Jackson counties, AR–18-24

lornajarrettblanchard March 26, 1949

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 13, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–24 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 243, 505, 942.

— 1 Whelen Springs, Clark County. 14:45 F3 – woman in home; was “blown to bits.”

–18 Grant, Jefferson, Lonoke and Prairie counties 16:00 F4 tornado.

–13 England, Lonoke County.

— 5 Woodruff and Jackson counties 16:30 F3 tornado

–18 Encyclopedia of Arkansas. “Tornadoes.: Accessed 9-13-2023.

–17 AP. “Arkansas Counts Its Dead After Weekend Storms.” The Camden News, AR, 3-28-1949, p. 1.

— 1 Balch, Jackson County. Mrs. Roscue Wymer, 57, died of injuries March 27.

–14 England-Scott plantation area.

— 1 McCrory area, Woodruff County.

— 1 Whelen Springs, Clark County. Killed one woman and injured dozen others.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “AR MAR 26, 1949 1445 1k l0inj 200y 25m F3. CLARK–About 13 homes, five barns, and a church were destroyed at Whelen Springs. A woman was killed in a home that was “blown to bits.”

“AR MAR 26, 1949 1600 18k 150inj 500y 45m F4. GRANT/JEFFERSON/LONOKE/ PRAIRIE—Moved NE from 6m N of Sheridan and ended west of Hazen. There was only minor damage in Grant County. The worst damage was from 10m WSW to 2m N of England. In that area, 13 people were killed, 100 homes were damaged or destroyed, and furniture was carried for miles. Losses totaled $500,000.

“AR MAR 26, 1949 1630 5k 30inj 100y 30m F3. WOODRUFF/JACKSON—Moved NNE through rural areas, from east of Howell. Homes were destroyed near Wiville (one dead), south of McCrory at “Tipp” (three dead, 10 injured), near Beedeville (13 injured), and at Balch (one dead). About 70 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Newspaper

March 28, AP: “Little Rock, March 28 – (AP) – Arkansas prepared today to bury its dead after the state’s second disastrous tornado in less than three months. Seventeen persons were killed and 98 or more injured when a twister cut a narrow path some 160 miles long diagonally across the state from southwest to northeast Saturday afternoon [26^th]. The Red Cross said at least 183 families were affected and that many of this number were left homeless….

“In the England-Scott plantation area, where the death toll and damage were heaviest, the Red Cross distributed clothing and bedding to 150 persons. Fifty tents for homeless families were expected today….Fourteen persons were killed, and 52 or more hurt in this plantation section. Other fatalities were at Whelen Springs, Balch and near McCrory.

Sources

Associated Press. “Arkansas Counts Its Dead After Weekend Storms. Heavy Damage in State Resulted From Tornadoes.” The Camden News, AR, 3-28-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-13-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-mar-28-1949-p-1/

Encyclopedia of Arkansas. “Tornadoes.: Accessed 9-13-2023. Accessed 9-13-2023 at: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/tornadoes-2377/

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

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