The forecast for Wednesday April 3, 1974 was for showers on the East coast and for thunderstorms across the Midwest. In the heavens, a storm of an overwhelming magnitude was forming. Children went to school, people went to work and lives went on as normal until the second worst storm of the 1900's struck. Tornadoes broke across the heartland with such an intensity and frequency never seen before in the United States. Homes and schools destroyed. Loved ones lost. This site looks at the events of that day .This site is dedicated to the 315 people who lost their lives in this storm and to the over 5,000 people who were injured.

F4 tornado coming towards downtown Madison, Indiana. This tornado turned before entering the downtown area.

F4 tornado Approaches Parker, City Indiana. Photo by Mick Deck

Tornado over Richmond, Kentucky
Photo courtesy  Mike Schwendeman

Damage to Glen'll Trailer Park in Huntsville, Alabama
Photo Copyright C.F. Boone

Map of 148 Tornadoes that Occurred on April 3 & 4, 1974
 

Topographical Maps with Tornado and F-Scale Equivalents