Watch CBS News

NOAA: Record 226 tornadoes in 24 hours last week

WASHINGTON - Preliminary government estimates say there were more tornadoes in a single day last week than any other day in history.

Government analysts say there were 312 tornadoes during last week's outbreak, including a record-setting 226 in one day.

Video: Aftermath of Southeast tornadoes
South mourns victims of deadly tornadoes
Survivor stories: Escaping tornadoes' fury

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the largest previous number on record in one event occurred from April 3-4, 1974, with 148 tornadoes.

NOAA says 334 people were killed during the 24-hour-period from 8:00 a.m. Wednesday to Thursday.

More people were killed by tornadoes in the two-day period since April 5-6, 1936, when 454 people were killed, mostly in Tupelo, Miss., and Gainesville, Georgia," according to NOAA. And it was the deadliest single day for tornadoes since the March 18, 1925, tornado outbreak that had 747 fatalities across 7 states.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.