The Texas city struck by a deadly F5 tornado on May 11, 1953, was Waco.
The tornado formed southwest of Waco during a major outbreak across the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. It moved through downtown near the end of the workday, when streets and buildings were crowded. Heavy rain obscured the funnel, while many downtown structures were not strong enough to withstand the extreme winds.
The tornado killed 114 people in Waco and injured 597, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in Texas history. It destroyed or collapsed hundreds of homes and businesses, including the R. T. Dennis building, where 30 people died. The Amicable Building, now associated with the ALICO Building, survived because of its steel-reinforced construction.
The broader May 9–11 outbreak produced at least 33 tornadoes and 144 deaths. A common mix-up is confusing the Waco tornado with the F4 tornado that struck San Angelo earlier on May 11. Waco’s storm is also historically notable as the first tornado officially rated F5 in the United States.