1942 — Feb 5-6, Tornadoes, AL (3), AR (4), GA (13), MS (1)                                           —     21

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 7-5-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  21  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis… 1993, 896-897.

            —  3  AL

            —  4  AR

–13  GA

            —  1  MS         

—  21  INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2.

—>18  AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States…” Thomasville Times-Enterprise. 2-17-42, 1

Alabama         (  3)

–3  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis… 1993, p. 897.

            –1  Russellville area, NW side, Franklin Cunty. 02:30 F2.  Grazulis Significant… p. 897.

–2  Waco Franklin County. 02:45 F2 tornado. Mother and daughter. Grazulis, p. 897.

–3  INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2.

–2  Russellville area. Two women when house collapsed.[1]

Arkansas        (  4) 

–4  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis… 1993, p. 896.

–1  Feb 5, 19:15 (7:15 pm) F3. Langley

–3  Feb 5, 20:50 (8:50 pm) F3, Saline and Pulaski counties. P. 896.

–3  AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five…” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-17-1942, p. 1.

–3  INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2.

Georgia          (13)

–15  INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2.

–13  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 264.

–06  Meriwether, Pike and Spaulding Counties, GA.  Grazulis 1993, pp. 264 and 897.

            –6  Mt. Carmel community, three in one home. P. 897.

–06  Butts, Jasper and Putnam Counties, GA.  Grazulis 1993, pp. 264 and 897.

            –6  Jasper County.    

                        –4  Griggs Chapel school.

–01  Putman County, Eatonton, GA. 14:00 F2. Grazulis 1993, pp. 264 and 897.

–13  AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States Yesterday.” Thomasville Times, 2-17-42, 1.

—  5  Alvaton area, Meriwether County, about noon.

–3  Tanksley family members.

–2  Names not noted.

—  3  Eatonton section, Putnam County.

—  4  Monticello area, Jasper County. Schoolhouse collapse.[2]

Mississippi      (  1)

–1  Palmetto, Lee County. Woman killed by falling chimney.  Grazulis Significant… p. 897.

–1  Tupelo.  AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern…” Thomasville Times, 2-17-1942, p. 1.

–1  Details, not noted. INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-42, 2.

Narrative Information

Feb 6, AP: “Griffin, Ga., Feb. 6. (AP) – At least three persons were killed and several hurt when a tornado struck near Alvaton in Meriwether county about noon today. The dead are two unidentified negroes and a white man names Tanksley.

“The storm also struck the Line Creek district in Spalding cunty, injuring two persons. The Griffin Red Cross sent doctors and nurses to Alvaton.

“Another storm near Crawfordville, Taliaferro county injured one man….” (Associated Press. “Tornado Strikes in Georgia Killing Three; Injuring Many Others and Damaging Property.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-6-1942, p. 1.)

Feb 7, AP: “(By The Associated Press)  Residents of five southern states today set about the tasks of burying their 18 or more dead, consoling the scores of injured and removing the debris left by tornadoes. With a hop, skip and jump the tornadic winds ripped through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia – bursting with a climatic fury into the latter state yesterday, killing at least 12 persons and injuring an estimated 100 more.

“In the course of its destructive jaunt, the out-of-season tornadoes killed three persons in Arkansas, injured more than a score and crushed buildings into splinters in 17 communities…..

“Near Tupelo, Miss., a town with tragic memories of past tornadoes, the irresistible winds cut a 10-mile swath. Mrs. T. M. Holland of Palmetto, was killed by a falling chimney. More than 20 were injured….

“Before marching into Georgia, the tornado swept destructively through Alabama. Two negro women were killed in the collapse of a house near Russellville. Twenty-two persons were hurt, six seriously. Damage was heaviest in Franklin County.

“Among the Georgia dead was 18-year-old Mary Tanksley Cleveland, her six-year-old brother, Russell Tanksley, and a two-year-old sister, Christine Tanksley, and 10 negroes. Four negroes, including a school teacher, were killed in the collapse of a schoolhouse near Monticello. Collapse of a church killed three more… “(AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States Yesterday.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-17-1942, p. 1.)

Feb 7: INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2:

“Atlanta, Fa., Feb. 7. – (INS) –

“The death toll of tornadoes which swept over widespread sections of the deep south mounted to 21 tonight as Red Cross and other relief workers rushed aid to the stricken areas. Scores were suffering injuries, hundreds of families were homeless and property damage in a four-state section was rapidly rising into millions of dollars in the wake of the storms.

“Fifteen were reported dead in Georgia – scene of the heaviest loss of life. Three storm victims were reported dead in Arkansas.

“Alabama counted a tornado toll of two and Mississippi reported one death….

“Three members of the family of J. M. Tanksley were killed and four others injured when their home near Alvaton, Ga. was demolished. At least two Negroes in the community were killed….”

Sources

Associated Press. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States Yesterday. Rips Through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-17-1942, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/thomasville-times-enterprise-feb-07-1942-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tornado Strikes in Georgia Killing Three; Injuring Many Others and Damaging Property.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-6-1942, p. 1. Accessed 7-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/thomasville-times-enterprise-feb-06-1942-p-1/

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

INS. “Tornado’s Toll Mounts to 21.” The Charleston Gazette, WV. 2-8-1942, p. 2. Accessed 7-4-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-gazette-feb-08-1942-p-2/

[1] AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States Yesterday.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-17-1942, p. 1.

[2] AP. “Tornado Strikes In Five Southern States Yesterday.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 2-17-1942, p. 1.