1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
On May 4–6, 1960, a large tornado outbreak sequence affected parts of the Midwestern and Southern United States.[nb 2] The severe weather event produced at least 71 confirmed tornadoes, including five violent tornadoes in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Major tornado activity began on the afternoon of May 4, with strong tornadoes affecting the Red River Valley and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Two tornadoes struck parts of southern Oklahoma, causing significant damage to the Konawa and Soper areas. In all, at least 22 tornadoes formed between the early afternoon and late evening hours, with two more tornadoes forming early on May 5, shortly after midnight CDT. A much more significant tornado outbreak began on the afternoon of May 5 and continued overnight, spreading from eastern Oklahoma into portions of southern Missouri and Central Arkansas. At least 35 tornadoes developed between 6:00 a.m. CST on May 5–6, including a long-tracked F5 that struck rural areas in Northeastern Oklahoma and killed five people. Two other tornadoes killed 21 people in and near Sequoyah County in the eastern portion of the state. Other strong tornadoes affected the Little Rock metropolitan area early on May 6 in Arkansas. In all, the tornado outbreak sequence killed 33 people and injured 302.
One home was shifted off its foundation and severely damaged.[10] The tornado may have moved concrete blocks 100 yards (300 ft) from a gas station.[9] The tornado was rated F2 by Grazulis.
A third of Soper was destroyed, including two farms and "up to 100 homes."[9] Two farms were also damaged near Snow.[10] The path near Snow may have been that of a separate tornado.[9]
One frame home was destroyed, a few trailers, a general store, and a church were destroyed in the Wallville area. The tornado also damaged farms and a pipe yard near Maysville.[12] The parent supercell produced the next event below.[10]
A long-lived tornado family destroyed five homes[12] and hit a cemetery[10] near Corbett, then destroyed two more homes and an oil tank in Tribbey.[12] Six homes were hit in Depew and two more were destroyed west of Bristow. Near the end of the path, three homes and a trailer were destroyed.[10]
5 deaths — A huge and intense, barrel-like "white" tornado destroyed 14 farms from near Prague to near Paden. Damage was $750,000 to an oil refinery northeast of Prague. Near or at Iron Post, homes were swept away at F5 intensity.[13] The tornado then destroyed 100 homes, some of which sustained F5-level damage, and killed three people in northwest Sapulpa before lifting and being seen over Tulsa.[12]
Most damage was at the rooftop level. One 208-foot (63 m) radio tower was reportedly "snapped off".[10] The tornado is not listed as significant by Grazulis.[12]
2 deaths — About 25 homes were destroyed, some of which were swept away. Even underbrush was cleared from the homesites in south Hoffman. Grazulis gave this an F4 rating.[12]
A large tornado nearly leveled a newly built[10] brick farmhouse, leaving only one wall standing.[12] The tornado also destroyed "two truckloads of boats"[10] on the Will Rogers Turnpike, injuring two drivers.[12] This tornado destroyed many farms[10] and may have been an F3 in intensity.[12]
16 deaths — A major tornado family caused severe damage to 15 square blocks[14] in Wilburton, destroying 82 homes and damaging or destroying 600 structures.[12] Thirteen people died as the tornado family hit Wilburton. The tornado family then destroyed six more homes north of Wilburton, 25 in Keota, and 10 more near Sallisaw.[12]
5 deaths — One home was swept away and two trucks carried 300 yards (274 m). Three of the occupants were injured and five people died in the home that was swept away.[12]
1 death — This was the fourth F3+ tornado to hit Sequoyah County this day. Numerous homes were destroyed and a woman was killed in one of them.[10] Some of the homes were reportedly swept away.[12]
A tornado struck eight farms and shifted one home on its foundation. Many other homes and barns were heavily damaged. This tornado may have been an F3.[12]
1 death — Developed west of Conway, in the Portland Bottoms area. The tornado then hit Menifee, destroying a large school complex, 31 houses, a pair of churches, a post office, and 32 other structures. Much damage was also reported in Greenbrier. 30 people were injured.[12]
A tornado uprooted many trees and destroyed three homes. It also destroyed a cotton gin and a garage.[15] Other garages, outbuildings, and 60 other homes were reported damaged.[8] Two people were injured.
A tornado skipped through the Blytheville area, causing minor damage to farms, small buildings, roofs, and windows. It, or another member of its tornado family, may have touched down in Pemiscot County, Missouri. It was attended by approximately 15 funnel clouds, eight of which may have been brief tornadoes.[8]
A tornado destroyed five homes and eight other buildings.[15] Twenty homes were severely damaged.[8] The tornado may have been an F2 rather than an F1.[15]
^All losses are in 1960 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.[1][2][3][4][5]
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx"Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena". Storm Data. 2. Asheville, North Carolina: United States Department of Commerce. June 1960.
