1976 Jordan tornado
 The tornado as it struck Jordan at peak intensity | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Date | June 13, 1976 |
| Formed | June 13, 1976, 3;15 p.m. CDT |
| Duration | 39 minutes |
| F5 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Path length | 21.3 miles (34.3 km) |
| Highest winds | >261 mph (420 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 9 |
| Areas affected | Jordan, Iowa, Story City, Iowa |
Part of the Tornadoes of 1976 | |
On June 13, 1976, a long, F5-rated tornado went through the heart of the small rural town of Jordan, Iowa. It destroyed the entire town, including part of the local school and several homes.[1] This tornado formed near Luther, Iowa, quickly gaining strength before it tore through the town. When it finally dissipated near Story City, it left behind a path half a mile wide. The National Weather Service [2] rated this tornado an F5 on the Fujita scale,[3] with wind speeds over 261 mph (420 km/h). This tornado was also accompanied by an F3 anticyclonic tornado. Fortunately, all residents survived this violent tornado as it produced extreme damage throughout its 21-mile (34 km) long and 880-yard (800 m) wide path.[4] Ted Fujita surveyed this tornado and described it as one of the most intense tornadoes he ever studied. He was on the scene in under 48 hours, interviewing residents and surveying the tornado. It was the last F5 to hit Iowa, around 8 years after the Charles City tornado.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Brown, Erick. "In A Blink, Their World Vanished". Eric's Weather Library.
- ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "National Weather Service". www.weather.gov. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Fujita scale", Wikipedia, March 12, 2026, retrieved March 13, 2026
- ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "First F5/EF5 Tornado in Iowa Since June 1976". www.weather.gov. Retrieved March 13, 2026.