1957 — Jan 22, Tornado, Gans, Sequoyah County, OK — 10

–10 Blanchard estimated death toll.
–10 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 999.
–10 NWS WFO Norman, OK. “Violent Tornadoes (F4/F5) in Oklahoma (1950-2008).” 2009.
— 9 UP. “Cold Hampers Big Tornado Cleanup Chore; 11 victims.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-23-1957, 1.
— 8 AP. “Tornado Hits Gans, Eight Killed.” Lawton Constitution, OK. 1-22-1957, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “OK JAN 22, 1957 0645 10k 21 inj 50y 5m F4. SEQUOYAH — Moved NE at Gans. The railroad engineer blew his whistle in an effort to awaken the town. One body was reportedly carried a half mile. Refrigerators were found up to a half mile from the homes. Holes were found in the ground where the tornado had apparently touched down and “scoured” the earth. The holes were a foot and a half deep, and 10 feet in diameter.” (Grazulis 1993, p. 999.)

Newspapers

Jan 22, AP: “Gans (AP) – Eight persons were killed today when an out-of-season tornado smashed this tiny farm community near the Arkansas border before dawn. Two families were hardest hit, four members of one and three of another being killed. At least a dozen other persons were injured.

“Two other twisters struck in eastern Oklahoma, destroying some property, but there were no casualties. They were near Warner and Wewoka.

“The National Guard, Highway Patrol, Highway Department and county officers rushed to Gans, which has a population of about 600. Six houses were demolished including those of the victims who were still sleeping when the twister swooped down through heavy-laden clouds. A tornado forecast had been issued by the U.S. Weather Bureau as a cold front from the northwest swept into Oklahoma. Yesterday record highs in the 70s for this time of year were registered.

“The dead, all from Gans or the immediate area:

Joe Johnson, 60
[Not noted in this article is the death of Mr. Johnson’s wife, Verna, 52, who died on 25th. ]
C. J. Johnson, 14 [or 16 ], his son
Mickey Johnson, 15, another son
Jimmy Meeks [or Meek ], 34 [or 30 ]
Ted Jenkins, 47
Nora Jenkins, 47, his wife
Bonnie Jenkins, 14, their daughter
Darril Jenkins, 7, their son.
[Heart attack victim not noted. ]

“Among the dozen persons brought to hospitals at Fort Smith, Ark., about 15 miles away were Mrs. Leora Meeks, wife of the dead man; Lena Mae Meeks, 8 and Loreta Meeks, 2, believed to be their children.

“The tornado hit as cloud bursts soaked eastern areas of the state with as much as 3.77 inches of rain falling in a short time. That was at Westville in Adair County, near the Arkansas border….Most of the damage to homes was on the west side of Gans…” (Associated Press. “Tornado Hits Gans, Eight Killed.” Lawton Constitution, OK. 1-22-1957, p. 1.)

Jan 23, UP: “By United Press. Bitter cold added to the misery of the homeless today as workers cleaned up debris from tornadoes that struck in Oklahoma and Louisiana, leaving 11 dead and 16 injured. Twelve homes were destroyed and 16 heavily damaged at Gans, Okla., where a vicious tornado killed eight and left a ninth person dead from a heart attack after it passed….

“National Guardsmen patrolled the cold streets at Gans throughout the night to prevent looting and to keep curiosity seekers out of the city. Temperatures dipped to the low 20s in Gans today….

“Tuesday’s twister was the sixth and deadliest tornado to hit the little city….” (United Press. “Cold Hampers Big Tornado Cleanup Chore; 11 victims.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-23-1957, 1.)
Sources

Associated Press. “Tornado Hits Gans, Eight Killed.” Lawton Constitution, OK. 1-22-1957, p. 1. Accessed 3-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawton-constitution-jan-22-1957-p-1/

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

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Norman, OK. “Violent Tornadoes (F4/F5) in Oklahoma (1950-2008).” 2-11-2009. Accessed at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/tornadodata/ok/violent.php

United Press. “Cold Hampers Big Tornado Cleanup Chore; 11 victims.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-23-1957, 1. Accessed 3-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/miami-daily-news-record-jan-23-1957-p-1/

United Press. “Rites Held for Storm Victims.” Miami Daily News Record, OK. 1-27-1957, p. 9. Accessed 3-8-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/miami-daily-news-record-jan-27-1957-p-9/