1991 Great Plains tornado outbreak

Severe weather events in the central United States in 1991 the outbreak that produced the 1991 F5 Andover tornado the EF3 Andover tornado of 2022 2022 Andover tornado May 2025 February 2025 37.69 -97.136 title infobox 1/2 300 Andover tornado outbreak confirmations and reports.png 1991 Haysville, Kansas tornado.jpg Cowley County KS F4 Tornado Path 4261991.png 300 Clockwise from the top: Storm reports on April 26 and April 27, 1991; track of an F4 tornado that passed in between Arkansas City and Winfield, Kansas on April 26; an intensifying F5 tornado seen in Haysville, Kansas on April 26. April 26–27, 1991 58 confirmed F5 261-318 mph on(Andover, Kansas F5 on April 26)(Radar measured winds of 286 mph on were recorded by the Red Rock, Oklahoma F4 tornado the same day) 4 in mm Reported in two areas in Oklahoma,Search for Hail in All U.S. States/Areas; April 26–27, 1991 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/search?d=N4IgpgbmB2AuAyBLAzrEAuA2iAEgQ0QBsQBdAGhACMwBzRaAET1jAxAEYBOT9gWgAYALLwBMANhAUYAEyYs2XHgOEiA7JJAB7aABUAFiiYBPDADM8hZGAp4ATojwBZMMmR4ardCADKYQmABjFml0AAJ8IgA6UIAFWxdkUIAhPACAa2QAB1SwUNhNUPiAW00oPL1cwjxUUPpMgFdYSI1qOkZmMAB9FAA1C0RpDFhbeutwaFkO7uQ%252BwgGhkbHU2EQoHTxKDHYAXyA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026Event Details for Latimer County, Oklahoma https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102381 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026Event Details for Ottawa County, Oklahoma https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10103246 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 87 knots mph km/hReported in two areas in Iowa,Search for Thunderstorm Wind in All U.S. States/Areas; April 26–27, 1991 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/search?d=N4IgpgbmB2AuAyBLAzrEAuA2iAKgCwFdoATMAJ1QHsyBbAAgHVESQBdAGhACMwBzZgCIBDWGAwgAjAE4pEgLQAGACxyATADYQnGMWGjx02YpWqA7FpCVo%252BFMICeGAGZCANsjCchZREICyYZGQhXjF0EABREjo9MDoUOmUAejNEwwkLHn5oGIB9FAA1V0RiDFgyAg9wElyCopL0MorPAGNYRCgcIS4MCQBfIA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026Event Details for Hancock County, Iowa https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028589 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026Event Details for Mahaska County, Iowa https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028595 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 1991 $589.6 million,Search for Tornado in All U.S. States/Areas; April 26–27, 1991 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/search?d=N4IgpgbmB2AuAyBLAzrEAuA2iAKgewCdoBDAEzxAF0AaEAIzAHNFoARY2MDEARgE4%252BPALQAGACxCATADYQtGKXadu-QaImSA7HJB5oOABYp2ATwwAzYgBtkYWsQKJiAWTDJkxRl3QgAymCswAGNOUnQAAnwiMjwAOnCABQI3ZHCAIWIggGtkAAdMsHDYPHDkgFs8KCKDQqtiVHCWXIBXWFidBmY2DjAAfRQANWtEUgxYAma7cGhFHv7kIasRsYmpzNhEKBxiOgweAF8gA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026nb Losses All losses are in 1991 USD unless otherwise noted. ($ in US USD) 21 313 Great Plains region of the United States tornado outbreaks of 1991 From April 26–27, 1991, a large and deadly tornado outbreak affected parts of the Great Plains region of the central United States. On April 26, commonly known as the Great Plains tornado outbreak,Meyer Joseph April 26, 1991 - The Great Plains Tornado Outbreak https://www.3newsnow.com/weather/weather-history/april-26-1991-the-great-plains-tornado-outbreak KMTV-TV 25 April 2023 August 23, 2026Reeves Aaron 30-year anniversary of deadly Great Plains tornado outbreak https://okcfox.com/news/local/30-year-anniversary-of-plains-outbreak KOKH-TV 26 April 2021 August 23, 2026 nearly five dozen tornadoes occurred primarily across the states of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The following day, April 27, featured six tornadoes across Iowa and Texas, but also Georgia and Missouri. This outbreak occurred within a transition period for the National Weather Service and proved the value of Next-Generation weather radars, which were utilized in Oklahoma to provide advanced warning to residents. Primarily in Kansas but also in Oklahoma, 21 people in total were killed by the tornadoes. More than 300 people were injured during the outbreak. On Friday, April 26, several strong to violent tornadoes, rated from F2 up to F5 on the Fujita scale, swept through the southern and central regions of the Great Plains. The first tornadoes occurred from northern Oklahoma, to southeastern Nebraska, which included two F3 tornadoes that impacted farmsteads in Otoe County, Nebraska; and the small community of Lanham, Kansas and Nebraska. After these initial storms, one cyclic supercell thunderstorm produced a tornado family across southern Kansas, of which one infamous F5 tornado was a part of. This violent tornado tore across parts of Wichita, causing widespread destruction and killing more than a dozen people across the city's metropolitan area, notably the suburb of Andover. There were about 100 or more home videos taken on VHS cameras by residents across the Wichita area during the F5.Mann Randi Andover, Kansas' 1991 tornado is America's scariest home video https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/severe/this-day-in-weather-history-april-26-1991-deadly-and-destructive-andover-f5 The Weather Network 26 April 2021 August 23, 2026 A notable F2 tornado from the same storm, occurred along the Kansas Turnpike in Butler and Chase Counties, which was recorded by a news crew who sought shelter underneath an overpass, causing a misconception that overpasses can provide adequate shelter during a tornado. In northern Oklahoma, another supercell put down a tornado family, which included two intense F3 and F4 tornadoes that touched down in Garfield County. The latter was observed to have wind speeds of 286 mph km/h by a University of Oklahoma research team, who were chasing the storm near Red Rock. At the same time the F4 tornado near Red Rock, Oklahoma took place, another violent but lethal F4 tornado developed and moved across Cowley County, Kansas; impacting several homes around Arkansas City and Winfield. Later after dusk, additional strong tornadoes developed in northern Oklahoma. One large F4 tornado struck the Cimarron Turnpike near Westport, flinging vehicles around and killing one person, before the storm moved into the town and caused major damage from there, and in areas in the vicinity of Skiatook. The parent storm that was responsible for the prior F4 tornado in Westport, cycled and put down yet another violent but shorter lived F4 tornado just outside of Oologah, which became the costliest and most destructive tornado in Oklahoma of the outbreak as it went through the city's northern side.VIDEO: Gregg Jarrett Recalls His Experience of Surviving Kansas Tornado in ‘91 https://www.foxnews.com/video/1485489459001 Fox News 2 March 2012 August 23, 2026 Lewis Ted Jarrett Ancient Air Theatre Gregg April 26, 1991: Kansas Underpass Tornado Video, KSNW-TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pRJv02xACc KSNW-TV 28 July 2023 August 23, 2026 YouTubeGhanekar Raj Those impacted by the 1991 Andover tornado reflect 35 years later https://www.ksn.com/weather/weather-stories/those-impacted-by-the-1991-andover-tornado-reflect-35-years-later/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KSN_TV KSNW-TV April 27, 2026 August 23, 2026From the KOCO Archives: April 26, 1991 ‘Red Rock’ Tornado in Oklahoma https://www.koco.com/article/from-the-koco-archives-april-26-1991-red-rock-tornado-in-oklahoma/20075734 KOCO-TV April 26, 2018 August 23, 2026Twenty years later - Skiatook remembers devastation from tornado (PHOTOS) https://www.koco.com/article/from-the-koco-archives-april-26-1991-red-rock-tornado-in-oklahoma/20075734 Tulsa World April 28, 2011 August 23, 2026Meyer Travis Ahead Of The Storm: 30th Anniversary Of Oologah Tornado Pathfinder https://www.newson6.com/story/605a4d6d977a500be002a824/ahead-of-the-storm:-30th-anniversary-of-oologah-tornado-pathfinder News on 6 March 23, 2011 August 23, 2026 The second day, Saturday, April 27, only featured half a dozen tornadoes in Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Texas. The strongest was an F2 tornado that impacted near Victor, Iowa; causing considerable damage to some farmsteads in the region. After these tornadoes, the outbreak came to an end. Meteorological synopsis Episode narrative thumb|left|A map of the tornado outbreak that occurred from Texas to Iowa.|219x219px On April 25, 1991, the National Weather Service issued a warning of an impending weather system, noting that computer models were "indicating this to be a very significant severe weather producer with tornadoes occurring across the Central/Southern Plains." On the morning of April 26, the organization delineated a High risk of severe weather across the Great Plains. A southeast-tilted trough existed across the southwestern United States that morning, and a distinct jet streak, or a region of enhanced winds at the base of the trough, on the order of 75 – 85 kn mph km/h on 5 was progressing northeast toward the Plains.National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas 25th Anniversary of April 26th, 1991 Tornado Outbreak https://www.weather.gov/ict/AndoverEnvironment National Weather Service April 20, 2022Cody Moore Andover, KS Tornado Outbreak April 26, 1991 https://louisville.edu/atmosphericscience/students/current-students/severe-weather-posters/2016/students/current-students/severe-weather-posters/2016-1/2016-codymoore.pdf University of Louisville April 20, 2022 Through the morning, an 850 mb or approximately 5000 ft m on 5 low-level jet of up to 60 kn mph km/h on 5 overspread regions from south-central Kansas northward into eastern Nebraska.Dan McCarthy Day 1 Convective Outlook https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWODY1&e=199104261835 Iowa Environmental Mesonet April 26, 1991 April 25, 2022 A surface low-pressure area existed over southwestern Nebraska, supporting a dry line southward into Texas and a warm front southeastward across eastern sections of Kansas and Oklahoma. Event narrative right|thumb|Radar animation of supercell thunderstorms across Kansas and Oklahoma. In the unstable atmosphere between those two boundaries, surface dewpoints rose above 60 F C on 5. Abundant sunshine contributed to destabilization as lifted indices topped -12 from central Oklahoma into central Kansas and convective available potential energy reached 4,000 J/kg. A minimal capping inversion existed across Oklahoma even during the morning, and tornado-producing storms first developed across western Oklahoma around sunrise. These storms weakened as they moved northeast into Kansas. Back to the west, the dryline progressed rapidly eastward but began to slow precipitously during the afternoon. Attempts at thunderstorm development along this feature initially failed. At 17:10 UTC (12:20 p.m. CDT), the National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous situation tornado watch, warning of the potential for multiple strong to violent tornadoes. This would be one of 24 convective watches issued during the day. Despite early failure at convective initiation, supercell thunderstorms rapidly erupted along the dryline during the afternoon as the jet streak propagated into the Great Plains, resulting in a regional outbreak of tornadoes stretching from Texas to Iowa. Violent tornadoes were concentrated in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, although intense tornadoes were also observed in Iowa, Texas, and Nebraska. Confirmed tornadoes 58 12 16 18 7 4 1 April 26 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, April 26, 1991nb Date/Time All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartcoord. CoordinatesTime (UTC)Path LengthMax. Maximum width F2TonkawaKayOK36.68 -97.30 Tonkawa (Apr. 26, F2)11:451 mi km on100 yd m onTwo homes sustained severe roof damage, one from tornadic winds and the other from a fallen tree. Fifteen other houses sustained lesser damage. Greenhouses were damaged at a garden center.William Angel Jay Hollifield Jeanette King Sara Lackey Storm Data: April 1991 https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/pub-pdf/storm_1991_04.pdf National Center for Environmental Information April 1991 April 25, 2022 33 4National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Kay County, Oklahoma (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102107 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F1W of Grand IsleJeffersonLA29.25 -90.00 Grand Isle (Apr. 26, F1)15:300.2 mi km on10 yd m onNo information is available on this tornado.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in New Orleans, Louisiana Event Details for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10045790 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F2CherryvaleMontgomeryKS37.27 -95.55 Cherryvale (Apr. 26, F2)15:456 mi km on100 yd m onA large building at a nursery/greenhouse complex was destroyed.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Montgomery County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034309 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F2NW of WashingtonWashingtonKS39.82 -97.12 Washington (Apr. 26, F2)20:253.5 mi km on100 yd m onSeveral farmhouses were destroyed to the northwest of Washington, resulting in the deaths of several hogs. Some damage occurred in the town of Lanham. Six people were injured.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Washington County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034534 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F1OhiowaFillmoreNE40.42 -97.45 Ohiowa (Apr. 26, F0)20:40–20:451 mi km on50 yd m onFour grain trailers and a grain truck were flipped over. A satellite dish, a barn door, and a separate barn were destroyed. Trees were extensively damaged.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Hastings, Nebraska Event Details for Fillmore County, Nebraska (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10081120 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F0N of Strong CityChaseKS38.43 -96.53 Strong City (Apr. 26, F0)20:451 mi km on17 yd m onA few farm sheds were damaged.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Chase County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034539 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 22, 2026 F3SE of Hollenberg, KS to Lanham, KS & NE to S of Beatrice, NEWashington (KS), Gage (NE)KS, NE39.95 -96.95 Hollenberg-Beatrice (Apr. 26, F3)20:50–21:4024 mi km on200 yd m onThis tornado first touched down in Kansas before moving into Nebraska, where the border community of Lanham sustained considerable damage. Farms sustained heavy damage near Odell, and several homes were destroyed south of Beatrice before the tornado dissipated.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Washington County, Kansas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034540 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Omaha, Nebraska Event Details for Gage County, Nebraska (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10081121 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0NE of Council GroveMorris, WabaunseeKS38.67 -96.52 Council Grove (Apr. 26, F0)21:1013 mi km on50 yd m onA weak tornado caused damage to trees, fences, several power poles, and a cabin.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Morris County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034544 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Wabaunsee County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034546 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2N of Bushong to NE of GroveWabaunsee, Shawnee, JacksonKS38.73 -96.25 Bushong-Grove (Apr. 26, F2)21:3544 mi km on200 yd m onIn Waubaunsee County, a farmhouse and some other structures were destroyed. An old stone church was damaged. In Shawnee County, the roofs and windows of several houses were damaged in western Rossville. The tornado rapidly weakened in Jackson County.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Wabaunsee County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034548 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Shawnee County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034552 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Jackson County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034556 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2E of AdamsGageNE40.43 -96.50 Adams (Apr. 26, F2)22:00–22:154 mi km on150 yd m onIn conjunction with the Lanham, Kansas and Nebraska F3 tornado, a strong tornado damaged up to 25 farmsteads, including 100 buildings and 30 pieces of large farm equipment.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Omaha, Nebraska Event Details for Gage County, Nebraska (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10081124 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3NW of Douglas to NE of PalmyraOtoeNE40.60 -96.40 Douglas-Palmyra (Apr. 26, F3)22:15–22:4014 mi km on350 yd m onFour farms were destroyed and three others were severely damaged. Thirteen houses were damaged as well. Two people were injured.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Omaha, Nebraska Event Details for Otoe County, Nebraska (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10081126 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0NE of AnthonyHarperKS37.22 -97.95 Anthony (Apr. 26, F0)22:201 mi km on50 yd m onPart of a roof was torn off.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Harper County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034554 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0SE of Freeport to NE of Conway SpringsHarper, SumnerKS37.18 -97.83 Freeport-Conway Springs (Apr. 26, F0)22:3016 mi km on500 yd m onA weak tornado skipped across open fields across Harper and Sumner Counties.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sumner County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034558 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sumner County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034559 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1GoddardSedgwickKS37.67 -97.58 Goddard (Apr. 26, F0)22:472 mi km on50 yd m onA boat dealership sustained major damage in Goddard.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sedgwick County, Kansas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034561 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F5SE of Clearwater to Andover to NE of El Dorado LakeSedgwick, ButlerKS37.47 -97.48 Clearwater–Andover–El Dorado Lake (Apr. 26, F5)22:49–00:1446 mi km on700 yd m on17 deaths – See article on this tornado – 225 people were injured.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sedgwick County, Kansas (F5 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034564 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Butler County, Kansas (F5 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034571 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3S of BreckinridgeGarfieldOK36.43 -97.67 Enid-Garber (Apr. 26, F3)23:00–23:096 mi km on350 yd m onTwo homes were destroyed. A pickup truck was rolled 150 yd m and demolished as well.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Garfield County, Oklahoma (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102336 1991 August 22, 2026 F1Valley Center to S of PutnamSedgwick, HarveyKS37.83 -97.38 Putnam (Apr. 26, F1)23:1016 mi km on50 yd m onNo damage information is available for this tornado.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sedgwick County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034565 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Harvey County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034566 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0SW of PlainviewPierceNE42.28 -97.82 Plainview (Apr. 26, F0)23:150.1 mi km on20 yd m onA tornado briefly touched down in an open field.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Omaha, Nebraska Event Details for Pierce County, Nebraska (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10081135 1991 August 22, 2026 F0W of GarberGarfieldOK36.43 -97.60 Garfield (Apr. 26, F0)23:150.1 mi km on20 yd m onA weak, brief tornado caused only minor damage.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Garfield County, Oklahoma (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102339 1991 August 22, 2026 F4E of Garber to N of Red Rock to NW of PawhuskaGarfield, Noble, OsageOK36.43 -97.55 Garber-Pawhuska (Apr. 26, F5)23:30–00:5566 mi km on1500 yd m onSee section on this tornado – Six people were injured.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Garfield County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102340 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Noble County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102341 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Osage County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102347 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F4WNW of Arkansas City to S of Winfield to W of BurdenCowleyKS37.07 -97.15 Arkansas City-Cambridge (Apr. 26, F4)23:3025 mi km on1320 yd m on1 death – See section on this tornado.Thomas Grazulis Significant Tornadoes, 1880-1989 November 1990 Environmental Films St. Johnsbury, Vermont 1-879362-02-3 2 https://books.google.com/books?id=yW5NAQAAIAAJ Google Books April 22, 2022Grazulis Thomas P. F5-F6 Tornadoes The Tornado Project of Environmental Films 2001b St. Johnsbury, Vermont 9 1National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Cowley County, Kansas (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034568 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas Review of major tornadoes across south central Kansas on April 26 1991 https://www.weather.gov/ict/Apr26Review National Weather Service April 22, 2022 F0W of Alma to N of PaxicoWabaunseeKS39.02 -96.35 Alma-Paxico (Apr. 26, F0)23:359 mi km on20 yd m onTrees were damaged.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Wabaunsee County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034570 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2ReeseCherokeeTX32.02 -95.38 Reese (Apr. 26, F2)00:00–00:010.2 mi km on10 yd m onFour houses and two manufactured homes were destroyed, the roofs of additional structures were damaged, trees were uprooted, and television antennas were toppled.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Cherokee County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137050 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2NE of El Dorado to E of Cassoday to E of Matfield GreenButler, ChaseKS37.93 -96.72 El Dorado Lake-Matfield Green (Apr. 26, F2)00:1021 mi km on100 yd m onSee section on this tornado – Four people were injured.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Butler County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034575 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Chase County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034578 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3S of Mount SelmanCherokeeTX32.05 -95.30 Mount Selman (Apr. 26, F3)00:11–00:163 mi km on200 yd m onAn intense tornado destroyed three manufactured homes, two houses, and one vehicle. An additional 25 houses were damaged, and trees were uprooted. Numerous power lines, street signs, and television antennas were blown over. One person was injured.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Cherokee County, Texas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137052 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3W of Howard to SeveryElk, GreenwoodKS37.47 -96.42 Howard-Severy (Apr. 26, F3)00:2614 mi km on200 yd m on1 death – A significant tornado leveled a manufactured home and caused additional damage to homes, outbuildings, fences, and power lines. A woman was killed and her husband seriously injured in the destroyed house.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Elk County, Kansas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034579 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Greenwood County, Kansas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034582 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2NW of Cushing to NW of YalePayneOK36.03 -96.83 Yale (Apr. 26, F2)00:38–00:476.5 mi km on800 yd m onThis large tornado rolled a dump truck 200 yd m, destroyed a metal shop building and a well-built barn, and caused roof damage to two homes. Trees and power lines were toppled as well.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Event Details for Payne County, Oklahoma (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102350 1991 August 29, 2026 F0NE of ElmdaleChaseKS38.40 -96.58 Elmdale (Apr. 26, F0)00:401 mi km on50 yd m onA farm shed was destroyed.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Chase County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034581 1991 August 29, 2026 F2S of TurnertownSmith, RuskTX32.18 -95.02 Turnertown (Apr. 26, F2)00:40–00:503 mi km on100 yd m onSeveral trees were uprooted.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Smith County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137054 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Rusk County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137056 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1NW of WestphaliaShelbyIA41.73 -95.42 Westphalia (Apr. 26, F1)00:44–00:472 mi km on45 yd m onNo damage information is available.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Omaha, Nebraska Event Details for Shelby County, Iowa (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028578 1991 August 29, 2026 F2HendersonRuskTX32.15 -94.87 Henderson (Apr. 26, F2)01:00–01:010.2 mi km on10 yd m onA barn and outbuildings were destroyed.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Rusk County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137276 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3Denison to Wall LakeCrawford, SacIA42.02 -95.35 Denison (Apr. 26, F3)01:00–01:1723 mi km on150 yd m onSeveral farmsteads were damaged or destroyed. Windows were blown out a house, a tractor-semitrailer truck was overturned, and a pig was killed.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Des Moines, Iowa Event Details for Crawford County, Iowa (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028580 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Des Moines, Iowa Event Details for Sac County, Iowa (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028582 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F4SW of Terlton to Westport to NW of SkiatookPawnee, OsageOK36.17 -96.52 Terlton-Skiatook (Apr. 26, F4)01:10–01:2732 mi km on1700 yd m on1 death – See section on this tornado – 24 people were injured.The April 26, 1991 Great Plains Tornado Outbreak https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19910426 NWS Norman February 28, 2022The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Pawnee County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102353 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Osage County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102356 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1HendersonRuskTX32.15 -94.80 Henderson (Apr. 26, F1)01:22–01:230.2 mi km on10 yd m onSeveral trees were snapped or uprooted.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Rusk County, Texas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137276 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1Osage NationOsageOK36.67 -96.53 Osage Nation (Apr. 26, F1)01:270.25 mi km on10 yd m onA rope-shaped tornado picked up a car and tossed it 50 ft m. Additional damage occurred to houses and manufactured homes.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Osage County, Oklahoma (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102355 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0SW of DerbySedgwickKS37.58 -97.33 Derby (Apr. 26, F0)01:331 mi km on50 yd m onSeveral outbuildings were damaged.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Sedgwick County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034585 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F3W of Neal to SE of VirgilGreenwood, WoodsonKS37.75 -96.08 Neal-Virgil (Apr. 26, F3)01:3515 mi km on50 yd m onSeveral houses and other buildings were destroyed. At least 26 power poles were snapped. Trucks and equipment at a rock quarry were severely damaged, and a 35,000 – 40,000 lb kg fuel truck was moved 75 yd m. A farmhouse was lifted, rotated 90 degrees, and set back down. Two tractor-semitrailers were demolished, and fences were downed as well.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Greenwood County, Kansas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034586 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Woodson County, Kansas (F3 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034588 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1SW of Meriden to SE of Rock CreekShawnee, JeffersonKS39.12 -95.60 Meriden-Rock Creek (Apr. 26, F1)01:5411 mi km on100 yd m onA tornado formed just north of the local National Weather Service office. It destroyed a manufactured home, resulting in four injuries. It also damaged a power substation, trees, and power lines.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Shawnee County, Kansas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034590 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Jefferson County, Kansas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10034591 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2SW of MilfordDickinsonIA43.27 -95.23 Dickinson-Spirit Lake (Apr. 26, F2)02:00–02:3018 mi km on60 yd m onSerious damage occurred to both the farm buildings and farmhouses on two farmsteads.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Event Details for Dickinson County, Iowa (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028586 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2E of CopanWashingtonOK36.88 -95.93 Copan (Apr. 26, F2)02:05–02:206 mi km on100 yd m on1 death – A strong tornado destroyed a convenience store and a bait shop. Other buildings and trees were damaged too. It tossed a car with two women inside 250 yd m into a field, killing the passenger and critically injuring the driver. Nine other people were injured in Copan.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Washington County, Oklahoma (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102359 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2E of Valley Falls to SW of DoniphanJefferson, AtchisonKS39.35 -95.42 Valley Falls-Doniphan (Apr. 26, F2)02:2525 mi km on100 yd m onA strong tornado caused severe damage in the Nortonville area, with 13 homes destroyed. A nursing home and several businesses sustained major damage as well. In Atchison County, a grain elevator was damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. Trees were uprooted along the tornado's path.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's finalized damage survey by county: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Topeka, Kansas Event Details for Jefferson County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10035439 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Kansas City, Missouri Event Details for Atchison County, Kansas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10035656 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F4W of Oologah to W of Oologah LakeRogersOK36.45 -95.72 Oologah (Apr. 26, F4)02:45–02:554 mi km on1300 yd m onSee section on this tornado – 22 people were injured.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Rogers County, Oklahoma (F4 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102365 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026Grazulis Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes Update, 1992–1995 January 1997 The Tornado Project of Environmental Films St. Johnsbury, Vermont 1-879362-04-X 1412 F2S of DetroitRed RiverTX33.63 -95.27 Detroit (Apr. 26, F2)03:00–03:010.2 mi km on10 yd m onTwo manufactured homes and a barn were destroyed. Several homes and two automobiles sustained damage. Trees were uprooted.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Red River County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137290 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1ChelseaRogersOK36.53 -95.43 Chelsea (Apr. 26, F1)03:10–03:142 mi km on30 yd m onA rope-like and brief tornado destroyed two houses and two manufactured homes in northwestern Chelsea. Three people suffered minor injuries.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma Event Details for Rogers County, Oklahoma (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10102369 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1HelenaAndrewMO39.92 -94.67 Helena (Apr. 26, F1)03:151.8 mi km on50 yd m onPower lines and trees were downed along an intermittent path.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Kansas City, Missouri Event Details for Andrew County, Missouri (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10072157 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1NW of BagwellRed RiverTX33.67 -95.17 Bagwell (Apr. 26, F1)03:19–03:200.2 mi km on10 yd m onTrees were uprooted, and a bridge was damaged.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Red River County, Texas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137292 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0SW of DearingMontgomeryKS37.03 -95.73 Coffeyville (Apr. 26, F0)03:201 mi km on50 yd m onA brief tornado damaged a building.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Wichita, Kansas Event Details for Montgomery County, Kansas (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10035654 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2SW of NegleyRed RiverTX33.75 -95.08 Negley (Apr. 26, F2)03:30–03:310.2 mi km on10 yd m onA barn was destroyed, a manufactured home was overturned, and several homes were damaged. Numerous trees were uprooted as well.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Red River County, Texas (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137293 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2Allerton to MillertonWayneIA40.70 -93.37 Allenton-Millerton (Apr. 26, F2)04:10–04:229 mi km on60 yd m onTwo tornadoes in Wayne County collectively damaged 25 farmsteads and residences.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Des Moines, Iowa Event Details for Wayne County, Iowa (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028590 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2SE of Sewal to SE of ConfidenceWayneIA40.63 -93.28 Sewal-Confidence (Apr. 26, F2)04:10–04:2815 mi km on75 yd m onTwo tornadoes in Wayne County collectively damaged 25 farmsteads and residences. A manufactured home was destroyed, and two people were injured.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Des Moines, Iowa Event Details for Wayne County, Iowa (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028591 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F0S of JoplinNewtonMO37.03 -94.52 Joplin (Apr. 26, F1)04:390.25 mi km on50 yd m onA possible tornado was reported.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Springfield, Missouri Event Details for Newton County, Missouri (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10072155 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1N of CosbyAndrewMO39.87 -94.68 Cosby (Apr. 26, F1)04:571.5 mi km on50 yd m onTrees and power lines were downed.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Kansas City, Missouri Event Details for Andrew County, Missouri (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10072157 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 April 27 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, April 27, 1991nb Date/Time All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.nb Width Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.Brooks 2004 310F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartcoord. CoordinatesTime (UTC)Path LengthMax. Maximum width F0W of JoplinJasperMO37.08 -94.58 Joplin (Apr. 27, F0)05:050.1 mi km on10 yd m onNo damage information is available.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Springfield, Missouri Event Details for Jasper County, Missouri (F0 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10072159 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F2SE of VictorIowaIA41.70 -92.30 Victor (Apr. 27, F2)06:55–07:044.5 mi km on50 yd m onTwo tornadoes in Iowa County caused damage to several farmsteads, farm buildings, and a house.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in the Quad Cities, Iowa Event Details for Iowa County, Iowa (F2 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028597 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1N of DetroitRed RiverTX33.70 -95.27 Detroit (Apr. 27, F1)07:05–07:060.2 mi km on10 yd m onThe tops were snapped off several large trees.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Red River County, Texas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137305 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1S of MarengoIowaIA41.73 -92.07 Marengo (Apr. 27, F1)07:092 mi km on40 yd m onTwo tornadoes in Iowa County caused damage to several farmsteads, farm buildings, and a house.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in the Quad Cities, Iowa Event Details for Iowa County, Iowa (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10028599 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1NNE of ZaideeTreutlenGA32.38 -82.52 Zaidee (Apr. 27, F1)19:000.1 mi km on23 yd m onBrief tornado moved over a farm and damaged structures. Three mobile homes were destroyed, while two others were heavily damaged alongside a fence. One trailer was lifted off its foundation and deposited 40 ft m on away.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Atlanta, Georgia Event Details for Treutlen County, Georgia (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10009326 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 F1NNW of Warren Springs to NW of RoachCassTX33.07 -94.38 Warren Springs (Apr. 27, F1)20:503 mi km on220 yd m onA storm spotter reported a tornado northwest of Linden. Many trees were blown down.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, Louisiana Event Details for Cass County, Texas (F1 Tornado) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/10137310 National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 August 29, 2026 Clearwater–Haysville–Andover–El Dorado, Kansas 1991 Andover tornado Clearwater–Haysville–Andover–El Dorado, Kansas April 26, 1991, 5:49 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) April 26, 1991, 7:14 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 1 hour and 25 minutes 1991 Andover tornado.jpeg 300 The tornado as seen from McConnell USAFB. atl F5 261-318 mph km/h on 17 fatalities, 225 injuries $300 million ($ in US USD)National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas Top Ten KS Tornadoes https://www.weather.gov/ict/toptenkstors National Weather Service April 23, 2022 left|thumb|Severe damage to trees from the tornado. At 5:49 p.m. CDT (22:49 UTC), this deadly and violent tornado began east of Clearwater, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. At 6:05 p.m. CDT (23:05 UTC), the National Weather Service issued a statement urging residents in Haysville, Derby, and Mulvane to seek shelter. This was succeeded by a tornado warning four minutes later. Around 6:16 p.m. CDT (23:16 UTC), the intensifying tornado began to affect southeastern sections of Wichita and directly struck Haysville.National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas Timeline for supercell that produced the Wichita/Andover Tornado https://www.weather.gov/ict/AndoverTimeline National Weather Service April 23, 2022 It produced strong F2 to F3 damage in Haysville while growing to a width of about 220 yd m and acquiring multiple-vortex characteristics. The tornado crossed the Kansas Turnpike about 0.5 mi km south of the South Wichita Interchange.NWS Wichita NWSWichita #Andover25th tornado struck Haysville as a strong F2/F3. #Outbreak1991 727639400197197825 April 23, 2022 In eastern Wichita, some well-built houses in the Greenwich Heights Subdivision were completely leveled, indicative of strong F3 to F4 damage. Four people were killed at this location. At 6:24 p.m. CDT (23:24 UTC), the violent tornado struck the McConnell Air Force Base, where it narrowly missed a lineup of 10 B-1B bombers each worth $280 million and two of which were equipped with nuclear warheads.NWS Wichita NWSWichita When the #Andover25th tornado hit the McConnell AFB, it missed a lineup of B1-B bombers. #Outbreak1991 727640637114220544 April 23, 2022 Nine major facilities on the base were destroyed, including the officer's club, base hospital, library, and elementary school. In addition, 102 housing units were demolished. No fatalities were recorded there, though 16 people were injured and total losses reached $62 million.NWS Wichita NWSWichita The #Andover25th damaged/destroyed 9 major facilities causing $62 million in damages. #Outbreak1991 727640906396917761 April 23, 2022 As the tornado continued to move toward US 54 in the direction of Andover, it prompted forecasters to issue a heightened tornado warning alerting residents in Augusta and Andover that a damaging tornado was approaching. Despite this warning, the tornado sirens in Andover failed.NWS Wichita NWSWichita On 4/26/91 @6:30p Tornado warning issued for Andover - tornado sirens in Andover failed #Andover25th #Outbreak1991 727641418898939904 April 23, 2022 At 6:31 p.m. CDT (23:31 UTC), with the sirens not functional, the police drove through the Golden Spur Mobile Home Park and through the town warning residents to seek shelter. 10 minutes later, the now large wedge-stovepipe hybrid tornado entered southern Andover and began to impact the mobile home park, which ultimately sustained a direct hit. Of the 244 manufactured homes, 205, or about 84 percent of them, were destroyed. Post-storm interviews by health officials found that 339 residents were home during the tornado, of which 146 evacuated, 149 sought refuge in the community shelter, and 38 remained in their homes. No casualties occurred among individuals who fled or utilized the shelter.Tornado Disaster — Kansas, 1991 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 41 10 March 13, 1992 181–183 23299145 1538688 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) However, 13 people were killed, another 17 were hospitalized, and nine sustained minor injuries among the group who remained in their structures. Additional homes were swept from their foundations to the west of this park, where the Andover tornado earned its F5 rating. Throughout the city, over 1,500 residences were devastated.Craig Torbenson Sadonia Corns Jessica Nellis Keith Wondra Kansas: In the Heart of Tornado Alley https://books.google.com/books?id=MRnwQaoRTVQC Arcadia Publishing November 28, 2011 978-1-4396-4193-4 April 23, 2022 The tornado continued northeast, affecting the outskirts of Towanda. Twenty minutes later, the violent tornado dissipated north-northwest of El Dorado and north of the Kansas Turnpike, though the parent supercell later produced additional tornadoes further across Butler County. Along the tornado's path, 84 frame houses and 14 businesses were leveled. A total of 225 people were injured. It was the final Kansas tornado to be given an F5 rating prior to the implementation of the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which was principally used on the Greensburg EF5 tornado on May 4, 2007. Garber–Billings–Red Rock–Pawhuska, Oklahoma Garber–Billings–Red Rock–Pawhuska, Oklahoma April 26, 1991, 6:30 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) April 26, 1991, 7:55 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 1 hour and 25 minutes 1991_Red_Rock_OK_F4_Tornado_Alan_Moller.png 300 A photo of the tornado taken southeast by Alan Moller approaching I-35 near Ceres. atl F4 Official intensity: 207-260 mph km/h on Radar estimated: 286 mph km/h on(Measurement by University of Oklahoma mobile radar)The Kansas-Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak of April 26, 1991 https://okfirst.mesonet.org/train/casestudies/26apr91/26apr91.html Oklahoma Mesonet August 22, 2026 en 6 injuries $500,000 ($ in US USD) While the Andover F5 and several other tornadoes in Kansas and Nebraska were ongoing, supercell thunderstorm complexes produced tornadoes in northern Oklahoma. In Garfield County, the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma issued a tornado warning at 6:27 p.m. CDT (23:27 UTC) for the entire region.VTEC Event 1991-O-NEW-KOUN-TO-W-0044 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/?year=1991&wfo=KOUN&phenomena=TO&significance=W&eventid=44&tab=info&radar=USCOMP&radar_product=N0Q&radar_time=202405212100 Iowa Environmental Mesonet National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma August 18, 2026 en Three minutes later, a large and violent tornado touched down approximately 2.5 mi km east of Garber, at 6:30 p.m. CDT (23:30 UTC). This tornado was the third in its family, following the dissipation of an F3 tornado that occurred south of Breckinridge or east of Enid, and a brief F0 tornado that occurred in the area. thumb|left|A house destroyed near Garber. Tracking east-northeast of Garber and east of the Garfield–Noble County border, after crossing over into the neighboring county at 6:38 p.m. CDT (23:38 UTC), the tornado impacted a residence around 4.5 mi km south of Billings, inflicting F3 damage to a house. In the vicinity, the tornado as well destroyed some oil tanks, toppled well pumps, and snapped power poles as its width increased to 0.5 mi yd km. Continuing on its east-northeastern trajectory, the tornado grew in both intensity and size as it moved 5 mi km southeast of Billings, attaining violent intensity and growing up to 0.75 mi yd km wide. Located west of Interstate 35 at this point, the violent tornado caused F4 damage to a property, obliterating the home and debarking numerous trees. The tornado persisted across Noble County, passing between Marland and the Otoe Indian Agency and causing damage to two farmsteads in its wake.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Garfield County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-garfield NOAA August 22, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Noble County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-noble NOAA August 22, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Osage County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-osage NOAA August 22, 2026 thumb|right|Damage inflicted to a home west of I-35. To the north of Red Rock simultaneously, a storm chasing research team from the University of Oklahoma (OU), led by Dr. Howard Bluestein, used a portable Doppler weather radar during their deployment and observation of the storm on US 77, around 2 mi km north of OK 15 as the tornado passed over the highway. Their radar, located south of the tornado, recorded maximum estimated winds ranging from 120-125 m/s mph km/h at the top of the funnel. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, winds possibly reached as high as 286 mph km/h. This extreme wind speed observation by the OU research team suggested probable F5-level winds at the surface. This was both the first ever instance of F5 winds to be measured by a radar, and also at the time, the highest observed wind measurement taken of a tornado ever recorded, until an F5 tornado that struck central Oklahoma over 8 years later surpassed the record. The tornado afterwards, entered Osage County at 7:21 p.m. CDT (00:21 UTC), dropping in strength from F4 to F3 intensity before it moved north of Fairfax. Nearby, the tornado uprooted many trees, and caused intense damage to one house in the area. As the tornado was 10 mi km west of Pawhuska, the storm struck a large oil rig, which with its 18 in cm on foundation, was toppled over. After being on the ground for around 35 minutes since entering Osage County earlier, the tornado dissipated 9 mi km west-northwest of Pawhuska, at 7:55 p.m. CDT (00:55 UTC). Along its path, the tornado reportedly scoured and blew away parts of several county roads.Lyza Anthony W. Flournoy Matthew D. Alford A. Addison Comparison of Tornado Damage Characteristics to Low-Altitude WSR-88D Radar Observations and Implications for Tornado Intensity Estimation Monthly Weather Review 19 March 2024 -1 aop 1689–1710 10.1175/MWR-D-23-0242.1 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/aop/MWR-D-23-0242.1/MWR-D-23-0242.1.xml 19 March 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma via the American Meteorological Society 2024MWRv..152.1689L 28 April 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240428005058/https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/aop/MWR-D-23-0242.1/MWR-D-23-0242.1.xml liveHoward Bluestein James Ladue Herbert Stein Douglas Speheger Wesley Unruh Doppler Radar Wind Spectra of Supercell Tornadoes https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/121/8/1520-0493_1993_121_2200_drwsos_2_0_co_2.xml Monthly Weather Review 121 8 August 1, 1993 April 25, 2022 2,200–2,222Grazulis Thomas P. The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm https://archive.org/details/tornadonaturesul0000graz registration 2001a University of Oklahoma Press Norman 978-0-8061-3538-0 109 This large and extremely violent tornado was one of several twisters across Oklahoma that were spawned by a cyclic supercell, occurring at the same time another F4 tornado formed over in southern Kansas. Dubbed the Red Rock tornado, it was the longest tracked and second largest tornado of the entire outbreak, traversing a path 66 mi km long across Garfield, Noble and Osage Counties, with a maximum width of 1500 yd mi m wide, placing it behind another F4 tornado that struck in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. The Red Rock tornado largely avoided any populated areas, impacting a few structures on rural properties and farmsteads, which garnered it its F4 rating as acknowledged by the National Weather Service office in Norman. Six people were injured, though no fatalities were attributed. The Red Rock tornado was the last violent tornado to take place in Garfield County, until an EF4 tornado struck areas near Enid, Oklahoma almost 35 years later, on April 23, 2026.Elkins Jeff Kelly Josh Oklahomans survey destruction after Enid tornado: 'Everything was gone' https://eu.oklahoman.com/story/weather/severe/2026/04/24/tornado-enid-oklahoma-families-survey-destruction/89775437007/ Oklahoma City The Oklahoman April 25, 2026 Arkansas City–Hackney–Winfield, Kansas Arkansas City–Hackney–Winfield, Kansas April 26, 1991, 6:30 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) Unknown 1991 Cowley County tornado.jpg 300 The tornado as seen at its peak width northeast of Winfield. atl F4 207-260 mph km/h on 1 fatality This tornado touched down around 5 mi km west-northwest of Arkansas City, Kansas at around 6:30 p.m. CDT.1991 Wichita/Andover, Kansas, Tornado, April 26, 1991 https://repository.library.noaa.gov/ 2026-06-09 repository.library.noaa.gov en The tornado initially produced only F1 level damage to trees as it crossed the Arkansas River. The tornado intensified to F3 intensity as it approached the community of Hackney and Strother Field airport in rural Cowley County, where the tornado picked up and tossed a grain bin across fields around two miles to the south-southwest, leaving large scratch marks in the ground approximately 0.6 mi km long. As the tornado passed over the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, numerous tombstones were picked up and knocked over before the tornado crossed US 77, around 1.25 mi km south of Strother Field. left|thumb|F4 level damage to homes in rural Cowley County. The tornado continued to widen and intensify as it passed Strother Field to the southeast, before intensifying to F4 strength as it damaged or destroyed several homes around 2 mi km east of the airport. Damage to one home may have been worthy of an F5 rating according to a report in 2001 by Thomas Grazulis. He stated that one home was reportedly damaged so badly that surveyors failed to notice it. The tornado began to veer to the north before crossing the Walnut River, likely caused by a microburst around 0.5 mi km to the south. The tornado weakened to F2 intensity only producing damage to trees and barns. The tornado widened to its maximum width of 0.4 mi km around four miles west of Winfield, before striking the Frog Hollow Oil Field, where several oil tanks were toppled and rolled up to half a mile away from their starting points. In the same area, the tornado destroyed a mobile home, claiming the life of the occupant despite advanced warning that a tornado was approaching. The tornado mostly produced F2 - F3 level damage to farmsteads for the remainder of its track before lifting around 2.5 mi km west-northwest of Burden. It was noted that a microburst noted near the end of the tornadoes track may have caused the tornado to dissipate. Kansas Turnpike–Cassoday–Matfield Green, Kansas Kansas Turnpike–Cassoday–Matfield Green, Kansas April 26, 1991, 7:10 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) April 26, 1991, 7:25 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 15 minutes 1991 El Dorado Lake tornado.jpg 300 A still from the infamous Kansas Turnpike video showing the tornado. atl F2 113-157 mph km/h on 4 injuries $250,000 ($ in US USD) After causing widespread destruction in Andover, the parent supercell continued northeast and produced another strong tornado.NWS Wichita NWSWichita On 4/26/91 @7:15p Supercell produced a 4th tornado N of El Dorado Lake & moved NE. #Andover25th #Outbreak1991 727652737979031554 April 25, 2022 This narrow but significant F2 tornado, which was 100 yd m wide at its largest, tracked for 21 mi km across Butler and Chase Counties in Kansas. It paralleled the Kansas Turnpike for many miles before eventually crossing the road south of Cassoday,NWS Wichita NWSWichita On 4/26/91 @ ~7:30p The tornado continued to parallel the KS Turnpike before crossing it south of Cassoday. #Andover25th #Outbreak1991 727652737979031554 April 25, 2022 tossing vehicles up to 75 yd m away from the turnpike. The tornado later dissipated east of Matfield Green, after being on the ground for at least 15 minutes. The storm gained notoriety when news cameraman Ted Lewis and reporter Gregg Jarrett from NBC-affiliate KSNW-TV in Wichita, sought shelter underneath an overpass on the Kansas Turnpike. Video from the crew shows a minivan several hundred yards down the turnpike being rolled multiple times, with other vehicles such as large semi-trailer trucks overturned and severely damaged as well. Jarrett was awarded the Heartland Emmy Award for his news segment of the tornado.1991 Heartland Emmy Awards http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/1991-winners/ National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter of NATAS May 11, 2014 1991 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221712/http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/1991-winners/ May 12, 2014 live Alongside the 1979 Wichita Falls, Texas F4 tornado, this marked the second prominent example of people seeking refuge from a tornado underneath an overpass. Information from the National Weather Service initially and indirectly contributed to this line of thought as well.Miller Daniel J. Doswell Charles A. III Brooks Harold E. Stumpf Gregory J. Rasmussen Erik 1999 Highway Overpasses as Tornado Shelters https://www.weather.gov/oun/safety-overpass#slide01 live https://web.archive.org/web/20251114024820/https://www.weather.gov/oun/safety-overpass#slide01 November 14, 2025 January 18, 2026 National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma During the 1999 Great Plains tornado outbreak, the consequences of this practice were realized. On May 3, 1999, there were three locations where a highway overpass was utilized as a shelter from approaching tornadoes, and at all three locations there was at least one fatality. One of these, the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado, was at violent F4–F5 intensity as it impacted the overpass. One incorrect notion from the Kansas Turnpike video was that the recording news crew was protected by the weaker nature of the tornado as it passed over a primarily rural area, in contrast to the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. However, another F2 tornado on May 3, 1999; killed one individual, proving that tornadoes of any intensity are capable of killing people harboring under overpasses. In addition to the fatalities, many people who survived these tornadoes nonetheless suffered graphic injuries and sometimes permanent disabilities. Since the 1991 tornado and events on May 3, 1999; meteorologists have strongly advised people to avoid seeking shelter under highway overpasses for many reasons. One, it exposes individuals to flying debris, which is the number one cause of death in tornadoes. Two, the elevated nature of the overpass subjects people to stronger winds than at ground level. Three, overpasses may act to channel and accelerate the wind. Four, many overpasses do not have girders for individuals to hold onto, such as was the case during the Kansas Turnpike video. Fifth, tornadic winds shift directions as the vortex passes, such that people originally protected from winds will still be exposed to its effects following the wind shift. The National Weather Service therefore notes, "seeking shelter under a highway overpass is to become a stationary target for flying debris, with a substantial risk of being blown out and carried by the tornado winds". Lastly, motorists who quickly park their cars under an overpass without pulling over to the side first can cause an unexpected traffic jam, that may slow/strand other drivers due to the risk of collision. Cimarron Turnpike–Westport–Skiatook, Oklahoma Cimarron Turnpike–Westport–Skiatook, Oklahoma April 26, 1991, 8:10 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) April 26, 1991, 9:27 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 1 hour and 17 minutes 1991_Westport_Oklahoma_F4_tornado_storm.png 300 The tornado near the Cimarron Turnpike in Pawnee County. atl F4 207-260 mph km/h on 1 fatality, 24 injuries $3,000,000 ($ in US USD) Following the cycle of an F2 tornado that passed north and west of Cushing and Yale, Oklahoma; the parent thunderstorm complex dropped at 8:10 p.m. CDT (01:10 UTC) a large, and violent tornado 1.5 mi km southwest of Terlton, just north of the Creek−Pawnee County border. The tornado moved east-northeast as it passed by Terlton, missing the town from a direct hit, which previously was hit by one of two other deadly F4 tornadoes that struck the region exactly 7 years prior, on April 26 and 29, 1984.National Weather Service Storm Events Database; Event Types: Tornado F4/EF4 and stronger in Pawnee County, Oklahoma; January 1, 1980 − December 31, 1995 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?tornfilter=4&sort=DT&statefips=40%2COKLAHOMA&county=PAWNEE%3A117&eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_yyyy=1980&beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&endDate_yyyy=1995&endDate_mm=12&endDate_dd=31 National Centers for Environmental Information August 22, 2026 Northeast of the small city and west of OK 48, the tornado remained weak at F0 intensity, causing mainly light tree damage across Pawnee County. Crossing over OK 48, the tornado intensified further to F1 to F2 strength as it inflicted significant amounts of damage to structures and powerlines, around 0.5 mi km south of the Cimarron Turnpike. The tornado at this point, had a width of 0.125 mi km across. Moving away further away from the highway, the tornado rapidly intensified in both width and intensity, reaching a width of nearly 1 mi yd km and attaining F4 intensity on the turnpike. The now violent tornado swept off several motorists off the road, killing one man as the tornado overturned his car. Nearby, five other people sustained injuries but survived. At 8:30 p.m. CDT (01:30 UTC) the tornado made its way into Westport, narrowing in width to 400 yd m wide and striking the Keystone Airpark, maintaining significant intensity as it caused damage to four hangars at that location. Seven aircraft were destroyed, including two that were deposited into nearby trees. The airport's fire station was leveled, with one fire truck that was moved by the tornado beyond the runway and flung into a wooded area 0.25 mi km away. A mile ahead to the east, the storm then entered the Ridgemont Estates area, with violent intensity. The tornado inflicted major F4 damage to houses and the nearby woods. Within Westport, the tornado impacted approximately 94 homes. Of the 94 residential properties that were impacted, 54 were completely demolished, with 8 suffering substantial amounts of destruction, while 32 homes had minor damage. Some 5 mobile homes were impacted as well, alongside several other structures, and approximately 70 vehicles. The community center within Westport also was damaged in the process as the tornado swept through. Despite the impact, the tornado claimed no casualties in the area. The tornado then crossed Keystone Lake, and into Osage County around 14 minutes later at 8:44 p.m. CDT (01:44 UTC). The tornado reportedly lifted off the ground for a brief time, before consolidating in the vicinity of New Prue and a half-mile southwest of the John Zink Scout Ranch. The tornado afterwards impacted the scout ranch, destroying a lodge where several girl scouts took shelter. None of the scouts themselves were harmed during their encounter with the tornado. Every tree in the storm's path were snapped or uprooted as the track continued northeast, to the extreme southern point of Skiatook Lake. Along the lake, the tornado damaged a marina, where a few boats that were docked were impacted. The tornado persisted and at 9:15 p.m. CDT (02:15 UTC) struck a propane company on OK 20, a mile and a half west of Skiatook. The powerful twister then moved into a subdivision of homes a mile northwest of Skiatook, at this point harboring F3 level winds. Here, the tornado caused destruction to less than 100 houses, as 32 were destroyed and 11 sustained major levels of damage. An estimated 45 homes received minor damage caused by the tornado. The path for a short time, continued further to the northeast until the tornado dissipated at 9:27 p.m. CDT (02:27 UTC). The tornado ended just west of the Osage−Tulsa County border. The Westport tornado was the largest tornado of the entire outbreak by size, with a maximum width of less than a mile, or 1700 yd mi m wide when the storm was at the Cimarron Turnpike, along a track 32 mi km long. It was one of several violent tornadoes to occur during the outbreak, attaining an F4 rating. One man was killed while 24 others were injured, making it one of the more impactful tornadoes of the outbreak. The storm inflicted around $3 million (1991 USD) in damages across its over hour long track. This was the last violent (F4/EF4+) tornado to occur in Osage County, until one deadly EF4 tornado struck the city of Barnsdall over 34 years later, on May 6, 2024.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Pawnee County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-pawnee NOAA August 22, 2026 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Osage County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-osage NOAA August 22, 2026 Oologah, Oklahoma Oologah, Oklahoma April 26, 1991, 9:45 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) April 26, 1991, 9:55 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 10 minutes 1991 Oologah tornado.jpg 300 Security camera still of tornado The nocturnal tornado in Oologah as seen from a power plant security camera. atl F4 207-260 mph km/h on 22 injuries $15,000,000 ($ in US USD) The supercell which previously produced the Westport tornado cycled, and at 9:45 p.m. CDT (02:45 UTC) produced another violent tornado in Rogers County, Oklahoma; just 1 mi km west of the outskirts of Oologah. The circulation that developed into this tornado, began southeast of the four-way intersection connecting both South 4090 and East 390 Roads, just on the northwestern part of Oologah. The tornado right after moving northeast, entered the proper city limits, rapidly becoming destructive and causing widespread damage to a subdivision north of downtown. Around five dozen homes, and 16 trailers were destroyed as the violent tornado went through. The tornado then went further and devastated an area containing sixteen apartment complex buildings and 30 barns on the north side of Oologah. The tornado afterwards then hit the Oologah School Complex, inflicting significant structural damage to K-12 buildings located on the grounds of the complex. Around 22 people were injured during the tornado, though no deaths occurred. The storm left a path around this time that was up to around 0.75 mi yd km wide as it was causing F4 damage in town. The devastating tornado then exited the north side of Oologah, remaining on the ground for a few minutes as it headed northeast towards Oologah Lake. The tornado would move through Will Rogers State Park and continued on its trajectory, until dissipating at 9:55 p.m. CDT (02:55 UTC) on the western bank of the lake. The Oologah tornado, while not a long-lasting tornado, was the costliest and most destructive event to take place in Oklahoma during the outbreak. Along a track 4 mi km long and 1300 yd mi m wide, the tornado during its 10-minute lifespan racked up monetary losses upwards of $15 million (1991 USD). Of that amount, approximately $12 million in damages was inflicted to the Oologah K-12 complex.National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma Rogers County, OK Tornadoes (1875-Present) https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-county-ok-rogers NOAA August 22, 2026 Beside tornadic events, the parent supercell also brought in damaging winds caused by powerful downbursts, that occurred on the southern flank of the tornado's track. These non-tornadic winds damaged structures in a consistent "starburst" pattern 5 mi km long, from southwest of Oologah to the city itself. Within the community, downburst winds blew trees down and inflicted roof damage. Some houses and mobile homes 1.5 mi km to the southwest, experienced heavier levels of damage. Large transmission towers which supported high tension wiring from the nearby Public Service Company of Oklahoma power station, were collapsed. All the towers within a mile-long stretch were blown down toward the east-southeast. Aftermath Regional impact and response +Outbreak death tollStateTotalCountyCountytotalKansas19Butler13Cowley1Elk1Sedgwick4Oklahoma2Pawnee1Washington1 Totals21 All deaths were tornado-related In the wake of the tornado outbreak, Kansas state governor Joan Finney requested that U.S. President George H.W. Bush supply Sedgwick, Butler, and Cowley Counties with federal disaster aid, a move that the president later approved. Under the $2.6 million program,Governor requests disaster declaration https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478286/the-parsons-sun/ The Parsons Sun May 1, 1991 April 25, 2022 7 Newspapers.com the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) paid 75 percent of the cost for disaster cleanup, while the local government paid 15 percent, and the state paid the remaining 10 percent.Bush approves aid for tornado relief https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478355/the-iola-register/ The Iola Register May 21, 1991 April 25, 2022 2 94 176 Newspapers.com Oklahoma state governor David Walters likewise requested federal assistance for six counties in his state. American Red Cross and civil defense officials scoured devastated homes and rendered aid to about 370 families affected by the storms.Robby Trammell Walters Seeks Disaster Relief https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100479293/the-daily-oklahoman/ The Oklahoman April 30, 1991 April 25, 2022 38 Newspapers.com After two Oklahoma counties were not granted disaster assistance, local officials in Garfield and Washington Counties criticized FEMA's decision. The organization responded by noting that additional counties could be added to the list in the future but that damage in those counties was marginal for a presidential declaration.Left-Out Counties Told to Cool It https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478446/the-daily-oklahoman/ The Oklahoman May 10, 1991 April 25, 2022 7 Newspapers.com Two days later, federal assistance was made available to both counties.Two counties added to disaster aid list https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478575/sapulpa-daily-herald/ Sapulpa Daily Herald May 12, 1991 April 25, 2022 12 76 205 Newspapers.com In the Oologah–Talala school district of Oklahoma, which was all but devastated during the tornado outbreak, the Oklahoma State Department of Education voted to forgive the remaining 23 days of classes, the largest number of instructional days forgiven in a single school year on record at the time. Individual student conferences were held at a local church. About 170 construction workers worked double shifts to repair the school grounds, which were tentatively set to reopen on August 12. Of the district's 24 buses, 15 were repaired in the weeks following the tornado outbreak, while nine were rendered inoperable.Jim Killackey Oologah School Aims At August 12 Recovery https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478652/the-daily-oklahoman/ The Oklahoman May 24, 1991 April 25, 2022 89 Newspapers.com The school district reopened on August 15.Classmates Reunite After April Tornado https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100478760/the-daily-oklahoman/ The Oklahoman August 16, 1991 April 25, 2022 112 Newspapers.com The Next-Generation Radar era NEXRAD thumb|left|Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler/Next-Generation Radar scan of the Westport, Oklahoma F4 tornado.The 1991 outbreak occurred during a period of modernization for the National Weather Service and helped highlight the value of weather radar imagery for detecting tornadoes. In April 1991, the WSR-88D NEXRAD radar in Norman, Oklahoma, was the only radar of its kind with Doppler capabilities, and even then it had not been cleared for use in day-to-day operations. In Oklahoma, the higher resolution radar displayed important storm-scale characteristics such as mesocyclones, some of which were seen over 125 mi km 5 away in Kansas. For comparison, the outdated radars in that state, though closer, did not depict significant features indicative of an ongoing tornado. Instead, forecasters in Kansas were forced to rely on reports from the public and storm chasers. In an internal assessment of the event, the National Weather Service concluded that "The NWS should continue to implement the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) network across the Nation. This event illustrates the usefulness of the WSR-88D velocity fields and better azimuthal resolution reflectivity data." The implementation of these radars have improved tornado lead times in modern years.National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma April 26th, 1991 Plains Tornado Outbreak https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=80442873b63649b99e930237e89fcdca National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 25, 2022 In popular media The outbreak was featured in two different documentaries: The Enemy Wind, a documentary produced by The Weather Channel,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefDkp0Z6Q4 The Enemy Wind (Early 90s Weather Channel Documentary) 2019-06-16 ((cbehr91)) 2025-06-24 YouTube and Cyclone!, a documentary produced and distributed by National Geographic under its National Geographic Home Video series.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwIgykZY-L0 National Geographic: Cyclone! (1995) 2020-01-01 Rando Retro Video 2025-06-24 YouTube See also Tornadoes of 1991 March 1990 Central United States tornado outbreak List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days Mobile radar observation of tornadoes List of notable observations Notes nb References Brooks Harold E. Harold E. Brooks On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity Weather and Forecasting April 2004 19 2 310–19 10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2 free 2004WtFor..19..310B External links Gene Moore's April 26, 1991 Chase Account lHBZylcxIvw Famous video of a tornado hitting the Kansas Turnpike overpass as a shelter during the outbreak oJlfAGC8G8w Video of a tornado hitting the McConnell Air Force Base during the outbreak Category:F5, EF5 and IF5 tornadoes 04-26 Category:Tornadoes in Oklahoma Category:Tornadoes in Kansas Category:Butler County, Kansas Category:Sedgwick County, Kansas Tornado Outbreak, 04-26 Andover, Tornado Tornado, 26 1991-04-26