Tornadoes of 1957-Cedar Herald Index

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1957, 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.

Events

1957 was the most active tornado season on record at the time as multiple tornado outbreaks repeatedly hit the same areas. Texas was especially hard hit throughout the year. April and May both saw a record-breaking 200+ tornadoes with numerous outbreaks throughout the months.

Tornadoes of 1957

United States yearly total

January

There were 17 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.

Tornadoes of 1957

January 21–22

A tornado outbreak sequence of 16 tornadoes struck the US. The outbreak started on January 21, when a rare and destructive F1 tornado moved through areas north of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The next day, a large, long-tracked .25 mile wide F2 tornado moved through St. Louis, Wewoka, Wetumka, Weleetka, Henryetta, and Schulter, Oklahoma causing major damage along its 63.7 mile path. Later, a brief, but large, violent .5 mile-wide F4 tornado tore through the northeast side of Gans, Oklahoma, killing 10 and injuring 20. Another .5 mile-wide F2 tornado then tore through areas north of Bismarck, Arkansas. After that, an F3 tornado tore through areas northeast of Princeton, Louisiana in east-northeastern suburbs of Shreveport killing three and injuring nine. An F1 tornado then hit Kennett, Missouri, injuring one. The last tornado to cause casualties was an F2 tornado then tore through areas just south of Downtown Nashville, hitting the suburban town of Belle Meade, Tennessee near the beginning of its path, injuring four. Overall, the outbreak killed 13 and injured 31.

Tornadoes of 1957

February

There were 5 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.

March

There were 38 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.

March 17

An outbreak of eight tornadoes hit the Southeastern Greater Houston and Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area. It started with an F2 tornado that hit Santa Fe and Dickinson, injuring four. Later, a brief, but fatal F2 tornado hit the northwest side of Texas City, killing one and injuring seven. An F2 tornado moved over Galveston Bay near Goat Island, injuring four. The last tornado of the outbreak was an F2 storm in Groves. In the end, the outbreak in Texas killed one and injured 15.

March 20–21

Another outbreak of four tornadoes hit Texas on March 20. The first tornado of the outbreak was an F3 storm in rural Lee County that injured two. Minutes later, a mile-wide F3 tornado touched down just north of the previous one, injuring two when it the town of Dime Box. The next day, an isolated, but strong F3 tornado hit areas northwest of Montegut, Louisiana, injuring two. In the end, the outbreak injured six.

March 31 – April 1

Yet another outbreak of 12 tornadoes struck Texas and Louisiana, with three additional tornadoes in Alabama and Tennessee. On March 31, a half-mile wide F2 tornado hit the north-northwest side of the far northwestern San Antonio suburb of Boerne. Another F2 tornado then hit the north side of Austin. Yet another F2 tornado briefly touched down on the eastern side of the Northern Austin suburb of Round Rock. The fourth consecutive F2 tornado then moved directly through Huntsville, Texas, injuring two. Later, in Louisiana, an F2 tornado hit areas northwest of Lake Arthur. A large, 1000 yard wide F1 tornado struck areas northeast of Laplace. Another F1 tornado injured three in Boothville-Venice. In Alabama, an F1 tornado moved off of Mobile Bay and into the Eastern Mobile and Spanish Fort, injuring four. The next day, a brief, isolated, but strong F2 tornado hit the south side of Medon, Tennessee. In the end, a total of nine people were injured as a result of these tornadoes.