Tornado outbreak sequence of May 1949

The May 1949 tornado outbreak sequence was a series of violent tornado outbreaks that occurred across the Midwest between May 15-22, 1949. At least 74 tornadoes occurred.

Texas
On May 16, a slow-moving frontal storm approached Fort Worth, traveling along the Clear Fork and West Fork river basins from the west. Around 12:30 a.m., it was near Wichita, Kansas. Then, it moved east of Wichita Falls, Texas before moving near the Del Rio and Junction areas. At this point, a line of severe thunderstorms were already developing, dropping the only tornado on May 16, 1949. As the front approached Fort Worth, it slowed. Between 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., rainfall totals had topped at 8" in Cresson. 7.5" of rain was reported at the Fort Worth courthouse. A large portion of the Clear Fork watershed upstream from Fort Worth received six inches in six hours. By the storm's departure, a total of 11 inches of rain was reported at the junction of Bear Creek and South Bear Creek at the county line of Parker and Tarrant counties. A total of 12" was recorded southeast of Fort Worth. The highest rainfall total was 12.8" near Kennedale. The surge of the flood waters was described as a "flood wave" and water levels in Trinity River were at 25 feet, which is still below the previously set record of 34 feet in 1922. The river crested at 28.9 feet before fully receding.

Amarillo, Texas
This section is in progress!

Wood River, Illinois
This section is in progress!

Palestine, Illinois
This section is in progress!

Shelburn, Indiana
This section is in progress!

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
This section is in progress!