1972 Portland-Vancouver Tornado
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| 1972 Portland-Vancouver Tornado | |
| Date of tornado: | April 5, 1972 |
| Time: | 12:51 p.m. |
| Rating of tornado: | F3 tornado |
| Damages: | $3-5 million (1972 USD) |
| Fatalities: | 6 |
| Area affected: | Northern Oregon, Southern Washington |
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The 1972 Portland-Vancouver Tornado was a destructive tornado that struck on April 5, 1972. The tornado carved a nine mile path of destruction across Oregon and Washington. The tornado left 6 people dead, 300 injured and $3-5 million dollars (1972 USD) in damage. The tornado was considered the worst to hit the state of Washington and Oregon since 1871 and was the deadliest tornado in 1972. It is the deadliest recorded tornado in West Coast history.[1][2]
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[edit] Storm history
A very turbulent squall line of thunderstorms moved northeast across Portland, Oregon and was tracked by the National Weather Service. The strongest thunderstorm was tracked near the town of Tigard. The tornado formed from this thunderstorm and touched down near the edge of the Columbia River. The tornado moved 1 1/2 miles before crossing the Oregon/Washington border. The tornado was difficult to observe because of the fog and the mud and flying debris drawn up by the tornado. After making landfall on the Washington side of the Columbia River, the tornado continued its 9 mile journey before dissipating.[2]
[edit] Impact
In Oregon, the tornado damaged four boat moorings and 50 small boats. Damage in Oregon from the tornado totaled up to $250,000 dollars (1972 USD).[2][3]
In east Vancouver, the tornado struck at 12:51 p.m. (PST), where it destroyed a grocery store and leveled Peter S. Ogden Elementary School injuring 70 students.[4] Nearby, the storm demolished a bowling alley and damaged 100 homes.[5] Overall, the tornado killed six people and left 3-5 million dollars (1972 USD) damage in Washington.[1]
[edit] Non-tornadic events
High winds brought by the thunderstorms caused minimal tree damage. In Tigard, the thunderstorm that spawned the tornado tore the roof off a warehouse and damaged five parked cars. A pressure jump of 0.12 inches was recorded by the National Weather Service. Near Portland, Oregon the National Weather Service recorded winds gusting up to 63 mph while a weather station reported sustained winds of 80 mph.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington" Details. Waymark. Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
- ^ a b c d National Weather Service (2006). NWS Oregon Tornadoes. NOAA. Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
- ^ NCDC (1972). Oregon Event Report 141987. NOAA. Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
- ^ Columbian.com - History
- ^ NBC Evening News (1972). Headline: Washington Tornado. Vanderbuilt Television Archive. Retrieved on 2006-12-05.
