Tornadoes of 1981
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1981, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
Synopsis
Numbers for 1981 were below average, both in terms of number of tornadoes and number of fatalities.January
Only two tornadoes touched down in January, both were rated F0 and took place in California.February
There were 25 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in February, injuring 82 people.February 10–11
The first fatal tornadoes of the year occurred during a relatively small outbreak between February 10 and 11. Two F2 tornadoes, one in Walker County, Texas and the other in Hoke/Cumberland County, North Carolina, killed one person each.March
There were 33 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in March.March 30
One person was killed by an F2 tornado in Hertford County, North Carolina.April
There were 84 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in April. Most of the year's fatalities took place during the month, with 13 people perishing.April 3
At approximately 10:55 PM, a tornado—later determined to be an F4—touched down north of Wilson Park in Granite City, Illinois, and began tracking northeast. As it strengthened, it damaged or destroyed 31 homes in northeast Granite before proceeding to Pontoon Beach, where it severely damaged 20 more mobile homes and residences. According to reports, it sheared trees, moved/overturned several vehicles, and reportedly drove a pair of hand-hedge trimmers into a telephone pole.The tornado lifted for a short period before touching back down east of the intersection of Interstate 270 and Illinois Route 157, overturning and damaging two tractor trailers.
It briefly lifted again—still moving northeast—before touching back down and striking Edwardsville, Illinois, where it severely damaged or destroyed residences and businesses. Reports described a transformer being blown about 1/2 of a block, boards and limbs being driven/embedded into walls and windshields, as well as pieces of linoleum being driven underneath the molding over the vinyl roof of a car.
The strength of the circulation then wavered before dissipating near the northern edge of Edwardsville.
Between Granite City and Edwardsville, the tornado tracked approximately 12 miles northeast, reaching a peak width of 567 yards. There were 32 direct injuries, and 0 fatalities reported. The tornado caused a total of $25M in property damage.