1942 — Oct 29, Tornado, Berryville, Carroll County, AR — 29
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-30-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–29 Assoc. Press. “Burial Starts for 29 Victims of Tornado.” Hope Star, AR. 10-31-1942, p. 1.
–29 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 242.
Narrative Information
Grazulis: “AR Oct 29, 1942 22:30 29k 100inj 800y 2m F4. Carroll [county] – Moved ENE through the norther half of Berryville. About 137 buildings were destroyed, and many homes were completely swept away. Deaths occurred in 13 different homes and 600 people were left homeless. The path may have been longer than two miles.”
Newspaper
Oct 30, AP: “Berryville, Oct. 30 (AP) – The identified dead in last night’s tornado:
Mrs. Myrtle Dwyer, 60.
Mrs. Hildred Wilton, 23, and infant.
Edgar Ledbetter, 50.
Ellis DeWeese, about 55.
Gwendolyn McMethy, 18.
Pat Rivet, 60.
Mrs. Pearl Scott and Mother.
Mrs. Ida Jeneizer, 27.
Mrs. Belle Maxwell, 80.
Alfred Sellick, 40.
_____Davis, 6, son of Bugis Davis.
_____Wyrick, a boy.
“Berryville, Oct. 30 – (AP) – At least 27 persons were killed and more than 200 injured, many critically when a tornado leveled more than half of this Ozark mountain town late last night. Several of the injured were so badly hurt that physicians advised against transporting to hospitals.
“Fires broke out immediately after the tornado, forcing the survivors to drop their rescue operations for a time to prevent spread of the flames through the splintered wreckage.
“Approximately 25 persons were trapped and injured in the collapse of the Missouri and Arkansas railroad station. Most of them were waiting to board a northbound train.
“Without hospital facilities, the stricken town of 1,485 population has only three physicians to care for the scores of injured. The only drug store was demolished and most of the drugs and medical supplies were destroyed, making it impossible for the three doctors to do more than five first aid until supplies arrived from nearby towns. Doctors and nurses were sent from Harrison and Eureka Spring and several loads of injured were taken to hospitals in other communities. A passenger bus came through the stricken town 30 minutes after the disaster. Its passengers alighted or stood up to make room for some of the worst injured being taken to the Harrison hospital.
“The tornado left the town helpless. The power plant was destroyed, forcing rescue workers to work by torch light, flashlight, lanterns, candles, or even matches. The telephone system remained in operation through use of an emergency battery system.
“An eight-man medical detachment from Camp Robinson was ordered to Berryville, with medical supplies. An appeal for assistance was sent to the Red Cross at Little Rock.
“The city hall and court house, two of the few buildings remaining intact in the business district, were converted into emergency hospitals, but in the early hours there was little the workers could do for the sufferers – no medical supplies, no nurses, and only three doctors to care for the scores of injured. Fallen trees and other debris delayed out of town relief crews….” (Associated Press. “Storm Kills 28 in State. 200 Injured; Heavy Loss at Berryville.” Hope Star, AR. 10-30-1942, p.1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Burial Starts for 29 Victims of Tornado.” Hope Star, AR. 10-31-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-1-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hope-star-oct-31-1942-p-1/
Associated Press. “Storm Kills 28 in State. 200 Injured; Heavy Loss at Berryville.” Hope Star, AR. 10-30-1942, p. 1. Accessed 6-1-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/hope-star-oct-30-1942-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.