Tornadoes in 1966
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 585 tornadoes in 1966, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. They killed 98 people and injured 2,030. The busiest month was June (126), and the busiest single day was 23 May 1966, with 24.
- 585tornadoes
- 98deaths
- 2,030injuries
- 24on the busiest day (23 May 1966)
Tornadoes in 1966 were rated on the Fujita (F) scale. Counts of weak tornadoes in particular depend on how many were spotted and reported, which has changed over the decades, so compare years with care.
How strong were the tornadoes of 1966?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 169 | 29% |
| F1 / EF1 | 239 | 41% |
| F2 / EF2 | 145 | 25% |
| F3 / EF3 | 25 | 4% |
| F4 / EF4 | 4 | <1% |
| F5 / EF5 | 3 | <1% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 1 |
| Feb | 28 |
| Mar | 12 |
| Apr | 80 |
| May | 98 |
| Jun | 126 |
| Jul | 100 |
| Aug | 58 |
| Sep | 22 |
| Oct | 29 |
| Nov | 20 |
| Dec | 11 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1966
- Learned, Mississippi tornado3 March 1966, F5, 58 deaths, 518 injuries, 202.5 miles long
- Topeka, Kansas tornado8 June 1966, F5, 16 deaths, 450 injuries, 21.1 miles long
- Clearwater, Florida tornado4 April 1966, F4, 11 deaths, 530 injuries, 135.8 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1966
- Learned, Mississippi tornado3 March 1966, F5, 58 deaths, 518 injuries, 202.5 miles long
- Topeka, Kansas tornado8 June 1966, F5, 16 deaths, 450 injuries, 21.1 miles long
- Belmond, Iowa tornado14 October 1966, F5, 6 deaths, 172 injuries, 9.7 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.
Where the 1966 tornadoes started
- Texas (77)
- Iowa (39)
- Missouri (37)
- Oklahoma (36)
- Mississippi (36)