From May 19–22, 1957, a tornado outbreak took place across the US Central Plains. A total of 59 tornadoes were reported from Colorado to the Mississippi Valley. The most destructive tornado of the severe weather event—likely part of a long-lived family—was rated as an F5, the highest level, and is often called the Ruskin Heights tornado, after the site of its worst damage, a suburb and housing development in southern Kansas City, Missouri. Additionally, a powerful F4 tornado virtually destroyed Fremont, Missouri, claiming seven lives, and an F3 tornado killed eight others in and near Belgrade, Missouri. A pair of F4s—one in Minnesota, the other in Kansas—also neared F5 intensity. In all, 59 people were killed during the outbreak, including 44 in the Ruskin Heights tornado.
Background The outbreak coincided with elevated tornado activity: the period May 19–26 was one of the most intense to date, since the founding of the United States Weather Bureau. At 00:30 UTC (7:30 p.m. CDT) on May 20, a mid-level jet stream bisected dew points of , coincident with a low-pressure area and warm front over southeastern Nebraska. Soundings and surface weather observations indicated a robust, unstable warm sector, showing 3,000 j/kg of surface-based convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the presence of strong wind shear. Favoring supercells, this setup led to the then largest one-day total of tornadoes in Weather Bureau history. At 17:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. CDT) the Severe Local Storms Unit (SELS) in Kansas City had already issued a severe weather watch, mentioning tornadoes, for the Kansas–Nebraska state line and its environs. Subsequent updates covered much of the eastern Great Plains, from the Green Country to southeastern Nebraska. Upon formation, severe thunderstorms traveled at up to , attended by extremely large hail.
Outbreak statistics +Outbreak death tollStateTotalCounty CountytotalKansas7Franklin3Miami4Missouri52Carter7Jackson37St. Francois8Totals59 All deaths were tornado-related
Confirmed tornadoes
Several unconfirmed tornadoes were also reported: May 20: tornadoes were reported south of Solomon Rapids, Kansas, and east of Concordia, Kansas.
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
May 19 event + Confirmed tornadoes — Sunday, May 19, 1957F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage F1ESE of West ParkFresnoCA16:18–16:23A brief tornado—the third on record in the Fresno area—tore loose roof shingles, downed an almond tree, and mangled a rooftop air conditioning unit. F1NW of BayardScotts BluffNE01:30–?Watched by highway patrol, this tornado did little or no damage. F2S of VanceMorrillNE03:30–?This tornado blew a farmhouse off its foundation and stripped most of its roof. It destroyed outbuildings on a few farms as well. According to the Climatological Data National Summary, this tornado hit west of Bayard, implying touchdown in Scotts Bluff County. F1W of GurleyCheyenneNE04:00–?This tornado damaged outbuildings.
May 20 event + Confirmed tornadoes — Monday, May 20, 1957F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage F0SSE of Bethune (CO) to near Herndon (KS)Kit Carson (CO), Sherman (KS), Cheyenne (KS), Rawlins (KS)CO, KS17:00–19:35This tornado, once officially rated F2, caused very little damage. It was likely a family of several weak events. F0Southeastern PhillipsburgPhillipsKS17:55–18:10Details are unavailable. F0N of DownsOsborneKS19:15–?This tornado felled a shed, wires, and trees. F0SW of HunterMitchellKS19:25–?Details are unavailable. F1N of Burr OakJewellKS20:05–?Sounding train-like, this tornado damaged three homes and many outbuildings. F0N of Red CloudWebsterNE20:15–?A brief tornado hit nothing substantial. F1NE of Broken BowCusterNE20:17–20:20This tornado caused little damage. F0E of Guide RockNuckollsNE20:20–?Noted by highway patrol, this tornado caused little or no damage. F4ENE of Glasco to NW of MorrowvilleCloud, Republic, WashingtonKS20:50–?Part of a family, this violent tornado struck 12 farms at F4 intensity, at one point approaching F5 status. The main event, it destroyed an entire farm near Haddam, and was accompanied by at least four—possibly up to eight—satellite tornadoes, along with many funnel clouds. The storm that produced the tornado damaged a swath. F2SSE of ConcordiaCloudKS20:50–?Details are unknown. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F2W of HuscherCloudKS20:50–?This tornado destroyed a barn. F2SW of HuscherCloudKS20:50–?Details are unknown. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F3E of Rice to E of HollisCloudKS20:50–?This tornado destroyed a barn. Grazulis rated it F2. F1WSW of AnselmoCusterNE21:00–?This tornado mainly affected remote areas. F1N of RockervillePenningtonSD21:00–?This tornado blew down a barn. F2W of Reynolds to E of PalmyraThayer, Jefferson, Saline, LancasterNE22:00–?This tornado hit more than 12 farms, destroying barns, and unroofed homes as well. On a farm it killed upward of 500 turkeys. In all, the tornado struck "15 sets" of structures. Grazulis listed a path. F2Doniphan to NE of PhillipsHall, HamiltonNE23:00–?Producing scattered damage, this tornado hit three farms, one of them at "near-F3" intensity. F2S of Maysville to NNE of WeatherbyDeKalbMO23:00–?This tornado hit eight farms, destroying buildings, including two or more barns. F0N of PawneePawneeOK23:00–?A brief tornado snapped power lines and damaged roofing. F2NE of Friend to N of EmeraldSaline, Gage, LancasterNE23:20–?This tornado intermittently touched down, destroying a few barns. F0S of HartfordLyonKS23:45–?A weak tornado damaged windows, roofs, and trees. F2NE of HominyOsageOK23:45–?This tornado collapsed a warehouse, damaging equipment inside, and mangled girders. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. F2NW of PragueLincolnOK00:00–?This tornado hit at least eight farms, downing outbuildings, fences, and trees. It also damaged farmhouses. F0NW of MadisonGreenwoodKS00:15–?This tornado caused minimal damage to old sheds, trees, and roofs. F5SW of Williamsburg (KS) to E of Raytown (MO)Franklin (KS), Miami (KS), Johnson (KS), Jackson (MO)KS, MO00:15–01:5344 deaths – See article on this tornado – 531 people were injured. F0WNW of KieferCreekOK01:00–?This tornado killed a cow and destroyed outbuildings. F0E of HogshooterNowataOK01:00–?This tornado tore up a stretch of fence and blew an oil tank into a ditch. F1Northern Broken ArrowTulsaOK01:30–?This tornado moved through town, causing roof and other damage—mostly minimal—to roughly 200 homes, one of which lost its roof entirely. The tornado also overturned cars, downed trees, and destroyed outbuildings. Grazulis rated it F2. F3HomewoodFranklinKS01:37–?This tornado may have been related to or the same as the Ruskin Heights F5. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. Further details are unavailable. F2N of Sibley to RichmondJackson, RayMO01:37–?Related to the Ruskin Heights F5, this tornado caused "considerable" damage, and strewed debris over a field. However, Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. F0SW of BeggsOkmulgeeOK02:04–?Seen by Ground Observer Corps, this tornado apparently did little or no damage. F1W of ChelseaRogersOK04:30–?This tornado uplifted and shifted a home. It also leveled many outbuildings.
May 21 event + Confirmed tornadoes — Tuesday, May 21, 1957F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage F1NW of CentraliaCraigOK05:00–?This tornado extensively damaged ranchland, hitting a farmhouse and outbuildings. F1NE of VinitaCraigOK05:00–?This tornado uplifted roofing and damaged a trio of barns. F3SW of Spavinaw to NE of JayMayes, DelawareOK05:10–?Passing near Lone Chapel, this tornado destroyed or damaged 40 outbuildings, a home, and a barn. The tornado caused an injury as well. Grazulis rated it F2. F1NE of StaplesTodd, CassMN18:00–?This tornado splintered pine trees. It also destroyed a garage and barn. Grazulis rated it F2. F4E of Rush CityChisagoMN19:00–?This violent tornado sheared off trees and produced borderline-F5 damage to a home. It destroyed a total of four homes and eight barns. It injured a few people as well. F3SSE of Custer to E of Doss to NNE of Stone HillDentMO21:00–?This intense tornado destroyed three homes, one of which it leveled, and damaged a few others. F2ENE of Brownbranch to Squires to WSW of SwedenTaney, DouglasMO21:15–?This tornado destroyed a home and school, forcing 11 students and a teacher to shelter underground in a farmhouse. Grazulis rated it F3. F1WSW of Leeper to W of SilvaWayneMO21:30–?Possibly related to the Fremont F4, this tornado hit four farms, damaging structures. It also unroofed a few homes. Grazulis rated it F2. F1SSW of CentervilleReynoldsMO21:45–?This tornado damaged a number of buildings. F3SE of Sunlight to Belgrade to DeslogeWashington, St. FrancoisMO21:45–?8 deaths – This intense tornado destroyed 20% of Belgrade, as well as 24 barns and large, rural homes. It also destroyed structures at a school, in addition to multiple churches. It injured 50 people as well. An F4 tornado also hit Belgrade on March 19, 1948. F4Fremont to Van BurenCarterMO21:53–?7 deaths – See section on this tornado – 75 people were injured. F2WNW of Burfordville to ESE of MillersvilleCape GirardeauMO23:00–?This tornado hit 12 farms, destroying four barns and damaging other structures. It also unroofed a home and felled trees. F2E of Lewistown to northwestern Monticello to SW of BenjaminLewisMO23:30–?This tornado unroofed and destroyed a three-story apartment, along with four homes. It also damaged a barn. A few injuries occurred. F2S of Columbia to SE of ShilohMonroe, St. ClairIL21:50–?This tornado hit Scott Air Force Base, but did its worst damage near Columbia. Grazulis did not rate it F2 or stronger. F2SE of ClaremontRichlandIL23:00–?This tornado hit four farms, destroying a barn. F2SSE of Wilton to ENE of StocktonCedar, Muscatine, ScottIA23:00–?Perhaps part of a family, this tornado destroyed a grain elevator. It also hit four farms, destroying or damaging barns. Grazulis indicated a path near West Branch. F3Alto Pass to ENE of MakandaUnion, JacksonIL00:07–?This tornado destroyed 25 or more buildings and wrecked a high school. It also toppled 5,000 fruit trees. Grazulis rated it F2. F3Southeastern ColmarMcDonoughIL01:40–?This intense tornado destroyed a few homes. F2ParadiseWarrickIN02:03–?This tornado lofted and spun a home , injuring a few occupants. The roof of the home was moved . Grazulis rated the tornado F3.
May 22 event + Confirmed tornadoes — Wednesday, May 22, 1957F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Time (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage F1E of Cardwell to N of DeeringDunklin, PemiscotMO05:45–?This tornado damaged treetops, as well as the roofs of barns and homes. Shortly before dissipation, it wrecked all barns on a farmstead. Grazulis rated it F2. F1W of KennettDunklinMO05:45–?This brief tornado damaged a stretch. F2SSW of CarrolltonCarrollKY07:00–?Hitting west of English, this tornado destroyed a quartet of barns and tore the roof off a home. F0Southern CharlestonCharlestonSC13:50–?A waterspout moved ashore, causing little damage.