1940 – March 12, Tornado, Elysian Fields area TX (3); Shreveport area, LA (10) — 13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-20-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–13 Associated Press in The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, p. 1.
–13 Ruston Daily Leader, LA. “Tornado Hits Louisiana East Texas.” 3-14-1940, p. 1.
–10 TX and LA. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 325 and 889.
Louisiana (10)
–10 Shreveport. AP. “Ten Killed as Wind…Hail Batter Shreveport.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, 1.
–10 Shreveport. AP. “2,500 Property Units Damaged.” Monroe News-Star, LA. 3-14-1940, p.1.
Texas ( 3)
–3 Elysian Fields and Bethany Area near Louisiana border.[1]
–1 Elysian Fields. Mrs. Banks Roberts, 65, in “demolished” home.
–2 Unidentified fatalities between Elysian Fields and Bethany.
Narrative Information
Grazulis: “TX/LA Mar 12, 1940 16:30 10k 60inj 200y 30m F3 Harrison, TX / Caddo/Bossier, LA – Moved ENE from between Fields and Waskom, Texas. Serious damage began in the Flournoy, Louisiana area, and continued across the southern part of Shreveport….There were as many as four deaths in one family. Over 2500 homes were damaged and over 100 were destroyed.” (p.889)
Newspapers
March 13, AP: “Carthage, March 12. – (AP) – Neal Estes, editor of the Panola Watchman, Carthage newspaper, said tonight that reports indicated at least three persons were killed in a tornado late today between Elysian Fields and Bethany, Texas, near the Louisiana line. Estes confirming reports that Mrs. Banks Robers, 65, had been killed in Elysian Fields, said her home was ‘demolished,’ with timbers and other wreckage strewn about in such manner that it was difficult to tell how she met her death. The body bore numerous bruises. Mrs. Roberts’ daughter, Mrs. C. A. Hightower, about 38, also in the house at the time, was injured, but is expected to recover. An 18-months-old daughter of Mrs. Hightower suffered minor cuts and bruises.
“Two negroes, Estes said, were reported killed between Elysian Fields and Bethany.
“The newspaperman said 11 houses were wrecked and 10 or 12 more damaged. He estimated there were 50 dwellings in Elysian Fields. It was feared that there was additional damage in the rural area between Elysian Fields and Bethany, but muddy roads and paralyzed communications made it difficult to check.
“Rain, accompanied by hail ‘as large as hen effs,’ followed a terrific wind which cut a half-mile swath for a distance of seven or eight miles along the Louisiana-Texas line, Estes said. The storm struck at 4:45 p.m. (CST). 15 minutes after the disturbance hit Shreveport, LA. The time was fixed by numerous clocks, served by rural electrification lines, which had stopped at 4:45.” (Associated Press. “Three Killed on Texas Line.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, pp. 1 and 12.)
March 13 (AP): “Shreveport, La., March 12 – (AP) – Ten persons were killed, 24 injured, and hundreds left homeless here today when a terrific wind and hail storm struck this city shortly after 4:30 p.m. uprooting trees and leveling buildings…
“Four persons were killed in three adjacent houses leveled by the wind. They were identified as:
John M. Bauguss, about 35.
Mrs. John M. Bauguss.
Mrs. Hettie Armstrong, 45.
Mr. E. G. Woodyard, 62.
- K. Giddens. [This is five names.]
An unidentified negro who was killed at a cotton oil plant.
Four other unidentified negroes were killed. [10 deaths thus noted]
“….At least 500 houses were damaged in the Queensboro section. Thirty national guardsmen were called into this area to prevent looting.
“One hundred legionnaires and CCC camp youths were sent out from the Caddo parish morgue into the section where damage was greatest to clear wreckage and search for bodies….
“The storm was preceded by a terrific hail and rain which blackened the skies completely.” (Associated Press. “Ten Killed as Wind and Hail Batter Shreveport.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, p. 1.)
March 14, AP: “Shreveport, La., March 14. – (AP) – Approximately 2,500 units of property, including homes, business establishments and public buildings were damaged by the tornado which swept a devastating path through Shreveport and environs late Tuesday, leaving in its wake ten dead, more than two score injured and a property damage roughly estimated at $2,000,000.
“Today the community was engaged in the task of buying the dead, attending the injured, providing relief for the homeless and rehabilitating the damaged areas….” (Associated Press. “Ten Killed as Wind and Hail Batter Shreveport.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Ten Killed as Wind and Hail Batter Shreveport.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-20-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-mar-13-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Three Killed on Texas Line.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, pp. 1 and 12. Accessed 10-20-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-mar-13-1940-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
Ruston Daily Leader, LA. “Tornado Hits Louisiana East Texas.” 3-14-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-20-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ruston-daily-leader-mar-14-1940-p-1/
[1] Associated Press. “Three Killed on Texas Line.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 3-13-1940, p. 1.