1926 — Nov 25, Thanksgiving Day Tornadoes, AR (59 deaths), LA (12), MO (5)      —     76

–76  Blanchard from Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 325, 495 & 804-805.

Arkansas        (58)     

–58  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 325, 495 & 804-805.

–02  Pope County, Pottsville and Atkins. 17:00, F2              (Grazulis 1993, p. 804.)

            –06  Pope, Conway, Van Buren Counties. 17:15, F3, Old Hickory, Macedonia, Choctaw

–23  Faulkner, Cleburne Counties. 17:15 F4. Enders, Heber Springs. (Grazulis 1993, 804)

            –05  Perry, Conway Counties. 18:30 F3. Opello                   (Grazulis 1993, p. 804.)         

            –10  Lincoln, Jefferson Counties. 19:30 F3. Tamo village.   (Grazulis 1993, p. 804-805.)               –02  Jackson County. 19:30 F2. Newport to Jacksonport. (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)         

            –01  Grant County, Sheridan. 20:30 F2.                                (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)         

            –03  Lincoln County, Guld area. 22:00 F2.                           (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)         

–06  Columbia County, Ware Chapel area. 20:45 F2.           (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)

–51  NWS Little Rock, AR WFO. The Top 25 Weather Events of the 20th Century in Arkansas.

Louisiana       (13)

–12  Morehouse Parish, 3M west of Mer Rouge. 23:30 F3.              (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)

—  1  Claiborne Parish, Roxanna oil drilling camp. 20:45 F2.           (Grazulis 1993, p. 805.)

Missouri         (  5)

–1  Laclede County, Competition. 17:45 F3.                                     (Grazulis 1993, p. 804.)

–4  Howell County, Brandsville. 18:30 F4.                                       (Grazulis 1993, p. 804.)

Narrative Information

NWS: “…27 reported tornadoes and 51 fatalities in all across the state.  The hardest hit areas were Moscow in Jefferson County and a path from Greenbrier to Quitman to Heber Springs.”  (NWS, The Top 25 Weather Events of the 20th Century in Arkansas, Little Rock WFO, April 4, 2006.)

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 26, UP: “43 Dead in Arkansas, Missouri. By United Press. Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 26 –

“Catching a dozen communities unwarned, a series of violent cyclones struck southern Missouri, central Arkansas and northern Louisiana last night, killing at least 39 and injuring 138, while 10 are still missing. The toll is growing as rescuers dig among the demolished houses. Property loss will exceed $1,250-000.

 

“Heber Springs and Moscow, Arkansas, are the greatest sufferes, with 18 dead and 50 injured at Heber Springs, where the storm hit twice. Many of the 50 wrecked buildings burned, adding to the horror. Ten are dead and 50 injured at Moscow. Roads to the affected districts are almost impassable.

 

“Six Dead in Missouri; Town Cut Off. Four are dead at Brandsville, Missouri and the town is cut off from the outside world. Two were killed and several were injured at Competition, Missouri, and four are missing and 12 injured at Haynesville, Louisiana.

 

“Relief trains and ambulances have been rushed to the stricken districts and the Red Cross is aiding in caring for the suffering and destitute. The Arkansas state militia is to be asked to take charge of policing the districts….” (United Press. “56 Known Dead Is Toll Of Series Of Cyclones In Four States Late Thursday; Heber Springs Is Hit Twice And Loses 18; Milita To Guard.” Fayetteville Daily Democrat, AR. 11-26-1926, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27, AP: “Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 26 – (AP) – Groping through a tangled mass of debris left in the wake of a windstorm which swept in from the northwest, six southern and south-western states tonight counted a toll of 77 dead and more then 300 injured. Property damage was estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

“After making its way through the Ozark mountains, the storm struck with its greater fury near the Ozark foothills late yesterday and swirled through the town of Heber Springs, Ark. Then it twisted across into Missouri and dipped into half a dozen Arkansas counties and into Louisiana whence it veered to the east into Mississippi and then into Tennessee and Alabama.

….

“Heber Springs suffered most. Half of the town was left in ruins and about the town 26 persons were killed and 75 to 100 injured.

 

“Quitman, Green Brier, Guy-Pearson, Wilburn, Enders and Tyler, suburbs of Heber Springs, were among the villages which paid in life and property the storm’s price.

 

“Brandsville, Competition and Big Piney bore the brunt of the wind’s whirl into Missouri, while in Arkansas, Conway, Grant, Cleburne, Jackson, Jefferson and Yell counties paid a death toll.

 

“The oil and gas fields in Clayborne and Morehouse parishes and farming sections about Mer Rouge and Haynesville were hardest hit in Louisiana. In Mississippi, plantations were damaged in Quitman county.

 

“Early today the storm passed into Tennessee and disappeared after causing minor property damage about the town of Smyrna. The heaviest loss of life was in Arkansas….” (Associated Press. “Storm’s Death Toll Climbs to 77 in 6 States.” Joplin Globe, MO. 11-27-1926, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Storm’s Death Toll Climbs to 77 in 6 States.” Joplin Globe, MO. 11-27-1926, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-nov-27-1926-p-1/

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Little Rock, AR. The Top 25 Weather Events of the 20th Century in Arkansas:  Little Rock, AR:  NWS, NOAA. April 4, 2006 last modified.  Accessed at:  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/top25-nf.htm

 

United Press. “56 Known Dead Is Toll Of Series Of Cyclones In Four States Late Thursday; Heber Springs Is Hit Twice And Loses 18; Milita To Guard.” Fayetteville Daily Democrat, AR. 11-26-1926, p. 1.