February

The second of the “big three” twisters in the 1971 Delta Outbreak was the deadliest United States tornado of the 1970s. In fact, it was the last to cause more than 50 fatalities in the country until 2011. This vortex struck no major population centers, but its longevity and ferocity were of the kind that is rarely matched. The profoundly moving accounts we have compiled tell the story of what is nationally the worst single tornado track of the late 20th century.

This is the second of a three-part series focusing on the Delhi, LA-Inverness, MS F5 tornado of February 21, 1971. This summary explores the twister at the height of its power in rural farmland, from the state border with Mississippi through Cameta plantation, Delta City, and up to the Isola area.