The Flint-Worcester Tornadoes were two tornadoes. One occurring in Flint, Michigan on June 8, 1953. Another hit in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 9, 1953. These two tornadoes are among the deadliest in United States history.
The Flint, Michigan tornado
A tornado hit in Flint, Michigan, near Detroit on June 8, 1953. The tornado moved east-northeast 2 miles north of Flushing, Michigan and devastated the north side of Flint. The tornado dissipated near Lapeer, Michigan. Nearly every home was destroyed on both sides of Coldwater Road. Multiple deaths were reported in 20 families. It is, as of this writing, the last tornado to kill more than 100 people. One hundred and fifteen were killed, making it the ninth deadliest tornado in U.S. history. It is also one of only two F5 tornadoes ever to hit in Michigan history. Another F5 would hit in Hudsonville on April 3, 1956.
The Worcester, Massachusetts tornado
The storm system that created the Flint tornado moved east and another tornado hit in Worcester, Massachusetts in the early afternoon hours on June 9, 1953. Ninety-four people were killed. The tornado formed around Petersham, Massachusetts at 3:25 P.M. It then slammed into the suburbs of Barre, Rutland, and Holden before killing 60 in Northern Worcester.
This tornado was on the ground for an hour and a half. In that time period, the tornado traveled 46 miles and 1,100 people were injured. Debris was strewn eastward at an observatory 35 mi (56 km) away. Debris was also strewn out over Massachusetts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
1953 tornado season in perspective
Even though the 1953 tornado season only saw 422 tornadoes (which is half the nationwide average), the year saw some of the deadliest tornadoes, which included the Waco Tornado that hit on May 11.
Massachusetts is part of the New England tornado alley which extends from central Massachusetts up through Vermont. Massachusetts has an average of about 5 tornadoes since 1950. The New England Tornado alley is at its most active in July.
Baseball Teams
The Worcester Tornadoes are the independent Can-Am League (Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball) expansion team that is set to play their home games at Fitton Field at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Tornadoes' CEO, Alan Stone, claims that "The name embodies the strength and dominating force the team will strive to display on the field." The name was chosen by local Worcester resident, Lynne Orsted , though she was joined by hundreds of others who entered the same name in a public contest held to chose the name of the team. Native-born and former Major League Baseball player Rich Gedman will manage the team for the opening season, to begin in May of 2005. Their website is located at: http://www.worcesterprobaseball.com, but will soon change over to http://www.worcestertornadoes.com
External Links
See also: List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
Last updated: 05-07-2005 04:52:46
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
