The Waco Tornado was the tornado that hit in Waco, Texas on May 11, 1953. According to an old Native American legend, tornadoes could not hit in Waco. Reality came to light on that fateful Monday afternoon. The Waco Tornado remains Texas' deadliest in its history and the nation's tenth deadliest.

This tornado formed near Lorena where it leveled a home. Then it moved into downtown Waco where it leveled many buildings. The most well-known damage to the city was of a six-story furniture store. The bricks from the buildings piled up to a depth of five feet. Five people were killed in two cars crushed in the street. Another 30 were killed in the furniture store that collapsed. Survivors were buried for 14 hours and several days were needed to remove the bodies from the rubble. Over 250 homes and 2000 cars were damaged or destroyed.

114 people were killed and 597 were injured. The tornado caused $41 million in damage.

See also: List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks