1942 – April 28, F4 Tornado, Crowell, Foard County, West TX                                    —     11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-22-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  AP. “Crowell Tornado Claims 11.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 4-29-1942, p. 1.

–11  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 439 and 899-900.

–11  National Weather Service, Norman OK Weather Forecast Office. Crowell, TX Tornadoes.

–11  Office of the Texas State Climatologist. “Severe Weather in Texas: 1940s.”

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “TX  Apr 28, 1942  2130  11k [killed] 250inj  1500y  3m  F4. Foard [county] – Moving SE, this huge tornado enveloped Crowell. All records indicate that the path length was short, but very destructive (near F5). About 75% of the buildings in Crowell were destroyed. Survivors, emerging from the wreckage, were battered by grapefruit-sized hail. Of the 1900 residents, 1600 were homeless. Many homes ‘just vanished.’ $1,500,000.”

Newspaper

April 29, AP: “Vernon, Tex., April 29. – (AP) – More than half the buildings in Crowell, Tex., were destroyed by a tornado and fire which devastated the West Texas county seat town last night. At least eleven persons were killed. At least 125 were injured, 30 or 40 seriously….Forth-eight of the injured were in a Vernon hospital.

“The business district virtually was wiped out. Three buildings on the southwest corner of the square were a mass of burning wreckage today. An early estimate placed damage at probably $1,500,000. The structures which were not razed were damaged an estimated 80 to 85 percent.

“….The storm struck about 9 p.m. The fire started in either the Eddy-Rasor building or the M. S. Henry store and spread to the post-office and First Baptist church, all of which were a total loss.

Hits On Northeast

“George Self, Crowell motor dealer, estimated that fully 80 percent of the residences in the city were either badly damaged or destroyed. He said it would require six months to make the city livable again and at least ten years to rebuild.

“Cadets [from Victory Field, Vernon], legionnaires and other volunteers searched through the debris, bringing the injured to a first aid station which was set up in a vacant store building.

“The tornado struck several miles northeast of Crowell and flattened most of the city’s homes except a few in the northwest corner. Whole blocks of residences in the best part of town were shattered. All utilities were put out of commission instantly but a telegraph line was set up today.

“Rain estimated at from 7 to 9 inches and hail fell north of the city toward Quanah, sending the Pease river on a rampage. The rains created a serious threat to the Lake Pauline dam a few miles north of Crowell. Terrific winds and rains likewise hit Quanah and Chillicothe….

Casualty List

“….The known dead in the tornado which struck Crowell last night: [We alphabetize.]

[Mrs. A. D. Campbell, 53, died May 2. AP. “Tenth Crowell Cyclone Victim Succumbs.”]

Clara [Magdaline] Collins, 12.                                   [Crowell Cemetery A-C.]

[Rufas] Lester Donaldson, 60.                                    [Crowell Cemetery D-F.]

[Roy] Harold Durham, 19.                                          [Crowell Cemetery D-F.]

[Arthur Lee Finis, 30, died May 1. AP. “Crowell Tornado Toll Goes to Nine.” 5-1-1942.

Robert H. [Haskell] Jones, 55…died about 11 a.m.   [Crowell Cemetery G-K.]

[Tom Jones, 74. Associated Press Amarillo Daily News, TX, 4-30-1942, p. 1.][1]

Gary Don Sprinkle, 1….died about 11 a.m.

Marion Williamson, 18.

[Nettie Maude Young [Yount[2]], 30. AP. Amarillo Daily News, TX, 4-30-1942, p. 1.]

An unidentified boy, 5. (Have not located name of boy – possible incorrectly noted.)

An unidentified baby. (Questionable in that this is not repeated in later reports.)

An unidentified negro man, 30.” [We omit the long list of hospitalized injured.]

Sources

Associated Press. “Crowell Tornado Claims 11.” The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 4-29-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-apr-29-1942-p-1/

Associated Press. “Crowell Tornado Toll Goes to Nine.” 5-1-1942. The Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 5-1-1942, p. 1, evening edition. Accessed 6-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-may-01-1942-p-20/

Associated Press. “Red Cross Cares for 1,500 Homeless in Crowell Tornado and Fire. Little But Wreckage In Business District.” Amarillo Daily News, TX, 4-30-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/amarillo-daily-news-apr-30-1942-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tenth Crowell Cyclone Victim Succumbs.” Wichita Daile Times, TX. 5-2-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wichita-daily-times-may-02-1942-p-1/

Crowell Cemetery A-C. Accessed 6-22-2024 at:

http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Foard/cemetery/CrowellA-C.html

Crowell Cemetery D-F. Accessed 6-22-2024 at:

http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Foard/cemetery/CrowellD-F.html

Crowell Cemetery G-K. Accessed 6-22-2024 at:

http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Foard/cemetery/CrowellG-K.html

Crowell Cemetery T-Z. Accessed 6-22-2024 at:

http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Foard/cemetery/CrowellT-Z.html

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, Norman OK Weather Forecast Office. Crowell, TX Tornadoes (1900-Present). Accessed 6-22-2024 at: https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-city-tx-crowell

Office of the Texas State Climatologist. “Severe Weather in Texas: 1940s.” Accessed 6-22-2024 at: https://climatexas.tamu.edu/products/severe-weather-summaries/1940s-texas-severe-weather.html

[1] Not noted in Crowell Cemetery G-K listings.

[2] Crowell Cemetery T-Z.