Zachary Reichle

Weiss Lake, AL F3 Tornado – April 3, 1974

During the early evening of April 3, 1974, as tornadoes ravaged the Midwestern region of the U.S., new dangerous storms were firing in the southeast. Among them, a supercell in northeast Alabama produced one of the first significant tornadoes in the state that evening in the Coosa Valley region along Weiss Lake. The F3 twister severely impacted small lakeside communities along its path of just under 21 miles. Ultimately, no one was killed. A combined effort between locals and outsiders who all called this region home, rallied to restore their beautiful landscape, and the lives impacted.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

Franklin-Brentwood, TN F4 Tornado – December 24, 1988

On the morning of Christmas Eve 1988, an isolated severe weather event unfolded in the Nashville suburbs of Franklin and Brentwood, TN. A fatal and violent tornado tore a 6-mile path through populated neighborhoods in the pre-dawn hours, killing one and injuring at least seven people. In less than ten minutes, the F4 caused millions of dollars in damage but left many families grateful for survival during the Christmas holiday. This twister was the only one recorded that day.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

Thurman, CO F4 Tornado – August 10, 1924

On August 10, 1924, a localized tornado event took place in Eastern Colorado, devastating the community of Thurman. While small in terms of how many tornadoes were documented, this was a historical event and remains the deadliest in Colorado state history.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

Pisgah-Rosalie, AL EF4 Tornado – February 6, 2008

Between February 5-6, 2008, a historic record-breaking swarm of 86 twisters swept across large portions of the South and Midwest. The event became known as the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak, as it began on a day when the focus was supposed to be on 24 U.S. states hosting their presidential primary elections. Meanwhile, the deadliest outbreak in nearly 23 years stole the spotlight, killing 57 people and injuring many more in four states. This summary will focus on the last of ten killer funnels.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

Granbury, TX EF4 Tornado – May 15, 2013

On the evening of May 15, 2013, a regional outbreak of 20 tornadoes took place in Texas and Oklahoma. Most of these twisters proved harmless and weak (rated EF0 and EF1). However, the southwestern fringes of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex saw two, rated EF3 and EF4, which accounted for most of the outbreak’s property losses and injuries. The latter, and the focus of this summary, only needed 2.5 miles to devastate the community of Granbury, TX, where six people lost their lives.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

“Whippoorwill”-Pomona Lake, KS F1 Tornado – June 17, 1978

On the evening of June 17, 1978, a small outbreak of eight tornadoes occurred between the Great Plains and Midwest regions of the United States. The highest-rated twister occurred in Wisconsin at F2 strength, with the remaining seven only inflicting F0-F1 damage in Michigan, Iowa, and Kansas. These statistical values accepted at face value would not suggest the possibility of a historic tragedy having occurred on this day. However, just off the shores of Pomona Lake in the state of Kansas, unlikely circumstances led to one of the most bizarre catastrophes. In its wake, a glorious spectacle lay tarnished, sixteen lives lost, and much more stunned with heartache and confusion.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

Caribou-Connor, ME F2 Tornado – August 11, 1954

On the evening of August 11, 1954, a small tornado event took place in Maine. Through our research, we have determined there may have been two twisters to occur on this day. This summary will cover an F2 that caused considerable damage near the city of Caribou. It’s not all that unusual for such instances to occur in Maine. However, this tornado caused a fatality and is the most recent to do so as of this summary’s publication.

By Zachary Reichle, ago

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