Tornado outbreak sequence of December 1–6, 1953
Vicksburg Sunday Post-Herald showing the destruction in Vicksburg | |
| Formed | December 1, 1953 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days, 16 hours |
| Dissipated | December 6, 1953 |
| Lowest temperature | 31 °F (−1 °C) Vicksburg, MS on December 6. |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 19 |
| Max. rating1 | F5 tornado |
| Fatalities | 49 fatalities, 404 injuries |
| Damage | $45.709 million (1953 USD) $443 million (2025 USD) |
| Areas affected | Southeastern United States |
Part of tornado outbreaks of 1953 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale | |
The first six days of December 1953 produced a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak sequence across the Southern United States. There were 19 confirmed tornadoes, including a large and violent F4 tornado that hit the northwest side of Alexandria, Louisiana and even more large and violent F5 tornado that hit Vicksburg, Mississippi. In all, the tornadoes killed 49 people, injured 404 others, and caused $45,709 million (1953 USD) in damage. The death toll made this deadliest December tornado outbreak ever recorded and it would not be surpassed until 2021. This was also the last of the series of deadly and catastrophic tornado outbreaks to strike the US in 1953.