View source for 1974 Super Outbreak

{{short description|Tornado outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image                = 1974 Super Outbreak Fujita color map.jpg
| caption = Paths of the 148 tornadoes<br />generated in United States during the 1974 Super Outbreak. One tornado was deconfirmed and determined to be a microburst.
| duration = April 3–4, 1974
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado outbreak
| tornadoes = [[List of tornadoes in the 1974 Super Outbreak|148 confirmed]]
| fujita-scale = F5
| winds = 
| largest hail = 
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| deaths = 335 fatalities<ref name=Corfidi>{{cite web|author=Corfidi|title=Revisiting the 3–4 April 1974 Super Outbreak of Tornadoes|url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/74superoutbreak.PDF|publisher=spc.noaa.gov|access-date=April 3, 2024|archive-date=April 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403042643/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/74superoutbreak.PDF|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
| damage = $600 million (1974 USD)<br />$3.97 billion (2024 USD) 
| affected = [[Midwestern]] and [[Southern United States]], [[Ontario, Canada]]
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[Tornadoes of 1974|tornado outbreaks of 1974]]
}}
The '''1974 Super Outbreak''' was the second-largest [[tornado outbreak]] on record for a single 24-hour period, just behind the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. It was also the most violent tornado outbreak ever recorded, with 30 [[Fujita scale|violent (F4 or F5 rated)]] tornadoes confirmed. From April&nbsp;3–4, 1974, there were 148 tornadoes confirmed in 13 [[U.S. state]]s and the [[Canadian province]] of [[Ontario]].{{#tag:ref|Originally, a series of studies by Fujita and his colleagues in 1974–75 recorded 148 tornadoes, but one of these was subsequently reclassified as a [[microburst]].<ref name=AbbeyFujita>{{cite book|last1=Fujita|first1=T. Theodore|last2=Abbey |first2=Robert F. Jr.|editor1-last=Kessler|editor1-first=Edwin|year=1983|orig-year=1981|title=The Thunderstorm in Human Affairs|edition=2nd|location=[[Norman, Oklahoma]]|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|pages=37–66|chapter=Chapter 3: Tornadoes: The Tornado Outbreak of 3–4 April 1974}}</ref> Only 147 of the original 148 tornadoes appear on the [[Storm Prediction Center]]'s official database today.|group="nb"}} In the United States, tornadoes struck [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Ohio]], [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]], [[West Virginia]], and [[New York (state)|New York]]. The outbreak caused roughly $600&nbsp;million [[USD]] (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|600,000,000|1974}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in damage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/iln/19740403 |title=The Super Outbreak of April 3-4, 1974 |publisher=National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio }}</ref> The outbreak extensively damaged approximately {{convert|900|mi2|km2|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} along a total combined path length of {{convert|2,600|mi|km|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}.<ref name=AbbeyFujita/><ref name="so_report">{{Cite report|date=April 2, 2004|title=Analysis and reconstruction of the 1974 tornado Super Outbreak|url=https://support.rms.com/publications/1974SuperTornadoReport.pdf|publisher=Risk Management Solutions|page=9|access-date=April 6, 2014|quote=In total, 148 tornadoes spanned 13 states producing about {{convert|900|mi2|km2|abbr=off}} of tornado damage in less than 18 hours. ... Most of the tornadoes were produced by individual thunderstorm cells within these lines. The individual tornadoes moved northeastward at {{convert|40|–|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, while the larger scale squall-line systems advanced toward the southeast. ... Many of these tornadoes were part of 'families' or a sequence of tornadoes spawned in succession by a single thunderstorm cell. Dr. Ted Fujita identified 30 such tornado families that accounted for 74% of the Outbreak's tornadoes and resulted in 98% of the 315 deaths. The longest-lasting tornado family existed for nearly five hours, while the average life was approximately two hours.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023111435/https://support.rms.com/publications/1974SuperTornadoReport.pdf|archive-date=October 23, 2013}}</ref> At one point, as many as 15 separate tornadoes were occurring simultaneously.<ref name=AbbeyFujita /><ref name=ForbesConference-1>{{cite conference |title=Relationship between tornadoes and hook echoes on April 3, 1974 |last1=Forbes |first1=G. S. |year= 1975|conference= Ninth Conf. on Severe Local Storms|publisher=American Meteorological Society |book-title=Preprints |pages=280–85 |location=Boston}}</ref>

The 1974 Super Outbreak was the first tornado outbreak in recorded history to produce more than 100 tornadoes in under a 24-hour period, a feat that was not repeated globally until the [[1981 United Kingdom tornado outbreak]]<ref>{{cite journal|first1=M. W.|title=Britain's Greatest Tornado Outbreak|last1=Rowe|first2=G. T.|last2=Meaden|date=August 1, 1985|journal=Weather|volume=40|issue=8|pages=230–235|doi=10.1002/j.1477-8696.1985.tb06883.x|bibcode=1985Wthr...40..230R}}</ref> and in the United States until the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. In 2023, tornado expert [[Thomas P. Grazulis]] created the [[outbreak intensity score]] (OIS) as a way to rank various tornado outbreaks. The 1974 Super Outbreak received an OIS of 578, making it the most intense tornado outbreak in recorded history.<ref name="GrazulisBook">{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |author1-link=Thomas P. Grazulis |title=Significant Tornadoes 1974–2022 |date=2023 |publisher=The Tornado Project |location=[[St. Johnsbury, Vermont]] |isbn=978-1-879362-01-7 |page=637}}</ref>
__TOC__
{{Clear}}

==Meteorological synopsis==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0 0 0.5em 1em;float:right;"
|+ Fatalities by state/province
|-
! scope="col"| State/province
! scope="col"| Fatalities
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Alabama]]
|align="right"| 77
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|align="right"| 16
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Illinois]]
|align="right"| 5
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Indiana]]
|align="right"| 47
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Kentucky]]
|align="right"| 71
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Michigan]]
|align="right"| 2
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[North Carolina]]
|align="right"| 6
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Ohio]]
|align="right"| 38
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Ontario]]
|align="right"| 9
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Tennessee]]
|align="right"| 45
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[Virginia]]
|align="right"| 1
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e6e9ff;"|[[West Virginia]]
|align="right"| 1
|-class="sortbottom"
!scope="row"| Total
|align="right"| 319
|}
[[File:Sfc1974040400z.png|left|thumb|Surface analysis at 6 pm CDT on April 3, as drawn by the National Meteorological Center]]
A powerful springtime low pressure system developed across the [[North America]]n [[Interior Plains]] on [[April Fool's Day|April 1]]. While moving into the [[Mississippi River Valley|Mississippi]] and [[Ohio Valley]] areas, a surge of unusually moist air intensified the storm further, while there were sharp temperature contrasts between both sides of the system. Officials at [[NOAA]] and in the [[National Weather Service]] forecast offices were expecting a severe weather outbreak on April 3, but not to the extent that ultimately occurred. Several F2 and F3 tornadoes had struck portions of the Ohio Valley and the South in a separate, earlier outbreak on April 1 and 2, which included three killer tornadoes in [[Kentucky]], [[Alabama]], and [[Tennessee]]. The town of [[Campbellsburg, Kentucky|Campbellsburg]], northeast of Louisville, was hard-hit in this earlier outbreak, with a large portion of the town destroyed by an F3.<ref name=NWSLouisville-1>{{cite web|author=NWS Louisville|title=April 1, 1974|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=tornado_climatology_april11974|publisher=Crh.noaa.gov|access-date=March 3, 2007|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022045854/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=tornado_climatology_april11974|url-status=live}}</ref> Between the two outbreaks, an additional tornado was reported in Indiana in the early morning hours of April 3, several hours before the official start of the outbreak.<ref name="Grazulis">{{cite book|last=Grazulis|first=Thomas P.|title=Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991 |date=July 1993|publisher=The Tornado Project of Environmental Films|location=St. Johnsbury, VT|isbn=978-1-879362-03-1}}</ref> On Wednesday, April 3, severe weather watches already were issued from the morning from south of the [[Great Lakes]], while in portions of the Upper Midwest, snow was reported, with heavy rain falling across central Michigan and much of Ontario.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

[[File:Jet stream Super Outbreak.gif|left|upright=1.35|thumb|Upper-level winds during the Super Outbreak]]
By 12:00 [[UTC]] on April 3, a large-scale [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] extended over most of the [[contiguous United States]], with several modest [[Shortwave (meteorology)|shortwaves]] rotating around the broad base of the trough. The [[extratropical cyclone|mid-latitude]] [[Low-pressure area|low-pressure center]] over Kansas continued to deepen to {{convert|980|mb|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}, and wind speeds at the [[geopotential height|850-mb]] level increased to {{convert|50|kn|mi/h|abbr=on}} ({{convert|25.7|m/s|km/h|abbr=on}}) over portions of [[Louisiana]], Mississippi, and Alabama. Due to significant moisture [[Advection#meteorology|advection]], destabilization rapidly proceeded apace; the warm front near the [[Gulf Coast]] [[frontolysis|dissipated]] and then [[frontogenesis|redeveloped]] northward over the [[Ohio River]] valley. Consequently, [[Convective available potential energy#Example from meteorology|CAPE]] levels in the region rose to 1,000 [[joule per kilogram-kelvin|J/kg]]. However, a warm temperature plume in the [[Mixed layer#Atmospheric mixed layer formation|elevated mixed layer]] kept [[thunderstorm]]s from initiating at the surface.<ref name=CorfidiConference>{{cite conference|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/3apr74.pdf|title=The Super Outbreak: Outbreak of the Century|last1=Corfidi|first1=S.F.|last2=Kay|first2=M.P.|last3=Hart|first3=J.A.|year=2004|conference=22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms|book-title=Preprints|location=Hyannis, Massachusetts|access-date=April 14, 2014|archive-date=June 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611124147/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/3apr74.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, a large [[mesoscale convective system]] (MCS) that had developed overnight in [[Arkansas]] continued to strengthen due to strong environmental [[Lapse rate#Environmental lapse rate|lapse rates]]. Later in the day, strong daytime heating caused instability to further rise. By 18:00 UTC, CAPE values in excess of 2,500 J/kg were present over the lower Ohio and the [[Mississippi Valley]]. As wind speeds in the troposphere increased, [[Synoptic scale meteorology|Large-scale]] [[momentum|lifting]] overspread the [[warm sector]]. At the same time, the forward-propagating MCS spread into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys, where it evolved into the first of three main [[Atmospheric convection|convection]] bands that produced tornadoes.<ref name=CordifiAMS>{{cite journal|last=Corfidi|first=S.F.|author2=S.J. Weiss|author3=J.S. Kain|author4=S.J. Corfidi|author5=R.M. Rabin|author6=J.J. Levit|title=Revisiting the 3–4 April 1974 Super Outbreak of Tornadoes|journal=Weather Forecast.|date=April 2010|volume=35|issue=2|pages=465–510|doi=10.1175/2009WAF2222297.1|bibcode=2010WtFor..25..465C|s2cid=120118000|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1234549|access-date=June 25, 2019|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827231429/https://zenodo.org/record/1234549|url-status=live|doi-access=free}}</ref> This first convective band moved rapidly northeast, at times reaching speeds of about {{convert|60|kn|mi/h|abbr=on}} ({{convert|30.9|m/s|km/h|abbr=on}}).<ref name=CorfidiConference /> However, thunderstorm activity, for the moment, remained mostly elevated in nature.<ref name=CordifiAMS/>

[[File:1974SuperOutbreakMarseillesRadar.webm|thumb|right|WSR-57 radar imagery of Illinois and Indiana during the outbreak]]
By 16:30 UTC, the large MCS began to splinter into two sections: the southern part slowed, lagging into southeast Tennessee, while the northern part accelerated, reaching Pennsylvania by 19:30 UTC. The split was related to several factors, including a band of [[Subsidence (atmosphere)|subsidence]] over eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia; local [[Katabatic wind#Theory|downslope]] winds over the Appalachians; and an [[Inversion (meteorology)#Subsidence inversion|inversion]] over the same area. These factors allowed the northern part of the MCS to accelerate due to efficient [[ducting]], while the southern part slowed as the [[boundary layer]] warmed and moistened.<ref name=CordifiAMS/> Numerous surface-based [[supercell]]s began to develop in the southern area, beginning with one that produced an F3 tornado at about 16:30 UTC near [[Cleveland, Tennessee]].<ref name=CorfidiConference/> Meanwhile, a new band of scattered thunderstorms developed at 15:00 UTC over eastern Arkansas and Missouri; over the next four hours, this band became the focus for several intense supercells, starting in eastern Illinois and southern Indiana.<ref name=CordifiAMS /> In the wake of the MCS, backing low-level winds, rapid diurnal destabilization, and perhaps cool, mid-level [[Advection#Meteorology|advection]] had occurred over the warm sector, weakening the [[convective inhibition]] (CINH) layer, and favorable wind profiles bolstered [[Hydrodynamical helicity#Meteorology|helicity]] to over 230 m<sup>2</sup>/s²—a combination of factors conducive to [[tornadogenesis]].<ref name=CorfidiConference /> Consequently, the storms increased in intensity and coverage as they moved into Illinois, Indiana, and northern Kentucky, producing several tornadoes, including the first F5 tornado of the day, at 19:20 UTC, near [[Depauw, Indiana]].<ref name=CordifiAMS /> Several of the storms to form between 19:20 and 20:20 UTC became significant, long-lived supercells, producing many strong or violent tornadoes,<ref name="Grazulis"/> including three F5s at Depauw; [[Xenia, Ohio]]; and [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]]. These storms formed the second of three convective bands to generate tornadoes.<ref name=CordifiAMS/>

While violent tornado activity increased over the warm sector, a third band of convection developed at about 16:00 UTC and extended from near St. Louis into west-central Illinois. Based upon real-time satellite imagery and model data, differential [[positive vorticity advection]] coincided with the left exit region of an upper-level [[jet stream|jet streak]]<!-- jet streak is a real term but not included in jet stream article--> which reached wind speeds of up to {{convert|130|kn|mi/h|abbr=on}} ({{convert|66.9|m/s|km/h|abbr=on}}), thereby enhancing thunderstorm growth.<ref name=CorfidiConference/> Storms grew rapidly in height and extent, producing baseball-sized hail by 17:20 UTC in Illinois and, shortly thereafter, in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], which reported a very [[Thunderstorm|severe thunderstorm]] early in the afternoon that, while not producing a tornado, was the costliest storm to hit the city up to that time.<ref name=CordifiAMS /> By 19:50 UTC, supercells producing F3 tornadoes hit the [[Decatur, Illinois|Decatur]] and [[Normal, Illinois|Normal]] areas in Illinois. As thunderstorms moved into the warmer, moister air mass over eastern Illinois and Indiana, they produced longer-lived tornadoes—one of which began near [[Otterbein, Indiana|Otterbein]] and ended near [[Valentine, Indiana|Valentine]] in Indiana, a distance of {{convert|121|mi|km}}.<ref name=Grazulis/><ref name=CorfidiConference/>

Meanwhile, by 00:00 UTC the southern half of the first convective band became indistinguishable from new convection that had formed farther south over Alabama and Tennessee in connection with convective band two. In this area, increasing west-southwesterly [[Wind shear#Where and when it is strongly observed|wind shear]] at all levels of the troposphere, juxtaposed over near-parallel [[Outflow boundary|outflow boundaries]], allowed successive supercells, all producing strong, long-tracked tornadoes, to develop unconstrained by their outflow in a broad region from eastern [[Mississippi]] to southern [[Tennessee]].<ref name=CordifiAMS /> These storms, forming after 23:00 UTC, produced some of the most powerful tornadoes of the outbreak, including a large and long-tracked F4 that struck the western and central portions of [[Alabama]], tracking for just over {{convert|110|mi|km}}, two F5s that both slammed into [[Tanner, Alabama|Tanner]], causing extensive fatalities, an extremely potent F5 that devastated [[Guin]] in Alabama, and multiple violent, deadly tornadoes that affected and caused fatalities in Tennessee.<ref name=CorfidiConference/>

Michigan was not hit as hard as neighboring states or Windsor, with only one deadly tornado that hit near [[Coldwater, Michigan|Coldwater]] and [[Hillsdale, Michigan|Hillsdale]], killing people in mobile homes; however, thunderstorm downpours caused flash floods, and north of the warm front in the [[Upper Peninsula]], heavy snowfall was reported. Activity in the south moved towards the Appalachians during the overnight hours and produced the final tornadoes across the southeast during the morning of April 4.<ref name="Grazulis"/> A series of studies by Dr. [[Tetsuya T. Fujita]] in 1974–75—which were later cited in a 2004 survey by Risk Management Solutions—found that three-quarters of all tornadoes in the 1974 Super Outbreak were produced by 30 '[[tornado family|families]]' of tornadoes—multiple tornadoes spawned in succession by a single thunderstorm cell.<ref name="so_report" /> The majority of these were long-lived and long-tracked individual supercells.<ref name=FujitaWeatherwise>{{cite journal|last=Fujita|first=T. T.|title=Jumbo tornado outbreak of 3 April 1974|journal=Weatherwise|year=1974|volume=27|issue=3|pages=116–26|doi=10.1080/00431672.1974.9931693|bibcode=1974Weawi..27c.116F }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Confirmed tornadoes==
[[File:SPC — 1974 Super Outbreak.jpg|thumb|A graphic made by the [[Storm Prediction Center]] on the 50th anniversary of the Super Outbreak]]
[[File:Satellite Super Outbreak 1974-04-03 21 GMT.gif|thumb|Super Outbreak storm system at 21:00 UTC on April 3.]]
{{Main|List of tornadoes in the 1974 Super Outbreak}}
{{Tornado Chart
|Total = 148
|F0 = 12
|F1 = 38
|F2 = 34
|F3 = 34*
|F4 = 23
|F5 = 7
|Enhanced=no
}}
*'''Note:''' An F3 tornado was confirmed in [[Ontario]].
This tornado outbreak produced the most violent ([[Fujita scale|F4]] and [[Fujita scale|F5]]) tornadoes ever observed in a single tornado outbreak. There were seven F5 tornadoes<ref name=Edwards1>{{cite web|last=Roger|first=Edwards|author-link=Roger Edwards (meteorologist)|title=What was the biggest outbreak of tornadoes?|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/#History|work=The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)|publisher=Storm Prediction Center|access-date=January 19, 2013|date=March 23, 2012|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302230203/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/#History|url-status=live}}</ref> and 23 F4 tornadoes. More than 100 tornadoes associated with 33 [[tornado families]].<ref name="AbbeyFujita"/> The first tornado of the outbreak is disputed, with some sources indicating an isolated F2 in Indiana at 13:30&nbsp;UTC while Fujita marked the outbreak's onset at 18:10&nbsp;UTC with an F0 in Illinois. As the storm system moved east where daytime heating had made the air more unstable, the tornadoes grew more intense. A tornado that struck near [[Monticello, Indiana]] was an F4 and had a path length of {{convert|121|mi|km}}, the longest path length of any tornado for this outbreak. A total of 19 people were killed in this tornado.<ref name="severe plot">Data from the [[Storm Prediction Center]] archives, which are accessible through [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/software/svrplot2 free software] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713175109/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/software/svrplot2/ |date=July 13, 2007 }} created and maintained by John Hart, lead forecaster for the SPC.</ref> The first F5 tornado of the day struck the city of [[Depauw, Indiana]], at 3:20&nbsp;pm EDT. It killed 6 and injured 86 others along its 65-mile path, leveling and sweeping away homes in [[Depauw, Indiana|Depauw]] and [[Daisy Hill, Indiana|Daisy Hill]].<ref name="Grazulis"/>

Seven F5 tornadoes were observed—one each in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, three in Alabama and the final one which crossed through parts of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Thirty-one people were killed in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], and 28 died in [[Guin, Alabama]]. An F3 tornado also occurred in [[Windsor, Ontario]], [[Canada]], killing nine and injuring 30 others there, all of them at the former Windsor Curling Club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario F3 |url=https://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/?page_id=62820 |website=Windsor Public Library |access-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717080615/https://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/?page_id=62820 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were 18 hours of nearly continuous tornado activity that ended in [[Caldwell County, North Carolina]], at about 7:00&nbsp;am on April 4. A total of 319 were killed in 148 tornadoes from April 3 through April 4 and 5,484 were injured.

The 1974 Super Outbreak occurred at the end of a very strong, nearly record-setting [[La Niña]] event. The 1973–74 La Niña was just as strong as the 1998–99 La Niña. Despite the apparent connection between La Niña and two of the largest tornado outbreaks in United States history, no definitive linkage exists between La Niña and this outbreak or tornado activity in general.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/ensofaq.shtml |title=Climate Prediction Center – ENSO FAQ |publisher=Cpc.ncep.noaa.gov |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502083245/https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/ensofaq.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Some [[tornado myths]] were soundly debunked (not necessarily for the first time) by tornado activity during the outbreak.<ref name="publicaffairs.noaa.gov">{{cite web|author=Slattery, Pat|title=TORNADO OUTBREAK OPENED EYES ABOUT MYTHS, SCHOOL SAFETY|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/myths.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611082639/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/myths.html|archive-date=June 11, 2010}}</ref>

===Depauw–Daisy Hill, Indiana===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Depauw-Daisy Hill, Indiana
| formed = April&nbsp;3, 3:20 p.m. [[Central Daylight time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]]) 
| duration = 69 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp;3, 4:29 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image = Depauw_F5_Tornado.jpg
| caption = The tornado near Depauw, Indiana.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 6 fatalities, 86 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}

Of the F5 tornadoes produced by the outbreak, the Depauw-Daisy Hill tornado was the first to form, touching down at 3:20&nbsp;pm local time. It is probably the least-known of the F5 tornadoes in the outbreak as it traveled through rural areas in southern Indiana northwest of [[Louisville]], traversing about {{convert|65|mi|km}} through parts of [[Perry County, Indiana|Perry]] and [[Harrison County, Indiana|Harrison]] Counties. F5 damage was observed near the community of [[Depauw, Indiana|Depauw]], where numerous farms were leveled. Areas near [[Palmyra, Indiana|Palmyra]] and [[Borden, Indiana|Borden]] were also heavily affected by the tornado. Morgan Elementary School in northern Harrison County Indiana was directly hit by the tornado. Four classrooms were destroyed and the roof was removed from the school and placed on the cars of the faculty. Fortunately, the children and faculty, who were huddled in the hallways, were not injured.<ref>{{Cite web|title=4 Apr 1974, Page 7 - The Courier-Journal at Newspapers.com|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/107844497/|access-date=August 19, 2020|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828001004/http://www.newspapers.com/image/107844497/|url-status=live}}</ref> All but 10 homes in  [[Martinsburg, Indiana|Martinsburg]] were destroyed; and in the [[Daisy Hill, Indiana|Daisy Hill]] community homes were completely swept away at F5 intensity. Published photographs of this storm reveal a very wide debris cloud and wall cloud structure, with no visible condensation funnel at times.<ref name="Grazulis" />  Overall, six were killed by the storm and 86 were injured. One of the fatalities occurred when a woman was crushed by a school bus that flew into a ditch she was sheltering in.<ref name = "NWSLouisville">{{cite web |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=tornado_climatology_april31974 |title=Louisville, KY |publisher=Crh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014636/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=tornado_climatology_april31974 |url-status=live }}</ref> The tornado had a peak width of {{convert|700|-|1760|yd|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indiana F5 |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19740403.18.5 |website=Tornado History Projects |publisher=Storm Prediction Center |access-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705172641/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19740403.18.5 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="LMKTorlist">{{cite web |last1=US Department of Commerce |first1=NOAA |title=Tornado Listing |url=https://www.weather.gov/lmk/tornado_list |website=weather.gov |access-date=July 24, 2020 |language=EN-US |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724210354/https://www.weather.gov/lmk/tornado_list |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Xenia, Ohio===
{{main|1974 Xenia tornado}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Xenia, Ohio
| formed = April&nbsp;3, 4:33&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00]])
| duration = 39 minutes
| dissipated = April&nbsp;3, 5:12&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00]])
| image = A tornado funnel is shown moving through Xenia.jpg
| caption = The Xenia tornado tearing through the southeast Pinecrest Garden district.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 250 to 305 mph (402 to 491 km/h)
| fujita-scale = F5
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 36 fatalities, 1,150 injuries
| damages = $100 million (1974 [[USD]])
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
{{Wikisource|NCDC Storm Data for the 1974 Xenia tornado|NOAA's finalized damage survey and analysis}}
The tornado that struck the city of [[Xenia, Ohio]] stands as the deadliest individual tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak, killing 32 people and destroying a significant portion of the town.<ref name="Grazulis"/> The tornado formed near [[Bellbrook, Ohio]], southwest of Xenia, at about 4:30&nbsp;pm EDT. It began as a moderate-sized tornado, then intensified while moving northeast at about {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The tornado exhibited a [[Multiple vortex tornado|multiple-vortex]] structure and became very large as it approached town. The massive tornado slammed into the western part of Xenia, completely flattening the Windsor Park and Arrowhead subdivisions at F5 intensity, and sweeping away entire rows of brick homes with little debris left behind in some areas. Extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred in nearby fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/events/19740403/aerial.php |title=Aerial Damage Photographs |date=April 1, 2013 |website=NWS Wilmington, OH |publisher=NOAA |access-date=August 31, 2014 |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411220519/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/events/19740403/aerial.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

When the storm reached central Xenia at 4:40&nbsp;pm, apartment buildings, homes, businesses, churches, and schools including [[Xenia High School]] were destroyed. Students in the school, practicing for a play, took cover in the main hallway seconds before the tornado dropped a school bus onto the stage where they had been practicing and extensively damaged the school building.<ref name="Grazulis"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Rosenfield |first=Jeffrey |title=Eye of The Storm: Inside the World's Deadliest Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Blizzards. |year=2003 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn= 978-0738208916|page=320}}</ref> Several railroad cars were lifted and blown over as the tornado passed over a moving [[Penn Central]] freight train in the center of town.<ref name="Swio"/> It toppled headstones in Cherry Grove Cemetery, then moved through the length of the downtown business district, passing west of the courthouse (which sustained some exterior damage). Numerous businesses in downtown Xenia were heavily damaged or destroyed, and several people were killed at the A&W Root Beer stand as the building was flattened. Upon exiting Xenia, the tornado passed through [[Wilberforce, Ohio|Wilberforce]], heavily damaging several campus and residential buildings of [[Wilberforce University]].<ref name="Swio">{{cite web|author=Ohio Historical Society |title=April 3, 1974: Xenia Tornado |url=http://www.ohiohistory.org/etcetera/exhibits/swio/pages/content/1974_tornado.htm |publisher=Ohiohistory.org |access-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927202926/http://www.ohiohistory.org/etcetera/exhibits/swio/pages/content/1974_tornado.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }}</ref>  Central State University also sustained considerable damage, and a water tower there was toppled. Afterwards, the tornado weakened before dissipating in [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark County]] near [[South Vienna]], traveling a little over {{convert|30|mi|km}}.

A total of 32 people lost their lives in the tornado, and about 1,150 were injured in Xenia, several of whom took proper shelter. In addition to the direct fatalities, two [[Ohio Air National Guard]]smen deployed for disaster assistance were killed on April 17 when a fire swept through their temporary barracks in a furniture store. The memorial in downtown Xenia lists 34 deaths, in honor of the two Guardsmen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=53867 |title=April 3, 1974 Xenia Tornado Memorial Marker |publisher=Hmdb.org |access-date=April 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230027/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=53867 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name= Xenia&Cincinnati>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QANPLARGXFMC&q=1974+xenia+cincinnati+tornado&pg=PA283|title=Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio|first1=Thomas W.|last1=Schmidlin|first2=Jeanne Appelhans|last2=Schmidlin|pages=283–288|date=August 9, 1996|publisher=Kent State University Press|via=Google Books|access-date=March 14, 2019|isbn=9780873385497|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042733/https://books.google.com/books?id=QANPLARGXFMC&q=1974+xenia+cincinnati+tornado&pg=PA283#v=snippet&q=1974%20xenia%20cincinnati%20tornado&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> About 1,400 buildings (roughly half of the town) were heavily damaged or destroyed. Damage was estimated at US$100 million ($471.7 million in 2013 dollars).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ |title=Inflation Calculator &#124; Find US Dollar's Value from 1913 to 2015 |publisher=Usinflationcalculator.com |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=October 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028120632/http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Ted Fujita|Dr. Ted Fujita]] and a team of colleagues undertook a 10-month study of the 1974 Super Outbreak. Fujita initially assigned the Xenia tornado a preliminary rating of F6 intensity ± 1 scale,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.weather.gov/media/ohx/PDF/fujita_april31974.pdf|last = Fujita|first = T. Theodore|title = Jumbo Tornado Outbreak of 3 April 1974|year = 1974|access-date = September 4, 2020|archive-date = October 1, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201001234232/https://www.weather.gov/media/ohx/PDF/fujita_april31974.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref> before deeming F6 ratings "inconceivable".
{{clear}}

===Monticello tornado family===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = The Monticello tornado family
| image = 1974 Super Outbreak Fujita color map Monticello crop.jpg
| caption = A portion of Fujita's track analysis focused on the northern portion of the outbreak. The Monticello family consists of tornadoes labeled 7 to 14
| duration = 2:47&nbsp;p.m. – 6:59&nbsp;p.m. April 3 ([[UTC−05:00]])<br>4 hours, 12 minutes
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado family
| tornadoes = 8 confirmed, 2 suspected
| fujita-scale = F4
| winds = 
| largest hail = 
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 20 fatalities, 379 injuries
| damage = 
| affected = [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]]
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
{{Tornado Chart
|Total = 8
|F0 = 1
|F1 = 2
|F2 = 1
|F3 = 3
|F4 = 1
|F5 = 0
|Enhanced=no
}}
The most prolific and longest-lasting tornado family of the outbreak tracked from central Illinois and the entirety of northern Indiana from 2:47&nbsp;p.m. – 6:59&nbsp;p.m. (UTC−05:00), a span of 4 hours and 12 minutes. Eight tornadoes touched down, including the longest-tracked single tornado of the outbreak: the {{convert|121|mi|km|abbr=on}} F4 Monticello tornado.<ref name="AbbeyFujita"/> However, that tornado may itself have been composed of three individual F4 tornadoes.<ref name="Grazulis"/>
{{clear}}

====Otterbein–Monticello–Wolcottville, Indiana====
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Monticello, Indiana
| formed = April&nbsp;3, 4:47&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
| duration = 2 hours
| dissipated = April&nbsp;3, 6:47&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
 | image                = Monticello church damages 1974 Super Outbreak.jpg
 | caption              = A view of the destroyed Presbyterian Church in Monticello.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F4
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 18 fatalities, 362 injuries
| damages = $250 million
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
This half-mile (0.8&nbsp;km) wide F4 tornado developed (as part of a tornado family that moved from Illinois to Michigan for 260 miles) during the late afternoon hours. This tornado produced the longest damage path recorded during the 1974 Super Outbreak, on a southwest to northeast path that nearly crossed the entire state of Indiana. According to most records (including the presented map of north Indiana), this tornado formed just southwest of [[Otterbein, Indiana|Otterbein]] in northeast [[Warren County, Indiana|Warren County]] in west central Indiana, and ended in [[LaGrange County]] just northwest of [[Valentine, Indiana|Valentine]] – a total distance of about {{convert|121|mi|km}}. Further analysis by Ted Fujita indicated that at the start of the tornado path near Otterbein, downburst winds (also called "twisting downburst") disrupted the tornado's inflow which caused it to briefly dissipate before redeveloping near [[Brookston, Indiana|Brookston]] in White County at around 4:50&nbsp;pm EDT and then traveled for {{convert|109|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|author = NWS Northern Indiana|title = The Monticello Tornado|publisher = NOAA|url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/?n=superoutbreak|access-date = March 16, 2009|archive-date = May 9, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090509080831/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/?n=superoutbreak|url-status = live}}</ref> It also struck portions of six other counties, with the hardest hit being [[White County, Indiana|White County]] and its town of [[Monticello, Indiana|Monticello]]. Much of the town was destroyed including the courthouse, some churches and cemeteries, 40 businesses and numerous homes as well as three schools. It also heavily damaged the [[Penn Central]] bridge over the [[Tippecanoe River]]. Overall damage according to the [[NOAA]] was estimated at US$250 million with US$100 million damage in Monticello alone.<ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name="crh.noaa.gov">{{cite web |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/?n=superoutbreak |title=Northern Indiana |publisher=Crh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011737/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/?n=superoutbreak |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the tornado struck Monticello, the tornado reached peak strength and completely leveled several farms northwest of town. The tornado then went on to tear through the west side of [[Rochester, Indiana|Rochester]], where businesses were destroyed and homes were completely leveled and swept away. Riddle Elementary School was badly damaged as well. The tornado then struck [[Talma, Indiana|Talma]], destroying most of the town, including a fastening plant and the schoolhouse. The tornado continued northeast and struck the south sides of [[Atwood, Indiana|Atwood]] and [[Leesburg, Indiana|Leesburg]], with additional severe damage occurring at both locations. The tornado then crossed Dewart Lake and Lake Wawasee, destroying multiple lakeside homes and trailers. The Wawasee Airport was hard hit, where hangars were destroyed and planes were thrown and demolished. The tornado destroyed several buildings as it passed between [[Ligonier, Indiana|Ligonier]] and [[Topeka, Indiana|Topeka]], including Perry School and a [[Monsanto]] plant. Train cars near the plant were blown off the tracks and thrown into the building. The tornado then finally dissipated near Oliver Lake airfield.<ref name="crh.noaa.gov"/>

A total of 18 people were killed during the storm including five people from [[Fort Wayne]] when their [[mini-bus]] fell {{convert|50|ft|m}} into the [[Tippecanoe River]] near Monticello. One passenger did survive the fall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Anonymous|title=Monticello, Indiana April 3, 1974: Fort Wayne Girl Survives Van's Plunge|publisher=The Monticello Herald Journal|url=http://www.april31974.com/monticelloin_page2.htm#Business%20District%20Sustained%20Major%20Damage|access-date=October 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018173858/http://www.april31974.com/monticelloin_page2.htm#Business%20District%20Sustained%20Major%20Damage|archive-date=October 18, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Five others were killed in White County, six in [[Fulton County, Indiana|Fulton County]] and one in [[Kosciusko County]].<ref name="www4.ncdc.noaa.gov">{{cite web|title=Storm Events|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms|access-date=October 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505093502/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms|archive-date=May 5, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] had assisted the residents in the relief and cleanup efforts and then-Governor [[Otis Bowen]] visited the area days after the storm. One of the few consolations from the tornado was that a century-old bronze bell that belonged to the White County Courthouse and served as timekeeper was found intact despite being thrown a great distance.<ref>{{cite web|author=Anonymous|title=Monticello, Indiana April 3, 1974: 122-year-old Bell Survives|publisher=The Monticello Herald Journal|url=http://www.april31974.com/monticelloin_page3.htm#122-year-old%20Bell%20Survives|access-date=October 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105110808/http://www.april31974.com/monticelloin_page3.htm#122-year-old%20Bell%20Survives|archive-date=November 5, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tornado itself had contradicted a long-time myth that a tornado would "not follow terrain into steep valleys"  as while hitting Monticello, it descended a {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} hill near the [[Tippecanoe River]] and heavily damaged several homes immediately afterwards.<ref name="publicaffairs.noaa.gov"/>
{{clear}}

===Hanover/Madison, Indiana===
{{Infobox weather event
 | name                 = Hanover/Madison, Indiana
| formed =               April&nbsp; 3, 3:19 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration =             41 minutes 
| dissipated =           April&nbsp; 3, 4:00 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]]) 
 | image                = Madison_1974.jpg
 | caption              = The tornado approaching the city of Madison.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F4
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 11 fatalities, 300 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
Soon after the Depauw tornado lifted, the Hanover/Madison F4 tornado formed near [[Henryville]] and traveled through [[Jefferson County, Indiana|Jefferson County]] and leveled many structures in the small towns of [[Hanover, Indiana|Hanover]] and [[Madison, Indiana|Madison]]. A total of 11 people were killed in this storm while an additional 300 were injured. According to a [[WHAS-TV]] Louisville reporter in a special report about the outbreak, 90% of Hanover was destroyed or severely damaged, including the [[Hanover College]] campus. Despite the fact that no one was killed or seriously injured at the college, 32 of the college's 33 buildings were damaged, including two that were completely destroyed and six that sustained major structural damage. Hundreds of trees were down, completely blocking every campus road. All utilities were knocked out and communication with those off campus was nearly impossible. Damage to the campus alone was estimated at US$10 million. In Madison alone, where seven of the fatalities took place, about 300 homes were destroyed. The tornado also brushed the community of [[China, Indiana|China]] causing additional fatalities.<ref name=Grazulis /><ref name = "NWSLouisville"/><ref name="LMKTorlist" />

The same storm would later strike the [[Cincinnati]] area, producing multiple tornadoes, including another F5 tornado.
{{clear}}

===Brandenburg, Kentucky===
{{Infobox weather event
 | name                 = Brandenburg, Kentucky
| formed = April&nbsp;3, 3:25&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]]) 
| duration = 52 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp;3, 4:17&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
 | image                = SlabbedHouseInBrandenburg.JPG
 | caption              = Remains of a house that was completely swept away in Brandenburg, with heavily debarked trees and shrubbery in the foreground.}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 31 fatalities, 257 injuries
| damages = $2.5 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Kentucky Event Report: F5 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10032288 |website=NOAA |publisher=Storm Events Database |access-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108160839/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10032288 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
The Brandenburg tornado, which produced F5 damage and took 31 lives, touched down in [[Breckinridge County]] around 3:25&nbsp;pm CDT and followed a {{convert|32|mi|km|adj=on}} path.<ref name="Grazulis" /> The tornado first moved across the north edge of [[Hardinsburg, Kentucky|Hardinsburg]], inflicting F3 damage to homes at that location. The tornado quickly became violent as it moved into [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade County]], producing F4 damage as it passed north of [[Irvington, Kentucky|Irvington]], sweeping away numerous homes in this rural area. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards from residences and mangled, and a few were completely wrapped around trees. One home that was swept away sustained total collapse of a poured concrete walk-out basement wall.<ref name="Don Macy Photos of April 3, 1974">{{cite web|url=http://www.april31974.com/don_macy_photos_of_april_3_1974.htm |title=Don Macy Photos of April 3, 1974 |publisher=April31974.com |date=April 3, 1974 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522061627/http://www.april31974.com/don_macy_photos_of_april_3_1974.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}</ref> A news photographer reported that the tornado "left no grass" as it crossed [[KY 79]] in this area, and canceled checks from near Irvington were later found in Ohio.<ref name="Don Macy Photos of April 3, 1974"/> Past Irvington, the tornado tore directly through Brandenburg at F5 intensity, completely leveling and sweeping away numerous homes, some of which were well-built and anchor-bolted.<ref name="Grazulis" /> The town's downtown area was also devastated with 18 of the fatalities occurring along Green Street alone.<ref>{{cite web | author = Anonymous | title = Our Meade County Heritage : Forward and Dedication | publisher = The Meade County Messenger | url = http://www.april31974.com/our_meade_county_heritage.htm | access-date = October 30, 2006 | archive-date = October 18, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061018173726/http://www.april31974.com/our_meade_county_heritage.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> Trees and shrubbery in town were debarked and stripped, extensive wind-rowing of debris occurred, and numerous vehicles were destroyed as well, some of which had nothing left but the frame and tires. A curtain rod was found speared deeply into the trunk of one tree in town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov/lmk/?n=april31974 |title=April 3, 1974 |publisher=weather.gov |access-date=April 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929024115/http://www.weather.gov/lmk/?n=april31974 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several [[tombstones]] in the Cap Anderson [[cemetery]] were toppled and broken, and some were displaced a small distance. Exiting Brandenburg, the tornado crossed into [[Indiana]] producing F4 damage there before dissipating.<ref name="Grazulis" /><ref name="LMKTorlist" /> The same storm would later produce tornadoes in the [[Louisville]] metro area.<ref name="Grazulis" />

When the tornado struck on April 3, 1974, many of the Brandenburg residents at that time had also experienced a major [[Ohio River flood of 1937|flood]] of the [[Ohio River]] that affected the area in 1937 as well as numerous other communities along the river, including Louisville and [[Paducah]]. The Brandenburg tornado is the only tornado to have officially produced documented F5/EF5 damage in the state of Kentucky, with the [[1971 Gosser Ridge, Kentucky tornado]] being rated F5 by the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] and the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]], before being downgraded to F4 after 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Violent Tornadoes in Kentucky |url=https://www.weather.gov/lmk/violent_tornadoes_kentucky |website=National Weather Service, Louisville |access-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507161534/https://www.weather.gov/lmk/violent_tornadoes_kentucky |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Cincinnati/Sayler Park, Ohio===
{{Infobox weather event
 | name                 = Cincinnati/Sayler Park, Ohio
| formed = April&nbsp;3, 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]]) 
| duration = 23 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp;3, 4:53&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
 | image                = Sayler Park - Bridgeport tornado.jpg
 | caption              = The Cincinnati/Sayler Park tornado; photo taken near Bridgetown. 
 }}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 3 fatalities, 219 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
The Sayler Park tornado was among a series of tornadoes that earlier struck portions of southern Indiana from north of [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], into southwest Ohio. This tornado was witnessed on television by thousands of people, as [[WCPO]] aired the tornado live during special news coverage of the tornadoes. It was also noted for the rarity in that its path was in parts of three states.<ref name= Xenia&Cincinnati/><ref name="Horstmeyer">{{cite web|url=http://www.fox19.com/story/21875633/tri-state-remembers-sayler-park-tornado-of-1974|title=Tri-State remembers Sayler Park Tornado of 1974|first=Steve|last=Horstmeyer|website=fox19.com|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407005344/http://www.fox19.com/story/21875633/tri-state-remembers-sayler-park-tornado-of-1974/|url-status=live}}</ref> It began shortly before 4:30&nbsp;pm CDT or 5:30&nbsp;pm EDT in southeastern Indiana in [[Ohio County, Indiana|Ohio County]] north of [[Rising Sun, Indiana|Rising Sun]] near the [[Ohio River]]. It then traveled through [[Boone County, Kentucky]], producing F4 damage in the [[Taylorsport, Kentucky|Taylorsport]] area before crossing the Ohio River a second time into [[Ohio]]. Here, the tornado reached F5 intensity as it slammed into [[Sayler Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9x4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66|title=It's Not the Heat, It's The...|work=Cincinnati Magazine|date=December 1995|author=Horstmeyer, Steve|page=66|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042624/https://books.google.com/books?id=9x4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The first area of town hit was the Morehead Marina, where numerous boats were thrown and destroyed. A large floating restaurant barge at this location was lifted, ripped from its moorings, and flipped by the tornado. It was later recovered several miles downstream. A nearby house was lifted from its foundation and thrown into the river.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.april31974.com/tornado_photos_from_sayler_park.htm |title=Tornado_Photos_from_Sayler_Park |publisher=April31974.com |date=April 3, 1974 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320145111/http://www.april31974.com/tornado_photos_from_sayler_park.htm |archive-date=March 20, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Tornado Outbreak April 3–4, 1974">{{cite web|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/events/19740403/CVG_Summary.pdf|title=Tornado Outbreak April 3–4, 1974|date=April 19, 1974|website=NWS Wilmington|publisher=NOAA|access-date=April 9, 2013|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132108/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/events/19740403/CVG_Summary.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> At a further inland area of Sayler Park, the tornado maintained F5 intensity as numerous homes were swept away at a hilly area near a lake, with only bare slabs remaining. NWS surveyors noted that a pickup truck in this area was carried a half block over the roofs of five homes before being smashed to the ground.<ref name="Tornado Outbreak April 3–4, 1974"/> The tornado weakened somewhat as it continued northeastward, passing through multiple Cincinnati neighborhoods and destroying numerous homes. Some of the worst affected areas were [[Bridgetown, Ohio|Bridgetown]], [[Mack, Ohio|Mack]], [[Dent, Ohio|Dent]] and [[Delhi Township, Ohio|Delhi]]. Damage in Delhi was rated as high as F4.<ref>{{cite web|author=Horstmeyer, Steve|title=Sayler Park Tornado|date=April 3, 1974|url=http://www.shorstmeyer.com/tornadoes/1974.html|access-date=October 30, 2006|archive-date=October 22, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022214039/http://www.shorstmeyer.com/tornadoes/1974.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The tornado took three lives and injured 210 with 190 of the injuries were in [[Hamilton County, Ohio]] alone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indiana-Kentucky-Ohio F5 |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19740403.18.14 |website=Tornado History Projects |publisher=Storm Prediction Center |access-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704161649/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19740403.18.14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was considered the most-photographed tornado of the outbreak.<ref name="Horstmeyer"/><ref name="Grazulis"/>

This tornado dissipated west of [[White Oak, Ohio|White Oak]], but the same thunderstorm activity was responsible for two other tornado touchdowns in the [[Lebanon, Ohio|Lebanon]] and [[Mason, Ohio|Mason]] areas. The Mason tornado, which started in the northern Cincinnati subdivisions of [[Arlington Heights, Ohio|Arlington Heights]] and [[Elmwood Place]], was rated F4 and took two lives, while the [[Warren County, Ohio|Warren County]] tornado was rated an F2 and injured 10.<ref name="Grazulis"/><ref name= Xenia&Cincinnati/>
{{Clear}}

===Louisville, Kentucky===
{{Infobox weather event
 | name                 = Louisville, Kentucky
 | image                = LousivilleApril74.jpg
 | caption              = Major damage in the Northfield neighborhood of Louisville, including a vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 4:37 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 20 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp; 3, 4:57 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F4
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 3 fatalities, 207 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
About an hour after the Brandenburg tornado, the same supercell spawned an F4 tornado that formed in the southwest part of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] near [[Kosmosdale]]. Another [[funnel cloud]] formed over [[Louisville International Airport|Standiford Field Airport]], touched down at [[Kentucky Exposition Center|The Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center]], and destroyed the majority of the horse barns at the center and part of [[Freedom Hall]] (a multipurpose [[arena]]) before it crossed [[Interstate 65 in Kentucky|I-65]], scattering several vehicles on that busy expressway. The tornado continued its {{convert|22|mi|km|adj=on}} journey northeast where it demolished most of [[Audubon Traditional Elementary School (Kentucky)|Audubon Elementary School]] and affected the neighborhoods of [[Audubon, Louisville|Audubon]], [[Cherokee Triangle]], [[Cherokee-Seneca]], [[Crescent Hill, Louisville|Crescent Hill]], [[Indian Hills, Kentucky|Indian Hills]], [[Northfield, Kentucky|Northfield]], [[Rolling Fields]], and [[Tyler Park, Louisville|Tyler Park]]. Numerous homes were destroyed in residential areas, including a few that were leveled. The tornado ended near the junction of Interstates [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|264]] and [[Interstate 71|71]] after killing three people, injuring 207 people, destroying over 900 homes, and damaging thousands of others. [[Cherokee Park]], a historic {{convert|409|acre|km2|adj=on}} municipal [[park]] located at Eastern Parkway and Cherokee Road, had thousands of mature trees destroyed. A massive re-planting effort was undertaken by the community in the aftermath of the tornado.<ref name="Grazulis"/>

Dick Gilbert, a helicopter traffic reporter for radio station [[WHAS-AM]], followed the tornado through portions of its track including when it heavily damaged the Louisville Water Company's [[Crescent Hill, Louisville|Crescent Hill]] pumping station, and gave vivid descriptions of the damage as seen from the air.<ref name="U.S. Information Agency">{{cite web | author = U.S. Information Agency | title = Day of the Killer Tornadoes | publisher = National Archives and Records Administration | url =  https://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.54353 | year = 1978 }}</ref>  A [[WHAS-TV]] cameraman also filmed the tornado when it passed just east of the [[Downtown Louisville|Central Business District]] of Louisville.<ref name="U.S. Information Agency"/>

WHAS-AM broke away from its regular programming shortly before the tornado struck Louisville and was on-air live with John Burke, the chief meteorologist at the [[National Weather Service]]'s Louisville office at Standiford Field when the tornado first descended. The station remained on the air delivering weather bulletins and storm-related information until well into the early morning hours of April 4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=april31974 |title=Louisville, KY |publisher=Crh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217194726/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=april31974 |url-status=live }}</ref> As electrical power had been knocked out to a substantial portion of the city, the radio station became a clearinghouse for vital information and contact with emergency workers, not only in Louisville but across the state of Kentucky due to its 50,000-watt clear-channel signal and the fact that storms had knocked numerous broadcasting stations in smaller communities, such as [[Frankfort, Kentucky|Frankfort]], off the air. Then-Governor [[Wendell Ford]] commended the station's personnel for their service to the community in the time of crisis, and Dick Gilbert later received a special commendation from then-President [[Richard Nixon]] for his tracking of the tornado from his helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gilbertfoundation.org/ |title=Our History |publisher=The Gilbert Foundation |access-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018230626/http://www.gilbertfoundation.org/ |archive-date=October 18, 2015 }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Tanner, Alabama (1st tornado)===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Tanner, Alabama (1st tornado)
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 6:15 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 73 minutes
| dissipated = April&nbsp; 3, 7:28 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image = Harvest450.jpg
| caption = A bathtub deeply embedded into the ground in Harvest, Alabama.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 28 fatalities, 267 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}

As the cluster of thunderstorms was crossing much of the Ohio Valley and northern Indiana, additional strong storms developed much further south just east of the Mississippi River into the Tennessee Valley and Mississippi. It produced the first deadly tornadoes in Alabama during the early evening hours. Most of the small town of [[Tanner, Alabama|Tanner]], located to the west of [[Huntsville]] and south of the [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone County]] seat of [[Athens, Alabama|Athens]], was destroyed when two F5 tornadoes struck the community 30 minutes apart.

The first tornado formed at 6:30&nbsp;pm CDT in [[Lawrence County, Alabama]] and ended 73 minutes later in [[Madison County, Alabama]], killing 28 people. The tornado first touched down near the small community of [[Mount Hope, Lawrence County, Alabama|Mt. Hope]],<ref name="Srh.noaa.gov">{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=toryear1974 |title=NWS Huntsville 1974 Tornadoes |publisher=Srh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035847/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=toryear1974}}</ref> and then tracked into Mt. Moriah, where the tornado rapidly intensified and swept away homes and hurled fleeing vehicles, and where a family of six were killed. Further along the track, many homes were swept away near [[Moulton, Alabama|Moulton]]. A water pump was completely lifted out of a wellhouse along [[Alabama State Route 157|SR 157]] in this area.<ref name=FlorenceTanner>{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Dwight|title=The Sky Turned a Funny Orange|newspaper=Florence Times|date=April 4, 1974|location=[[Florence, Alabama]]|page=1}}</ref> In one case, the destruction was so complete that a witness reported that the largest recognizable objects among scattered debris from an obliterated house were some bed-springs.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19740403&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Times Daily pg 66 – Google News Archive Search] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018215826/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19740403&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |date=October 18, 2015 }}; accessed October 26, 2015.</ref> The tornado crossed into Morgan County, causing additional destruction in rural areas near [[Hillsboro, Alabama|Hillsboro]] and [[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/hun/stormsurveys/1974-04-03/reports_documents/A%20Night%20To%20Remember.pdf |title=Roving Reporter |author=R. L. Shirley |publisher=Srh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122859/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/hun/stormsurveys/1974-04-03/reports_documents/A%20Night%20To%20Remember.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Crossing the [[Tennessee River]] into Limestone County as a large [[waterspout]], the tornado flattened a ¾-mile–wide swath of trees on the opposite bank. Ground scouring occurred in this area, as reddish soil was dug up and plastered against trees.<ref name="Srh.noaa.gov"/> The storm then slammed into Tanner, where many homes were swept away, vehicles were tossed, shrubbery was debarked, and Lawson's Trailer Park sustained major damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=limestoneal_grounddam_1974aniv|title=Limestone County Damage Pictures on the Ground|date=March 29, 2014|website=NWS Huntsville, AL|publisher=NOAA|access-date=March 30, 2014|archive-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330221206/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=limestoneal_grounddam_1974aniv|url-status=live}}</ref> The tornado then continued into Madison County and struck the [[Capshaw, Alabama|Capshaw]] and [[Harvest, Alabama|Harvest]] areas.<ref name="Grazulis"/> Numerous homes in Harvest and surrounding rural areas of the county were swept completely away and scattered, and extensive wind-rowing of debris was noted. A bathtub from one residence was found deeply embedded into the ground. Past Harvest, the tornado abruptly dissipated northeast of town, having a peak width of 500 yards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=madisonal_grounddam_1974_aniv|title=Madison County Damage Pictures on the Ground|date=March 29, 2014|website=NWS Huntsville, AL|publisher=NOAA|access-date=March 30, 2014|archive-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330221748/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=madisonal_grounddam_1974_aniv|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=aer_zoom_nw|title=Never Before Seen Aerial Pictures of Tornado Damage Taken by Madison County, AL|date=March 29, 2014|website=NWS Huntsville, AL|publisher=NOAA|access-date=March 30, 2014|archive-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330220312/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=aer_zoom_nw|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Jasper/Cullman, Alabama===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Jasper/Cullman, Alabama
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 6:35 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 105 minutes 
| dissipated = April 3, 8:20 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image = Jasper1974.PNG
| caption = Heavy damage to buildings in downtown Jasper.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F4
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 3 fatalities, 178 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
While tornadoes were causing devastation in the northwesternmost corner of the state, another supercell crossing the Mississippi-Alabama state line produced another violent tornado that touched down in [[Pickens County, Alabama|Pickens County]] before heading northeast for nearly 2 hours towards the [[Jasper, Alabama|Jasper]] area causing major damage to its downtown as the F4 storm struck. Damage was reported in [[Cullman, Alabama|Cullman]] from the storm before it lifted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/alabama.html|title=NOAA and the 1974 Tornado Outbreak – Alabama|publisher=Publicaffairs.noaa.gov|access-date=April 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407184815/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/alabama.html|archive-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

The Jasper tornado first touched near [[Aliceville]], producing scattered damage as it tracked northeastward. The damage became more intense and continuous as the tornado entered [[Tuscaloosa County]]. The tornado continued to strengthen south of [[Berry, Alabama|Berry]], and two people were killed near the [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker County]] line when a church was destroyed. The tornado tore directly through downtown Jasper at 6:57 PM, resulting in severe damage and at least 100 injuries. Numerous buildings and storefronts were heavily damaged in downtown Jasper, and many streets were blocked with trees and power lines.<ref name="A Night to Remember">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/hun/media/1974/April%203,%201974%20%20A%20Night%20to%20Remember.pdf|title=A Night to Remember|last1=Jordan|first1=Charles|date=March 29, 2014|website=NWS Huntsville, AL|publisher=NOAA|access-date=October 21, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185947/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/hun/media/1974/April%203%2C%201974%20%20A%20Night%20to%20Remember.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> The Walker County courthouse sustained major damage, and a new fire station was completely leveled. The fireman on duty at the time took shelter in a nearby large culvert, and survived without injury. The Walker County Library and the Jasper First Methodist Church were also damaged.<ref name="A Night to Remember"/> The tornado crossed Lewis Smith Lake and moved across the south side of Cullman at 7:40 pm. Multiple homes and shopping centers were damaged or destroyed in the area, resulting in one death and 36 injuries. The tornado finally dissipated northeast of Cullman a short time later.<ref name="srh.noaa.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=toryear1974|title=NWS Huntsville 1974 Tornadoes|publisher=Srh.noaa.gov|access-date=April 18, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035847/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=toryear1974|url-status=live}}</ref>

In total, the storm took three lives, but injured one hundred and fifty residents of Jasper or Cullman. Five hundred buildings were destroyed, with nearly four hundred other buildings severely damaged. At the same time, a third supercell was crossing the state line near the track of the previous two.<ref name="srh.noaa.gov"/>
{{Clear}}

===Tanner, Alabama (2nd tornado)===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Tanner, Alabama (2nd tornado)
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 7:35 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 90 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp; 3, 9:05 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]) ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image = Hazelgreen2.png
| caption = Homes swept away and scattered across fields near Hazel Green, Alabama, as a result of the second F5 tornado to impact the area.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 16 fatalities, 190 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
While rescue efforts were underway to look for people under the destroyed structures, few were aware that another violent tornado would strike the area. The path of the second tornado, which formed at 7:35&nbsp;pm CDT was 83 miles in length, also had a peak width of 500 yards, and the storm formed along the north bank Tennessee River less than a mile from the path of the earlier storm; with much of its path very closely paralleling its predecessor as it tore through Limestone and Madison Counties. 16 people were killed by this second tornado. Tanner was the first community to be hit, and many structures that were left standing after the first tornado were destroyed in the second one. A man injured at Lawson's Trailer Park in the first tornado was taken to a church in the area, which collapsed in the second tornado, killing him.<ref name="Grazulis"/>

After devastating what was left of Tanner, the tornado continued across rural Limestone County and into Madison County, where the communities of [[Capshaw, Alabama|Capshaw]] and [[Harvest, Alabama|Harvest]] were devastated once again.<ref name="Srh.noaa.gov"/><ref>{{cite web|author=NWS Birmingham|title=The April 3rd and 4th 1974 Tornado Outbreak in Alabama|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1974/april_1974_superoutbreak/index.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623173514/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1974/april_1974_superoutbreak/index.php|archive-date=June 23, 2008|date=March 22, 2006}}</ref> Numerous homes throughout Madison County were swept completely away, with extensive wind-rowing of debris noted once again. Past Harvest, the tornado swept away multiple additional homes in the [[Hazel Green, Alabama|Hazel Green]] area.<ref name="NOAA"/> The tornado continued northeastward through rural portions of Madison County before crossing into Tennessee, where major damage and 6 deaths occurred in Franklin and Lincoln Counties before the tornado dissipated in Coffee County. Two of the fatalities in Tennessee occurred when a church was destroyed during service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=f5 |title=NWS Huntsville F5 or EF5 Tornadoes |publisher=Srh.noaa.gov |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024819/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=f5 |url-status=live }}</ref> The death toll from the two tornadoes was over 45 and over 400 were injured. Most of the fatalities occurred in and around the Tanner area. Over 1,000 houses, 200 [[mobile home]]s and numerous other outbuildings, automobiles, power lines and trees were completely demolished or heavily damaged. The most recent official [[National Weather Service]] records show that both<ref name=BMX1>{{cite web|title=Alabama Tornado Database—Year 1974 Tornadoes|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=tornadodb_1974|work=Alabama Tornado Database|publisher=National Weather Service|access-date=January 17, 2013|location=Birmingham, Alabama|year=2012|archive-date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731130417/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=tornadodb_1974|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emforum.org/vlibrary/lc010321.htm|title=3/21/01 EIIP Virtual Forum Transcript: The Lawrence County Supercell, the Forgotten F5|publisher=Emforum.org|access-date=June 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927055027/http://emforum.org/vlibrary/lc010321.htm|archive-date=September 27, 2010}}</ref> of the Tanner tornadoes were rated F5.<ref name="www4.ncdc.noaa.gov"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Storm Prediction Center|title=F5 Tornadoes of the United States: 1950–present|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f5torns.html|access-date=October 30, 2006|archive-date=September 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930144117/http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f5torns.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the rating of the second Tanner tornado is still disputed by some scientists; analysis in one publication estimates F3-F4 damage along the entirety of the second storm's path.<ref name="Grazulis"/> This was the second state to have been hit by more than two F5 tornadoes during the 1974 Super Outbreak. 
{{clear}}

===Guin, Alabama===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Guin, Alabama
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 8:50 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 100 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp; 3, 10:30 p.m. [[Central Daylight time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image =
| caption = Remains of the Guin Mobile Home Plant, which was completely flattened.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F5
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 28 fatalities, 272 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
The fast-moving nighttime tornado that devastated the town of [[Guin]], was the longest-duration F5 tornado recorded in the outbreak, and considered to be one of the most violent ever recorded. The Guin Tornado traveled over {{convert|79.5|mi|km}}, from the town of [[Vernon, Alabama]], to just south of the small town of [[Basham, Alabama|Basham]], before lifting just after 10:30&nbsp;pm CDT.<ref name="Grazulis"/> It formed at around 8:50&nbsp;pm CDT near the Mississippi-Alabama border, north of the town of [[Vernon, Alabama|Vernon]], striking the Monterey Trailer Park, resulting in major damage at that location.<ref name="A Night to Remember"/> The tornado then became extremely violent as it approached and entered Guin, with multiple areas of F5 damage noted in and around town.<ref name="Grazulis"/> The tornado first struck the Guin Mobile Home Plant as it entered the town, completely obliterating the structure. Nothing was left of the plant but a pile of mangled steel beams, and its foundation was partially pushed clean of debris. The town's downtown area was also heavily damaged, with many brick businesses and two churches completely destroyed.<ref name="A Night to Remember"/> Trees in town were debarked, ground scouring occurred, and vehicles were thrown and mangled as well. Residential areas in Guin suffered total devastation, with many homes swept completely away and scattered across fields.<ref name=Grazulis/><ref>{{cite news|title=Scene looks like work of monster|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NxkfAAAAIBAJ&dq=guin&pg=5698%2C658032|access-date=September 15, 2013|newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News|date=April 5, 1974|location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222023634/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NxkfAAAAIBAJ&dq=guin&pg=5698,658032|url-status=live}}</ref> According to NWS damage surveyor Bill Herman, the damage in one 6-block area was particularly extreme, and remarked that "It was just like the ground had been swept clean. It was just as much of a total wipeout as you can have."<ref>{{cite news|title=Few signs remain of tornado's fury|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8UoeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3385,327355&dq=bill+herman+guin+tornado&hl=en|newspaper=The Times Daily|date=April 3, 1994|location=Unknown|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126211844/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8UoeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3385,327355&dq=bill+herman+guin+tornado&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Surveyor J.B. Elliot noted that the destruction was so complete, that even some of the foundations were "dislodged, and in some cases swept away." A total of 23 people were killed in Guin.<ref name="A Night to Remember"/><ref>{{cite AV media|people=Elliott, J.B.|date=October 13, 2006|title=April 3–4 Superoutbreak of tornadoes|medium=motion picture|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJoMcJUc6yg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/CJoMcJUc6yg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=January 4, 2013|publisher=ABC33/40|location=Alabama}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The tornado continued past Guin and struck the small community of [[Twin, Alabama|Twin]], destroying numerous homes, mobile homes, and businesses at that location, though the damage was less intense than that observed in Guin. Crossing into [[Winston County, Alabama|Winston County]], the tornado struck the small community of [[Delmar, Alabama|Delmar]], destroying additional homes and killing 5 people. Mobile homes in Delmar were obliterated, with their frames wrapped around trees.<ref name=Grazulis /><ref name="A Night to Remember"/> Past Delmar, the tornado grew up to a mile wide as it tore through the [[William B. Bankhead National Forest]], flattening a huge swath of trees. Surveyors noted that timber damage was equally severe at all elevations in this area, with numerous trees snapped both along exposed ridges and in deep gorges. So many trees were snapped in this area that the tornado path was visible from satellite. The tornado finally dissipated south of [[Basham, Alabama|Basham]] after destroying 546 structures.<ref name=Grazulis/><ref name="A Night to Remember"/> The same supercell then re-strengthened and produced a new tornado just south of the town of [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]. The Guin tornado was originally believed by Fujita to have had a {{convert|132|mi|km}} long path, that went all the way from [[Vernon, Alabama|Vernon]], to the small town of [[Hytop]], just a few miles south of the [[Tennessee]] state line. However, the {{convert|46.5|mi|km}} section of the original path, from [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]] to [[Hytop]], was determined later to be from the F3 tornado listed below.
{{clear}}

===Huntsville, Alabama===
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Redstone Arsenal–Huntsville, Alabama
| formed = April&nbsp; 3, 10:24 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| duration = 51 minutes 
| dissipated = April&nbsp; 3, 11:15 p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC-5:00]])
| image = Huntsville1974.jpg
| caption = Damage at the intersection of Drake Avenue and Memorial Parkway in Huntsville.
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| winds = 
| fujita-scale = F3
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| casualties = 2 fatalities, 7 injuries
}}
{{Infobox weather event/Footer}}
Huntsville was affected shortly before 11:00 pm EDT by a strong F3 tornado produced by the same thunderstorm that produced the Guin tornado. This tornado produced heavy damage in the south end of the city, eventually damaging or destroying nearly 1,000 structures.<ref name="td040403">{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Sherer|publisher=[[TimesDaily]]|location=Florence, AL|page=B1|title=Night of April 3, 1974, marked change in severe weather alerts, preparedness|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g_shAAAAIBAJ&pg=1409,304037&dq=national-weather-service+radio+huntsville&hl=en|date=April 3, 2004|access-date=March 20, 2010|archive-date=July 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728133447/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g_shAAAAIBAJ&pg=1409,304037&dq=national-weather-service+radio+huntsville&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

The tornado touched down north of [[Hartselle]] and moved northeast toward Huntsville. It first hit the [[Redstone Arsenal]], damaging or destroying numerous buildings at that location. But thanks to early warning from an MP picket line on Rideout Road (now [[Alabama State Route 255|Research Park Boulevard (SR 255)]]), there were only seven, relatively minor, injuries. One of the buildings destroyed was a publications center for the Nuclear Weapons Training School on the Arsenal. For months afterwards, portions of classified documents were being returned by farmers in Tennessee and Alabama. Many homes were badly damaged or destroyed as the tornado passed through residential areas of the city, and a school was destroyed as well.<ref name="Grazulis"/> Many businesses were also heavily damaged, and numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout the city. The Glenn'll trailer park was completely destroyed by the tornado, and some sources list a fatality occurring at that location.<ref name="srh.noaa.gov"/> The tornado then reached [[Monte Sano Mountain]], which has an elevation of {{convert|1,640|ft|m}}, where additional homes were torn apart.<ref name="Grazulis"/><ref>{{cite web|title=NOAA and the 1974 Tornado Outbreak|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/alabama.html|access-date=February 4, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130140816/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/storms/alabama.html|archive-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=NWS Birmingham|title=Alabama Tornado Database (1974 tornadoes)|publisher=NOAA|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/1974.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408035758/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/1974.php|archive-date=April 8, 2008|access-date=February 5, 2008}}</ref> The [[National Weather Service]] office at [[Huntsville International Airport|Huntsville Jetplex]] was briefly "closed and abandoned" due to the severe weather conditions. The tornado eventually dissipated near Jacobs Mountain. Remarkable electrical phenomenon was reported as the tornado passed through Huntsville, with reports of luminous clouds, [[ball lightning]], and multi-colored flashes and glowing areas in the sky as the storm moved through the city. These aforementioned flashes were more than likely Power Flashes, which are flashes of light caused by arcing electrical discharges from damaged electrical equipment, most often severed power lines.<ref name="Grazulis"/>
{{clear}}

==Non-tornadic effects==
{{expand section|date=April 2023}}

Severe thunderstorms on April&nbsp;4 brought {{convert|1|to|3|in|cm|abbr=on}} of rain to tornado-stricken areas of northwest Georgia. Flash floods were considered a major risk in the region's mountainous terrain.<ref name="MaconNews_0405">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Macon News|date=April 5, 1974|title=North Georgia Hit Hard By Tornadoes|via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}
*[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123543586/ 1A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042725/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-news/123543586/ |date=January 26, 2024 }}
*[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123543611/ 2A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042626/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-news/123543611/ |date=January 26, 2024 }}</ref>

In [[Alderson, West Virginia]], "tornado-like winds" caused extensive damage to homes and businesses primarily along [[West Virginia Route 3|WV 3]], some of which had their roof torn off. Many trees and power lines were downed leaving more than 7,000 people without electricity.<ref name="BeckleyPostHerald_0405">{{cite news|newspaper=Beckley Post-Herald|date=April 5, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=2 Tornadoes Reported In County|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123490910/|page=17|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042627/https://www.newspapers.com/article/beckley-post-herald/123490910/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
{{expand section|date=April 2023}}
On April&nbsp;5, Georgia Governor [[Jimmy Carter]] declared 13 counties as disaster areas and put in a request to President Nixon for federal aid, citing damage in excess of $15.5&nbsp;million. Service centers were opened at two National Guard Armories, one in [[Dalton, Georgia|Dalton]] and the other in [[Calhoun, Georgia|Calhoun]], as well as a church in [[Dawsonville, Georgia|Dawsonville]].<ref name="MaconTelegraph_0405">{{cite news|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Macon Telegraph|date=April 5, 1974|title=State Damage Near $16 Million; Carter Asks U.S. Disaster Aid|via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}
*[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123530935/ 1A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042745/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph/123530935/ |date=January 26, 2024 }}
*[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123531034/ 2A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042728/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph/123531034/ |date=January 26, 2024 }}</ref> The National Guard provided four-wheel drive vehicles for search and rescue efforts.<ref name="MaconNews_0405"/>

West Virginia Governor Moore declared 14 counties as disaster areas by April&nbsp;5 and requested the assistance of the National Guard.<ref name="RaleighRegister_0405"/> President Nixon approved federal aid for Fayette, Greenbriar, Raleigh, and Wyoming Counties on April&nbsp;11. Total damage from the tornadoes and thunderstorms in the state reached $3,655,000, more than half of which was incurred by Raleigh County.<ref name="CharlestonDailyMail_0411">{{cite news|newspaper=The Charleston Daily Mail|date=April 11, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=4 Counties Due Full Tornado Aid|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123497510/|page=1A|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126042731/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charleston-daily-mail/123497510/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> The West Virginia State Department of Highways provided two water trucks.<ref name="RaleighRegister_0405">{{cite news|newspaper=The Raleigh Register|date=April 5, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Area Residents Begin Clearing Up Tornado Wreckage|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123491682/|page=6|via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> The local Red Cross provided $3,000 to victims in Fayette County and assisted residents with acquiring supplies and dealing with medical bills.<ref name="BeckleyPostHerald_0411">{{cite news|newspaper=Beckley Post-Herald|date=April 11, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Red Cross Completes Tornado Damage List|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123490036/|page=15|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126044138/https://www.newspapers.com/article/beckley-post-herald/123490036/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> Sightseers traveling to look at the damage clogged up roadways.<ref name="RaleighRegister_0405"/> The Federal Disaster Assistance Administration (later FEMA) indicated that trailers refurbished after the [[Buffalo Creek flood|1972 Buffalo Creek flood]] would be used to house displaced persons.<ref name="RaleighRegister_0411">{{cite news|newspaper=The Raleigh Register|date=April 11, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Local Tornado Victims To Get Aid|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123497585/|page=1|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106032847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-raleigh-register/123497585/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref>

On April&nbsp;10, voting on the [[Disaster Relief Act of 1974]] was expedited and passed unanimously in the [[United States Senate]] in direct response to the scale of damage from the tornado outbreak.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Beckley Post-Herald|date=April 10, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Senate Panel Votes Easier Tornado Aid|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123497401/|page=28|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106032847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/beckley-post-herald/123497401/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=GovTrack|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=To Pass S.3062, The Disaster Relief Bill|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/93-1974/s719|archive-date=April 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425064404/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/93-1974/s719|url-status=live}}</ref> The primary purpose of the act was to overhaul how disasters are handled on a federal level and to make acquiring federal aid easier. Notably, it would prompt the creation of a disaster-coordinating agency.<ref>{{cite news|first=Daniel F.|last=West|newspaper=The Charleston Daily Mail|date=April 13, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Relief Bill Refined|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123497637/|page=5A|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106032848/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charleston-daily-mail/123497637/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> President Nixon signed it into [[Law of the United States#Federal law|federal law]] on May&nbsp;22.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Government of the United States|date=May 22, 1974|accessdate=April 24, 2023|title=Public Law 93-288 – May 22, 1974|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg143-2.pdf|archive-date=April 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425064359/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg143-2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
**[[List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
**[[List of Canadian tornadoes and tornado outbreaks]]
*[[List of tornadoes striking downtown areas of large cities]]
*[[List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes]]
*[[Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021]] – One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in Kentucky's history.
*[[2011 Super Outbreak]] – A very similar, but larger and deadlier outbreak that occurred in April 2011.
*[[Tornado outbreak and derecho of April 1–3, 2024]] – A tornado outbreak that affected similar areas almost exactly 50 years later.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{wikisource| Statistics of April 3–4, 1974 Tornadoes|”Statistics of April 3–4, 1974 Tornadoes” by Dr. Fujita}}
* ''Tornado! the 1974 super outbreak'', by Jacqueline A. Ball; consultant, Daniel H. Franck. New York: Bearport Pub., 2005. 32 pages. {{ISBN|1-59716-009-1}} (lib. bdg), {{ISBN|1597160326}} (paperback).
* ''Tornado at Xenia, April 3, 1974'', by Barbara Lynn Riedel; photography by Peter Wayne Kyryl. Cleveland, OH, 1974. 95 pages. No ISBN is available. Library of Congress Control Number: 75314665.
* ''Tornado'', by Polk Laffoon IV. New York: Harper & Row, 1975. 244 pages. {{ISBN|0-06-012489-X}}.
* ''Tornado alley: monster storms of the Great Plains'', by Howard B. Bluestein. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. 180 pages. {{ISBN|0-19-510552-4}} (acid-free paper).
* ''Delivery of mental health services in disasters: the Xenia tornado and some implications'', by [[Verta Taylor|Verta A. Taylor]], with G. Alexander Ross and E. L. Quarantelli. Columbus, OH: Disaster Research Center, Ohio State University, 1976. 328 pages. There is no ISBN available. Library of Congress Control Number: 76380740.
* ''The widespread tornado outbreak of April 3–4, 1974: a report to the Administrator''. Rockville, Md: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1974. 42 pages. There is no ISBN available. Library of Congress Control Number: 75601597.
* ''The tornado'', by John Edward Weems. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1977. 180 pages. {{ISBN|0-385-07178-7}}.
*{{cite book
 | editor-first = William S.
 | editor-last = Butler
 | year = 2004
 | title = Tornado: A look back at Louisville's dark day, April 3, 1974. A 30th Anniversary Publication
 | publisher = Butler Books
 | id =176 pages. 
| isbn = 978-1-884532-58-0
 }}
*{{cite book
 | editor-first = Robert E. |display-editors=et al |others=introduction by John Ed Pearce
 | editor-last = Deitz
 | year = 1974
 | title = April 3, 1974: Tornado!
 | publisher = The Courier-Journal and The Louisville Times
 | id = 128 pages. Library of Congress Catalog Number 74-80806
}}
*{{cite book
 | first1 = Ray J | last1 = Hartsfield | first2=Robin|last2=Garr|first3=Phyllis|last3=Morrisette|first4=Jay|last4=Harris|first5=Dave|last5=Knapp|first6=Tom|last6=Scott|first7=Terry|last7=Cowan|first8=Mary Ann|last8=Woosley|first9=Allen|last9=Hammer
 | year = 1974
 | title = April 3, 1974: The Kentucky Tornadoes
 | publisher = C. F. Boone
 | id = 96 pages
}}
*{{cite book
 | first = Mark
 | last = Levine
 | year = 2007
 | title = F5: Devastation, Survival and the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the Twentieth Century
 | publisher = Hyperion, New York
 | id = 307 pages.
 | isbn = 978-1-4013-5220-2
 | url = https://archive.org/details/f5devastationsur00levi
 }}

==External links==
{{External links|date=October 2015}}
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/Windespread%20Tornado%20Outbreak%20of%20April%201974.pdf Natural Disaster Survey Report: The Widespread Tornado Outbreak of April 3–4, 1974] (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101106074115/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/outbreaks/the-super-outbreak-1974 Full map of The Super Outbreak] (Tornado History Project)
*US National Weather Service (NWS) weather forecast office webpages
** [https://www.weather.gov/ind/april3_1974tor April 3, 1974 Superoutbreak] (NWS Indianapolis, IN)
** [https://www.weather.gov/iwx/19740403_superoutbreak The Monticello Tornado] (NWS Northern Indiana)
** [https://www.weather.gov/iln/19740403 The Super Outbreak of April 3–4, 1974] (NWS Wilmington, OH)
** [https://www.weather.gov/ohx/19740403 April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak] (NWS Nashville, TN)
** [https://www.weather.gov/lmk/april31974 April 3, 1974] (NWS Louisville, KY)
** [https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_04031974 The April 3rd and 4th 1974 Tornado Outbreak in Alabama] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20080408035758/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/1974.php 1974 Alabama tornado table] (NWS Birmingham, AL)
*NOAA-NWS-NCEP [[Storm Prediction Center]] slideshows: [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/74outbreak_slides/index.html The Super Outbreak: Outbreak of the Century] and [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/corfidi/74apr3_slides/index.html The 3–4 April 1974 Super Outbreak: Outbreak of the Century]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120610215522/http://www.april31974.com/ Tornado Super Outbreak April 3, 1974 website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080117205902/http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/sotc/storm2/page1.html The Weather Channel's ''Storm of the Century'' list – #2 The Super Outbreak]
*[[American Meteorological Society]]
** [https://ams.confex.com/ams/11aram22sls/techprogram/paper_82203.htm The Super Outbreak: Outbreak of the Century] (22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms)
** [https://ams.confex.com/ams/11aram22sls/techprogram/paper_81713.htm Potential insurance losses from a major tornado outbreak: the 1974 Super Outbreak example] (22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms)
** [https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/wefo/25/2/2009waf2222297_1.xml Revisiting the 3–4 April 1974 Super Outbreak of Tornadoes] (Weather and Forecasting)
*Coverage from [[WHAS-TV]] and [[WHAS-AM]], Louisville, Kentucky
** [http://lkyradio.com/WHASairchecks.htm#tornado "WHAS Radio Covers the April 3, 1974 Tornado Disaster," excellent-quality recorded coverage of the tornado at LKYRadio.com]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20050417130300/http://www.whas11.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.whas11.com%2Ftornado006.wmv Super Outbreak 30th Anniversary Special]
** April 3, 1974 Live Breaking News Coverage: [https://web.archive.org/web/20050911120544/http://www.whas11.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.whas11.com%2Ftornado007.wmv Part 1], [https://web.archive.org/web/20080625074506/http://www.whas11.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.whas11.com%2Ftornado008.wmv Part 2]{{dead link|date=October 2023}}
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.archives.arc.54353|name=Day of the Killer Tornadoes (1978)}}
* Footage is included in [[iarchive:encounter-with-disaster-1979|''Encounters with Disaster'' (1979)]], directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr.
{{F5 and EF5 tornadoes}}{{10 deadliest Canadian tornadoes}}
{{Alabama tornado events}}
{{1974 tornado outbreaks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1974-04 Super Outbreak}}
[[Category:F5 tornadoes]]
[[Category:Tornado outbreaks]]
[[Category:Tornadoes of 1974|Super Outbreak]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Ontario]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Alabama]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Illinois]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Indiana]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Michigan]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Ohio]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in Virginia]]
[[Category:Tornadoes in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Essex County, Ontario]]
[[Category:History of Cincinnati]]
[[Category:History of Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:History of Windsor, Ontario]]
[[Category:1974 in Canada|Super Outbreak, 04]]
[[Category:1974 in Michigan|Super Outbreak, 04]]
[[Category:1974 natural disasters in the United States|Super Outbreak, 04]]
[[Category:April 1974 events in North America|Super Outbreak]]
[[Category:1970s in Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:1970s in Cincinnati]]