When you think of natural disasters in Massachusetts, you probably imagine fierce hurricanes or extreme blizzards. You probably don’t think of deadly tornadoes. However, a lethal twister once touched down in the Bay State and cut a massive swathe of destruction through Central Massachusetts.
On the morning of June 9, 1953, Worcester County had no idea that it was about to be hit by a devastating tornado.
YouTube/moviemagg
The twister was rated as an EF-4 tornado. It was 1,000 yards wide and traveled a full 46 miles through Central Massachusetts.
YouTube/moviemagg
It was actually part of a three-day weather event called the Flint-Worcester Tornado Outbreak Sequence that occurred between June 6 and 9.
YouTube/moviemagg
Eyewitnesses to the storm’s descent over the Quabbin Reservoir said that it initially had three funnels, but that the tornado eventually condensed into one killer twister.
YouTube/moviemagg
The twister shredded homes and buildings in its path, leveling entire streets.
YouTube/moviemagg
Several hundred cars were tossed about in the roads like toys, and baseball-sized hail rained down on some communities.
YouTube/moviemagg
Tragically, 94 people were killed by the storm.
YouTube/moviemagg
An additional 1,000 people were injured and more than 4,000 buildings were flattened or damaged.
YouTube/moviemagg
Assumption College was completely destroyed.
Wikimedia Commons/NWS Employee
The storm stayed on the ground for more than an hour and a half, traveling through the towns of Petersham, Barre, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Southborough, and Westborough.
YouTube/moviemagg
The storm eventually dissipated over Framingham. More than 10,000 people were left homeless.
YouTube/moviemagg
In today’s money, the tornado cost the state $349 million in damages.
YouTube/moviemagg
The 1953 Worcester Tornado was the 21st deadliest tornado in the history of the United States.
YouTube/moviemagg
Check out the video below from YouTube channel “moviemagg” for a glimpse at the aftermath of this deadly storm:
YouTube/moviemagg
Wikimedia Commons/NWS Employee
The Worcester Tornado is one of the worst natural disasters to ever afflict Massachusetts, but it’s far from this state’s only terrible catastrophe. Check out some other horrific events in the Bay State’s history here.
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