1– 11

lornajarrettblanchard November 5, 1948

–10 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 505, 940.

–09 Madison, Yazoo Counties, MS. (Grazulis 1993, p. 941.)

–01 Mitchell, Tippah County, MS. “

–01 Harrison, Catahoula Parish, LA. (Grazulis 1993, p. 941.)

Breakout of tornado fatalities by locality:

Louisiana

–1 Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish. Mrs. J. C. Evans, about 30.[1]

Mississippi

–6 Benton area, Yazoo Co., MS. Hattiesburg American, MS. “Tornadoes Kill 8, Injure 38.” 11-5-1948, p. 1.

–1 Georgia White, 6.[2]

–5 adults

–1 Ripley, Tippah Co., Hattiesburg American, MS. “Tornadoes Kill 8, Injure 38.” 11-5-1948, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “LA Nov 5, 1948 01:30 1k 16inj…20m F2, La Salle/Catahoula [parishes] – …this tornado moved NE from the north shore of Catahoula Lake. A cluster of five homes were destroyed 2m S of Harrison.

Grazulis: “MS NOV 5, 1948 0505 9k 39inj 200y 15m F3. MADISON /YAZOO—Moved NNE from 5m S of Benton, destroying 95 buildings in that town. The deaths were in five small homes in the SE part of town. $500,000.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 940.)

Grazulis: “MS NOV 5, 1948 06:30 1k 13inj 200y 4m F2 Tippah [county] – Moved N, passing 7m E of Ripley and destroying 26 farm buildings, including several small homes. The death was in a small home at Mitchell. Larger homes were unroofed. $100,000.”

Newspaper

Nov 5, Hattiesburg American: “(AP) – Tornadoes killed at least eight persons and injured at least 38 others in the forth and central portions of Louisiana and Mississippi early today. Sheriff Sam Parker of Yazoo City, Miss., said a white child and five negroes were killed when a tornado struck near Benton, Miss., 10 miles east of Yazoo City. The sheriff said that the white child was named White but that he did not have the first name; nor the names of the negroes killed. He said he had reports of eight injured, several seriously. The officer described the twister as the ‘worst I ever saw.’ He said it was narrow but intense and rose and descended for 15 miles, demolishing at least 10 houses. The injured were being treated at the Yazoo City hospital.

“Other tornadoes struck across the middle of Catahoula parish (cunty) La., about 38 miles northwest of Natchez, Miss.; and at Ripley, Miss., close to the Tennessee line. At least one persons was killed at each place….” (Hattiesburg American, MS. “Tornadoes Kill 8, Injure 38.” 11-5-1948, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Five States Felt Effects of Tornadoes.” Biloxi-Gulfport Daily Herald, 11-6-1948, p. 1. Accessed 9-20-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-nov-06-1948-p-1/

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

Hattiesburg American, MS. “Tornadoes Kill 8, Injure 38.” 11-5-1948, p. 1. Accessed 9-20-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com

[1] Associated Press. “Five States Felt Effects of Tornadoes.” Biloxi-Gulfport Daily Herald, 11-6-1948, p. 1.

[2] Aged is from Assoc. Press. “Five States Felt Effects of Tornadoes.” Biloxi-Gulfport Daily Herald, 11-6-1948, p. 1.

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