Tornadoes of 1972

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1972, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.

Synopsis

1972 was a near normal year, producing 741 tornadoes. Deaths were significantly below average, but there was a very high total of over 900 injuries.

Events

United States yearly total

January

33 tornadoes were reported in the United States in January.^[1]

February

7 tornadoes were reported in the United States in February.^[2]

March

69 tornadoes were reported in the United States in March.^[3]

March 26–29

A front moved through Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida on the days of March 26–29, producing an F3 tornado that struck Urbana, Arkansas and an F2 that injured 13 people in Lufkin, Texas. A suspected F2 tornado hit Hillsboro, Texas, injuring 2 people and causing at least $500,000 (1972 USD) in damages. The outbreak produced an F2 that touched down outside of El Dorado, Arkansas, injuring 3 people and causing major damage. An F1 tornado touched down in Milton, Florida, injuring 1 person. The outbreak ended with no fatalities but 19 injuries.^[4][5][6][7]

April

96 tornadoes were reported in the United States in April.^[8]

April 5

A deadly F3 tornado struck Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The tornado carved a nine-mile (14 km) path of destruction across the heavily populated Portland metropolitan area, leaving 6 people dead and 300+ injured while causing $3–5 million (1972 USD) in damage. It was the deadliest tornado in the United States in 1972 and remains the deadliest tornado in the history of the Pacific Northwest.^[9][10] It was the first F3 tornado to strike Oregon since June 3, 1894 and no tornadoes in Oregon or Washington have attained that intensity ever since.^[11]

April 19

An F4 tornado struck many towns in Oklahoma, killing 5 people.

April 30

An F4 tornado touched down near Jetmore, Kansas, injuring 1 person.

May

140 tornadoes were reported in United States in May.^[12]

May 14

An F4 tornado caused major damage in Indianapolis, Indiana. The tornado was first seen by people near the 9700 block of East Washington Street. The tornado blew the second-floor wall off of an apartment building. Three high-tension towers were also blown down and bent. The worst damage occurred in the Heather Hills subdivision where ten houses were flattened. In Marion County, at least 70 homes were damaged or destroyed. In Mount Comfort, clocks were stopped at 12:25 P.M. in houses as they were being destroyed and a railroad car was tipped over. Near Eden, roofs were damaged and trees were damaged. Northwest of Markleville, several mobile homes were severely damaged. In Mechanicsburg, a barn's roof was uplifted. This tornado is deemed as the strongest tornado to touch down in the Indianapolis area.^[13][14]

June

114 tornadoes were reported in the United States in June.^[15]

June 18–19

Plots of the tornadoes caused by Hurricane Agnes.

Hurricane Agnes made landfall in Florida, producing tornadoes that killed seven people.

July

115 tornadoes were reported in the United States in July.^[16]

August

59 tornadoes were reported in the United States in August.^[17]

September

49 tornadoes were reported in the United States in September.^[18]

September 28

An F4 tornado hit Waukegan, Illinois. Several other tornadoes were also associated with this outbreak.

October

34 tornadoes were reported in the United States in October.^[19]

November

17 tornadoes were reported in the United States in November.^[20]

November 13

An F2 tornado struck Nancy, Texas in the early morning, killing two people.

December

8 tornadoes were reported in the United States in December.^[21]

References