Waco, TX Tornado Wrecks Downtown, May 1953

Waco, Texas: May 11, 1953
A powerful (F5) tornado ripped through downtown Waco, Texas, at 4:10 p.m. (CDT), May 11, 1953, killing 114 people and injuring nearly 600 more. More than 600 businesses, 850 homes and 2,000 cars were destroyed or severely damaged for an estimated loss of $41 million ($275 million in 2002 dollars). The deadliest tornado in Texas history and the tenth deadliest in the nation, the twister touched down about 10 miles south of the city. By the time it reached Waco, the tornado was moving almost due north, cutting a path of destruction a third of a mile wide through the heart of the city.

About an hour before the tornado struck, a research meteorologist at Texas A & M University picked up an isolated comma-shaped echo on his radar screen. Unaware of the severe weather bulletins posted for the area, the researcher did not give extra significance to the echo. A few minutes before the strike, the screen displayed five large echoes.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s1135.htm

The 1953 Waco tornado outbreak was a tornado outbreak that affected portions of the central United States from May 9 - May 11, 1953. It is most known for the F5 tornado that struck Waco, Texas on May 11, 1953, killing 144 people.

144 deaths, with 597 injured and up to $41.2 million in property damage. 196 businesses and factories were destroyed, 217 sustained major damage, and 179 sustained lesser damages. 150 homes were destroyed, 250 sustained major damage, and 450 sustained lesser damages. Over 2000 cars were damaged or destroyed and the First United Methodist Church was severely damaged. Over half the dead - 61 - were in a single city block bounded by 4th and 5th streets and Austin and Franklin avenues

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_Tornado

Read articles about the tornado (below)