1964 — May 8, Tornado, Chesterfield Twp., Mount Clemens area, Macomb County, MI–13

–13 Blanchard. Though we list 14 deaths from sources below, we do not include the apparent
heart attack death which was related to a lightning strike on a home outside tornado path.
–13 Facebook. “50th Anniversary of Chesterfield Twp., MI Tornado: Remembrance May 17, 2014.”
–13 Larese. “Looking back 57 years after deadly tornado tore through Chesterfield Twp.” 6-21-2021.
–11 AP. “Scarred Tornado Area Tense in Sunday’s Alert.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 5-25-1964, p. 6.
–11 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 334 & 1055.
–11 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 5, May 1964, p. 43.

1. Forton, Barbara, 29 (or 28 ). New Baltimore (was expecting a child).
2. Giroux, Joseph, 72. (Name on Chesterfield Twp. Historic Village memorial.)
3. Lesher, Anthony A., 10 [or 40 ], Selfridge Air Force Base.
4. Rivard, James Anthony, 79. (Name on Chesterfield Twp. Historic Village memorial.)
5. Sadawaskas, (or Sadauskas ) Agatha, 73, Pontiac Township. Apparent heart attack.
6. Sancrant, David Joseph, 5 months (or 4 months ); son of Wanda Jo Sancrant.
7. Sancrant, Louise, 8; daughter of Wanda Jo. (Also noted in Larese The Voice article.)
8. Sancrant, Tina Marie, 20 months; daughter of Wanda Jo Sancrant. (In Larese list also.)
9. Sancrant, Mrs. Wanda Jo, 25 [or 36 ], Chesterfield Township.
10. Soloc, Donna Mae, 24, New Baltimore. (In Larese list as well.)
11. Soloc, Wendy Lou, 6 months; daughter of Donna Mae Soloc. (In Larese list as well.)
12. Sparrwasser, Mrs. Gladys, 68, Chesterfield Township; died May 11 at Selfridge AFB hosp.
13. Westfall, Susan Ann, 7, Chesterfield Township.
14. Winters, Louis, 92. Hospitalized with broken arms and legs. Died in Sep. from injuries.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “This tornado struck the Anchor Bay area, 4m N of Mt. Clemens, with a short, but wide and intense path of destruction. Touching down in the Cape Heart housing area, it leveled several homes. In the Forbes residential area, the ‘homes exploded like matchsticks,’ and cars were hurled for hundreds of feet, crashing into houses. About 132 homes were destroyed, 200 were damaged, and 80 of the injured had to be hospitalized. The high water table in the bay area allows for few basements, and thus people were less able to get below ground level. $3,000,000.” Notes, as well that there well 22-24 injuries and that this was an F4 that struck at 16:59. (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p.1055.)

Weather Bureau, Storm Data: “Mount Clemens 4N…8 [May]…850 [width of path (yards)]…11 [killed] 244 [injured…Tornado

“A violent tornado struck the Chester Township area of Anchor Bay which is 3½ miles north of Mount Clemens spreading death, many injuries and complete property destruction throughout half mile wide and 4 miles long path. The tornado first struck in the Capehart Housing area when it demolished several homes, then moved eastward along Cotton Road to Capehart Drive where it struck destroyed and completely demolished half mile stretch of homes north of Sugar Bush and Cotton Roads. It then travelled eastward a mile over vacant land an next struck Forbes Road residential area which suffered the deadliest and heaviest damage. Homes were exploded like match sticks. Furniture and household items were blown and tossed about the area and into the trees. Cars were tossed and blown about into the air then landing upside down and on top of other cars. Small boats and pleasure type cruisers anchored in the private water canals were blown and tossed into the air landing on nearby land and some of the small boats ended up in the tree tops. Eighty eight of the 2444 people injured were hospitalized. There were 132 homes completely destroyed, 69 homes received major damage and 167 homes reported minor damage. Two farm buildings were also damaged. The area was under a Detroit Weather Bureau Tornado Warning 20 minutes prior to being hit but almost complete lack of basements in the entire area due to marsh land and high water table lessened considerably, chances to seek safe shelter from the tornado. Estimated damage in the area is 2½ to 3 million dollars.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 5, May 1964, pp. 43-44.)

Newspaper

May 9: “Mount Clemens, Mich. (AP) – A screaming tornado ripped southeastern Michigan Friday, leaving in its wake death and hundreds of damaged homes. At least nine persons were killed. The number of injured ran into the hundreds. Damage was estimated at between $4 and $5 million.

“Dawn today bared a shattering scene of ruined homes and other property in Chesterfield Township off Lake St. Clair. Hundreds of rescue workers labored overnight with Gov. George Romney among them at one time, in a search for possible other victims in wrecked houses.

“Eighty-two persons were admitted for treatment at two hospitals here. At least 200 others were treated for minor injuries and released.

“Weather experts said apparently two tornadoes hit the southeast area of Michigan. The more damaging twister started in the Pontiac area in late afternoon and skipped the 25-odd miles to smash the outskirts of this city. Another struck in the Monroe area to the south on Lake Erie about the same time. It caused much less damage.

“The damage estimate of $4 to $5 million was made by Macomb County Civil Defense Director Clement W. Skiba after conferring with disaster crews and utility firm officials.

“The Macomb County health commissioner, Dr. Oscar Stryker, ordered vaccine brought in to immunize 1,000 persons against possible typhoid and publicly urged residents to boil their drinking water….

“The tornado which struck Chesterfield Township was described as roaring like a giant vacuum cleaner. The twister ripped through an area about two miles long and three quarters of a mile wide. Estimates of the numbers of homes destroyed ranged from 50 to 200….

“Chesterfield Township is a primarily residential area that lies between the southeastern Michigan cities of Mount Clemens and New Baltimore….” (Associated Press. “Two-Mile Area Smashed Near Mount Clemens.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 5-9-1964, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “List of Victims.” The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. 5-9-1964, p. 17. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-may-09-1964-p-17/

Associated Press. “Scarred Tornado Area Tense in Sunday’s Alert.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 5-25-1964, p. 6. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-may-25-1964-p-6/

Associated Press. “State Community Stages Amazing Comeback After Killer Tornado.” Evening News, Sault Ste, Marie, MI. 10-28-1964, p. 3. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sault-ste-marie-evening-news-oct-28-1964-p-3/

Associated Press. “Two-Mile Area Smashed Near Mount Clemens.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 5-9-1964, p1. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-may-09-1964-p-1/

Facebook. “50th Anniversary of Chesterfield Twp., MI Tornado: Remembrance May 17, 2014.” Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://www.facebook.com/ChesTornado1964/

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

Larese, Katelyn. “Looking back 57 years after deadly tornado tore through Chesterfield Twp.” 6-21-2021. The Voice, New Baltimore, MI. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://www.voicenews.com/2021/05/07/looking-back-57-years-after-deadly-tornado-tore-through-chesterfield-twp/

United Press International. “Death List in Tornado.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI. 5-9-1964, p. 1. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-may-09-1964-p-1/

United Press International. “Heart Attack Kills Woman.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 5-9-1964, p. 7. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/holland-evening-sentinel-may-09-1964-p-7/

United Press International. “Tornado Relief Program Drafted.” Marshall Evening Chronicle. 5-11-1964, p. 1. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-may-11-1964-p-1/

United Press International. “Wife Dies in Tornado.” Holland Evening Sentinel, 5-9-1964, p. 7. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/holland-evening-sentinel-may-09-1964-p-7/

Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 5, May 1964. Asheville, ND: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1964. Accessed 7-16-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-31E8247A-0AAC-4C75-A0D2-5B5732278FF6.pdf