WI-260-271

lornajarrettblanchard April 11, 1965

— 271 Blanchard high end of range from compilation based on State breakouts below.

— 271 IndyStar.com. “1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes: ‘As close to hell as I ever want to be’.”

— 271 Ludlum. The American Weather Book, 1982, pp. 73, 106.

— 271 NWSWFO, Detroit/Pontiac, MI. Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. April 2015 update.

— 270 Associated Press photo sidebar narrative, in IndyStar.com article (noting 271 deaths).[1]

— 270 Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965.” 4-4-2019 update.[2]

— 265 Agee and Asai. Cloud Dynamics: Proceedings of a Symposium…Aug, 1981. 1982, 202.

— 265 Doyle. “10 Most Destructive Tornadoes From Around the World.” 2008.

— 261 Blake and Gray. “Palm Sunday Tornadoes.” SouthBendTribune.com, 2015.

— 261 NWSWFO, Northern Indiana. April 11^th 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. Accessed 2019.

— 260 Blanchard low-end of range from compilation based on State breakouts below.

— 260 Carbin, Schaefer, Edwards (SPC). The 15 Deadliest U.S. Tornado Days since 1950.

— 260 National Weather Service, Milwaukee Weather Forecast Office. 2005.

— 257 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1062-1072. Includes heart attack.

— 256 Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995. 1997, p. 1398.[3]

— 253 Levine. F5. 2007, p. 97.

— 252 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 334, 509, 1066, 1071.

–>250 NWSWFO, Grand Rapids MI. The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 1965 in West Michigan.

— 236 UPI. “LBJ Views Rubble.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-14-1965, p. 1.

— 210 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

— 202 Sav 1974, p. 36.

Summary of Breakout of Fatalities by State

Illinois ( 7)

Indiana (136-145)

Iowa ( 1)

Michigan ( 55)

Ohio ( 58- 60)

Wisconsin ( 3)

Total 260-271

Breakout of Fatalities by State

Illinois ( 7)

–7 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

–7 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 4, April 1965, p. 35 (High wind and Tornado).

— 1 Cook County, Chicago (small boy when scaffolding fell in high wind.[4]

— 6 McHenry and Lake Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509; NWS WFO Northern IN.

–5 Crystal Lake, McHenry Co. Grazulis 1993, p.1062; Storm Data, p. 36.

–1 Island Lake, Lake & McHenry Co. Grazulis 1993, 1062. Storm Data, 36.

Indiana (136-145)

–145 Blake and Gray. “Palm Sunday Tornadoes.” SouthBendTribune.com, 2015.

–141 Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965.” 4-4-2019 update.

–141 IndyStar.com. “1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes: ‘As close to hell as I ever want to be’.”

–134-142 Blanchard (Grazulis plus Alto area heart attack.)

— 2 Adams County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

— 20 Boone County. NWS Indianapolis, IN WFO. Boone County Tornadoes.

— 50 Elkhart County. Goshen News, 4-10-2015. Named fatalities total to 50.[5]

— 1 Fulton Co., IN-331 north of Talma. Heart attack after tornado hit car.[6]

— 5 Grant County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

— 12 Hamilton County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

— 18 Howard County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

— 19 LaGrange County. Named victims in Goshen News. “In Memoriam” 4-10-2015.

— 3 Marshall County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1063.[7]

— 1 Miami County[8] Kokomo Times, IN. “Death toll 13.” 4-17-1965, p. 1.

— 1 Montgomery County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

–2-8 St. Joseph County. UPI. “Latest Tornado Revision…” 4-16-1965, p. 3.[9]

— 2 Starke County. UPI. “Latest Tornado Revision…” 4-16-1965, p. 3.[10]

— 2 Wells County. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, p. 1066.

–138 Grazulis (Significant Tornadoes, 1993/136 dead; Tornado Project 2 deaths Blackford Co.)

–137 Fox59.com, Indianapolis. “April 11, 1965 — Indiana’s deadliest tornado outbreak…” 4-11-2019.

–136 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993.

–134 UPI. “Hard Hit State Sections Viewed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 4-14-1965, p. 1.

–132 UPI. “Red Cross estimates $1 million needed for aid. Kokomo Times, IN. 4-22-1965, p.1.

–131 UPI. “Tornado Losses Now Listed At $176 Million; Death Toll Hits 131.” 4-19-1965, 1.[11]

–130 UPI. “Latest Tornado Revision…Death Toll 130.” Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-16-1965, p. 3.

— 2 Adams County.

–19 Boone County.

–48 Elkhart County.

— 7 Grant County.

— 5 Hamilton County..)

–13 Howard County.

–19 LaGrange County. (List of victims at Goshen News. “In Memoriam” 4-10-2015.)

— 3 Marshall County.

— 1 Miami County[12]

— 1 Montgomery County.

— 2 Starke County.

— 8 St. Joseph County.

— 2 Wells County.

–128 UPI. “Death Toll Is Revised By Police.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-15-1965, p. 1.

–126 AP. “Toll of State Tornado Dead Reaches 126.” Logansport Press, IN. 4-13-1965, p. 1.

–50 Elkhart-Goshen area.

–45 Dunlap (“within a single square mile area at Dunlap.”)

–23 Trailer camp south of Dunlap.

–22 Sunnyside (Dunlap addition, about ½ mile north of trailer camp.)

— 4 Children “found in fields near highway intersection east of Elkhart.”

–77 Other counties (“but one was believed also included in the Elkhart figure.”)

–21 Lebanon-Sheridan area.

–110 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

Grazulis Breakout (primarily) of Indiana Fatalities:

–10 Starke, Marshall, St. Joseph, Elkhart Co’s. Grazulis 1993, 509; NWSWFO north IN.

–3 Koontz Lake, Marshall and Starke counties Grazulis 1993, p. 1063.

–14 St. Joseph, Elkhart Counties[13] Grazulis 1993, p. 509.

— 1 Elkhart County, Wakarusa; a child. Grazulis 1993, p. 1063.

–10 Elkhart Co., Midway Trailer Court, Hwy-33.[14] Grazulis 1993, p. 1063. — 3 Elkhart County, Middlebury area Grazulis 1993, p. 1063.

–19 Elkhart, Lagrange Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509.

–~17 Rainbow Lake and Shore areas. Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.

— 2 Ontario Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.

— 5 Elkhart, Lagrange Counties NWSWFO, northern IN.[15]

–36 St. Joseph, Elkhart, Lagrange Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509.

— 2 St. Joseph County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–34 Elkhart County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–28 Dunlap Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.[16]

— 6 Hwy-15 & 20 intersection[17] Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–28 Montgomery, Boone, Hamilton Counties. Grazulis 1993, 509; NWS North IN WFO

— 1 Crawfordsville area, Montgomery County. Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–11 Lebanon, Boone County (6 in one family). Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

— 4 Two cars thrown over. Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–10 Sheridan area, Hamilton County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

— 2 Arcadia area, Hamilton County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–25 Howard, Grant Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509; NWS Northern IN WFO.

–18 Howard County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066. –10 Greentown Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

— 1 IN-22; car rolled into field; passenger thrown out; Mrs. Sweet.[18]

— 1 IN-22, several miles south of Greentown; Mrs. Josephine Werner.[19]

— 5 Grant County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–1 Marion. Associated Press.[20]

–3 Swayzee Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

— 4 Blackford, Wells, Adams Counties. Grazulis 1993, p1066; NWS North IN WFO

–2 Keystone, Wells County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–2 Lynn Grove, Adams County Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

— 2 Blackford County; 16:10 F4. Tornadoproject.com.[21]

–1 Fulton County, IN-331 Talma north. Heart attack on way to hospital after tornado hit car.[22]

–1 Miami County, Alto area. Heart attack; Leroy Alvin Kuhns, 65 of Alto.[23]

Iowa ( 1) — 1 Cedar, Clinton, Jackson Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509.[24]

Michigan (55)

–55 Blanchard (using Grazulis for 53 and NWS Grand Rapids, MI for Burnips. Allegan Co.

–53 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 509, 1063, 1065.

–5 Ottawa, Kent Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509; Storm Data, 35; NWS No. IN WFO.

–5 Comstock Park and Alpine areas. Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.

–6 Allendale/Marne south/Alpine Township/Comstock Park/Rockford/Cedar Springs.[25]

–1 Allegan, Barry Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509; Storm Data, 35; NWS No. IN WFO

–1 Burnips, Allegan County. NWS, Grand Rapids, MI WFO. “The Palm…”[26]

–1 Middleville area, Barry Co., woman in trailer. Grazulis 1993, p. 1063.

–44 Branch/Hillsdale/Lenawee/Monroe Co’s. Grazulis 1993, p. 334; Storm Data.[27]

—>19 Branch County Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.

— 11 Hillsdale County Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.

— 7 Lenawee County, Manitou Beach vic. Grazulis 1993, p. 1065.[28]

— 1 Clinton, Shiawassee Co. (girl, 9). Grazulis 1993, 1066; Storm Data, 35; NWS WFO IN

— 2 Lost Peninsula, Monroe Co., MI. Grazulis 1993, p. 1071; Storm Data, p. 35.

–36 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

Ohio (58-60)

–58-60 Blanchard.[29]

— 60 National Weather Service Weather Service Forecast Office, Northern Indiana.[30]

— 58 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993.

— 2 Van Wert County, Willshire[31] (mother and son) Grazulis 1993, p. 1066.

–13 Allen, Hancock Counties Grazulis 1993, p. 509.

— 2 Cairo area, Allen County Grazulis 1993, p. 1071.

—>5 Bluffton area Allen & Hancock Co’s.[32] Grazulis 1993, p. 1071.

— 5 “…at other points along the path.” Storm Data, 7/4, 1965, p. 29.

–16 Lucas County Grazulis 1993, p. 1071.

–4-5 Bus tossed on Detroit-Toledo Exp.[33] Grazulis 1993, p. 1071.

— 1 Motorist on Detroit-Toledo Expressway. Storm Data, 7/4, 1965, p29.

— 11 Toledo, northern section[34] Storm Data, 7/4, 1965, p. 29.

— 3 Shelby County, Maplewood area. Grazulis 1993, p1071; NWS WFO No. IN.[35]

— 4 Seneca County. “Struck Rockaway, where 4 homes were leveled” 3 damaged.[36]

— 1 Seneca County, Rockaway, house destroyed Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.

–18 Lorain, Cuyahoga Counties Grazulis 1993, p. 509.

–7 Pittsfield, Lorain County homes Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.[37]

–2 Pittsfield, car driving through town Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.

— 4 Union, Delaware, Morrow Counties Grazulis 1993, p. 509.[38]

–3 Radnor, Delaware County Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.

–1 Radnor. Heart attack indirect death.[39] Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.

— 1 Pickaway, Fairfield, Perry 00:30, April 12 Grazulis 1993, p. 1072.

–54 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

Wisconsin (3)

–3 AP. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.

–3 Jefferson, Dodge Counties. Grazulis 1993, p. 509.[40]

–3 South of Watertown F2. Occupants of car that was thrown. NWSWFO Northern IN

Narrative Information

Doyle: “The deadliest and most destructive day in Hoosier history happened on Palm Sunday (April 11) 1965, killing 265 people, injuring 1700 plus people in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. During this storm event, there were 11 reported tornadoes that ripped through 20 counties, leveling and damaging buildings and homes that were estimated to cost $30 million dollars.” (Doyle 2008)

NWS WFO, Detroit/Pontiac, MI: “The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak occurred on April 11th, 1965 with the violent storms tearing through much of the Southern Great Lakes Region and Northern Ohio Valley. The worst hit states were Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. It is the third biggest tornado outbreak on record; 47 confirmed tornadoes resulted in 271 people killed and 3,400 people injured in just a twelve hour span. Damages from the storms mounted to more than 200 million dollars (1.5 billion/2015 dollars). Only the “Super Outbreaks” of April 3^rd, 1974 and April 27^th, 2011 were worse….Additional information about the Palm Sunday Outbreak in the Great Lakes region is available.” (NWS WFO, Detroit/Pontiac, MI. Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. April 2015 update.)

Sav notes that there were a total of 51 tornadoes over this two-day period throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes and that 1,813 dwellings were destroyed for a loss of $200 million in damages. (Sav 1974, p. 36)

Newspapers

April 12: “The nation counted 210 killed in a Palm Sunday tornado bombardment of six Midwestern states. The U.S. Weather Bureau said 37 twisters injured thousands. Property damage estimates came to several millions.

“While search of the debris from shattered homes continued today in some sections, Indiana counted 110 dead, Ohio 54, Michigan 36, Illinois 7 and Wisconsin 3. Iowa reported extensive damage but no deaths.

“The rampant weather front that spun the twisters through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley diminished today as it spread into the East and Southeast.

“Sunday’s storms were deadlier than those the night of March 21-22, 1952, when twisters killed 208 in Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. The worst single day in terms of tornado death toll was in 1925 when a March 18 barrage of twisters took 689 lives in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana….

“At least 22 [IN] towns had fatalities. Dunlap, southeast of Elkhart, had many dead in a crushed and scattered trailer home community. One hundred houses were destroyed in Greentown near Kokomo. One hundred cottages were flattened at Koontz Lake northwest of Knox. Lapaz and Wyatt near South Bend were lashed.

“In Ohio, the metropolitan Toledo section took the hardest punches, with 13 deaths listed and searchers seeking other victims.

“The Red Cross reported 178 injured were admitted to hospitals.

“Near Lima, in the Cairo-Bluffton area 12 were killed; 18 died in Lorain County near Cleveland. Gov. James A. Rhodes declared the tornado-smashed communities a disaster area. Fifty-three cars of a freight train were derailed by the wind south of Lima.

“Michigan’s southern section was ripped from Grand Rapids to Hillsdale County. Deaths occurred in widely scattered places. Five deaths and 100 injured were reported in the Grand Rapids area. Across the state near Hillsdale, five were killed. Nine died at Manitou Beach in Lenawee County, and two at Hemlock Lake. There were other deaths.” (Associated Press. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1.)

April 13: “Indianapolis (AP) –Tragedy mounted Monday night [12^th] as Indiana counted the awesome death toll of at least 126 from its Palm Sunday tornadoes. An estimated 45 persons died within a single square mile area at Dunlap, south of Elkhart, where one twister smashed a trailer court and a second ripped through a housing subdivision. The rubble of uncounted homes was strewn along trails of death and destruction the breadth of the state–the worst disaster in Indiana history.

“Elkhart County Sheriff Woody L. Caton issued a revised toll of 50 late Monday night for the Elkhart-Goshen area in Northern Indiana. State police counted 77 dead in a dozen other counties, but one was believed also included in the Elkhart figure. Twenty-three were listed as dead at the trailer camp south of Dunlap, a suburban town of 1,935 near Elkhart. Another 22 victims were reported dead at Dunlap’s Sunnyside addition, half a mile north of the trailer camp.

“The bodies of four children were found in fields near a highway intersection east of Elkhart. Two were the son and daughter of a man who had left his home to help the injured after one tornado struck, then returned to find it demolished by a second twister.

“Nearly 300 persons were taken to Elkhart and Goshen hospitals. ‘Most of them were encrusted with mud in the ears, eyes, noses, hair and mouth,’ said a nurse.

“A motorist, Paul Huffman, witnessed the twin talons of death which ripped the Midway Trailer Court just outside of Dunlap. ‘At least 100 house trailers were destroyed,’ said Huffman. ‘They were ripped from their frames, whirled about in the air, and sent crashing to the ground.’

“Still another twisting funnel of devastation descended on Dunlap half an hour later. It headed toward the trailer court where rescuers were already digging into the debris, suddenly veered north, and struck the Sunnyside addition, a development of about 100 modest, frame homes. Two were left standing.

“The various counts of the dead, the maimed and the homeless throughout the state ranged to astronomical heights. ‘Because of the magnitude of this disaster, it will be days and weeks before the final toll of human and physical damage is known,’ said Indiana Gov. Roger D. Branigin.

“In the Lebanon-Sheridan area where 21 died, a National Guardsman stood stiffly on guard, tears rolling down behind his amber sunglasses.

“State police listed victims in 13 counties in Northern and Central Indiana. The Weather Bureau was still uncertain how many twisters hit, but observers estimated at least nine deadly funnels were spawned in the churning clouds which brought tragedy to a five-state area.

“State police reported 280 persons hospitalized and another 384 treated. The Red Cross counted 612 hurt. The final injury list appeared likely to be a total of the two.

“Red Cross officials said damage in Elkhart County could range as high as $100 million. The Insurance Institute of Indiana used a ‘very rough figure’ of $150 million damage in the state.

“Sen. Birch E. Bayh Jr., D-Ind., prepared a request to President Johnson for emergency aid….

“The wing of an airplane was torn loose at Goshen and dumped at Centerville, Mich., 35 miles away. A ceremonial headdress from Russiaville was found in Decatur, 70 miles to the northwest. At Linngrove, two twisting funnels passed on either side of one house, but left it untouched…The rich corn country of Central and Northern Indiana was strewn with bathtubs, refrigerators, splintered houses and maimed bodies. At least 28 small children were among the dead. Alto, also near Kokomo, virtually disappeared from the map.

“In Kokomo, an apartment complex, a shopping center, a crowded motel and a factory were badly buffeted, but there were no deaths. But Greentown, further east, was severely battered with more than 100 homes destroyed. Eastern High School, home of the state’s most victorious football team with a 35-game winning streak, was shattered.

“Three tornadoes hit Marion. One demolished a shopping center where a supermarket was crammed with housewives. Another ripped a roof from a patients’ building at the huge Veterans Administration Hospital. But state police listed only one death in Marion.

“Many areas were still without electrical power and telephone communications at nightfall Monday.

“State police and National Guardsmen sent planes searching over the debris-littered disaster areas throughout the day to hunt isolated victims.

“Looting and water shortages faced the already stunned populace in the path of the tornados. Officers in Marion used police dogs to halt about 75 looters attempting to clean out a shattered shopping center. The state health department warned water supplies were running low and urged caution in Columbia City, Warner, Fremont, Monroeville, Lagro and Berne. Tank trucks were dispatched from undamaged communities to some where shortages were critical. The loss of power to pump fresh supplies brought the shortages. All 13 high powr lines leading into Fort Wayne were knocked out. At least six of the 40-ton towers on each line were toppled.

“Approximately 20 died in trailer homes at scattered points. The light homes were picked up and smashed about.

“Palm Sunday worshipers in at least three churches sheltered themselves in the basements as the buildings were blown away. None was injured….

“The casualty lists were heavy with the very young and the old — too feeble to seek shelter from the violent winds.

“A large number of the dead were motorists whose cars were picked up and hurled from roads by the black funnels. One heavy foreign car became a ball of twisted metal with two men inside as it was tossed 200 yards.

“Gov. Roger D. Branigin, who declared a state of emergency, sent more than 400 National Guardsmen into the smashed areas, and others were standing by. The men set up emergency communications and guarded smashed buildings over a wide area. The guard reinforced special police details, as undamaged towns stripped their own forces to lend aid to battered neighbors. Looters in the smashed Marion shopping center was reported stopped by 115 officers loaned from neighboring Delaware County, Muncie and Anderson forces, helped by police dogs.

“Indiana’s worst previous disaster was 74 dead in a gas explosion on Halloween in 1963 at an Indianapolis Coliseum ice show.[41] The worst previous natural disaster was a 1925 tornado which killed 70 in the south-western part of the state.”[42] (Associated Press. “Toll of State Tornado Dead Reaches 126.” Logansport Press, IN. 4-13-1965, pp. 1 and 13.)

Sources

Agee, Ernest M. and Tomio Asai. Cloud Dynamics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at the Third General Assembly of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, Hamburg, West Germany, 17-28 August, 1981. Springer, 1982. Google preview at: http://books.google.com/books?id=gobh8VMiobYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Associated Press. “210 Dead in Midwest Tornadoes.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL. 4-12-1965, 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mattoon-daily-journal-gazette-apr-12-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Toll of State Tornado Dead Reaches 126.” Logansport Press, IN. 4-13-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-apr-13-1965-p-1/

Blake, Bob and Amada Gray. “The lasting legacy of the Palm Sunday Tornadoes.” SouthBendTribune.com, 2015. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: http://www.southbendtribune.com/app/palmsunday/

Carbin, Greg, Joe Schaefer, Roger Edwards. The 15 Deadliest U.S. Tornado Days since 1950. Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. 10-12-2009 at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq//tornado/fatalday.htm

Crothers, Julie. “Remembering Midway Trailer Court: The initial blow.” GoshenNews.com, 4-10-2015. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.goshennews.com/remembering-midway-trailer-court-the-initial-blow/article_374a67d0-dfc1-11e4-b6f0-470d6f6735e6.html

Doyle, Nelson. “10 Most Destructive Tornadoes From Around the World.” Scienceray, 6-19-2008. http://www.scienceray.com/Earth-Sciences/Meteorology/10-Most-Destructive-Tornadoes-From-Around-the-World.142263

Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965.” 4-4-2019 update. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.britannica.com/event/Palm-Sunday-tornado-outbreak-of-1965

Fox59.com, Indianapolis. “April 11, 1965 — Indiana’s deadliest tornado outbreak; The Palm Sunday outbreak.” 4-11-2019. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://fox59.com/2019/04/11/april-11-1965-indianas-deadliest-tornado-outbreak-the-palm-sunday-outbreak-2/

Goshen News. “In Memoriam: A list of the Palm Sunday Tornado victims.” 4-10-2015. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.goshennews.com/in-memoriam-a-list-of-the-palm-sunday-tornado-victims/article_575d07ca-dfc7-11e4-8ead-3b87c4131115.html

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

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995. St. Johnsbury, VE: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films, January 1997, 128 pages.

Kokomo Morning Times, IN. “Death toll 13.” 4-17-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-morning-times-apr-17-1965-p-1/

Levine, Mark. F5: Devastation, Survival, and the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the Twentieth Century. New York: Miramax Books, 2007.

Logansport Press. “Fatal Seizure During Tornado.” 4-13-1965, p. 13. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-apr-13-1965-p-13/

Logansport Press. “Logansport Woman Killed In Tornado.” 4-13-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-apr-13-1965-p-1/

Logansport Press, IN. “Miami County Native Dies.” 4-13-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-apr-13-1965-p-1/

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

Mitchell, Dawn. “1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes: ‘As close to hell as I ever want to be’.” IndyStar.com. 4-6-2018, updated 4-11-2018. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2018/04/06/1965-palm-sunday-tornadoes-close-hell-ever-want/461688002/

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Detroit/Pontiac, MI (William R. Deedler, Weather Historian). Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. March 2005, April 2015 update. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/dtx/palmsunday

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Grand Rapids, MI. The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 1965 in West Michigan. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/grr/1965PalmSundayTornado

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Indianapolis, IN. Boone County Tornadoes, 1950-2018. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/ind/boone_torn

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in the United States. NWS, NOAA, DOC. November 2, 2005 modification. Accessed at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/climate/torout.php

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Northern Indiana. April 11^th 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak. Accessed 5-19-2019 at: https://w2.weather.gov/iwx/1965_palmsunday_50

Sav, Thomas G. Natural Disasters: Some Empirical and Economic Considerations (Final Report, NBSIR 74-473). Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards, Institute for Applied Technology, Center for Building Technology, Building Economics Section, February 1974, 74 pages. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build74/PDF/b74006.pdf

Tornado Project online (Thomas Grazulis). Accessed 5-19-2019 at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/index.html

United Press International. “Death Toll Is Revised By Police.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-15-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-apr-15-1965-p-10/

United Press International. “Hard Hit State Sections Viewed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 4-14-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-apr-14-1965-p-2/

United Press International. “Latest Tornado Revision Reports Death Toll 130.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-16-1965, p. 3. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-apr-16-1965-p-3/

United Press International. “LBJ Views Rubble.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 4-14-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-apr-14-1965-p-1/

United Press International. “Red Cross estimates $1 million needed for aid. Kokomo Times, IN. 4-22-1965, p.1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-morning-times-apr-23-1965-p-1/

United Press International. “Tornado Losses Now Listed At $176 Million; Death Toll Hits 131.” 4-19-1965, p.1. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jeffersonville-evening-news-apr-19-1965-p-1/

Weather Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce. Storm Data, Volume 7, No. 4, April 1965. Asheville, NC: 1965. Accessed 5-18-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html?_finish=0.1512948383119388

[1] The photo description reads: “Twin tornado funnel clouds sweep along U.S. 33 near Dunlap, Ind., April 11, 1965. The Palm Sunday disaster that struck the Midwest that day injured at least 5,000 persons and killed 270 others.”

[2] “Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, series of tornadoes that struck the Midwestern region of the United States on April 11, 1965. A six-state area of Ohio, Micigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa was severely damaged by the tornados. Indiana’s death toll was the heavies, with 141 of the 270 total deaths…”

[3] Table 4.7 (revised) Outbreaks with 40 or more Recorded Tornadoes, 1880-1995. Writes there were a total of 48 tornadoes, 38 of which were significant, 19 F4/F5, and 21 “killer.”

[4] Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 4, April 1965, p. 35.

[5] There is a list of 48 named Elkhart County victims at: Goshen News. “In Memoriam.” 4-10-2015. In addition, two of the “Reported Later” deaths, one in Goshen and one in Wakarusa, both in Elkhart County, raise the total to 50.

[6] Logansport Press. “Fatal Seizure During Tornado.” 4-13-1965, p. 13.)

[7] Reference to Koontz Lake deaths.

[8] The death toll for Howard County changed from 14 on April 16 to 13 on April 17, when deputy coroner ruled that the death of LeRoy A Kuhns was in Miami County rather than Howard. (Kokomo Morning Times, IN. “Death toll 13.” 4-17-1965, p. 1.)

[9] It is not clear to me, but it appears that Grazulis specifically notes but two deaths in St. Joseph.

[10] This could be a reference to the Koontz Lake deaths. Koontz Lake is in Marshall and Starke counties. We show two deaths in Marshall County, presumably the two Koontz Lake deaths. Appears to be double counting.

[11] In noting revision of death toll upwards from 130 to 131, it is written: “The latest victim was an 8-year-old boy, Brian Graham of Sheridan [Hamilton Co.], who died in Methodist Hospital here this morning [19^th].”

[12] The death toll for Howard County changed from 14 on April 16 to 13 on April 17, when deputy coroner ruled that the death of LeRoy A Kuhns was in Miami County rather than Howard. (Kokomo Morning Times, IN. “Death toll 13.” 4-17-1965, p. 1.)

[13] The NWS Northern IN WFO notes this F4 23:15 tornado as Elkhart County, west of Wakarusa to northwest of Middlebury (21.2 miles in length).

[14] Located at the time between Goshen and Dunlap. (Crothers, Julie. “Remembering Midway Trailer Court: The initial blow.” GoshenNews.com, 4-10-2015.)

[15] After noting 5 deaths for this 23:40 F4, starting northeast of Goshen and going to west of Orland, writes: “Some sources list 17 fatalities. May have been an F5.

[16] Sunnyside and Kingston Heights housing developments.

[17] I am assuming this was the location the NWS Northern Indiana WFO was referring in noting six deaths when a tornado “demolished a truck stop” killing six people.

[18] “Mrs. Omma Elle Sweet, 63, of Greentown, was blown out of her car when the tornado rolled it into a field along Ind. 22. She was en route to Greentown when the storm hit.” (Logansport Press, IN. “Miami County Native Dies.” 4-13-1965, p. 1.)

[19] “Mrs. Josephine Werner, 44, of 1514 Grant St., was killed at 7:45 p.m. Sunday when a tornado struck the car in which she was riding several miles south of Greentown on Ind. 22….” (Logansport Press. “Logansport Woman Killed In Tornado.” 4-13-1965, p. 1.)

[20] Associated Press. “Toll of State Tornado Dead Reaches 126.” Logansport Press, IN. 4-13-1965, p. 13.

[21] “Indiana Tornadoes 1950-2012” (by County): http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/intorn.htm Highlighting in yellow to denote we are not including in our tally. Have seen no other source noting deaths in Blackford County. While a tornado did touch down in Blackford County, it appears the four deaths were in Wells and Adams counties, where the tornado next moved.

[22] “Mentone [IN] — Paul A. Perkins, 60, of Rt. 1, Mentone, died Sunday night of a heart attack suffered while en route to St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka. Perkins and his wife were traveling on Ind. 331, north of Talma [Fulton Co.], when their car was struck by tornado winds. Mrs. Perkins was in good condition Monday night at the hospital.” (Logansport Press. “Fatal Seizure During Tornado.” 4-13-1965, p. 13.)

[23] “Leroy Alvin Kunhs, 65, of Alto, three miles southwest of Kokomo, died at 7:20 a.m. Monday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wayne Fye, in Miami county. An autopsy disclosed that, although his home and all of his possessions were flattened by the tornado, his death was due to a heart attack. It was understood he was in his car when the tornado hit.” (Logansport Press, IN. “Miami County Native Dies.” 4-13-1965, p. 1.)

[24] Writes this was near Lowden. Man in the open trying to get to storm shelter. Died from injuries a month later.

[25] By looking at the counties of these localities it is apparent this is the tornado Grazulis refers to as the Ottawa and Kent Counties tornado. The Grand Rapids NWS WFO notes: “Five people were killed and over 100 injured. One of the injured would die days later, raising the death toll to six.”

[26] Highlighted in yellow to denote the source is not Grazulis, nor apparently in his breakout. NWS Grand Rapids WFO writes “In Allegan County a tornado killed one person in Burnips.”

[27] The National Weather Service Northern Indiana Weather Forecast Office shows 21 deaths for this tornado.

[28] Six family members in one home; and one man at the Manitou Beach Baptist Church.

[29] We use Grazulis for low end of range and NEW WFO Northern Indiana for the high end, though comparing the two is close to comparing apples to oranges. For example, Grazulis shows two deaths in Van Wert County, and NWS WFO Northern IN shows none. Grazulis shows one Seneca Co. death and the NWS WFO Northern IN has 4.

[30] NWS Northern IN WFO compilation for Ohio shows 60 deaths, but “Two people were killed on the Lost Peninsula in Michigan.” The Ohio toll for this tornado is 18, whereas Grazulis shows 16. It is not clear if the two MI deaths should be subtracted from the 18 deaths in the Lucas County tornado and total of 60.

[31] Weather Bureau. Storm Data. V7, N4, Apr 1965, p. 29. Notes their home was demolished just south of town.

[32] Weather Bureau’s Storm Data, p. 29, notes deaths of “at least 5 in the vicinity of Bluffton.”

[33] Weather Bureau’s Storm Data notes, p29, there were 12 passengers on the chartered bus. NWS Northern IN WFO writes: “5 people were killed when the tornado picked up a bus and slammed it upside down onto the pavement.”

[34] Weather Bureau: “Most of the destruction occurred in Fuller’s Creekside Addition and Lost Peninsula suburb.

[35] Also Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V7, N4, Apr 1965, p. 29. “It first appeared near the western end of Lake Loraine, them moved to near Swanders where violent winds tore 53 freight cars from the middle of a 68-unit train.”

[36] NWS Northern IN WFO. Highlighted in yellow to show difference between Grazulis and NWS No. IN WFO.

[37] Weather Bureau Storm Data (p. 29), notes that four people were killed in Pittsfield. Then notes the tornado “then proceeded east-northeastward just north of La Grange over the southern edge of Grafton and through Columbia Station and Strongville. In each of these places there were additional fatalities bringing the total to 18.”

[38] Weather Bureau Storm Data (p. 29), notes “In Radnor several houses were heavily damaged, and four people were killed.” Does not mention a heart attack victim.

[39] A newspaper article notes that

[40] On p. 1062, notes these deaths were from two cars thrown from US-16 west of Ixonia near Pipersville.

[41] There were other large loss of life events prior to the 1963 explosion. Estimates of the Lucy Walker boiler explosion and fire on the Ohio River near New Albany, IN, on Oct 23, 1844, go as high as 100 as does the toll (60-100) from the boiler explosion of the steamer Missouri on the Ohio River near Newburg, IN, on Jan 30, 1866. A June-July 1901 IN heat wave killed 90; flooding on multiple IN rivers during March 23-27, 1913 took 60-100 lives; and the Hammond Circus train wreck at Ivanhoe IN on June 22, 1918, took 86 lives.

[42] We show death-toll range, in separate doc., of 71-76 for the IN component of the “Tri-State Tornado of March 18.