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2 The Worcester, Massachusetts tornado 3 1953 tornado season in perspective 4 How did a tornado hit in Massachusetts? |
The Flint, Michigan tornado
A tornado hit in Flint, Michigan, near Detroit on June 8, 1953. The tornado moved east-northeast 2 miles north of Flushing, Michigan and devestated the north side of Flint. The tornado dissipated near Lapeer, Michigan. Nearly every home was destroyed on both sides of Coldwater Road. Multiple deaths were reported in 20 families. It is, as of this writing, the last tornado to kill more than 100 people. One hundred and fifteen were killed, making it the ninth deadliest tornado in U.S. history. It is also the only F5 tornado ever to hit in Michigan.
The Worcester, Massachusetts tornado
The storm system that created the Flint tornado moved east and another tornado hit in Worcester, Massachusetts in the early afternoon hours on June 9, 1953. Ninety-four people were killed. The tornado formed around Petersham, Massachusetts at 3:25 P.M. It then slammed into the suburbs of Barre, Rutland, and Holden before killing 60 in Northern Worcester.
This tornado was on the ground for an hour and a half. In that time period, the tornado traveled 46 miles and 1,100 people were injured. Debris was strewn eastward at an observatory 35 mi (56 km) away. Debris was also strewn out over Massachusetts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
1953 tornado season in perspective
Even though the 1953 tornado season only saw 422 tornadoes (which is half the nationwide average), the year saw some of the deadliest tornadoes which included The Waco Tornado that hit on May 11.
How did a tornado hit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is part of the New England tornado alley which extends from central Massachusetts up through Vermont. Massachusetts has an average of about 5 tornadoes since 1950.