F3 tornado | |
---|---|
Formed | May 13, 1980 | , 4:09 pm EDT
Max. rating1 | F3 tornado |
Fatalities | 5 fatalities |
Damage | $50,000,000 |
Areas affected | Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
The Kalamazoo Tornado of 1980 struck downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Tuesday, May 13, 1980. The tornado, which touched down at 4:09 pm, was rated F3 on the Fujita scale. The tornado killed 5 people and injured 79. Damage was estimated at $50,000,000, which included $1,800,000 in vehicle damage. [1] [2]
The tornado left a path of destruction 11 miles (18 km) long during its approximately 16-minute duration. [3] It was notable for having struck the heart of downtown, damaging or destroying many notable buildings, parks, and landmarks. The massive F3 caused a power outage so extensive, phone companies pleaded for people to only use phones for emergencies. In total, the storm caused 5 deaths, 79 injuries, and about 1,200 people were left homeless. [4]
An hour prior to the St. Augustine Elementary School being destroyed, all 328 students were sent home early thanks to adequate warning. [2]
F3 tornado | |
---|---|
Formed | May 13, 1980 | , 4:09 pm EDT
Max. rating1 | F3 tornado |
Fatalities | 5 fatalities |
Damage | $50,000,000 |
Areas affected | Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
The Kalamazoo Tornado of 1980 struck downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Tuesday, May 13, 1980. The tornado, which touched down at 4:09 pm, was rated F3 on the Fujita scale. The tornado killed 5 people and injured 79. Damage was estimated at $50,000,000, which included $1,800,000 in vehicle damage. [1] [2]
The tornado left a path of destruction 11 miles (18 km) long during its approximately 16-minute duration. [3] It was notable for having struck the heart of downtown, damaging or destroying many notable buildings, parks, and landmarks. The massive F3 caused a power outage so extensive, phone companies pleaded for people to only use phones for emergencies. In total, the storm caused 5 deaths, 79 injuries, and about 1,200 people were left homeless. [4]
An hour prior to the St. Augustine Elementary School being destroyed, all 328 students were sent home early thanks to adequate warning. [2]