A long-lived, destructive tornado outbreak sequence caused widespread damage and numerous casualties across the United States during mid- to late-May 1962. Over the course of 18 days, 188 tornadoes touched down across 25 states from California to Connecticut. There were 62 significant (F2+) tornadoes during the event, including 15 F3 tornadoes and four F4 tornadoes. In addition to the tornadoes, storms across the region produced destructive straight-line winds, large hail, heavy rainfall that led to flash flooding, and frequent lightning. Overall, the outbreak sequence caused three fatalities, 168 injuries, and caused $33.450 million in damage. There were additional casualties that occurred as a result of non-tornadic weather events as well.
Meteorological synopsis
A persistent weather pattern brought almost daily severe and tornadic storms to the Great Plains as multiple low-pressure systems moved northward through the region due to a ridge to the east. In Nebraska and South Dakota, multiple strong tornadoes moved over the same areas on different days with Nebraska also seeing a violent tornado. One particularly devastating F3 tornado injured 32 in Mitchell, South Dakota. May 22 also saw a fatality when an F2 tornado struck Iowa City, Iowa. In the Northeastern United States, several stray tornadoes touched down and caused minor to major damage. Connecticut saw the most casualties from one tornado when an F3 tornado struck the northern suburbs of Waterbury, causing near-F4 damage, killing one, and injuring 50. Oklahoma and Texas saw three of the four violent tornadoes from the outbreak during the latter part of May. May 25, saw an F4 tornado injure nine in Dill City, Oklahoma while an F3 tornado killed one and injured another in Radium, Texas. Although the worst tornadoes happened during the outbreak sequence, the active period of daily tornadoes did not officially end until June 25. In addition to the tornadoes, widespread non-tornadic impacts occurred with lightning and flooding causing most of the non-tornadic casualties.
Confirmed tornadoes
Burton–Mills, Nebraska/Bonesteel, South Dakota
This massive, intense, long-tracked F3 tornado touched down well northwest of Springview and southeast of Naper, Nebraska on May 14 and moved northeast, striking the towns Burton and Mills. Nine farmsteads were obliterated, six others were partially destroyed, and one other one was damaged heavily damaged. Four of the farms had every building including the home swept away. In all, 10 homes were destroyed with debris from them scattered up to away. The tornado then crossed the state line and struck Bonesteel, South Dakota before dissipating. It traveled and was wide. It injured eight and caused $250,000 in damage. The tornado track may have been much longer as possible tornado damage was observed all the way to Carthage, South Dakota, a total distance of about . The tornado was rated F4 by Grazulis.
Southern Corsica–Mitchell–Forestburg–Huron, South Dakota
This massive, intense, long-tracked F3 tornado was a possible continuation of the earlier large F3 tornado in Nebraska above. It is officially labeled to have touched down south of Corsica and moved northeast, before turning almost due north while passing northwest of Ethan, striking Mitchell, Forestburg, Huron, and Morningside before dissipating east of Broadland. It traveled , was wide, and injured two. Despite the destruction, no monetary damage value was given.
Closter−Tilden–Hartington–Wynot, Nebraska
Long-tracked, large F3 tornado family touched down just north-northwest of Closter on May 21 and moved north-northeast, strengthening as it struck Tilden. There was major damage in the town with some areas being completely destroyed. Six people were injured in Tilden with losses totaling at least $1 million. Turning northeast, the tornado weakened and may have lifted temporarily, with a funnel cloud being spotted aloft just southwest of McLean and east of Osmond. Damage was sporadic and of varying intensities until the tornado touched down solidly again as it approached Hartington. Major damage occurred in the town as walls and roofs being blown off of businesses and homes with losses totaling at least $100,000. One person was also injured. The tornado continued northeast, barely missing St. James and Wynot to the east before dissipating over the Missouri River just before crossing into South Dakota.
The tornado was on the ground for at least an hour and 10 minutes, traveled , and was wide. Seven people were injured and losses totaled $10 million. Gusty winds and hail accompanied the tornado as well.