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Today in History: Devastating F5 tornado claims 216 lives in Tupelo

4/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 5, 1936, an F5 tornado devastated Tupelo, Mississippi, killing at least 216 people. This tornado was part of a larger outbreak that produced fourteen tornadoes across the Southeastern United States, resulting in at least 454 fatalities and injuring over 2,500 individuals, marking it as one of the deadliest tornado events in U.S. history.

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Story summary

On April 5, 1936, an F5 tornado devastated Tupelo, Mississippi, killing at least 216 people. This tornado was part of a larger outbreak that produced fourteen tornadoes across the Southeastern United States, resulting in at least 454 fatalities and injuring over 2,500 individuals, marking it as one of the deadliest tornado events in U.S. history.