# Tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 1954

On March 24–25, 1954, a small-but-intense tornado outbreak affected portions of the Central and Southern United States, killing two people and injuring 11. The outbreak generated 18 significant (F2 or stronger) tornadoes, including a deadly, violent event, retroactively rated F4, in Texas County, Missouri. Another intense tornado, rated F3, injured two people in a rural part of Barry County, also in Missouri. An F2 tornado in Benton County, Missouri, injured four. In addition, an F1 tornado in Collin County, North Texas—in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex—injured four more. At least four tornadoes also occurred in or near Greater St. Louis, causing locally extensive damage, and a quartet of strong tornadoes hit Oklahoma, with a few more F2s striking Arkansas.

## Outbreak statistics

Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 1954 :
| Date | Total | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | F-scale rating | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
| Date | Total | FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
| March 24 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | $291,100 |
| March 25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | $235,000 |
| Total | 28 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 | $526,100 |

## Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating :
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
| 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 |
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
Color/symbol key :
| Color / symbol | Description |
| † | Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b |
| ¶ | Data from a local National Weather Service office |
| ※ | Data from the 1954 Climatological Data National Summary publication |
| ‡ | Data from the NCEI database |
| ♯ | Maximum width of tornado |
| ± | Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable. |

### March 24 event

Confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 24, 1954 :
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage |
| F1 | Goltry | Alfalfa | Oklahoma | 36°32′N 98°10′W﻿ / ﻿36.53°N 98.17°W﻿ / 36.53; -98.17﻿ (Goltry (March 24, F1)) | 21:15–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 880 yd (800 m) | Un­known |
| A brief tornado was reported. |||||||||
| F2 | ESE of Alfalfa | Caddo | Oklahoma | 35°11′N 98°33′W﻿ / ﻿35.18°N 98.55°W﻿ / 35.18; -98.55﻿ (Alfalfa (March 24, F2)) | 21:30–? | 3 mi (4.8 km)† | 75 yd (69 m)※ | $4,900※ |
| Barns were wrecked on three farmsteads. |||||||||
| F2 | NNW of Newkirk | Kay | Oklahoma | 36°56′N 97°06′W﻿ / ﻿36.93°N 97.10°W﻿ / 36.93; -97.10﻿ (Newkirk (March 24, F2)) | 01:05–? | 3 mi (4.8 km)※ | 200 yd (180 m) | $9,700※ |
| Barns on a few farmsteads lost their roofs. Five outbuildings and another barn were wrecked elsewhere. |||||||||
| F2± | E of Wellsville | Franklin | Kansas | 38°44′N 95°03′W﻿ / ﻿38.73°N 95.05°W﻿ / 38.73; -95.05﻿ (Wellsville (March 24, F2)) | 02:30–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)‡ | 33 yd (30 m)‡ | $2,500 |
| Sheds and barns were damaged on three farmsteads. |||||||||
| F2± | NW of Chanute to NW of Moran | Wilson, Allen | Kansas | 37°43′N 95°31′W﻿ / ﻿37.72°N 95.52°W﻿ / 37.72; -95.52﻿ (Chanute (March 24, F2)) | 03:00–? | 22.2 mi (35.7 km) | 880 yd (800 m) | $25,000 |
| Damage to farms may have commenced farther southwest in Wilson County than officially indicated. |||||||||
| F1 | Western Sapulpa to SW of Oakhurst | Creek | Oklahoma | 36°00′N 96°07′W﻿ / ﻿36.00°N 96.12°W﻿ / 36.00; -96.12﻿ (Sapulpa (March 24, F1)) | 03:05–03:20※ | 3.6 mi (5.8 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $2,500 |
| Garages and other structures were damaged. |||||||||
| F2 | Western Haskell | Muskogee | Oklahoma | 35°49′N 95°41′W﻿ / ﻿35.82°N 95.68°W﻿ / 35.82; -95.68﻿ (Haskell (March 24, F2)) | 03:25–? | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 33 yd (30 m) | $50,000※ |
| Half a dozen homes were damaged. A barn and a cannery were wrecked as well. |||||||||
| F1 | Frisco | Collin | Texas | 33°09′N 96°49′W﻿ / ﻿33.15°N 96.82°W﻿ / 33.15; -96.82﻿ (Frisco (March 24, F1)) | 03:30–? | 4.9 mi (7.9 km) | 67 yd (61 m) | $12,000※ |
| This tornado shattered windows and tore off roofing. Television antennae, sheds, and barns were damaged. A grain elevator was wrecked as well. Four injuries occurred. |||||||||
| F1 | SE of Cherryvale※ | Montgomery | Kansas | 37°12′N 95°37′W﻿ / ﻿37.20°N 95.62°W﻿ / 37.20; -95.62﻿ (Cherryvale (March 24, F1)) | 03:30–? | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 440 yd (400 m) | $15,000※ |
| Many farms were damaged, and trees were prostrated. |||||||||
| F1 | E of Columbus※ | Cherokee | Kansas | 37°10′N 94°50′W﻿ / ﻿37.17°N 94.83°W﻿ / 37.17; -94.83﻿ (Columbus (March 24, F1)) | 03:45–? | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 17 yd (16 m) | Un­known |
| Farmsteads were damaged. |||||||||
| F1 | SE of Rose※ to NNE of Jay | Delaware | Oklahoma | 36°12′N 94°58′W﻿ / ﻿36.20°N 94.97°W﻿ / 36.20; -94.97﻿ (ROse (March 24, F1)) | 04:00–? | 20 mi (32 km)※ | 33 yd (30 m) | $7,500※ |
| Damage occurred on three farmsteads. |||||||||
| F1 | Burgess※ | Barton | Missouri | 37°07′N 94°32′W﻿ / ﻿37.12°N 94.53°W﻿ / 37.12; -94.53﻿ (Burgess (March 24, F1)) | 04:00–? | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 17 yd (16 m) | $2,000※ |
| Agricultural implements and a garage were damaged. |||||||||
| F2† | SW of Oakton to northern Lamar Heights to SW of Milford | Barton | Missouri | 37°27′N 94°24′W﻿ / ﻿37.45°N 94.40°W﻿ / 37.45; -94.40﻿ (Oakton (March 24, F1)) | 04:00–? | 18 mi (29 km)† | 100 yd (91 m)† | $100,000※ |
| 12 homes were severely damaged, and a quartet of barns were wrecked. Livestock was injured or killed as well. |||||||||
| F1 | NW of Seligman to W of Cape Fair | Barry | Missouri | 36°33′N 93°58′W﻿ / ﻿36.55°N 93.97°W﻿ / 36.55; -93.97﻿ (Seligman (March 24, F1)) | 04:00–? | 23.9 mi (38.5 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $25,000 |
| This tornado passed near Washburn and ended near Flat Creek. Details are unavailable. |||||||||
| F2± | W of Pensacola to Grand Lake o' the Cherokees※ | Mayes, Craig※, Delaware※ | Oklahoma | 36°27′N 95°09′W﻿ / ﻿36.45°N 95.15°W﻿ / 36.45; -95.15﻿ (Pensacola (March 24, F2)) | 04:18–? | 5.6 mi (9.0 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $25,000 |
| Details are unavailable. |||||||||
| F2† | Southern Centerton (1st tornado) to Bentonville to SW of Gateway | Benton | Arkansas | 36°21′N 94°17′W﻿ / ﻿36.35°N 94.28°W﻿ / 36.35; -94.28﻿ (Centerton #1 (March 24, F2)) | 04:40–? | 20.6 mi (33.2 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | $10,000※ |
| Numerous outbuildings, barns, and homes were destroyed or damaged. Many chickens were killed as well. Four people were injured. |||||||||

### March 25 event

Confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, March 25, 1954 :
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage |
| F2± | NE of Saratoga to Lanagan to WNW of Rocky Comfort | McDonald, Newton※ | Missouri | 36°34′N 94°31′W﻿ / ﻿36.57°N 94.52°W﻿ / 36.57; -94.52﻿ (Saratoga (March 25, F2)) | 05:00–? | 26.1 mi (42.0 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $25,000 |
| This tornado destroyed or damaged many small frame farmhouses. Outbuildings and barns were wrecked as well. Livestock was killed or injured along the path, and one person was injured. |||||||||
| F2† | Fairview to Purdy to McDowell | Newton, Barry | Missouri | 36°49′N 94°06′W﻿ / ﻿36.82°N 94.10°W﻿ / 36.82; -94.10﻿ (Fairview (March 25, F2)) | 05:00–? | 17.3 mi (27.8 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $5,000 |
| Barns, little frame homes, outbuildings, chicken coops, and machinery were destroyed or damaged. Trees were torn up and carried many yards. |||||||||
| F2† | Near Success | Texas | Missouri | Un­known | ~05:00–? | 10 mi (16 km) | Un­known | $25,000 |
| A small home was destroyed, along with a barn. The tornado killed "thousands" of poultry. |||||||||
| F3 | ESE of Cato† | Barry | Missouri | 36°43′N 93°40′W﻿ / ﻿36.72°N 93.67°W﻿ / 36.72; -93.67﻿ (Cato (March 25, F3)) | 05:30–? | 2 mi (3.2 km)† | 100 yd (91 m)† | $25,000 |
| A seven-room, twin-story house was torn apart. A few injuries occurred. |||||||||
| F2† | S of Fordland to near Diggins† to N of Seymour※ | Webster | Missouri | 37°10′N 92°57′W﻿ / ﻿37.17°N 92.95°W﻿ / 37.17; -92.95﻿ (Fordland (March 25, F2)) | 05:45–? | 10 mi (16 km)† | 400 yd (370 m)† | $20,000※ |
| A factory and a warehouse were flattened, along with four barns. 20 cows were also killed. |||||||||
| F2† | S of Selmore to Ozark | Christian | Missouri | 36°58′N 93°14′W﻿ / ﻿36.97°N 93.23°W﻿ / 36.97; -93.23﻿ (Elk Valley (March 25, F2)) | 05:45–? | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 600 yd (550 m)† | $20,000※ |
| This strong tornado formed over Elk Valley, northwest of Christian Center, ripping the roof off a farmhouse and tearing away the front of another home. Barns were wrecked as well, and livestock was injured or killed. Debris obstructed vehicular and pedestrian traffic "for hours". |||||||||
| F4 | NW of Bendavis to SE of Old Success | Texas | Missouri | 37°19′N 92°14′W﻿ / ﻿37.32°N 92.23°W﻿ / 37.32; -92.23﻿ (Bendavis (March 25, F4)) | 06:55–? | 12.1 mi (19.5 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $25,000† |
| 2 deaths – This violent tornado hit more than 20 farms, tossing a vehicle a long distance. One home was obliterated, its debris scattered 2 mi (3.2 km). The dead were found 150 yd (450 ft) from the homesite. A truck, barns, and outbuildings were wrecked as well. Trees were uprooted and thrown many yards. |||||||||
| F2† | SSE of Gilmore to W of Portage des Sioux | St. Charles | Missouri | 38°48′N 90°48′W﻿ / ﻿38.80°N 90.80°W﻿ / 38.80; -90.80﻿ (Gilmore (March 25, F2)) | 08:00–? | 21.6 mi (34.8 km) | 20 yd (18 m)‡ | $35,000※ |
| A few small, anchor-bolted cottages were blown off their CMU foundations. A small home was wrecked as well. A hangar and a barn sustained damage. |||||||||
| F1 | W of West Alton | St. Charles | Missouri | 38°52′N 90°15′W﻿ / ﻿38.87°N 90.25°W﻿ / 38.87; -90.25﻿ (West Alton (March 25, F1)) | 08:00–? | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 60 yd (55 m) | $5,000※ |
| Outbuildings were tipped onto their sides. Other structures received minor damage. A porch lost its roof as well. |||||||||
| F2 | SW of Pacific to Maryland Heights† | Franklin, St. Louis† | Missouri | 38°28′N 90°45′W﻿ / ﻿38.47°N 90.75°W﻿ / 38.47; -90.75﻿ (Pacific (March 25, F2)) | 08:00–? | 23 mi (37 km)† | 30 yd (27 m)† | $40,000※ |
| This strong tornado unroofed a brick home and wrecked another. A CMU garage was demolished, and a 6-foot-long (2.0 yd) timber was embedded in the wall of a dining room. Windows, agricultural implements, and barns were destroyed or damaged as well. |||||||||
| F1 | Gray Summit※ | Franklin | Missouri | 38°35′N 90°46′W﻿ / ﻿38.58°N 90.77°W﻿ / 38.58; -90.77﻿ (Gray Summit (March 25, F1)) | 08:00–? | ≤20 mi (32 km)※ | 100 yd (91 m)‡ | $5,000※ |
| Several walls were downed, and a brick home was extensively damaged. |||||||||
| F2† | Southern Centerton (2nd tornado) | Benton | Arkansas | 36°21′N 94°17′W﻿ / ﻿36.35°N 94.28°W﻿ / 36.35; -94.28﻿ (Centerton #2 (March 25, F2)) | 08:15–? | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 400 yd (370 m)† | $5,000※ |
| A small barn and farmhouse were wrecked. Outbuildings were damaged and 3,000 fledgling chickens killed. |||||||||