado killed eight others in and near Belgrade, Missouri. A pair of F4s—one in Minnesota, the other in Kansas—also neared F5 intensity. In all, 59 people were killed during the outbreak, including 44 in the Ruskin Heights tornado.
The outbreak coincided with elevated tornado activity: the period May 19–26 was one of the most intense to date, since the founding of the United States Weather Bureau. At 00:30 UTC (7:30 p.m. CDT) on May 20, a 75to mid-level jet stream bisected dew points of 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on, coincident with a 986mb low-pressure area and warm front over southeastern Nebraska. Soundings and surface weather observations indicated a robust, unstable warm sector, showing 3,000 j/kg of surface-based convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the presence of strong wind shear. Favoring supercells, this setup led to the then largest one-day total of tornadoes in Weather Bureau history. At 17:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. CDT) the Severe Local Storms Unit (SELS) in Kansas City had already issued a severe weather watch, mentioning tornadoes, for the Kansas–Nebraska state line and its environs. Subsequent updates covered much of the eastern Great Plains, from the Green Country to southeastern Nebraska. Upon formation, severe thunderstorms traveled at up to 42mi/h, attended by extremely large hail.[1] [2]
| State | Total | County | County total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 7 | Franklin | 3 |
| Miami | 4 | ||
| Missouri | 52 | Carter | 7 |
| Jackson | 37 | ||
| St. Francois | 8 | ||
| Totals | 59 | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
Several unconfirmed tornadoes were also reported:
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. 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. 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.
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | ESE of West Park | Fresno | CA | 36.7°N -119.83°W | 16:18–16:23 | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| A brief tornado—the third on record in the Fresno area—tore loose roof shingles, downed an almond tree, and mangled a rooftop air conditioning unit. | |||||||||
| F1 | NW of Bayard | Scotts Bluff | NE | 41.8°N -103.37°W | 01:30–? | 1.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Watched by highway patrol, this tornado did little or no damage. | |||||||||
| F2 | S of Vance | Morrill | NE | 41.75°N -103.12°W | 03:30–? | 5.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 67abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado blew a farmhouse off its foundation and stripped most of its roof. It destroyed outbuildings on a few farms as well. According to the Climatological Data National Summary, this tornado hit NaNmiles west of Bayard, implying touchdown in Scotts Bluff County. | |||||||||
| F1 | W of Gurley | Cheyenne | NE | 41.32°N -102.98°W | 04:00–? | 2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado damaged outbuildings. | |||||||||
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F0 | SSE of Bethune (CO) to near Herndon (KS) | Kit Carson (CO), Sherman (KS), Cheyenne (KS), Rawlins (KS) | CO, KS | 39.25°N -102.4°W | 17:00–19:35 | 70.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado, once officially rated F2, caused very little damage. It was likely a family of several weak events. | |||||||||
| F0 | Southeastern Phillipsburg | Phillips | KS | 39.75°N -99.32°W | 17:55–18:10 | 1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Details are unavailable.[3] | |||||||||
| F0 | N of Downs | Osborne | KS | 39.55°N -98.55°W | 19:15–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado felled a shed, wires, and trees. | |||||||||
| F0 | SW of Hunter | Mitchell | KS | 39.23°N -98.4°W | 19:25–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Details are unavailable. | |||||||||
| F1 | N of Burr Oak | Jewell | KS | 39.92°N -98.3°W | 20:05–? | 5.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Sounding train-like, this tornado damaged three homes and many outbuildings. | |||||||||
| F0 | N of Red Cloud | Webster | NE | 40.1°N -98.52°W | 20:15–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| A brief tornado hit nothing substantial. | |||||||||
| F1 | NE of Broken Bow | Custer | NE | 41.43°N -99.62°W | 20:17–20:20 | 2.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado caused little damage. | |||||||||
| F0 | E of Guide Rock | Nuckolls | NE | 40.07°N -98.27°W | 20:20–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Noted by highway patrol, this tornado caused little or damage. | |||||||||
| F4 | ENE of Glasco to NW of Morrowville | Cloud, Republic, Washington | KS | 39.38°N -97.73°W | 20:50–? | 44.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Part of a family, this violent tornado struck 12 farms at F4 intensity, at one point approaching F5 status. The main event, it destroyed an entire farm near Haddam, and was accompanied by at least four—possibly up to eight—satellite tornadoes, along with many funnel clouds. The storm that produced the tornado damaged a 50to swath. | |||||||||
| F2 | SSE of Concordia | Cloud | KS | 39.52°N -97.63°W | 20:50–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Details are unknown. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | |||||||||
| F2 | W of Huscher | Cloud | KS | 39.52°N -97.63°W | 20:50–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado destroyed a barn. | |||||||||
| F2 | SW of Huscher | Cloud | KS | 39.47°N -97.63°W | 20:50–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Details are unknown. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. | |||||||||
| F3 | E of Rice to E of Hollis | Cloud | KS | 39.57°N -97.57°W | 20:50–? | 6.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado destroyed a barn. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F1 | WSW of Anselmo | Custer | NE | 41.6°N -99.93°W | 21:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado mainly affected remote areas. | |||||||||
| F1 | N of Rockerville | Pennington | SD | 43.97°N -103.35°W | 21:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado blew down a barn. | |||||||||
| F2 | W of Reynolds to E of Palmyra | Thayer, Jefferson, Saline, Lancaster | NE | 40.07°N -97.5°W | 22:00–? | 75.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit more than 12 farms, destroying barns, and unroofed homes as well. On a farm it killed upward of 500 turkeys. In all, the tornado struck "15 sets" of structures. Grazulis listed a 30miles path. | |||||||||
| F2 | Doniphan to NE of Phillips | Hall, Hamilton | NE | 40.77°N -98.37°W | 23:00–? | 18.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Producing scattered damage, this tornado hit three farms, one of them at "near-F3" intensity. | |||||||||
| F2 | S of Maysville to NNE of Weatherby | DeKalb | MO | 39.85°N -94.35°W | 23:00–? | 9.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit eight farms, destroying buildings, including two or more barns. | |||||||||
| F0 | N of Pawnee | Pawnee | OK | 36.35°N -96.8°W | 23:00–? | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| A brief tornado snapped power lines and damaged roofing. | |||||||||
| F2 | NE of Friend to N of Emerald | Saline, Gage, Lancaster | NE | 40.68°N -97.25°W | 23:20–? | 23.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado intermittently touched down, destroying a few barns. | |||||||||
| F0 | S of Hartford | Lyon | KS | 38.23°N -96°W | 23:45–? | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| A weak tornado damaged windows, roofs, and trees. | |||||||||
| F2 | NE of Hominy | Osage | OK | 36.42°N -96.38°W | 23:45–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado collapsed a warehouse, damaging equipment inside, and mangled girders. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. | |||||||||
| F2 | NW of Prague | Lincoln | OK | 35.5°N -96.7°W | 00:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit at least eight farms, downing outbuildings, fences, and trees. It also damaged farmhouses. | |||||||||
| F0 | NW of Madison | Greenwood | KS | 38.17°N -96.17°W | 00:15–? | 1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado caused minimal damage to old sheds, trees, and roofs. | |||||||||
| F5 | SW of Williamsburg (KS) to E of Raytown (MO) | Franklin (KS), Miami (KS), Johnson (KS), Jackson (MO) | KS, MO | 38.45°N -95.5°W | 00:15–01:53 | 71abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 440abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| 44 deaths – See section on this tornado – 531 people were injured. | |||||||||
| F0 | WNW of Kiefer | Creek | OK | 35.95°N -96.08°W | 01:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado killed a cow and destroyed outbuildings. | |||||||||
| F0 | E of Hogshooter | Nowata | OK | 36.7°N -95.77°W | 01:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado tore up a 500adj=midNaNadj=mid stretch of fence and blew an oil tank into a ditch. | |||||||||
| F1 | Northern Broken Arrow | Tulsa | OK | 36.07°N -95.8°W | 01:30–? | 3.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado moved through town, causing roof and other damage—mostly minimal—to roughly 200 homes, one of which lost its roof entirely. The tornado also overturned cars, downed trees, and destroyed outbuildings. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F3 | Homewood | Franklin | KS | 38.5°N -95.43°W | 01:37–? | 5.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado may have been related to or the same as the Ruskin Heights F5. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. Further details are unavailable. | |||||||||
| F2 | N of Sibley to Richmond | Jackson, Ray | MO | 39.2°N -94.2°W | 01:37–? | 12.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Related to the Ruskin Heights F5, this tornado caused "considerable" damage, and strewed debris over a 40acres field. However, Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. | |||||||||
| F0 | SW of Beggs | Okmulgee | OK | 35.7°N -96.12°W | 02:04–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Seen by Ground Observer Corps, this tornado apparently did little or no damage. | |||||||||
| F1 | W of Chelsea | Rogers | OK | 36.53°N -95.47°W | 04:30–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado uplifted and shifted a home. It also leveled many outbuildings. | |||||||||
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | NW of Centralia | Craig | OK | 36.8°N -95.38°W | 05:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado extensively damaged ranchland, hitting a farmhouse and outbuildings. | |||||||||
| F1 | NE of Vinita | Craig | OK | 36.65°N -95.13°W | 05:00–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado uplifted roofing and damaged a trio of barns. | |||||||||
| F3 | SW of Spavinaw to NE of Jay | Mayes, Delaware | OK | 35.35°N -95.08°W | 05:10–? | 20.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Passing near Lone Chapel, this tornado destroyed or damaged 40 outbuildings, a home, and a barn. The tornado caused an injury as well. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F1 | NE of Staples | Todd, Cass | MN | 46.35°N -94.78°W | 18:00–? | 3.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado splintered pine trees. It also destroyed a garage and barn. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F4 | E of Rush City | Chisago | MN | 45.58°N -92.87°W | 19:00–? | 9.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This violent tornado sheared off 2adj=midNaNadj=mid trees and produced borderline-F5 damage to a home. It destroyed a total of four homes and eight barns. It injured a few people as well. | |||||||||
| F3 | SSE of Custer to E of Doss to NNE of Stone Hill | Dent | MO | 37.55°N -91.5°W | 21:00–? | 10.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 440abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This intense tornado destroyed three homes, one of which it leveled, and damaged a few others. | |||||||||
| F2 | ENE of Brownbranch to Squires to WSW of Sweden | Taney, Douglas | MO | 36.8°N -92.8°W | 21:15–? | 14.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado destroyed a home and school, forcing 11 students and a teacher to shelter underground in a farmhouse. Grazulis rated it F3. | |||||||||
| F1 | WSW of Leeper to W of Silva | Wayne | MO | 37.07°N -90.72°W | 21:30–? | 13abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Possibly related to the Fremont F4, this tornado hit four farms, damaging structures. It also unroofed a few homes. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F1 | SSW of Centerville | Reynolds | MO | 37.42°N -90.97°W | 21:45–? | 0.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 17abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado damaged a number of buildings. | |||||||||
| F3 | SE of Sunlight to Belgrade to Desloge | Washington, St. Francois | MO | 37.77°N -90.92°W | 21:45–? | 22.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| 8 deaths – This intense tornado destroyed 20% of Belgrade, as well as 24 barns and large, rural homes. It also destroyed structures at a school, in addition to multiple churches. It injured 50 people as well. An F4 tornado also hit Belgrade on March 19, 1948. | |||||||||
| F4 | Fremont to Van Buren | Carter | MO | 36.95°N -91.17°W | 21:53–? | 9.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| 7 deaths – See section on this tornado – 75 people were injured. | |||||||||
| F2 | WNW of Burfordville to ESE of Millersville | Cape Girardeau | MO | 37.38°N -89.83°W | 23:00–? | 5.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit 12 farms, destroying four barns and damaging other structures. It also unroofed a home and felled trees. | |||||||||
| F2 | E of Lewistown to northwestern Monticello to SW of Benjamin | Lewis | MO | 40.08°N -91.78°W | 23:30–? | 7.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado unroofed and destroyed a three-story apartment, along with four homes. It also damaged a barn. A few injuries occurred. | |||||||||
| F2 | S of Columbia to SE of Shiloh | Monroe, St. Clair | IL | 38.42°N -90.2°W | 21:50–? | 19.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit Scott Air Force Base, but did its worst damage near Columbia. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. | |||||||||
| F2 | SE of Claremont | Richland | IL | 38.7°N -87.98°W | 23:00–? | 3.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado hit four farms, destroying a barn. | |||||||||
| F2 | SSE of Wilton to ENE of Stockton | Cedar, Muscatine, Scott | IA | 41.55°N -91°W | 23:00–? | 8.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Perhaps part of a family, this tornado destroyed a grain elevator. It also hit four farms, destroying or damaging barns. Grazulis indicated a path near West Branch. | |||||||||
| F3 | Alto Pass to ENE of Makanda | Union, Jackson | IL | 37.57°N -89.32°W | 00:07–? | 8.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado destroyed 25 or more buildings and wrecked a high school. It also toppled 5,000 fruit trees. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F3 | Southeastern Colmar | McDonough | IL | 40.5°N -90.8°W | 01:40–? | 13.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 120abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This intense tornado destroyed a few homes. | |||||||||
| F2 | Paradise | Warrick | IN | 37.97°N -87.28°W | 02:03–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado lofted and spun a home 150feet, injuring a few occupants. The roof of the home was moved 500feet. Grazulis rated the tornado F3. | |||||||||
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | E of Cardwell to N of Deering | Dunklin, Pemiscot | MO | 36.05°N -90.27°W | 05:45–? | 23.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This tornado damaged treetops, as well as the roofs of barns and homes. Shortly before dissipation, it wrecked all barns on a farmstead. Grazulis rated it F2. | |||||||||
| F1 | W of Kennett | Dunklin | MO | 36.23°N -90.07°W | 05:45–? | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| This brief tornado damaged a 1adj=midNaNadj=mid stretch. | |||||||||
| F2 | SSW of Carrollton | Carroll | KY | 38.62°N -85.2°W | 07:00–? | 0.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 440abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| Hitting west of English, this tornado destroyed a quartet of barns and tore the roof off a home. | |||||||||
| F0 | Southern Charleston | Charleston | SC | 32.75°N -79.92°W | 13:50–? | 2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||
| A waterspout moved ashore, causing little damage. | |||||||||
| Williamsburg−Spring Hill, Kansas/Ruskin Heights–Raytown, Missouri | |
| Formed: | May 20, 1957, 7:15 p.m. CDT |
| Dissipated: | May 20, 1957, 8:53 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration: | 1 hour and 38 minutes |
| Basin: | atl |
| Fujita-Scale: | F5 |
| Winds: | >261mi/h |
| Fatalities: | 44 |
| Injuries: | 531 |
| Damages: | $2,500,000 ($ in USD) |
This violent, long-tracked, multiple-vortex event was likely a family of tornadoes. Forming near Williamsburg, it moved northeastward through several counties, producing near-continuous damage; a single tornado was likely present for 50miles or more. Around Homewood, the tornado was attended by up to 10 tentacle-like vortices or satellite tornadoes, producing major damage to rural property and carrying gravestones miles away. Passing near Ottawa, Rantoul, and Spring Hill, it leveled many homes and caused seven fatalities. It also damaged a drive-in, motel, and truck stop. South of Wellsville, the tornado may have dissipated and reformed; it then continued uninterruptedly for the rest of its life.
Along the Kansas–Missouri border the tornado followed a near-straight line, causing $1 million in losses in Kansas. Affecting the southern suburbs of Kansas City, it entered Missouri, tearing through Martin City, Hickman Mills, and Ruskin Heights, along with the northeastern side of Grandview. Housing incurred F5 damage, besides some businesses at a shopping center. Some areas were reportedly "swept clean", and a newly built brick school in Ruskin Heights was badly damaged. 85% of Martin City was uninhabitable. In all the tornado claimed 37 lives in Missouri and injured 500 or more people. Debris from Hickman Mills was found in Iowa, 165miles away, and other debris was carried aloft 30000feet.
Historically, the 1957 F5 was not the only significant tornado to affect the area: an F3 tornado also affected Martin City and nearby Holmes Park on May 23, 1946, destroying or damaging chicken coops, silos, a marketplace, barns, and homes. The tornado killed a couple and injured five people.[4]
| Fremont–Van Buren, Missouri | |
| Formed: | May 21, 1957, 4:53 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Basin: | atl |
| Fujita-Scale: | F4 |
| Fatalities: | 7 |
| Injuries: | 75 |
| Damages: | $250,000 ($ in USD) |
A cyclic supercell was likely responsible for this deadly, violent tornado, which probably formed over remote parts of the Mark Twain National Forest. The tornado, possibly a member of a long-lived family, did little or no damage before Fremont. Entering town, the tornado rendered unusable all but seven structures, causing "F5-appearing" damage. Hardest hit were schools, businesses, and homes on the eastern side of Fremont, along and near the railroad; these were poorly built, so the tornado was rated F4, but F5 winds could have occurred. A three-story brick school was nearly leveled, and trees in town were partly debarked. In all, the tornado badly damaged or destroyed 50 homes in Fremont, while causing lesser damage to 31 others. The tornado also severely damaged a dozen other buildings in town, as well as eight small businesses. Past Fremont, the tornado remained intense, damaging structures in Van Buren at "near-F3" intensity. In Van Buren the tornado destroyed 25 homes and severely damaged 35 more. It also badly damaged or destroyed 91 other structures and caused significant damage to three small businesses. In all, it damaged about half of Van Buren. Its path may have been 25miles long. Six of the seven fatalities were at Fremont, where over 25% of the population was killed or injured.[5]