|duration= parameter from the infobox header or from another 'History' box instead. A map of the tornado outbreak on February 12, 1945 by F. C. Pate. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | February 12, 1945 |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | ≥8 |
| Maximum rating | F4 tornado |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 45 fatalities, 427 injuries |
| Damage | $1.972 million[1] ($334 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
| Areas affected | Southeastern United States |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 1945 | |
On February 12, 1945, a devastating tornado outbreak occurred across the Southeastern United States. The storms killed 45 people and injured 427 others.[1][3]
This outbreak included a devastating tornado that struck Montgomery, Alabama, killing 26 people.[3] The United States Weather Bureau described this tornado as "perhaps the most officially observed one in history" as it reached within five miles (8 km) of the U.S. Weather Bureau's office.[3] The tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis estimated the intensity of the Montgomery tornado to be F3 on the Fujita scale.[1] The Montgomery storm destroyed around 100 houses, as well as two warehouses and a freight train.[1] This is the deadliest tornado to ever impact the city of Montgomery.[4]
Earlier that day, another tornado – also estimated to be F3 intensity – struck Meridian, Mississippi, killing five to seven people.[1][5] Between the Meridian tornado and the Montgomery tornado, the strongest tornado of the day struck near York and Livingston, Alabama, killing 11 people. Grazulis estimated the intensity of the tornado to be F4 on the Fujita scale.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. pp. 922–925. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c F. C. Pate (United States Weather Bureau) (October 1946). "The Tornado at Montgomery, Alabama, February 12, 1945". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 27 (8). American Meteorological Society: 462–464. JSTOR 26257954. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
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