This page documents all U.S. tornadoes confirmed in 1951. Due to lack of modern radar and storm spotters, tornado counts from this period are much lower than what we see today.
Tornado developed within a squall line and moved north-northward through the Alexandria metropolitan area with damaging winds extending several miles from the circulation. The towns of Sieps, Tioga, Simms, and Pollock were all severely damaged as well. In the end, two houses and four stores were destroyed while another 42 homes and 11 building damaged. Damages are estimated at $500,000 and 11 people were injured.
This tornado developed near Los Altos causing damage in a residential area before lifting. About three miles further northeast the tornado touchdown in an orchard, near Sunnyvale, with several trees uprooted. The tornado widened as it moved through the business district downing power poles, shifting buildings off foundations, and removing roofs off others. The tornado lifted north of Highway 101. Damages are estimated at $2.5 million.
Several tornadoes were possibly counted along the 45-mile path. When the tornado first touched down in Caddo County, five people were injured when two houses and one store had their roofs torn off. As the tornado entered southern Canadian County, several farms were damaged. In El Reno, two buildings were damaged, with the cooperative weather station being demolished. The tornado continued into Kingfisher County where it dissipated. Damages are estimated at $50,000 and five people were injured.
The second longest tracked tornado in the state of Arkansas started near the town of Keo. The twister continued northeast damaging and destroying several houses and farm buildings. The tornado lifted to the northeast of Marked Tree. Damages are estimated at $50,000 and three people were injured.
One building was completely demolished, while 15 others were damaged. Telephone and power lines also damaged. Damages are estimated at $25,000 and two injuries.
A waterspout moved ashore from the Gulf of Mexico causing damage to 20 buildings. Several of those buildings had roofs blown off and one was moved off its foundation. Power lines were also downed. Damages are estimated at $25 thousand.
2 injuries - Many farm buildings were destroyed, trees downed, and a few heads of livestock killed. One farmer was injured when they were blown into a field. Damages are estimated at $250 thousand.
This tornado moved through open farmlands 18 miles (29 km) north of Harrison. The CDNS report stated that one person was injured, but this was not officially documented.[35][39]
This tornado, which was accompanied by over 3 inches (7.6 cm) hail that damaged Coldwater, may have actually been the tornado that was reported in Clark County as this one supposedly occurred on June 20. It struck a farm, tearing down a new granary and a barn and damaging a car. The tornado may have crossed the state line into Oklahoma, but this was not confirmed.[35][40][41]
This probable tornado was later confirmed. A large barn was obliterated with its contents scattered over a wide area, including two large beams that were impaled into the side of a farm house. Large trees were snapped "like match sticks" as well. Losses totaled $25,000.[35][37][42]
6 deaths – Several farm buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed with the greatest damage occurring just past Cobb Town about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Waupaca. There, three farms were obliterated and swept away at near-F5 intensity. Five of the six people killed came from one family, who were killed as they were cleaning chickens on their porch on the opposite side of the house from the approaching tornado. The other fatality occurred in the Lebanon Township near Sugar Bush where a 40-year-old woman was killed in a flattened home. Three other people were injured.[44][45][46][47]
1 death – A violent tornado struck a farm. There, a large house and every farm building was obliterated, including the house of the hired hand who was killed with debris from the home being left in a pile 300 feet (91 m) from the foundation. Hundreds of trees were stripped and/or uprooted, including some that were 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter, and chickens were defeathered. Officially, nine people were injured, although the CDNS report list 10 injuries. The tornado was rated F3 by tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis.[44][45][46][48]
1 death – A strong tornado blew down the west and south concrete walls of a tavern before ripping off its roof. An I-beam was thrown 100 yards (91 m) while steel beams were thrown 70 yards (64 m). Three people were injured.[44][45][46][49]
^ abAll dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.
^Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[34]
^Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[43]
^ abcde"Climatological Data: National summary". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data and Information Service, National Climatic Center. 1951. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
^Iowa Event Report: F1 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
^ abc"Climatological Data: National summary". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data and Information Service, National Climatic Center. 1951. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN1-879362-03-1.
