1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado
The tornado outbreak of April 27–29, 1912, was a major tornado outbreak. At least six violent tornadoes touched down throughout Oklahoma, with near constant activity until early the next day. At least 15 cities were affected, 40 people died, and 120 were injured.[1]
Meteorological synopsis
Limited weather data were collected and recorded at that time in Oklahoma. Antedating upper atmospheric measurements, most data collection was of human observations, along with temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction, and rainfall.[1]
A cold front moved south through Oklahoma into Texas on April 26, before stalling in Central Texas, leaving a southwest/northeast stationary front. Early on the 28th, it pushed back northward against a warm front to the east. The warm front was noted to have moved from the southeast on the 27th to the northeast on the 28th; this movement of warm air against the cold front fueled the storms that provided the tornado activity.[1]
Five deaths – This major, long-tracked tornado killed five people and injured 20 others in Texas; four of the deaths were in one family, as their home was swept away. About 30 homes were damaged or destroyed in both states, with $12,000 in losses near Eldorado and $65,000 losses in Texas. The tornado struck 43 farms in its path.[2]
Seven deaths (confirmed) – Nearly all buildings (except two) were leveled in Lugert, where a mother and her daughter died. The tornado transported papers 75 mi (121 km) away. The tornado caused three (possibly five) deaths and killed 100 or more cattle near of Hobart.[3][4]
A tornado destroyed about 50 homes, a school, and 10 barns as it hit Rocky. The tornado began 5 mi (8.0 km) southwest of town and ended 15 mi (24 km) northeast of town.[3][4][5]
Four deaths – Tornado hit Corn (then called Korn until World War I) and the nearby "Korn Valley", where four people died.[3] No other information is available.[4] It is counted by Grazulis as part of the next tornado, below,[3] but more recent research has shown this to have been a separate tornado.[4]
Three deaths (confirmed) – This strong tornado hit the towns of Hinton and Calumet; 26 structures were destroyed in Calumet, where three people died. Four others may have been killed in Hinton. A sign from Hinton was found to have been carried north of Calumet.[3]
A tornado destroyed three homes and obliterated at least five barns. An entire farmsite was swept clean of all buildings. Four people survived the tornado in an orchard, but with injuries.[3]
Two deaths – A tornado destroyed 35 buildings and killed 15 livestock.[5] Two people died near Sayre as the tornado destroyed 11 homes. Five funnel clouds were observed along the path of the storm, and debris from homes was strewn for miles.[3]
Six deaths – This tornado destroyed the town of Foss and the east side of Butler.[3][5][6] The tornado destroyed 32 homes in Butler. Debris from the town was found in Putnam, 15 mi (24 km) to the northeast.[3]
Four deaths – A violent tornado damaged or destroyed about 60 homes in Sentinel, mostly in the western half of the town. No injuries resulted, as the entire population had seen the funnel approaching 15 minutes in advance.[3] Two people died on a farm southwest of Sentinel. The tornado then continued to the northwest edge of Cordell, destroying six more homes, killing two people before turning east and dissipating.[3]
Four deaths – A long-tracked tornado destroyed 30 or more homes in six communities. It destroyed a brick home, killing a man inside. Two people were thrown 500 yd (460 m), as well. Downburst damage occurred in Tatum.[3]
^ abcAll dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency. Cite error: The named reference "Date/Time" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ abcAll damage totals are in 1912 US$ unless otherwise stated. Cite error: The named reference "Damage" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
Grazulis, Thomas (1993), Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events, St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films, ISBN1-879362-03-1
Grazulis, Thomas (2003), The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN978-0-8061-3538-0
