Gabe Garfield
EF5
Monday will mark the 60th anniversary of the deadliest tornado in Oklahoma history.
On April 9, 1947, a supercell thunderstorm formed NE of Amarillo, TX and began producing tornadoes NW of Pampa, TX. The first few tornadoes caused little damage as the storm raced to the northeast. However, near the town of Canadian, TX, what would become one of the most infamous tornadoes in American history met the earth. Not long after forming, the tornado became a killer, utterly destroying the town of Glazier, TX. In fact, Glazier became a virtual ghost town after the tornado; the infrastructure of this west Texas hamelt simply ceased to exist. Glazier is still on the map today, but the effects of the tornado are obvious. The once-vibrant small town is now a distant memory to those old enough to remember, and it is more-or-less unknown to everyone else. All told, 17 people died at Glaizer. But the tornado wasn't finished; its devastating trail had just begun.
Next in line was Higgins, TX. This town was also completely destroyed by the tornado, which had grown to mammoth proportions ( in excess of 1 mile wide). The death toll at Higgins was a staggering 51 people. For such a small town, this was an incredible loss. But the worst was yet to come.
Finally, just after sunset, the tornado began to rip through Woodward, Oklahoma, the largest town for miles around. It was a Wednesday night, and church services were taking place in the local places of worship. Upon reaching the western edge of Woodward, the tornado had grown to an astounding 1.8 miles in diameter. Soon after, the tornado enveloped the northern side of the city, completely decimating 100 city blocks. After the tornado departed, the citizens of Woodward began to realize the unimaginable human toll the torrnado had taken. Illuminated by lightning flashes, survivors could see bodies strewn among the debris. 107 people died in Woodward that night, and many of those who survived were left with horrific injuries.
The tornado continued to the northeast, but the worst of it was over. The supercell that spawned the Woodward tornado generated more tornadoes near the KS/OK border until the last tornado dissipated near St. Leo, KS. In its wake, the tornado left 181 people lifeless.
Links:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19470409/
http://www.ilind.net/gallery_old/woodward1947/index.html
http://www.cityofwoodward.com/html/1947_tornado.html
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ok/county/ellis/intro.html (Particularly good resource)
http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases/040947/fronts.html (Synoptic discussion)
Gabe
On April 9, 1947, a supercell thunderstorm formed NE of Amarillo, TX and began producing tornadoes NW of Pampa, TX. The first few tornadoes caused little damage as the storm raced to the northeast. However, near the town of Canadian, TX, what would become one of the most infamous tornadoes in American history met the earth. Not long after forming, the tornado became a killer, utterly destroying the town of Glazier, TX. In fact, Glazier became a virtual ghost town after the tornado; the infrastructure of this west Texas hamelt simply ceased to exist. Glazier is still on the map today, but the effects of the tornado are obvious. The once-vibrant small town is now a distant memory to those old enough to remember, and it is more-or-less unknown to everyone else. All told, 17 people died at Glaizer. But the tornado wasn't finished; its devastating trail had just begun.
Next in line was Higgins, TX. This town was also completely destroyed by the tornado, which had grown to mammoth proportions ( in excess of 1 mile wide). The death toll at Higgins was a staggering 51 people. For such a small town, this was an incredible loss. But the worst was yet to come.
Finally, just after sunset, the tornado began to rip through Woodward, Oklahoma, the largest town for miles around. It was a Wednesday night, and church services were taking place in the local places of worship. Upon reaching the western edge of Woodward, the tornado had grown to an astounding 1.8 miles in diameter. Soon after, the tornado enveloped the northern side of the city, completely decimating 100 city blocks. After the tornado departed, the citizens of Woodward began to realize the unimaginable human toll the torrnado had taken. Illuminated by lightning flashes, survivors could see bodies strewn among the debris. 107 people died in Woodward that night, and many of those who survived were left with horrific injuries.
The tornado continued to the northeast, but the worst of it was over. The supercell that spawned the Woodward tornado generated more tornadoes near the KS/OK border until the last tornado dissipated near St. Leo, KS. In its wake, the tornado left 181 people lifeless.
Links:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19470409/
http://www.ilind.net/gallery_old/woodward1947/index.html
http://www.cityofwoodward.com/html/1947_tornado.html
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ok/county/ellis/intro.html (Particularly good resource)
http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases/040947/fronts.html (Synoptic discussion)
Gabe
