| 1953 Worcester Tornado | |
| Damage at Assumption College in Worcester | |
| Date: | June 9, 1953 |
| Time: | 4:25 pm—5:43 pm (EST) |
| Rating: | F4 tornado |
| Damages: | $52 million (1956 USD) $349 million (2002 USD) |
| Casualties: | 94 |
| Area affected: | Worcester County, Massachusetts |
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The 1953 Worcester Tornado was an extremely strong tornado that struck the city and surrounding area of Worcester, Massachusetts on June 9, 1953. It was part of the Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence, which occurred over a three-day period from June 6—9, 1953. The storm stayed on the ground for nearly 90 minutes, traveling 48 miles across Central Massachusetts. In total, 94 people were killed, making it the 21st deadliest tornado in the history of the United States.[1] In addition to the fatalities, over 1,000 people were injured and 4,000 buildings were damaged. The tornado caused $52 million in damage, which translates to $349 million today when adjusted for currency inflation. After the Fujita scale was developed in 1971, the storm was classified as "F4", the second highest rating on the scale.
At approximately 4:25 pm (EST), the tornado touched down in a forest near the town of Petersham, and proceeded to move through Barre, where two people were killed.[2] It then moved through the western suburbs of Worcester, where 11 more people were killed. The storm then passed through Worcester, where it destroyed Assumption College and several other buildings, killing 60. After striking Worcester, it killed 21 more people in the towns of Shrewsbury, Southborough, and Westborough, before dissipating over Framingham. According to National Weather Service estimates, over 10,000 people were left homeless as a result of the tornado.
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On June 7, 1953, an area of high pressure developed over much of the Northern United States. This high-pressure air mass collided with a low pressure mass that was centered over Nebraska, creating favorable conditions for severe thunderstorm development.[3] This collision of systems spawned several tornadoes in the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Nebraska, most notably the Flint-Beecher tornado on June 8.[4] The storm killed 118 people in the towns of Flint and Beecher, and injured 844.[4] In addition, seven other tornadoes across the region caused 52 more injuries and nine more fatalities.[4] After the use of the Fujita scale began, the Flint-Beecher tornado was rated an F5.[4] The air mass continued to sit over the region throughout that night, further contributing to the outbreak.[4]
Overnight, the cold air mass, along with a cold front, moved eastward into New York and the New England area.[5] In the days before the storm, the New England region was experiencing significant heat, with a high culminating at 90 °F (32 °C) on June 6.[5] However, the cold air mass, an unusually strong one, lowered temperatures across the region. The temperature in Worcester dropped over 15 degrees to 74 °F (24 °C) on June 8.[5] The presence of the air mass created the chance for warm air from the Southern United States to clash with the cold front.[6] This phenomenon, which is the way most tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are formed, is something that would not normally happen in the New England region.[7]
Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Boston believed that there was a possibility for tornadic activity in the area, but decided not to include it in their forecast for the day in fear that they would cause panic among local citizens.[5] 1953 was the first year that tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were used, so forecasters compromised and issued the first severe thunderstorm watch in the history of Massachusetts.[5] Because of this, the tornado struck with little to no warning for residents.[8]
Rain fell across Worcester County throughout the day on June 9.[9] In New York, a strong cluster of thunderstorms began to build, moving eastward into Massachusetts. At approximately 4:25 pm (EST), a funnel cloud formed near the Quabbin Reservoir near New Salem.[5] Very soon after, a tornado spawned from the funnel cloud, touching down in a forest outside of the rural community of Petersham.[5] The tornado then proceeded to pass through a farm field, where it struck a farmhouse and killed two people.[5] As the storm moved eastward at approximately 35 mph (58 km/h), it hit the towns of Rutland and Holden, where 11 people were killed in total.[5]
At about 5:00 pm, the tornado moved into the city of Worcester, alarming many residents. According to eyewitness accounts, the storm moved in extremely quickly, shocking the townsfolk. "I saw it grow noticeably darker," said eyewitness George Carlson, "Then it hit. Houses tumbled, trees fell, and it was all over. The tornado was definitely discernible. Like when you can see the lines of rain in an approaching rainstorm," he added.[10] The tornado, which had grown to a mile (1.6 km) wide, destroyed several structures in Northern Worcester, including parts of Assumption College[5] Other major structures included a newly-built factory and a large residential development.[5]
The funnel maintained its 1-mile width as it passed throughout much of Shrewsbury, and still did a high amount of damage when it moved through downtown Westborough, where it began curving towards the northeast in its final leg.[11] In the storm's final moments, 3 were killed when Fayville Post Office in Southborough collapsed.[11] Around the time it ended 5:45 pm, a tornado warning was issued, although by then it was too late.[11]
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| Rank | Name (location) | Date | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Tri-State" (Missouri, Illinois and Indiana) | March 18, 1925 | 695 | |
| 2 | Natchez, Mississippi | May 6, 1840 | 317 | |
| 3 | St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois | May 27, 1896 | 255 | |
| 4 | Tupelo, Mississippi | April 5, 1936 | 216 | |
| 5 | Gainesville, Georgia | April 5, 1936 | 203 | |
| 6 | Woodward, Oklahoma | April 9, 1947 | 181 | |
| 7 | Joplin, Missouri | May 22, 2011 | 159 | |
| 8 | Amite, Louisiana and Purvis, Mississippi | April 24, 1908 | 143 | |
| 9 | New Richmond, Wisconsin | June 12, 1899 | 117 | |
| 10 | Flint, Michigan |
June 8, 1953 |
116 | |
| 11 - - - |
Waco, Texas Goliad, Texas |
May 11, 1953 May 18, 1902 |
114 114 |
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| 13 | Omaha, Nebraska | March 23, 1913 | 103 | |
| 14 | Mattoon, Illinois | May 26, 1917 | 101 | |
| 15 | Shinnston, West Virginia | June 23, 1944 | 100 | |
| 16 | Marshfield, Missouri | April 18, 1880 | 99 | |
| 17 - - - |
Gainesville and Holland, Georgia Poplar Bluff, Missouri |
June 1, 1903 May 9, 1927 |
98 98 |
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| 19 | Snyder, Oklahoma | May 10, 1905 | 97 | |
| 20 | Worcester, Massachusetts | June 8, 1953 | 94 | |
| 21 | Natchez, Mississippi | April 24, 1908 | 91 | |
| 22 | Starkville, Mississippi and Waco, Alabama | April 20, 1920 | 88 | |
| 23 | Lorain and Sandusky, Ohio | June 28, 1924 | 85 | |
| 24 | Udall, Kansas | May 25, 1955 | 80 | |
| 25 | St. Louis, Missouri | September 29, 1927 | 79 | |
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Sources: Storm Prediction Center: The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes, SPC Annual U.S. Killer Tornado Statistics |
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