1991 Great Plains tornado outbreak
Severe weather events in the central United States in 1991
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(Radar measured winds of 286 mph (460 km/h) were recorded by the Red Rock, Oklahoma F4 tornado the same day)
Storm reports on April 26 and April 27, 1991. | |
| Tornado outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Tornadoes | 55 |
Max. rating | F5 tornado |
| Duration | April 26–27, 1991 |
| Highest winds | 261–318 mph (420–512 km/h)(Andover, Kansas F5 on April 26) (Radar measured winds of 286 mph (460 km/h) were recorded by the Red Rock, Oklahoma F4 tornado the same day) |
| Highest gusts | 100 mph (160 km/h)[1][2] Reported in two areas in Iowa |
| Largest hail | 4 inches (100 mm)[3] |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 21 |
| Injuries | 313 |
| Damage | $589 million ($1,392,270,000 in 2025 USD)[4][nb 1] |
| Areas affected | Great Plains region of the United States |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 1991 | |
From April 26–27, 1991, a large and deadly tornado outbreak affected parts of the Great Plains region of the United States. On April 26, commonly known as the Great Plains tornado outbreak,[5][6][7] over four dozen tornadoes occurred across the states of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The following day, April 27, featured four tornadoes across Iowa and Texas, but also Missouri. This outbreak occurred within a transition period for the National Weather Service and proved the value of Next-Generation weather radars, which were utilized in Oklahoma to provide advanced warning to residents. Primarily in Kansas but also in Oklahoma, 21 people in total were killed by the tornadoes. More than 300 people were injured during the outbreak.[4][8][9]
On Friday, April 26, several strong to violent tornadoes, rated from F2 up to F5 on the Fujita scale, swept through the southern and central regions of the Great Plains. The first tornadoes occurred from northern Oklahoma, to southeastern Nebraska, which included two F3 tornadoes that impacted farmsteads in Otoe County, Nebraska; and the small community of Lanham, Kansas and Nebraska. After these initial storms, one cyclic supercell thunderstorm produced a tornado family across southern Kansas, of which one infamous F5 tornado was a part of. This violent tornado tore across parts of the Wichita area, causing widespread destruction and killing more than a dozen people across the city's metropolitan area, notably the suburb of Andover. A lot of home videos were taken on VHS cameras by residents across the Wichita area during the F5.[10] A notable F2 tornado from the same storm, occurred along the Kansas Turnpike in Butler and Chase Counties, which was recorded by a news crew who sought shelter underneath an overpass, causing a misconception that overpasses can provide adequate shelter during a tornado. In northern Oklahoma, another supercell put down a tornado family, which included two intense F3 and F4 tornadoes that touched down in Garfield County. The latter was observed to have wind speeds of 286 miles per hour (460 km/h) by a University of Oklahoma research team, who were chasing the storm near Red Rock. At the same time the F4 tornado near Red Rock, Oklahoma took place, another violent but lethal F4 tornado developed and moved across Cowley County, Kansas; impacting several homes around Arkansas City and Winfield. Later after dusk, additional strong tornadoes developed in northern Oklahoma. One large F4 tornado struck the Cimarron Turnpike near Westport, flinging vehicles around and killing one person, before the storm moved into the town and caused major damage from there, and in areas in the vicinity of Skiatook. The parent storm that was responsible for the prior F4 tornado in Westport, cycled and put down yet another violent but shorter lived F4 tornado just outside of Oologah, which became the costliest and most destructive tornado in Oklahoma of the outbreak as it went through the city's northern side.[4][8][9][11][12][13][14][15]
The second day, Saturday, April 27, only featured four tornadoes in Iowa, Missouri and Texas. The strongest was an F2 tornado that impacted near Victor, Iowa; causing considerable damage to some farmsteads in the region. After these tornadoes, the outbreak came to an end.[4]
Meteorological synopsis
Episode narrative
On April 25, 1991, the National Weather Service issued a warning of an impending weather system, noting that computer models were "indicating this to be a very significant severe weather producer with tornadoes occurring across the Central/Southern Plains." On the morning of April 26, the organization delineated a High risk of severe weather across the Great Plains.[8] A southeast-tilted trough existed across the southwestern United States that morning, and a distinct jet streak, or a region of enhanced winds at the base of the trough, on the order of 75–85 kn (85–100 mph; 140–155 km/h) was progressing northeast toward the Plains.[9][16] Through the morning, an 850 mb or approximately 5,000 ft (1,525 m) low-level jet of up to 60 kn (70 mph; 110 km/h) overspread regions from south-central Kansas northward into eastern Nebraska.[17] A surface low-pressure area existed over southwestern Nebraska, supporting a dry line southward into Texas and a warm front southeastward across eastern sections of Kansas and Oklahoma.[8]
Event narrative
In the unstable atmosphere between those two boundaries, surface dewpoints rose above 60 °F (15 °C). Abundant sunshine contributed to destabilization as lifted indices topped -12 from central Oklahoma into central Kansas and convective available potential energy reached 4,000 J/kg.[8] A minimal capping inversion existed across Oklahoma even during the morning,[9] and tornado-producing storms first developed across western Oklahoma around sunrise. These storms weakened as they moved northeast into Kansas.[5] Back to the west, the dryline progressed rapidly eastward but began to slow precipitously during the afternoon. Attempts at thunderstorm development along this feature initially failed.[8] At 17:10 UTC (12:20 p.m. CDT), the National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous situation tornado watch, warning of the potential for multiple strong to violent tornadoes. This would be one of 24 convective watches issued during the day.[9] Despite early failure at convective initiation, supercell thunderstorms rapidly erupted along the dryline during the afternoon as the jet streak propagated into the Great Plains, resulting in a regional outbreak of tornadoes stretching from Texas to Iowa. Violent tornadoes were concentrated in southern Kansas and Oklahoma, although intense tornadoes were also observed in Iowa, Texas, and Nebraska.[5]
Confirmed tornadoes
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 55 |
April 26 event
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. |
Time (UTC) | Path Length | Max. width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F2 | Tonkawa | Kay | OK | 36.68°N 97.30°W | 11:45 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Two homes sustained severe roof damage, one from tornadic winds and the other from a fallen tree. Fifteen other houses sustained lesser damage. Greenhouses were damaged at a garden center.[18][19] | |||||||
| F2 | Cherryvale | Montgomery | KS | 37.27°N 95.55°W | 15:45 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| A large building at a nursery/greenhouse complex was destroyed.[18][20] | |||||||
| F2 | NW of Washington | Washington | KS | 39.82°N 97.12°W | 20:25 | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Several farmhouses were destroyed to the northwest of Washington, resulting in the deaths of several hogs. Some damage occurred in the town of Lanham. Six people were injured.[18][21] | |||||||
| F1 | Ohiowa | Fillmore | NE | 40.42°N 97.45°W | 20:40–20:45 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Four grain trailers and a grain truck were flipped over. A satellite dish, a barn door, and a separate barn were destroyed. Trees were extensively damaged.[18][22] | |||||||
| F0 | N of Strong City | Chase | KS | 38.43°N 96.53°W | 20:45 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 17 yd (16 m) |
| A few farm sheds were damaged.[18][23] | |||||||
| F3 | SE of Hollenberg, KS to S of Beatrice, NE | Washington (KS), Gage (NE) | KS, NE | 39.95°N 96.95°W | 20:50–21:40 | 24 mi (39 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| This tornado first touched down in Kansas before moving into Nebraska, where the town of Lanham sustained considerable damage. Farms sustained heavy damage near Odell, and several homes were destroyed south of Beatrice before the tornado dissipated.[18][24][25] | |||||||
| F0 | NE of Council Grove | Morris, Wabaunsee | KS | 38.67°N 96.52°W | 21:10 | 13 mi (21 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A weak tornado caused damage to trees, fences, several power poles, and a cabin.[18][26][27] | |||||||
| F2 | N of Bushong to NE of Grove | Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jackson | KS | 38.73°N 96.25°W | 21:35 | 44 mi (71 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| In Waubaunsee County, a farmhouse and some other structures were destroyed. An old stone church was damaged. In Shawnee County, the roofs and windows of several houses were damaged in western Rossville. The tornado rapidly weakened in Jackson County.[18][28][29][30] | |||||||
| F2 | E of Adams | Gage | NE | 40.43°N 96.50°W | 22:00–22:15 | 4 mi (6.4 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| In conjunction with the Hollenberg–Beatrice F3 tornado, a strong tornado damaged up to 25 farmsteads, including 100 buildings and 30 pieces of large farm equipment.[18][31] | |||||||
| F3 | NW of Douglas to NE of Palmyra | Otoe | NE | 40.60°N 96.40°W | 22:15–22:40 | 14 mi (23 km) | 350 yd (320 m) |
| Four farms were destroyed and three others were severely damaged. Thirteen houses were damaged as well. Two people were injured.[18][32] | |||||||
| F0 | NE of Anthony | Harper | KS | 37.22°N 97.95°W | 22:20 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Part of a roof was torn off.[18][33] | |||||||
| F0 | SE of Freeport to NE of Conway Springs | Harper, Sumner | KS | 37.18°N 97.83°W | 22:30 | 16 mi (26 km) | 500 yd (460 m) |
| A weak tornado skipped across open fields.[18][34][35] | |||||||
| F1 | N of Goddard | Sedgwick | KS | 37.67°N 97.58°W | 22:47 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A boat dealership sustained major damage in Goddard.[18][36] | |||||||
| F5 | SE of Clearwater to Andover to NE of El Dorado Lake | Sedgwick, Butler | KS | 37.47°N 97.48°W | 22:49–00:14 | 46 mi (74 km) | 700 yd (640 m) |
| 17 deaths – See article on this tornado – 225 people were injured.[37][38] | |||||||
| F3 | S of Breckinridge | Garfield | OK | 36.43°N 97.67°W | 23:00–23:09 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 350 yd (320 m) |
| Two homes were destroyed. A pickup truck was rolled 150 yards (140 m) and demolished as well.[18][39] | |||||||
| F1 | Valley Center to S of Putnam | Sedgwick, Harvey | KS | 37.83°N 97.38°W | 23:10 | 16 mi (26 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| No damage information is available for this tornado.[18][40][41] | |||||||
| F0 | SW of Plainview | Pierce | NE | 42.28°N 97.82°W | 23:15 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| A tornado briefly touched down in an open field.[18][42] | |||||||
| F0 | W of Garber | Garfield | OK | 36.43°N 97.60°W | 23:15 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| A weak, brief tornado caused only minor damage.[18][43] | |||||||
| F4 | E of Garber to NW of Pawhuska | Garfield, Noble, Osage | OK | 36.43°N 97.55°W | 23:30–00:55 | 66 mi (106 km) | 1,500 yd (1,400 m) |
| See section on this tornado – Six people were injured.[44][45][46] | |||||||
| F4 | W of Arkansas City to NW of Cambridge | Cowley | KS | 37.07°N 97.15°W | 23:30 | 25 mi (40 km) | 1,320 yd (1,210 m) |
| 1 death – See section on this tornado.[18][47][48][49][50] | |||||||
| F0 | W of Alma to N of Paxico | Wabaunsee | KS | 39.02°N 96.35°W | 23:35 | 9 mi (14 km) | 20 yd (18 m) |
| Trees were damaged.[18][51] | |||||||
| F2 | Reese | Cherokee | TX | 32.02°N 95.38°W | 00:00–00:01 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| Four houses and two manufactured homes were destroyed, the roofs of additional structures were damaged, trees were uprooted, and television antennas were toppled.[18][52] | |||||||
| F2 | NE of El Dorado to E of Matfield Green | Butler, Chase | KS | 37.93°N 96.72°W | 00:10 | 21 mi (34 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| See section on this tornado – Four people were injured.[53][54] | |||||||
| F3 | S of Mount Selman | Cherokee | TX | 32.05°N 95.30°W | 00:11–00:16 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| An intense tornado destroyed three manufactured homes, two houses, and one vehicle. An additional 25 houses were damaged, and trees were uprooted. Numerous power lines, street signs, and television antennas were blown over. One person was injured.[18][55] | |||||||
| F3 | W of Howard to Severy | Elk, Greenwood | KS | 37.47°N 96.42°W | 00:26 | 14 mi (23 km) | 200 yd (180 m) |
| 1 death – A significant tornado leveled a manufactured home and caused additional damage to homes, outbuildings, fences, and power lines. A woman was killed and her husband seriously injured in the destroyed house.[18][56][57] | |||||||
| F2 | SW of Yale | Payne | OK | 36.03°N 96.83°W | 00:38–00:47 | 6.5 mi (10.5 km) | 800 yd (730 m) |
| This large tornado rolled a dump truck 200 yards (180 m), destroyed a metal shop building and a well-built barn, and caused roof damage to two homes. Trees and power lines were toppled as well.[18][58] | |||||||
| F0 | NE of Elmdale | Chase | KS | 38.40°N 96.58°W | 00:40 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A farm shed was destroyed.[18][59] | |||||||
| F2 | S of Turnertown | Smith, Rusk | TX | 32.18°N 95.02°W | 00:40–00:50 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| Several trees were uprooted.[18][60][61] | |||||||
| F1 | NW of Westphalia | Shelby | IA | 41.73°N 95.42°W | 00:44–00:47 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 45 yd (41 m) |
| No damage information is available.[18][62] | |||||||
| F2 | W of Henderson | Rusk | TX | 32.15°N 94.87°W | 01:00–01:01 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| A barn and outbuildings were destroyed.[18][63] | |||||||
| F3 | Denison to Wall Lake | Crawford, Sac | IA | 42.02°N 95.35°W | 01:00–01:17 | 23 mi (37 km) | 150 yd (140 m) |
| Several farmsteads were damaged or destroyed. Windows were blown out a house, a tractor-semitrailer truck was overturned, and a pig was killed.[18][64][65] | |||||||
| F4 | SW of Terlton to Westport to NW of Skiatook | Pawnee, Osage | OK | 36.17°N 96.52°W | 01:10–01:27 | 32 mi (51 km) | 1,700 yd (1,600 m) |
| 1 death – See section on this tornado – 24 people were injured.[18][5][66][67] | |||||||
| F1 | Henderson | Rusk | TX | 32.15°N 94.80°W | 01:22–01:23 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| Several trees were snapped or uprooted.[18][68] | |||||||
| F1 | Osage Nation | Osage | OK | 36.67°N 96.53°W | 01:27 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| A rope-shaped tornado picked up a car and tossed it 50 feet (15 m). Additional damage occurred to houses and manufactured homes.[18][69] | |||||||
| F0 | SW of Derby | Sedgwick | KS | 37.58°N 97.33°W | 01:33 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Several outbuildings were damaged.[18][70] | |||||||
| F3 | W of Neal to SE of Virgil | Greenwood, Woodson | KS | 37.75°N 96.08°W | 01:35 | 15 mi (24 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Several houses and other buildings were destroyed. At least 26 power poles were snapped. Trucks and equipment at a rock quarry were severely damaged, and a 35,000–40,000 pounds (16,000–18,000 kg) fuel truck was moved 75 yards (69 m). A farmhouse was lifted, rotated 90 degrees, and set back down. Two tractor-semitrailers were demolished, and fences were downed as well.[18][71][72] | |||||||
| F1 | SW of Meriden to SE of Rock Creek | Shawnee, Jefferson | KS | 39.12°N 95.60°W | 01:54 | 11 mi (18 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| A tornado formed just north of the local National Weather Service office. It destroyed a manufactured home, resulting in four injuries. It also damaged a power substation, trees, and power lines.[18][73][74] | |||||||
| F2 | SW of Milford to SE of Spirit Lake | Dickinson | IA | 43.27°N 95.23°W | 02:00–02:30 | 18 mi (29 km) | 60 yd (55 m) |
| Serious damage occurred to both the farm buildings and farmhouses on two farmsteads.[18][75] | |||||||
| F2 | E of Copan | Washington | OK | 36.88°N 95.93°W | 02:05–02:20 | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| 1 death – A strong tornado destroyed a convenience store and a bait shop. Other buildings and trees were damaged too. It tossed a car with two women inside 250 yards (230 m) into a field, killing the passenger and critically injuring the driver. Nine other people were injured in Copan.[18][76] | |||||||
| F2 | E of Valley Falls to SW of Doniphan | Jefferson, Atchison | KS | 39.35°N 95.42°W | 02:25 | 25 mi (40 km) | 100 yd (91 m) |
| A strong tornado caused severe damage in the Nortonville area, with 13 homes destroyed. A nursing home and several businesses sustained major damage as well. In Atchison County, a grain elevator was damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. Trees were uprooted along the tornado's path.[18][77][78] | |||||||
| F4 | Oologah | Rogers | OK | 36.45°N 95.72°W | 02:45–02:55 | 4 mi (6.4 km) | 1,300 yd (1,200 m) |
| See section on this tornado – 22 people were injured.[18][5][79][80] | |||||||
| F2 | S of Detroit | Red River | TX | 33.63°N 95.27°W | 03:00–03:01 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| Two manufactured homes and a barn were destroyed. Several homes and two automobiles sustained damage. Trees were uprooted.[18][81] | |||||||
| F1 | Chelsea | Rogers | OK | 36.53°N 95.43°W | 03:10–03:14 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 30 yd (27 m) |
| A rope-like and brief tornado destroyed two houses and two manufactured homes in northwestern Chelsea. Three people suffered minor injuries.[18][5][82] | |||||||
| F1 | Helena | Andrew | MO | 39.92°N 94.67°W | 03:15 | 1.8 mi (2.9 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Power lines and trees were downed along an intermittent path.[18][83] | |||||||
| F1 | NW of Bagwell | Red River | TX | 33.67°N 95.17°W | 03:19–03:20 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| Trees were uprooted, and a bridge was damaged.[18][84] | |||||||
| F0 | W of Coffeyville | Montgomery | KS | 37.03°N 95.73°W | 03:20 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A brief tornado damaged a building.[18][85] | |||||||
| F2 | SW of Negley | Red River | TX | 33.75°N 95.08°W | 03:30–03:31 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| A barn was destroyed, a manufactured home was overturned, and several homes were damaged. Numerous trees were uprooted as well.[18][86] | |||||||
| F2 | Allerton to Millerton | Wayne | IA | 40.70°N 93.37°W | 04:10–04:22 | 9 mi (14 km) | 60 yd (55 m) |
| Two tornadoes in Wayne County collectively damaged 25 farmsteads and residences.[18][87] | |||||||
| F2 | SE of Sewal to SE of Confidence | Wayne | IA | 40.63°N 93.28°W | 04:10–04:28 | 15 mi (24 km) | 75 yd (69 m) |
| Two tornadoes in Wayne County collectively damaged 25 farmsteads and residences. A manufactured home was destroyed, and two people were injured.[18][88] | |||||||
| F0 | S of Joplin | Newton | MO | 37.03°N 94.52°W | 04:39 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| A possible tornado was reported.[18][89] | |||||||
| F1 | N of Cosby | Andrew | MO | 39.87°N 94.68°W | 04:57 | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Trees and power lines were downed.[18][90] | |||||||
April 27 event
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. |
Time (UTC) | Path Length | Max. width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F0 | W of Joplin | Jasper | MO | 37.08°N 94.58°W | 05:05 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| No damage information is available.[18][92] | |||||||
| F2 | SE of Victor | Iowa | IA | 41.70°N 92.30°W | 06:55–07:04 | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 50 yd (46 m) |
| Two tornadoes in Iowa County caused damage to several farmsteads, farm buildings, and a house.[18][93] | |||||||
| F1 | N of Detroit | Red River | TX | 33.70°N 95.27°W | 07:05–07:06 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) |
| The tops were snapped off several large trees.[18][94] | |||||||
| F1 | S of Marengo | Iowa | IA | 41.73°N 92.07°W | 07:09 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 40 yd (37 m) |
| Two tornadoes in Iowa County caused damage to several farmsteads, farm buildings, and a house.[18][95] | |||||||
Haysville–Andover–El Dorado, Kansas
 The tornado as seen from McConnell Air Force Base. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 5:49 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 26, 1991, 7:14 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 1 hour and 25 minutes |
| F5 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 261–318 mph (420–512 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 17 fatalities, 225 injuries |
| Damage | $300 million ($709,140,000 in 2025 USD)[96] |
At 5:49 p.m. CDT (22:49 UTC), this deadly and violent tornado began east of Clearwater, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. At 6:05 p.m. CDT (23:05 UTC), the National Weather Service issued a statement urging residents in Haysville, Derby, and Mulvane to seek shelter. This was succeeded by a tornado warning four minutes later. Around 6:16 p.m. CDT (23:16 UTC), the intensifying tornado began to affect southeastern sections of Wichita and directly struck Haysville.[97] It produced strong F2 to F3 damage in Haysville while growing to a width of about 220 yards (200 m) and acquiring multi-vortex characteristics. The tornado crossed the Kansas Turnpike about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of the South Wichita Interchange.[98] In eastern Wichita, some well-built houses in the Greenwich Heights Subdivision were completely leveled, indicative of strong F3 to F4 damage. Four people were killed at this location.[50] At 6:24 p.m. CDT (23:24 UTC), the violent tornado struck the McConnell Air Force Base, where it narrowly missed a lineup of 10 B-1B bombers each worth $280 million and two of which were equipped with nuclear warheads.[97][99] Nine major facilities on the base were destroyed, including the officer's club, base hospital, library, and elementary school. In addition, 102 housing units were demolished. No fatalities were recorded there, though 16 people were injured and total losses reached $62 million.[100] As the tornado continued to move toward US 54 in the direction of Andover,[97] it prompted forecasters to issue a heightened tornado warning alerting residents in Augusta and Andover that a damaging tornado was approaching. Despite this warning, the tornado sirens in Andover failed.[101][102]
At 6:31 p.m. CDT (23:31 UTC), with the sirens not functional, the police drove through the Golden Spur Mobile Home Park and through the town warning residents to seek shelter. 10 minutes later, the now large wedge-stovepipe hybrid tornado entered southern Andover and began to impact the mobile home park, which ultimately sustained a direct hit.[97] Of the 244 manufactured homes, 205, or about 84 percent of them, were destroyed. Post-storm interviews by health officials found that 339 residents were home during the tornado, of which 146 evacuated, 149 sought refuge in the community shelter, and 38 remained in their homes. No casualties occurred among individuals who fled or utilized the shelter.[103] However, 13 people were killed,[5] another 17 were hospitalized, and nine sustained minor injuries among the group who remained in their structures.[103] Additional homes were swept from their foundations to the west of this park, where the Andover tornado earned its F5 rating.[5] Throughout the city, over 1,500 residences were devastated.[104] The tornado continued northeast, affecting the outskirts of Towanda. Twenty minutes later, the violent tornado dissipated west of El Dorado and north of the Kansas Turnpike, though the parent supercell later produced additional tornadoes further across Butler County.[97] Along the tornado's path, 84 frame houses and 14 businesses were leveled. A total of 225 people were injured.[47][102] It was the final Kansas tornado to be given an F5 rating prior to the implementation of the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which was principally used on the Greensburg EF5 tornado on May 4, 2007.[96]
Garber–Red Rock–Pawhuska, Oklahoma
 A photo of the tornado taken southeast by Alan Moller approaching I-35 near Ceres. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 6:30 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 26, 1991, 7:55 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 1 hour and 25 minutes |
| F4 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds |
|
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 6 injuries |
| Damage | $500,000 ($1,180,000 in 2025 USD)[105][47] |
While the Andover F5 and several other tornadoes in Kansas and Nebraska were ongoing, supercell thunderstorm complexes produced tornadoes in northern Oklahoma. In Garfield County, the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma issued a tornado warning at 6:27 p.m. CDT (23:27 UTC) for the entire region.[106] Three minutes later, a large and violent tornado touched down approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of Garber, at 6:30 p.m. CDT (23:30 UTC). This tornado was the third in its family, following the dissipation of an F3 tornado that occurred south of Breckinridge or east of Enid,[39][43] and a brief F0 tornado that occurred in the area.[18][5][107]
Tracking east-northeast of Garber and east of the Garfield–Noble County border, after crossing over into the neighboring county at 6:38 p.m. CDT (23:38 UTC), the tornado impacted a residence around 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of Billings, inflicting F3 damage to a house. In the vicinity, the tornado as well destroyed some oil tanks, toppled well pumps, and snapped power poles as its width increased to 0.5 miles (880 yd; 0.80 km). Continuing on its east-northeastern trajectory, the tornado grew in both intensity and size as it moved 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Billings, attaining violent intensity and growing up to 0.75 miles (1,320 yd; 1.21 km) wide. Located west of Interstate 35 at this point, the violent tornado caused F4 damage to a property, obliterating the home and debarking numerous trees. The tornado persisted across Noble County, passing between Marland and the Otoe Indian Agency and causing damage to two farmsteads in its wake.[18][5][107][105]
To the north of Red Rock simultaneously, a storm chasing research team from the University of Oklahoma (OU), lead by Dr. Howard Bluestein, used a portable Doppler weather radar during their deployment and observation of the storm on US 77, around 2 miles (3.2 km) north of OK 15 as the tornado passed over the highway. Their radar, located south of the tornado, recorded maximum estimated winds ranging from 120–125 metres per second (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) at the top of the funnel. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, winds possibly reached as high as 286 miles per hour (460 km/h). This extreme wind speed observation by the OU research team suggested probable F5-level winds at the surface. This was both the first ever instance of F5 winds to be measured by a radar, and also at the time, the highest observed wind measurement taken of a tornado ever recorded, until an F5 tornado that struck central Oklahoma over 8 years later surpassed the record. The tornado afterwards, entered Osage County at 7:21 p.m. CDT (00:21 UTC), dropping in strength from F4 to F3 intensity before it moved north of Fairfax. Nearby, the tornado uprooted many trees, and caused intense damage to one house in the area. As the tornado was 10 miles (16 km) west of Pawhuska, the storm struck a large oil rig, which with its 18 in (46 cm) foundation, was toppled over. After being on the ground for around 35 minutes since entering Osage County earlier, the tornado dissipated 9 miles (14 km) west-northwest of Pawhuska, at 7:55 p.m. CDT (00:55 UTC). Along its path, the tornado reportedly scoured and blew away parts of several county roads.[8][108][109][110][18][5][107]
This large and extremely violent tornado was one of several twisters across Oklahoma that were spawned by a cyclic supercell, occurring at the same time another F4 tornado formed over in southern Kansas. Dubbed the Red Rock tornado, it was the longest tracked and second largest tornado of the entire outbreak, traversing a path 66 miles (106 km) long across Garfield, Noble and Osage Counties, with a maximum width of 1,500 yards (0.85 mi; 1,400 m) wide, placing it behind another F4 tornado that struck in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. The Red Rock tornado largely avoided any populated areas, impacting a few structures on rural properties and farmsteads, which garnered it its F4 rating as acknowledged by the National Weather Service office in Norman. Six people were injured, though no fatalities were attributed.[47][18][5][107] The Red Rock tornado was the last violent tornado to take place in Garfield County, until an EF4 tornado struck areas near Enid, Oklahoma almost 35 years later, on April 23, 2026.[111]
Arkansas City–Winfield–Burden, Kansas
 The tornado as seen at its peak width northeast of Winfield. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 6:30 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | Unknown |
| F4 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 207–260 mph (333–418 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 1 fatality |
This tornado touched down around 5 miles (8.0 km) west-northwest of Arkansas City, Kansas at around 6:30 p.m. CDT.[112] The tornado initially produced only F1 level damage to trees as it crossed the Arkansas River. The tornado intensified to F3 intensity as it approached Strother Field in rural Cowley County, where the tornado picked up and tossed a grain bin across fields around two miles to the south-southwest, leaving large scratch marks in the ground approximately 0.6 miles (0.97 km) long.[112] As the tornado passed over the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, numerous tombstones were picked up and knocked over before the tornado crossed US 77, around 1.25 miles (2.01 km) south of Strother Field. [112]
The tornado continued to widen and intensify as it passed Strother Field to the southeast, before intensifying to F4 strength as it damaged or destroyed several homes around 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the airport.[112] Damage to one home may have been worthy of an F5 rating according to a report in 2001 by Thomas Grazulis. He stated that one home was reportedly damaged so badly that surveyors failed to notice it.[48]
The tornado began to veer to the north before crossing the Walnut River, likely caused by a microburst around 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the south.[112] The tornado weakened to F2 intensity only producing damage to trees and barns. The tornado widened to its maximum width of 0.4 miles (0.64 km) around four miles west of Winfield, before striking the Frog Hollow Oil Field, where several oil tanks were toppled and rolled up to half a mile away from their starting points.[112] In the same area, the tornado destroyed a mobile home, claiming the life of the occupant despite advanced warning that a tornado was approaching. The tornado mostly produced F2 - F3 level damage to farmsteads for the remainder of its track before lifting around 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west-northwest of Burden.[112] It was noted that a microburst noted near the end of the tornadoes track may have caused the tornado to dissipate.[18][47][48][49][50][112]
El Dorado Lake–Kansas Turnpike–Cassoday, Kansas
 A still from the infamous Kansas Turnpike video showing the tornado. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 7:10 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 26, 1991, 7:25 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
| F2 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 113–157 mph (182–253 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 4 injuries |
| Damage | $250,000 ($5,910,000 in 2025 USD)[53] |
After causing widespread destruction in Andover, the parent supercell continued northeast and produced another strong tornado.[113] This thin but significant tornado, rated F2, tracked for 21 miles (34 km) across Butler and Chase Counties in Kansas.[53] It paralleled the Kansas Turnpike for many miles before eventually crossing the road south of Cassoday,[114] tossing vehicles up to 75 yards (69 m) away from the turnpike. The tornado gained notoriety when journalists Ted Lewis and Gregg Jarrett from the NBC-affiliate KSNW-TV, sought shelter underneath an overpass on the Kansas Turnpike. Video from the crew shows a minivan several hundred yards down the turnpike being rolled multiple times, with other vehicles such as large semi-trailer trucks overturned and severely damaged as well. Jarrett was awarded the Heartland Emmy Award for his news segment of the tornado.[11][115] Alongside the 1979 Wichita Falls, Texas F4 tornado, this marked the second prominent example of people seeking refuge from a tornado underneath an overpass. Information from the National Weather Service initially and indirectly contributed to this line of thought as well.[116][117]
During the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, the consequences of this practice were realized. On May 3, 1999, there were three locations where a highway overpass was utilized as a shelter from approaching tornadoes, and at all three locations there was at least one fatality. One of these, the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado, was at violent F4–F5 intensity as it impacted the overpass. One incorrect notion from the Kansas Turnpike video was that the film crew was protected by the weaker nature of the tornado as it passed over a primarily rural area, in contrast to the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. However, another F2 tornado on May 3, 1999, killed one individual, proving that tornadoes of any intensity are capable of killing people harboring under overpasses. In addition to the fatalities, many people who survived these tornadoes nonetheless suffered graphic injuries and sometimes permanent disabilities.[116]
Since the Kansas Turnpike video and events on May 3, meteorologists have strongly advised people to avoid seeking shelter under highway overpasses for many reasons. One, it exposes individuals to flying debris, which is the number one cause of death in tornadoes. Two, the elevated nature of the overpass subjects people to stronger winds than at ground level. Three, overpasses may act to channel and accelerate the wind. Four, many overpasses do not have girders for individuals to hold onto, such as was the case during the Kansas Turnpike video. Fifth, tornadic winds shift directions as the vortex passes, such that people originally protected from winds will still be exposed to its effects following the wind shift. The National Weather Service therefore notes, "seeking shelter under a highway overpass is to become a stationary target for flying debris, with a substantial risk of being blown out and carried by the tornado winds". Lastly, motorists who quickly park their cars under an overpass without pulling over to the side first can cause an unexpected traffic jam, that may slow/strand other drivers due to the risk of collision.[116]
Terlton–Westport–Skiatook, Oklahoma
 The tornado is seen near the Cimarron Turnpike in Pawnee County. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 8:10 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 26, 1991, 9:27 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 1 hour and 17 minutes |
| F4 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 207–260 mph (333–418 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 1 fatality, 24 injuries |
| Damage | $3,000,000 ($7,090,000 in 2025 USD)[118] |
Following the cycle of an F2 tornado that passed north and west of Cushing and Yale, Oklahoma;[58] the parent thunderstorm complex dropped at 8:10 p.m. CDT (01:10 UTC) a large, and violent tornado 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of Terlton, just north of the Creek−Pawnee County border. The tornado moved east-northeast as it passed by Terlton, missing the town from a direct hit, which previously was hit by one of two other deadly F4 tornadoes that struck the region exactly 7 years prior, on April 26 and 29, 1984.[119] Northeast of the small city and west of OK 48, the tornado remained weak at F0 intensity, causing mainly light tree damage across Pawnee County.[18][5][120]
Crossing over OK 48, the tornado intensified further to F1-F2 strength as it inflicted significant amounts of damage to structures and powerlines, around 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of the Cimarron Turnpike. The tornado at this point, had a width of 0.125 miles (0.201 km) across. Moving away further away from the highway, the tornado rapidly intensified in both width and intensity, reaching a width of nearly 1 mile (1,800 yd; 1.6 km) and attaining F4 intensity on the turnpike. The now violent tornado swept off several motorists off the road, killing one man as the tornado overturned his car. Nearby, five other people sustained injuries but survived.[18][5][120]
At 8:30 p.m. CDT (01:30 UTC) the tornado made its way into Westport, narrowing in width to 400 yards (370 m) wide and striking the Keystone Airpark, maintaining significant intensity as it caused damage to four hangars at that location. Seven aircraft were destroyed, including two that were deposited into nearby trees. The airport's fire station was leveled, with one fire truck that was moved by the tornado beyond the runway and flung into a wooded area 0.25 miles (0.40 km) away. A mile ahead to the east, the storm then entered the Ridgemont Estates area, with violent intensity. The tornado inflicted major F4 damage to houses and the nearby woods. Within Westport, the tornado impacted approximately 94 homes. Of the 94 residential properties that were impacted, 54 were completely demolished, with 8 suffering substantial amounts of destruction, while 32 homes had minor damage. Some 5 mobile homes were impacted as well, alongside several other structures, and approximately 70 vehicles. The community center within Westport also was damaged in the process as the tornado swept through. Despite the impact, the tornado claimed no casualties in the area.[18][5][120]
The tornado then crossed Keystone Lake, and into Osage County around 14 minutes later at 8:44 p.m. CDT (01:44 UTC). The tornado reportedly lifted off the ground for a brief time, before consolidating in the vicinity of New Prue and a half-mile southwest of the John Zink Scout Ranch. The tornado afterwards impacted the scout ranch, destroying a lodge where several girl scouts took shelter. None of the scouts themselves were harmed during their encounter with the tornado. Every tree in the storm's path were snapped or uprooted as the track continued northeast, to the extreme southern point of Skiatook Lake. Along the lake, the tornado damaged a marina, where a few boats that were docked were impacted. The tornado persisted and at 9:15 p.m. CDT (02:15 UTC) struck a propane company on OK 20, a mile and a half west of Skiatook. The powerful twister then moved into a subdivision of homes a mile northwest of Skiatook, at this point harboring F3 level winds. Here, the tornado caused destruction to less than 100 houses, as 32 were destroyed and 11 sustained major levels of damage. An estimated 45 homes received minor damage caused by the tornado. The path for a short time, continued further to the northeast until the tornado dissipated at 9:27 p.m. CDT (02:27 UTC). The tornado ended just west of the Osage−Tulsa County border.[18][5][120]
The Westport tornado was the largest tornado of the entire outbreak by size, with a maximum width of less than a mile, or 1,700 yards (0.97 mi; 1,600 m) wide when the storm was at the Cimarron Turnpike, along a track 32 miles (51 km) long. It was one of several violent tornadoes to occur during the outbreak, attaining an F4 rating. One man was killed while 24 others were injured, making it one of the more impactful tornadoes of the outbreak. The storm inflicted around $3 million (1991 USD) in damages across its over hour long track.[18][5][120][118]
Oologah, Oklahoma
 The nocturnal tornado in Oologah as seen from a power plant security camera. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 26, 1991, 9:45 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 26, 1991, 9:55 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 10 minutes |
| F4 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 207–260 mph (333–418 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 22 injuries |
| Damage | $15,000,000 ($35,460,000 in 2025 USD)[121] |
The supercell which previously produced the Westport tornado cycled, and at 9:45 p.m. CDT (02:45 UTC) produced another violent tornado in Rogers County, Oklahoma; just 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the outskirts of Oologah.[18][5][122]
The circulation that developed into this tornado, began southeast of the four-way intersection connecting both South 4090 and East 390 Roads, just on the northwestern part of Oologah. The tornado right after moving northeast, entered the proper city limits, rapidly becoming destructive and causing widespread damage to a subdivision north of downtown.[18][5][122]
Around five dozen homes, and 16 trailers were destroyed as the violent tornado went through. The tornado then went further and devastated an area containing sixteen apartment complex buildings and 30 barns on the north side of Oologah. The tornado afterwards then hit the Oologah School Complex, inflicting significant structural damage to K-12 buildings located on the grounds of the complex. Around 22 people were injured during the tornado, though no deaths occurred. The storm left a path around this time that was up to around 0.75 miles (1,320 yd; 1.21 km) wide as it was causing F4 damage in town.[18][5][122]
The devastating tornado then exited the north side of Oologah, remaining on the ground for a few minutes as it headed towards Oologah Lake, until dissipating at 9:55 p.m. CDT (02:55 UTC) on the western bank of the water body. The Oologah tornado, while not a long-lasting tornado, was the costliest and most destructive event to take place in Oklahoma during the outbreak. Along a track 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1,300 yards (0.74 mi; 1,200 m) wide, the tornado during its 10-minute lifespan racked up monetary losses upwards of $15 million (1991 USD). Of that amount, approximately $12 million in damages was inflicted to the Oologah K-12 complex.[18][5][122][121]
Beside tornadic events, the parent supercell also brought in damaging winds caused by powerful downbursts, that occurred on the southern flank of the tornado's track. These non-tornadic winds damaged structures in a consistent "starburst" pattern 5 miles (8.0 km) long, from southwest of Oologah to the city itself. Within the community, downburst winds blew trees down and inflicted roof damage. Some houses and mobile homes 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the southwest, experienced heavier levels of damage. Large transmission towers which supported high tension wiring from the nearby Public Service Company of Oklahoma power station, were collapsed. All the towers within a mile-long stretch were blown down toward the east-southeast.[18][5][122]
Aftermath
Regional impact and response
In the wake of the tornado outbreak, Kansas state governor Joan Finney requested that U.S. President George H.W. Bush supply Sedgwick, Butler, and Cowley Counties with federal disaster aid, a move that the president later approved. Under the $2.6 million program,[123] the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) paid 75 percent of the cost for disaster cleanup, while the local government paid 15 percent, and the state paid the remaining 10 percent.[124] Oklahoma state governor David Walters likewise requested federal assistance for six counties in his state. American Red Cross and civil defense officials scoured devastated homes and rendered aid to about 370 families affected by the storms.[125] After two Oklahoma counties were not granted disaster assistance, local officials in Garfield and Washington Counties criticized FEMA's decision. The organization responded by noting that additional counties could be added to the list in the future but that damage in those counties was marginal for a presidential declaration.[126] Two days later, federal assistance was made available to both counties.[127]
In the Oologah–Talala school district of Oklahoma, which was all but devastated during the tornado outbreak, the Oklahoma State Department of Education voted to forgive the remaining 23 days of classes, the largest number of instructional days forgiven in a single school year on record at the time. Individual student conferences were held at a local church. About 170 construction workers worked double shifts to repair the school grounds, which were tentatively set to reopen on August 12. Of the district's 24 buses, 15 were repaired in the weeks following the tornado outbreak, while nine were rendered inoperable.[128] The school district reopened on August 15.[129]
The Next-Generation Radar era
The 1991 outbreak occurred during a period of modernization for the National Weather Service and helped highlight the value of weather radar imagery for detecting tornadoes. In April 1991, the WSR-88D NEXRAD radar in Norman, Oklahoma, was the only radar of its kind with Doppler capabilities, and even then it had not been cleared for use in day-to-day operations. In Oklahoma, the higher resolution radar displayed important storm-scale characteristics such as mesocyclones, some of which were seen over 125 miles (200 km) away in Kansas. For comparison, the outdated radars in that state, though closer, did not depict significant features indicative of an ongoing tornado. Instead, forecasters in Kansas were forced to rely on reports from the public and storm chasers. In an internal assessment of the event, the National Weather Service concluded that "The NWS should continue to implement the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) network across the Nation. This event illustrates the usefulness of the WSR-88D velocity fields and better azimuthal resolution reflectivity data." The implementation of these radars have improved tornado lead times in modern years.[130]
In popular media
The outbreak was featured in two different documentaries: The Enemy Wind, a documentary produced by The Weather Channel,[131] and Cyclone!, a documentary produced and distributed by National Geographic under its National Geographic Home Video series.[132]
See also
Notes
- All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.