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Tornado outbreak of December 5, 1954

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Tornado outbreak of December 5, 1954
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationDecember 5, 1954
Tornadoes
confirmed		14
Max. rating1F3 tornado
Duration of
tornado outbreak2		5 hours and 30 minutes
Fatalities2 fatalities, 125 injuries
Damage$2.710 million (1954 USD)[1]
Areas affectedEastern Alabama, Western Georgia

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

A destructive and deadly tornado outbreak tore through Eastern Alabama and Western Georgia during the afternoon of December 5, 1954. A total of 14 tornadoes were confirmed, 10 of which were significant (F2+), including one that hit Metro Atlanta. Two people were killed, 125 others were injured, and damages total $2.710 million (1954 USD).

Meteorological synopsis

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A low-pressure system formed over the Southeastern Colorado and moved southeastward into the Southeastern United States the next day, triggering a severe weather outbreak.[2]

Confirmed tornadoes

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Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 0 4 8 2 0 0 14
Daily statistics of tornadoes produced by the tornado outbreak of December 5, 1954
Date Total Fujita scale rating Deaths Injuries Damage Ref.
 FU   F0   F1   F2   F3   F4   F5 
December 5 14 0 0 4 8 2 0 0 2 125 $2,710,000 [3]
Total 14 0 0 4 8 2 0 0 2 125 $2,710,000 [3]
Outbreak death toll[3]
State Total County County
total
Georgia 2 Stewart 1
Fulton 1
Totals 2
All deaths were tornado-related
List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, December 5, 1954[nb 1][nb 2]
F# Location County / Parish State Start
coord. 		Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary
F3 Roanoke Junction, AL to Pine Mountain Valley, GA to Manchester, GA Lee (AL), Harris (GA), Meriwether (GA) AL, GA 32°41′N 85°25′W / 32.68°N 85.42°W / 32.68; -85.42 (Roanoke Junction (December 5, F3)) 18:00–20:30 51 miles (82 km) 200 yards (180 m) This skipping, long-tracked, intense tornado, which was likely a tornado family, touched down northwest of Opelika, hitting the towns of Roanoke Junction and Mechanicsville before moving into Georgia at Barlett's Ferry. It then hit the towns of Antioch, Hamilton, Pine Mountain Valley, Nebula, Bussey Crossroads, Bulloch Crossroads, and Manchester before dissipating. In Alabama, a total of 11 homes were destroyed, 64 others were damaged, 33 other buildings were damaged, and a chicken farm was heavily damaged. Additionally, the tornado damaged more than 100 structures in Manchester, Georgia. Seven people were injured and damages were estimated at $750,000.[nb 3] Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis assessed the tornado as having caused F2-level damage.[2][5][6][7]
F3 Ohatchee to Wellington to Piedmont Calhoun AL 33°47′N 86°00′W / 33.78°N 86.00°W / 33.78; -86.00 (Ohatchee (December 5, F3)) 19:30–? 24.7 miles (39.8 km) 100 yards (91 m) A strong tornado started in Ohatchee, hitting the towns of West Wellington, Wellington, Angel, West Point, Merrellton, Possum Trot, Maxwellborn, Price, and Piedmont Springs before dissipating as it was passing through Piedmont. A total of 37 homes were destroyed and 50 others were damaged. Additionally, 15 other buildings were destroyed and 28 others were damaged. A total of 26 people were injured and damages were estimated at $250,000. Multiple other strong, killer tornadoes later struck this same general area on March 27, 1994, April 27, 2011, and March 25, 2021.[2][5][6][8]
F2 Northern Blakely to N of Bancroft Early GA 31°23′N 84°56′W / 31.38°N 84.93°W / 31.38; -84.93 (Blakely (December 5, F2)) 19:30–? 6.4 miles (10.3 km) 250 yards (230 m) A strong tornado grazed the north side of Blakely and traveled through swamps to north of Bancroft, where most of the damage occurred. Six homes and a church were damaged or destroyed, a truck was crumpled up, stored crops were blown away, utility services were disrupted, and many trees were blown down. Two people were injured and losses totaled $250,000. The CDNS report did not list any casualties.[2][6][9]
F2 NE of Clayton, AL to Lumpkin, GA to Ellaville, GA Barbour (AL), Quitman (GA), Stewart (GA), Webster (GA), Marion (GA), Schley (GA) AL, GA 31°56′N 85°23′W / 31.93°N 85.38°W / 31.93; -85.38 (Clayton (December 5, F2)) 19:45–22:00 71.5 miles (115.1 km) 100 yards (91 m) 1 death – See section on this tornado – There were 35 injuries and $1.5025 million in damage.[2][5][6][10]
F1 Stewart Woods Douglas GA 33°42′N 84°45′W / 33.70°N 84.75°W / 33.70; -84.75 (Stewart Woods (December 5, F1)) 21:00–? 0.2 miles (0.32 km) 100 yards (91 m) This tornado caused $2,500 in damages south of Douglasville.[2][11]
F2 ENE of Zellobee to Buena Vista Marion GA 32°18′N 84°35′W / 32.30°N 84.58°W / 32.30; -84.58 (Zellobee (December 5, F2)) 21:00–? 7.4 miles (11.9 km) 150 yards (140 m) A strong tornado moved straight through Buena Vista. A number of outbuildings and 11 homes were destroyed or damaged. Seven people were injured and losses totaled $25,000.[2][6][12]
F2 Taylorsville to Stilesboro Bartow GA 34°05′N 85°00′W / 34.08°N 85.00°W / 34.08; -85.00 (Taylorsville (December 5, F2)) 21:00–? 7.1 miles (11.4 km) 500 yards (460 m) A strong tornado moved directly through both Taylorsville and Stilesboro. A couple of homes, six barns, and three warehouses were damaged or destroyed, along with transmission towers. Timberland incurred extensive damage as well. Losses totaled $25,000.[2][6][13]
F1 SSW of Centerville to NNW of Wesley Talbot GA 32°41′N 84°25′W / 32.68°N 84.42°W / 32.68; -84.42 (Centerville (December 5, F1)) 21:10–? 4.1 miles (6.6 km) 80 yards (73 m) This tornado began east of Talbotton. A few small homes were destroyed well south of the rural community of Ypsilanti/Redbone. Six injuries occurred and losses amounted to $2,500. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[2][6][14]
F1 Hulett Carroll GA 33°36′N 84°59′W / 33.60°N 84.98°W / 33.60; -84.98 (Hulett (December 5, F1)) 21:30–? 4.5 miles (7.2 km) 200 yards (180 m) This tornado moved directly through Hulett where many barns, a church, and a home were unroofed or destroyed. Losses reached $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[2][6][15]
F1 E of Shellhorn Pike AL 31°53′N 86°04′W / 31.88°N 86.07°W / 31.88; -86.07 (Shellhorn (December 5, F1)) 22:00–? 1.5 miles (2.4 km) 83 yards (76 m) Four homes and a barn were damaged or destroyed. Two injuries occurred and losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis classified the tornado as a low-end F2.[2][6][16]
F2 Salem Russell AL 32°27′N 85°17′W / 32.45°N 85.28°W / 32.45; -85.28 (Salem (December 5, F2)) 22:00–? 0.1 miles (0.16 km) 10 yards (9.1 m) This short-lived tornado was reported by a pilot patrolling power lines west of Crawford. Three homes that were close together were destroyed and a power line was downed. Losses reached $25,000.[2][6][17]
F2 NW of Bronwood Terrell GA 31°50′N 84°24′W / 31.83°N 84.40°W / 31.83; -84.40 (Bronwood (December 5, F2)) 22:10–? 2.7 miles (4.3 km) 200 yards (180 m) This tornado damaged three farms and destroyed a home. Losses totaled $25,000.[2][6][18]
F2 Lucile Early, Miller GA 31°14′N 84°56′W / 31.23°N 84.93°W / 31.23; -84.93 (Lucile (December 5, F2)) 22:30–? 2.7 miles (4.3 km) 100 yards (91 m) This tornado moved through Lucile, where three homes and a few barns were extensively damaged or destroyed. Losses amounted to $25,000.[2][6][19]
F2 Sylvan Hills Fulton GA 33°42′N 84°26′W / 33.70°N 84.43°W / 33.70; -84.43 (Sylvan Hills (December 5, F2)) 23:30–? 0.5 miles (0.80 km) 50 yards (46 m) 1 death – This tornado affected the Sylvan Hills community in Southwestern Atlanta and also passed near Fort McPherson. Seven homes were wrecked or unroofed. A total of 40 people were injured and losses totaled $25,000.[2][6][20]

Clayton–Howe, Alabama/Lumpkin–Ellaville, Georgia

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Clayton–Howe, Alabama/Lumpkin–Ellaville, Georgia
F2 tornado
Max. rating1F2 tornado
Fatalities1 fatality, 35 injuries
Damage$1.5025 million (1954 USD)
Areas affectedSoutheastern Alabama and Southwestern Georgia
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The first fatal tornado of the outbreak was this strong F2 tornado–which was likely a tornado family–that touched down north of Clayton, Alabama. It headed due east, clipping the northwest side of Eufaula before hitting the town of Howe and moving into Georgia. Throughout Barbour County, Alabama, the tornado injured three and caused $2,500 in damage, although what was damaged in the county is unknown.[2][5][6][10]

The tornado then entered Quitman County, Georgia well to the north of Georgetown and began to curve northeastward. Damage here was mainly limited to trees before the tornado moved into Stewart County, where the worst effects from the tornado were felt. There were no casualties in Quitman County, but there was $250,000 in damage.[2][6][10]

Upon entering Stewart County, the tornado hit town of Sanford, where some damage occurred. It then continued northeastward through rural areas before causing some of its worst damage as it tore through the northwest side of Lumpkin in Shady Grove. Several homes and smaller buildings were damaged and a fire lookout tower was toppled. The tornado then moved back into rural areas, continuing to damage or down hundreds of trees before striking Pleasant Valley. A home, church, and several smaller buildings were destroyed while other buildings along trees were damaged. Utility lines were blown down and some crops in storage lost. Throughout the town, one person was killed, three others were injured, losses totaled $15,000. The tornado then struck the town of Red Hill as it passed to the north of Richland with the funnel cloud being observed and a roaring sound like several jet planes in motion were heard. Two homes and a few smaller buildings were demolished, several others were severely damaged, including four automobiles, a tractor, and a trailer, and a large amounts of crops in storage were blown away. There were 16 injures and $35,000 in losses in town. Throughout Stewart County, the tornado killed one, injured 20, and caused $250,000 in damage.[2][6][10]

The tornado then entered Webster County, where it turned more to the east and moved through rural areas as it approached the town of Church Hill. It then struck the town as it was moving into Marion County, demolishing one home and heavily damaging several other buildings, including a church. Throughout the town, there were $10,000 in losses and eight people were injured. Hundreds of trees continued to be damage as the tornado continued on its path. Throughout, Webster County, the tornado injured eight and caused $250,000 in damage. An additional $250,000 in damage also occurred in Marion County.[6][10]

The tornado then moved into Schley County. After moving due east, it abruptly made a left turn northwest of Shiloh and traveled north-northeast, taking it directly into Ellaville. Just outside the latter place, the tornado wrecked five homes. Damage was inflicted throughout the town and dozen of trees were downed before the tornado finally dissipated as it was exiting town. Throughout Schley County, the tornado injured four and caused $500,000 in damage.[6][10]

The tornado (or tornado family) was on the ground for at least 2 hours and 15 minutes, traveled 71.5 miles (115.1 km), had a maximum width of 250 yards (230 m), and caused $1.5025 million (1954 USD) in damage. Two people were killed and 35 others were injured.[5][6][10]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
  2. ^ Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[4]
  3. ^ All losses are in 1954 USD unless otherwise noted.

References

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  1. ^ "December 5, 1954 Tornadoes". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Weather Service. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Climatological Data National Summary Publication | IPS | National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c National Weather Service (March 2020). Events reported between 12/05/1954 and 12/05/1954 (1 days) (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. ^ Brooks, Harold E. (April 2004). "On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity". Weather and Forecasting. 19 (2). Boston: American Meteorological Society: 310. Bibcode:2004WtFor..19..310B. doi:10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Alabama Tornadoes 1954". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. p. 983. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
  7. ^ Alabama Event Report: F3 tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 3 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F3 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 3 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F3 tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  8. ^ Alabama Event Report: F3 tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  9. ^ Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Alabama Event Report: F2 tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 18 February 2021.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. NCDC (Report). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 4 July 2020.Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  11. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  12. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  13. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  14. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  15. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  16. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Alabama Event Report: F1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  17. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Alabama Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  18. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  19. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  20. ^ National Weather Service (March 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
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