9 tornadoes were confirmed on April 9, 1999. Most were in Indiana and Ohio. The strongest tornado for the day is the subject of this summary. It was an F4 that traveled 10 miles through parts of Hamilton and Warren Counties in OH. There were 65 injuries and 4 fatalities reported. Read the full summary here!
A tossed SUV. Photo via NWS Wilmington.
SIGTOR Spotlight
Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950 from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!
April 9, 1947: A devastating tornado family moved from 5 miles NW of Pampa, TX to near St. Leo, KS, a path length of 170 miles. In Texas, “The entire town of Glazier, and much of Higgins were destroyed.” At Woodward, OK, at least 107 were killed mainly in the northern half of town. Over 100 city blocks were demolished with over 1000 homes damaged/destroyed. Paper debris from Woodward, and from homes north of Arnett were found in SW Barber County, KS. “The path in Oklahoma may have been made up of five or more distinct tornadoes.”
View of damage on the right-hand (east) side of the tornado path in Woodward. A tractor had the left edge of its radiator "chewed away" and debris had been driven into the mechanism. Image and caption via NWS Norman.
Twister From The 2000s
On this day in 2015, an EF4 tornado swept a 30-mile long path near Rochelle, and Fairdale, IL. The NWS Chicago noted the estimated wind speed was 200 mph, two people were killed, and 22 were injured. Near-EF5 damage occurred as several well-built homes were swept away, the ground was scoured, and trees were stripped and debarked. Source.
Photo of the tornado at peak intensity, via NWS Chicago.
Near-EF5 damage just NW of Rochelle. Photo via NWS Chicago.
Weather Rewind
There is more weather phenomenon than just tornadoes?
On This Day in OTHER weather history!
April 8-10, 1973: “MO’s worst April Blizzard left up to 1′ of snow and drifts to 10′ in NW half of state. Wind to 60 mph blew vehicles off icy roads. 12,000 4-pound turkeys died near Kirksville. Drifts covering fences allowed cattle to walk over the fences and onto some major highways.” Excerpt via the 2021 Weather Guide Calendar.
Pieces of the Past
A Look Back Through The Ages! On This Day In History!
On this day in 1865: Confederate General Robert E. Lee and 26,765 troops surrender at Appomattox Court House to US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant ending the Civil War in North Virginia. Check out more historical events at onthisday.com!
Famous Birthday
Hugh Hefner was born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a magazine publisher and entrepreneur who founded (1953) Playboy magazine. He died in 2017. Source: Britannica.
Film & TV
On this day in 1967: Shortwave broadcaster Radio NY Worldwide’s transmitter burns down. Get more daily history at onthisday.com!
Music Trivia
On this day in 1977: ABBA went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Dancing Queen’, the group’s 7th US Top 40 hit and first No.1. The song was also a No.1 in the UK in 1976 and 12 other countries. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com!
Photo of the Day
April 9, 1953: A hook echo was seen on radar for the first time; it was photographed as a tornado passed near Champaign, IL. The SPC lists this tornado as a long-tracked F3 that moved for 156 miles through Illinois and Indiana. However, Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes lists this event as four separate tornadoes, one F2; one F3; and two F4s. Photo via the Illinois State Climatology Office.
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