The Super Tornado Outbreak of 1974 According to Websters Dictionary, a tornado is a rotating column of air accompanied by a funnel shaped downward extension of a cumulonimbus cloud and having a vortex several hundred yards in diameter whirling destructively at speeds of up to three hundred miles per hour. There are six classifications of tornadoes, which are measured on what is known as the Fujita Scale. These tornadoes range from an F0 to an F5, which is the most devastating of all. Abnormal warm, humid, and oppressive weather usually precede the formation of a tornado. Records of American tornadoes date back to 1804 and have been known to occur in every state of the United States. A tornado outbreak occurs when a large number (six or more) of tornadoes are formed in groups or individual storms within a 24-48-hour period over a specific geographical area and spawned from the same general weather system. The April 3-4 outbreak of 1974 was the worst in the United States recorded history. Never before had so many tornadoes brought so much destruction to such a wide area of this country. It was so bad that a name had to be found for it. "Super Outbreak" is what they came up with. This storm, which extended from the afternoon of April 3rd through the morning of April 4th, produced 148 tornadoes in thirteen states. Xenia, Ohio was home to the worst damage caused by the tornado outbreak of 1974. As school children in Xenia, Ohio waited for their ride home and workers watched the clock tick slowly towards quitting time, a monstrous tornado whipped wildly towards their small town. In just minutes, the small peaceful city of Xenia became ground zero for the nation's worst tornado outbreak. The tornado, an F5, was among the strongest ever witnessed, with winds estimated between 261 and 318 mph. It sped furiously across town at a speed of about 52 mph. frantic residents scrambled for cover as the twister's shrieking winds slammed the his...
