Tornado outbreak of April 20–22, 1912 facts for kids

From April 20 to 22, 1912, a huge series of powerful storms, known as a tornado outbreak, hit parts of the central and southern United States. This included areas like the High Plains, the Upper Midwest, and the Southern United States. Even parts of what is now the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex were affected.

During this event, at least 32 tornadoes touched down. Nine of these were extremely strong, rated F4 on the Fujita scale. The Fujita scale helps scientists measure how powerful a tornado is. These strong tornadoes stretched all the way from the Great Plains to South Carolina. In total, this outbreak caused the deaths of 56 people and injured over 410 others. Just a few days later, another big tornado outbreak happened on April 27, killing about 40 more people, mostly in Oklahoma.

Understanding Tornadoes: What Happened?

Tornadoes are spinning columns of air that connect a thunderstorm to the ground. They can be very destructive. The Fujita scale (F-scale) was created to rate tornadoes based on the damage they cause. An F4 tornado, like many in this outbreak, causes incredible damage, leveling well-built homes and throwing cars.

April 20: Tornadoes Strike the Plains

The first day of the outbreak, April 20, brought many strong tornadoes to North Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

• Texas Tornadoes:
  • A powerful F3 tornado hit near Alvord, destroying or damaging 22 buildings. It then moved to farms near Audubon and Rosston, tearing down more homes and barns. Ten people were hurt.
  • An F4 tornado struck near Boonsville and Boyd. It destroyed at least 10 farms, many barns, and even an iron bridge. Four people died, and 10 were injured.
  • A massive F4 tornado swept through Denton County, near Roanoke and Flower Mound. It wiped away at least five farms and killed hundreds of farm animals. One person died, and 10 were injured.

• Oklahoma Tornadoes:
  • An F4 tornado near Yukon and Edmond leveled a schoolhouse and several farmhouses. Luckily, students had left the school just 15 minutes before it hit. One person died.
  • A very intense F4 tornado hit near Hennessey. It swept away farms and destroyed 15 homes. Two people died, and six were injured. Some thought this tornado might have been even stronger, an F5.
  • Another destructive F4 tornado moved from near Perry to Ralston. It affected 25 farms and swept away 12 homes. Three people died, and 12 were injured.

• Kansas Tornadoes:
  • An F4 tornado near Rush Center and Bison leveled entire farms. About half of the town of Bison, around 50 homes, was destroyed or damaged. Two people died, and 15 were injured.
  • An F3 tornado near Waldron leveled six farms. One person died, and eight were injured.

April 21: Storms Move East to Illinois and Indiana

The second day, April 21, saw more intense tornadoes, mainly across Illinois and Indiana.

• Illinois Tornadoes:
  • An F3 tornado traveled from near Streator to Coal City. It swept away two farmsteads and caused 37 injuries.
  • An F3 tornado from near Dwight to Kankakee destroyed farmhouses and other buildings. Five people died, and 16 were injured.
  • A very powerful F4 tornado moved from Crescent City into Indiana. It swept away farms near Pittwood and Donovan. Nine people died, and 22 were injured.
  • Another F4 tornado hit near Murphysboro and Bush. It leveled farms and destroyed homes. Eleven people died, and 83 were injured. This tornado was similar to the path of the famous Tri-State tornado that happened later in 1925.
  • An F2 tornado in Willisville destroyed or damaged 16 homes. Three people died, and 23 were injured.

• Indiana Tornadoes:
  • An F2 tornado crossed from Illinois into Indiana, unroofing homes and destroying barns on six farms. Twenty people were injured.
  • An F3 tornado near Rensselaer destroyed a church, barns, and homes. One person died, and four were injured.

April 22: The Final Day of the Outbreak

The last day of the outbreak, April 22, saw more tornadoes, including a strong F4 in Georgia.

• Georgia Tornadoes:
  • An F2 tornado near Sargent destroyed three homes. One person died, and two were injured.
  • A large and intense F4 tornado moved from near Stewart to Pitts Chapel. It swept away 12 homes, scattering pieces for miles. Six people died, and 20 were injured.

• Other States:
  • An F2 tornado in Aiken, South Carolina, unroofed many homes and buildings.
  • An F2 tornado in Adamsville, Alabama, damaged or destroyed over 100 homes. One person died, and 50 were injured. A baby was found alive about a mile away from where it was picked up by the storm.
  • An F2 tornado hit Waldron, Kansas, destroying homes. One person died, and eight were injured.