6, MO– 10

lornajarrettblanchard December 11, 1949

–10 Blanchard tally from Associated Press reporting from Arkansas and Missouri.

–10 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 951.

Arkansas (4)

–3 Cross Roads community[1]

–1 John Winningham, 69

–1 Mrs. Mandy Winningham, 61, wife of John

–1 Hiram Winningham, 39, son of John and Mandy

–1 Providence community. Arch Telley, 62.[2]

Missouri (6)

–6 AP. “Six Killed at Poplar Bluff by Sunday Twister.” Mexico Evening Ledger, MO. 12-12-1949, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “AR DEC 11, 1949 1445 4k 1l inj 500y 15m F3. WHITE/JACKSON—Moved ENE from Providence to north of Bradford. Seen as “a skipping column of smoke,” the tornado leveled two homes at Providence. Three people were killed as a home was carried 50 yards and dashed to the ground, 3m WNW of Bradford. $50,000.

“MO DEC 11, 1949 1545 6k 30inj 400y 10m F4. BUTLER–Moved NE, causing $100,000 damage in rural areas near Poplar Bluff. Touchdown was SW of Poplar Bluff. Four people died in one home, 3m W of Green Forest. Another extensive damage area was near Hillard. $100,000.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 951.)

Newspaper

Dec 12, AP: “Bald Knob, Dec. 12 – (AP) – A tornado black as midnight and roaring like hell – as one survivor described it – smashed six Arkansas farming communities yesterday [11^th]. Four persons are dead; nine injured. Property losses may reach an estimated $100,000. It was a prankish storm. It seemed to strike only occupied houses; passing up the ones whose inhabitants were away, Sunday-calling. Even so, casualties might have been higher had not many weather-wise residents in the twister’s path hastened to storm cellars before it hit. It was the third time this year that the state has been battered by tornadoes. The average death toll for the year is 77….

“Killed were: Hohn Winningham, 69, of Cross Roads community, about 10 miles north of here; his wife, Mrs. Mandy Winningham, 61, and son, Hiram Winningham, 39, who died later in a Newport hospital, and Arch Telley, 62, of Providence community.” (Associated Press. “State Tornado Damage Toll at High Mark.” The Camden News, AR. 12-12-1948, p. 1.)

Dec 12, AP: “Macon, Mo., Dec. 12. (AP) – A tornado struck the south and western parts of Macon county yesterday, causing thousands of dollars property damage….

(Associated Press. “Six Killed at Poplar Bluff by Sunday Twister.” Mexico Evening Ledger, MO. 12-12-1949, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Six Killed at Poplar Bluff by Sunday Twister.” Mexico Evening Ledger, MO. 12-12-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-7-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mexico-evening-ledger-dec-12-1949-p-1/

Associated Press. “State Tornado Damage Toll at High Mark.” The Camden News, AR. 12-12-1948, p. 1. Accessed 9-7-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-dec-12-1949-p-2/

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

[1] Associated Press. “State Tornado Damage Toll at High Mark.” The Camden News, AR. 12-12-1948, p. 1.

[2] Associated Press. “State Tornado Damage Toll at High Mark.” The Camden News, AR. 12-12-1948, p. 1.

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