3; also: AR, GA, IN, KY, TN– 12

lornajarrettblanchard April 29, 1963

–12 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 509.
–05 Coahoma County, MS 15:20 F2
–03 Lee, Itawamba Counties, MS 18:15 F4
–01 Stoddard, Cape Girardeau Counties, MO 16:00 F3
–03 Crockett County, TN 18:10 F3
–12 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 27.
–11 Associated Press. “Tornadoes Kill 11 in 9 States.” The Joplin Globe, MO. 5-1-1963, p. 1.

Alabama (0)
–1 Marion County, Hamilton. Man. (Checked AL papers several days out; no confirmation.)
–0 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 22.

Mississippi (8)
–8 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, pp. 509 and 1046-1047.
–8 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 27.
–7 UPI. “Tornadoes Cost State $1 Million.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 5-1-1963, 1.
–5 Coahoma County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 509.
–5 Coahoma County. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 27.
–4 Coahoma County. AP. “Six Fatalities in Mississippi.” Laurel Leader-Call. 4-30-1963, p.1.
–4 Moon Lake, near Tunica
— Ausley Buckhanan
— E. L. Culp. His pickup truck was overturned several times by the tornado.
— Mrs. Tiny Evans, 70, grandmother of Melinda Foster
— Melinda Foster, 5
–3 Lee County, Shannon. AP. “Tornadoes Kill 11 in 9 States.” The Joplin Globe, MO. 5-1-1963, p. 1.
–3 Lee County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 509.
–2 Lee County. AP. “Six Fatalities in Mississippi.” Laurel Leader-Call. 4-30-1963, p. 1.
–2 Shannon
— Beatrice Hodges.
— A. C. Pounds, about 35
–3 Northeast Division (Ike and Itawamba counties). Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, Apr 1963, p. 27.

Missouri (1)
–1 Stoddard, Cape Girardeau Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 509.
–1 Cape Girardeau County, Randles. Elderly woman.
–1 Cape Girardeau County, Randles community. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 27.

Tennessee (3)
–3 Associated Press. “Tornadoes Kill 11 in 9 States.” The Joplin Globe, MO. 5-1-1963, p. 1.

–3 Crockett County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 509.
–3 Crockett County, Maury City area. Weather Bur. Storm Data, V.5, No. 4, April 1963, p. 30.
–2 Women killed one mile north of Maury City.
–1 Six-month girl fatally injured, Maury City area.
–2 Crockett Co., Maury City. AP. “Six Fatalities in Mississippi.” Laurel Leader-Call. 4-30-1963, p1.
–2 Friendship. Mrs. Sissie Starks, 86, and daughter Mrs. Frank Branch, 39; house destroyed.

Narrative Information

April 30: “Tunica, Miss. (AP) – Tornadoes roared through widespread areas of the south and central parts of the nation Monday and Monday night, leaving 10 dead and more than 50 injured.

“Four persons were killed near this north Mississippi town when a tornado skipped across the Mississippi River from Arkansas and hit the Moon Lake fishing area. Two others were killed 140 miles east at Shannon, Miss.

“Farther north, the Tennessee highway patrol reported two killed by a twister at Maury City, about 90 miles northeast of Memphis. One was reported killed in Hamilton, Ala., in the northwest part of the state near the Mississippi line.

“An elderly woman was killed in Randles, Mo.

“….The man killed in Alabama was not identified. The Marion County, Ala., sheriff’s office said at least 17 other persons were injured in the Hamilton twister, most of them teen-agers gathered in a café.

“Heavy property damage was reported in most of the stricken states. The most destructive twister apparently touched down first at the Moon Lake area in Mississippi and then spun east for five miles to the community of Rich. The four persons were killed and a dozen injured when a row of six tenant houses was flattened on a plantation. One house near Rich was carried one-fourth mile by the twister but its 10 occupants survived. Heavy property damage was reported from winds and hail the size of hen’s eggs which pounded the area.

“Five persons were reported injured in the Maury City twister. The highway patrol said seven homes were destroyed.

“A 6-month-old baby, Sherry Clement, was reported in critical condition at a Jackson, Tenn., hospital. A witness said the baby was blown out of the arms of its father, Ernest Clement, as he tried to make his way to a car at their home near Alamo, Tenn.

“Four persons were injured at Talladega in east Alabama. Widespread damage was reported….

“Shannon, Miss., reported 14 injured and much damage.” (AP. “Six Fatalities in Mississippi.” Laurel Leader-Call. 4-30-1963, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Six Fatalities in Mississippi.” Laurel Leader-Call. 4-30-1963, p. 1. Accessed 8-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/laurel-leader-call-apr-30-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tornadoes Kill 11 in 9 States.” The Joplin Globe, MO. 5-1-1963, p. 1. Accessed 8-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-may-01-1963-p-1/

UPI. “Tornadoes Cost State $1 Million.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 5-1-1963, p. 1. Accessed 8-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-may-01-1963-p-1/

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

The Biloxi-Gulfport Daily Herald, MS. “Gulfport Man’s Father Killed.” 4-30-1963, p. 1. Accessed 8-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-apr-30-1963-p-1/

Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1963. Accessed 8-6-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-27CDA880-B8A9-446A-83C9-94E47C5FAE6B.pdf