1973 Sunderland, Maryland Tornado

**1973 Sunderland, Maryland Tornado**

The ***1973 Sunderland, Maryland Tornado*** was a powerful F4-rated multiple-vortex tornado that devastated the town of Sunderland and Calvert County, Maryland on November 19, 1973. In all, 193 people were killed, along with 303 injuries and between $65 and $135 million (173 USD) in damage.

Overall, the tornado killed 193 people, injured some 303 others, and caused a total of $65-135 million (1973 USD) in damages.

## Meteorological synopsis

On the evening of November 17th, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe storms for much of the mid-Atlantic through out the next several days, though the tornado threat forecast remain isolated. By November 18th, forecasters at the SPC realized that a more intense weather outbreak was likely to occur near Maryland and Virginia, upgrading a large swath of the states to High risk. Several hours later a public severe weather outlook was issued stating that severe weather was expected with tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds all named as likely threats.

## Aftermath and impact

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The tornado produced a damage path 9.8 mi (15.7 km) beginning at 11:37 a.m in Lower Marlboro, tracking through downtown Sunderland, and lifting just 37 minutes later at 12:14 p.m. shortly after passing through North Beach, Maryland. This damage path covered nearly all of Sunderland, with the width of the tornado peaking at 0.52 mi (0.83 km) near peak strength. The tornado narrowed as it tracked northeast, reaching a width of 0.25 mi (0.40 km) when it impacted Chesapeake Beach.

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The first reports of damage began around Lower Marlboro (peaking at [1]F-2) with several roofs being ripped off their frame entirely. The first reports of Severe damage began around southeast Sunderland unexpectedly, with no warnings being issued before or throughout most of the storm, escalating the lethality of the monstrous tornado. Several minutes after touchdown, the tornado began moving into the town of Sunderland causing Devastating damage, with dozens of framed buildings being completely demolished. Many trees along the path were either partially debarked or snapped in half. While disfiguring the town, the tornado is believed to peak at [2]F-4, although some speculate that the storm peaked at [3]F-5 status shorting after striking the Sunderland Elementary School. After pasting through the Southern Maryland Blvd highway, many of the students and staff began taking shelter inside the Sunderland Elementary School after seeing the twister. Unfortunately just several minutes after striking the highway, the tornado made a direct impact to the school, killing over a dozen students and teachers. After devastating the school, the storm keep in the northeastward movement, peaking around this time going through several neighborhoods, killing over a 120 people in Sunderland alone... Just 5 minutes later the twister began to pick up speed before hitting the town of Chesapeake Beach, with several buildings being heavy damaged or destroyed. Through it's last few minutes of life, the storm passed though the small town of North Beach, destroying several buildings and trees. In total the Twister lasted a total of 37 Minutes from formation to it's death.

#### **Casualties**

Unfortunately due to the lack of warning/coverage and the twisters unusual location, the storm killed a total of 193 and injured some 303 others through it's life. Sadly the life of 26 students and teachers were taken from the tornado similarly to the 1926 La Plata tornado. Some 94 others were killed in Sunderland alone, with 13 other fatalities being reported in the towns of North Beach & Chesapeake Beach. The other 60 fatalities were reported from town less streets alone the twisters path.

## Response

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Immediately following the disaster, emergency responders were deployed within the towns to undertake search and rescue efforts. The National Guard deployed 73 personnel and placed 500 more on standby to be deployed if needed. In addition, many of the near by towns and counties joined in on the search and rescue effects, speeding up the recovery and saving countless lives.