On March 21–22, 1952, a destructive and deadlytornado outbreak generated eight violent tornadoes across theSouthern United States, causing 209 fatalities—50 of which occurred in a single tornado inArkansas.[1] In addition, thistornado outbreak is the second deadliest on record to ever affect the state ofTennessee, with 66 of the fatalities associated with this outbreak occurring in the state; this is only surpassed by the 90 fatalities froma tornado outbreak in 1909, and in terms of fatalities is well ahead of both the1974 Super Outbreak and theSuper Tuesday tornado outbreak, each of which resulted in 45 and 31 fatalities, respectively. Thesevere weather event also resulted in the fourth-largest number of tornado fatalities within a 24-hour period since 1950.[2] To date this was considered the most destructive tornado outbreak in Arkansas on record.[3][note 2]
A large low pressure system raced across the Northern Pacific before reaching the coast of the SouthernAlaska Panhandle on March 17. A new low formed from the original one and moved quickly southeastward throughCanada and theGreat Plains before turning eastward over NorthernOklahoma during the afternoon of March 19. It subsequently moved into SouthwesternMissouri nearJoplin and shot northeastward as another low that had formed inNevada on March 19 surged into the region on March 21 and made a gradual northeastward turn throughNorth Texas, Southeastern Oklahoma, and NorthwesternArkansas before turning northward on March 22 after it enteredIllinois. Favorable conditions in the atmosphere led to a massive area of strong and severe thunderstorms that produced damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, flooding, lightning, and tornadoes.[5]
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 ofNEXRADDoppler weather radar in 1990–1991.[14][note 6] 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation ofFujita scale assessments.[18][note 4] 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 historianThomas P. Grazulis.
Symbol key
Symbol
Description
†
Data from Grazulis 1984/1990/1993/2001b
¶
Data from a local National Weather Service office
※
Data from the 1952Climatological Data publications
‡
Data from the NCEI database
♯
Maximum width of tornado
±
Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.
7 deaths – This violent tornado, the first member of a long-livedtornado family, destroyed 22 homes on the outskirts of Dierks, most of which were frail, and killed livestock and poultry. Many homes southwest of town were flattened, sustaining F4 damage, and trees were stripped of their bark. Nine people were injured.[22][23][3][24][25]
This tornado originated in the samesupercell as the Dierks event. Near Paron, it destroyed one home and unroofed several others. Barns and achurch were wrecked as well. A number of livestock died or sustained injuries. The NCEI list the path as extending east-northeastward, from southwest of Paron to east ofFerndale, but available descriptions indicate that the tornado headed northeastward, striking Paron.[23][3][26][25]
A strong tornado wrecked many small homes near Mayflower and destroyed or damaged six other homes near Saltillo. A few people were injured.[23][27][28]
50+ deaths – This large, intense tornado was1+1⁄2mi (2.4 km) wide at times. After impacting northwesternKensett, it passed through thebusiness district of Judsonia and damaged or destroyed 945 structures in town. In all, at least 30 deaths were confirmed in Judsonia alone, and the town itself was virtually destroyed. 20 more deaths occurred betweenBald Knob and Russell. Damage also occurred nearMidway, and 500-pound (230 kg)concrete blocks were tossed 80 yd (240 ft). 325 injuries occurred along the path. The tornado became the fourth deadliest in theU.S. state of Arkansas on record.[22][23][29][30][25]
40+ deaths – This violent, long-tracked tornado first wrecked 40 homes on the northwestern outskirts of England, the majority of which were poorly built, killing nine people. South ofHazen, nearTollville, the tornado destroyed 42 more homes and claimed a few additional lives in the vicinity. The tornado then ravaged the northwestern part of Cotton Plant, where 29 people lost their lives. The tornado also caused extensive damage in Hillemann before apparently dissipating. In all the tornado injured 274 people and was the sixth deadliest in Arkansas on record. Some additional deaths may have occurred in rural areas, and the tornado may have continued as far asVanndale, just north ofWynne.[22][12][31][29][32][33][28]
8 deaths – This tornado, closely paralleling the preceding event, killed two people and injured six others as it struck the rural community of Wattensaw. Afterward, it successively impacted and devastated all or part ofHickory Plains, Georgetown,McCrory, and Hickory Ridge. In this swath many brick homes were flattened, along with those of lesser construction. Two of the eight fatalities, along with 15 injuries, occurred at Hickory Plains and four more at Hickory Ridge. The villages of McCrory and Georgetown were virtually leveled, and 116 homes were destroyed or damaged at Hickory Ridge. In all, 50 people were injured.[22][34][35][28]
1+ death – This intense tornado passed through or near Bruceville,Bonicord,Tatumville,Edgewood, andLapata. In all 17 homes were wrecked, and 20 injuries occurred. Grazulis assessed this tornado as an F4 in 1984, but reduced its ranking nine years later. Other estimates of the death toll range from two to four.[36][22][34][37][28]
This tornado, which generated only sporadic damage, formed from the same storm as the Judsonia–Bald Knob F4. It damaged or destroyed 15 homes in Jackson County, many of which were small. Intermittent damage began nearWeldon and occurred as far asCash. In all, six people sustained injuries.[34][3][38][28]
4 deaths – This intense tornado family destroyed or damaged at least 45 structures between Fisher andTrumann. BetweenMilligan Ridge and Blytheville, the tornado destroyed or damaged 300 homes. In all, the tornado, which also affected areas in and nearCaraway, destroyed or damaged about 650 homes. At least 57 injuries were reported along the path.[34][3][32][39][28]
1 death – This strong tornado developed in the same storm as the England–Cotton Plant F4. It destroyed or damaged 23 homes, one or more of which were small. It also just barely missed the town ofAlto. Seven injuries occurred.[34][3][40][28]
25+ deaths – This large, violent tornado, attended byhail, was up to 2,500 yd (7,500 ft; 1.4 mi; 2.3 km) wide at times and damaged or destroyed up to 200 homes, many of which were small, frailtenant homes, along with many farmsteads. After passing just north ofCottonwood Point, Missouri, the tornado then traversed theMississippi River into Tennessee, and passed just south ofOwl Hoot. A vehicle was reportedly thrown 1 mi (1.6 km). In all, 150 people were injured. The tornado formed from the same storm as the Fisher–Blythevile F3.[34][3][41][28]
9+ deaths – This intense tornado first destroyed more than 12 homes and caused two deaths in the community of Unionville. After barely missing the town ofFowlkes, the tornado ravaged part of Dyersburg. At theDyersburg Regional Airport, the tornado destroyed ahangar, numerous airplanes, and a new administration building. Along the path, the tornado destroyed 15 farmsteads. 50 people were injured, and a tenth death may have occurred.[34][42][28]
17 deaths – This extremely violent tornado may have been a family, merging with a second, undocumented tornado upon formation. Along its path, it destroyed 38 homes, causing particularly severe damage near Byhalia andMoscow, Tennessee. It was once classified as an F5, based on the destruction of aconcrete block structure; however, as the building was not steel-reinforced, theStorm Prediction Center later reduced the intensity to F4. In all, 94 people were injured.[22][34][44][45][46]
2+ deaths – This strong, long-lived tornado passed through theMilan Arsenal, southeast ofMilan, destroying or damaging 30 buildings, includingbarracks, and 65 vehicles. Losses at the arsenal totaled $500,000 and three injuries occurred there. After passing nearLavinia, the tornado then destroyed 12 homes nearLeach. The tornado then wrecked three homes and demolished thebusiness district in Bruceton. In all, 23 people sustained injuries. A few additional fatalities may have occurred.[34][47][46]
38 deaths – This devastating tornado damaged or destroyed 609 homes, impacting Henderson—a large swath of which incurred borderline-F5 damage—killing 23 people there, and claimed 11 more lives betweenDarden andJacks Creek. It developed in the same storm as the Byhalia–Moscow F4 and may have been the same tornado. 157 people were injured along the path. The areas betweenSilerton and south-southwest ofLexington would be hit again by an F2 tornado just underone year later.[36][22][34][48][49]
This brief, strong tornado formed from the same storm as the Bolivar–Henderson F4. It destroyed several barns, damaged outbuildings, and unroofed three homes on farmsteads in and near Squeeze Bottom.[36][34][52][46]
3 deaths – In a rural area this tornado damaged or destroyed nine homes and injured 10 people. Grazulis did not list this tornado at all, implying that it was adownburst,microburst, or other strong,convectively generated wind. The tornado passed east of theBucksnort–Only area.[12][54][51]
4 deaths – This violent tornado moved through areas nearHartselle and ended south ofDecatur. It damaged or destroyed 84 structures, including 35 homes, many of which sustained F4 damage, though due to poor quality of construction the rating is somewhat questionable. 50 injuries were confirmed. The NCEI incorrectly places the track as going from northeast ofMoulton Heights to south-southwest ofHuntsville via Decatur andMooresville.[22][34][55][51]
The weather system associated with the outbreak also produced several inches of snow across the central and northernGreat Plains and the upperMidwest.Blizzard conditions affectedKansas,Nebraska, andSouth Dakota. A significant blizzard affected the Great Plains. In Kansas, 15 in (38 cm) of snow were recorded. On March 22,Charles City, Iowa, documented 11.6 in (29 cm), which was the town's greatest 24-hour snowfall record at the time.Minnesota reported 17 in (43 cm), whileBergland, Michigan, reported 2 ft (0.61 m) of snowfall. Heavy snow and strong winds disrupted highways and road traffic.Flash floods also affectedSumner andClay counties, Tennessee.[5]
^Anoutbreak 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. Anoutbreak 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 onesignificant (F2 or stronger) tornado.[4]
^All dates are based on the localtime zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are inCoordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnightCST/CDT for consistency.
^abTheFujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientistT. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.[6][7] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by theNational Weather Service.[8] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by theEnhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[9] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;[10] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as theTORRO scale.[11]
^The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'sStorm Data publication does not list exact damage totals for every event, instead giving damage categories. As such, damage for individual tornadoes is not comprehensive.[12][13][5]
^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.[15] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[16] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advancedNEXRAD was first installed and theNational Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.[17]
^abAll starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
^abThe 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.[19] 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.[20][21]
^abGrazulis, Thomas P.; Grazulis, Doris (April 26, 2000)."The Most "Important" US Tornadoes by State". St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Archived fromthe original on March 4, 2016. RetrievedMay 22, 2019.
^Grazulis, Thomas P.; Grazulis, Doris (2013)."Tornado Index # 19520321.5.14".The Tornado History Project. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. RetrievedNovember 28, 2023.
^abc"Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2021)".Storm Prediction Center Maps, Graphics, and Data Page. Norman, Oklahoma: Storm Prediction Center. July 11, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 24, 2022.
Barto, E. M. (March 1952). Written atNashville, Tennessee."Tennessee – March 1952". Special Weather Summary.Climatological Data.57 (3). Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center: 26.
Gordon, John D.; Boyd, Bobby; Rose, Mark; Wright, Jason B. (2000)."The Forgotten F5: The Lawrence County Supercell During the Middle Tennessee Tornado Outbreak of 16 April 1998"(PDF).National Weather Digest.24 (4). Norman, Oklahoma:National Weather Association:3–10. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on December 18, 2012. RetrievedNovember 14, 2023.The authors sent a detailed letter to the SPC recommending the two tornadoes from 1974, and the 1952 tornado mentioned above, be downgraded to F4. The SPC agreed to all three of these changes. The SPC database now reflects the conclusions of Professor Fujita's map of 1974, and Grazulis 1952 tornado report (1993). ... The authors suggested that the three former F5 tornadoes in Tennessee should be reclassified as F4. These changes have been adopted, making the 16 April 1998 Lawrence County tornado the only documented F5 in the history of Tennessee.
— (July 1993).Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events.St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films.ISBN1-879362-03-1.
