This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1953, 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. This was the first year to record an F5 tornado as well as one of the deadliest tornado seasons in official U.S. records, which go back to 1950.
Events
Despite not many tornadoes being documented, 1953 was an extremely deadly season and set the record for most tornadoes recorded in the U.S. in a single year at the time. The first six months of the year generated several large outbreaks and outbreak sequences that killed over 400 people. Activity abruptly slowed after that before another outbreak sequence in early December killed 49. Many of fatalities were caused by the unusually large number of violent tornadoes that were recorded that year. This included five F5 tornadoes, the first F5 tornadoes recorded in the US tornado database created in 1950. In all, there were 523 tornado-related fatalities in the US alone in 1953, the most since 1925. This high a death toll would not be repeated until 2011. There were 5,131 injuries recorded throughout the year as well. 1953 is also the only year since 1950 to have three tornadoes kill over 90 people and to have two tornadoes kill over 110. On a positive note, major changes were made to improve both the warning and radar systems. These changes were successful and since 1953, only one tornado, the 2011 Joplin tornado, has killed more than 100 people.
United States yearly total
January
There were 14 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.
January 7–9
A three day outbreak of seven tornadoes impacted the Southeast. Late on January 7, a skipping F2 tornado passed near Macedonia north of Warren, Arkansas damaging several homes, two extensively, damaging two barns, destroying several small outbuildings, and damaging trees. Two people were injured. The next day, an F2 tornado passed directly through Talladega, Alabama, damaging the roofs of 23 structures and blowing down trees onto telephone and power lines. Later, another F2 tornado passed near Effingham, South Carolina, destroying a home and 13 outbuildings and damaged 27 other homes and 44 other outbuildings. About 40 families were affected and two people were injured. On January 9, another F2 tornado moved through southwestern Hillsborough County, Florida, destroying five homes and damaging 53 others, and injuring 12 people. Overall, 16 injuries were confirmed.
February
There were 16 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.
February 6
An isolated, but large F3 tornado touched down near Centerville, Louisiana and moved east-northeastward through Albany and Northern Hammond. It destroyed 26 homes and 35 other buildings, including warehouses. 107 other homes and 35 other buildings were heavily damaged. Strawberry crops were also damaged by both flying debris from the tornado and heavy rains. Two people were killed and 21 others were injured.
February 19–20
An outbreak of 15 tornadoes struck Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. Six F1 tornadoes touched down across the two Plains states on February 19 before several strong tornadoes struck the other states the next day. An F2 tornado destroyed a home in Glen Allen, Mississippi, injuring two people. Another F2 tornado passed through rural areas north of Pontotoc, Mississippi, damaging an unoccupied home and injuring one person (the CDNS report does not list an injury). Later, a brief, but destructive F3 tornado impacted the Wheeler Mountain community southwest of Tuscumbia, Alabama, destroying a home and four other buildings while damaging four other homes and seven additional buildings. One person was killed and eight others were injured. Further to the south, a strong F2 tornado near Winfield destroyed seven homes and 11 other buildings and damaged five more homes and two additional buildings, injuring two people. Another person was injured by another F2 tornado that destroyed five homes and 24 other buildings and damaged two more homes and three additional buildings north of Jasper in Macedonia. The outbreak ended with a destructive F2 tornado in Vina that destroyed 10 homes and 30 other buildings while damaging 39 other homes and 46 additional buildings. Six people were injured. Overall, the tornadoes killed one and injured 20.
March
There were 40 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.