1957 — April 2, Tornado, Dallas County, TX — 10

–10 Associated Press. “Dallas Lists 10 Dead in Twister.” Wichita Falls Times.” 4-3-1957, p. 1.
–10 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1000.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “TX APR 2, 1957 1615 10k 216inj 125y 15m F3. DALLAS — This was among the most photographed and studied tornadoes in history. Touching down 2m SE of Red Bird Airport, the funnel passed 2.5m W of downtown Dallas. It lifted three quarters of a mile west of the Weather Bureau station at Love Field. The path width varied from 50-200 yards. The late afternoon hour provided a good angle for lighting and a lack of rain made for good visibility. The fairly slow movement (30 mph) and long path gave people time to reach a camera. The analysis of these photographs made significant advancements in the understanding of tornado wind speeds and the tornado life cycle. Photos were taken by at least 125 people and included over 2000 feet of movie film. Some of the 16mm film is, to this day, unequalled in closeup quality. About 131 homes were completely destroyed, 111 had major damage, and 287 had minor damage. Over 500 homes were hit, and some were leveled to the ground. The construction of many of these homes was so poor, however, that an F4 rating seems inappropriate. Many of them were built without wall studding. In addition, 12 apartment houses were severely damaged, along with five churches, 28 businesses, and 10 commercial warehouse buildings. Eight of the 10 deaths were in two clusters of homes. One was a mile south of the Trinity River, and one was a mile north of the river. Most of the dead were elderly or children. $1,500,000.” (Grazulis 1993, p. 1000.)
Newspaper

April 3, AP: “Dallas (AP) – Twisters today again threatened Dallas where a vicious tornado ripped a 21-mile path and killed at least 10 persons yesterday….Thousands watched in fear and awe as the huge tornado lashed viciously out of a black rain cloud and cut a deadly 21-mile path across the city. About 196 persons were treated in hospitals. Some were in critical condition….

“Damage to property that was turned into rubble was estimated at four million dollars by O. P. Wright, deputy police chief. Some 500 homes were destroyed or damaged, he said….

“The tornado lashed out of a black rainstorm. An estimated hundred thousand people watched as it swayed a leisurely, jerky course from South Oak Cliff through west Dallas and northwest Dallas. For 40 horror-filled minutes the lashing funnel filled the dark sky above a frozen city….

“The hospital [Parkland] was jammed with crying, wailing, bloody people. There were dozens of children, many numb and soaked with blood.

“Four of the dead were children, including three in one family. One was a month-old girl and the three brothers and sisters, aged 5, 3, and 2 years….

“The tornado was first spotted near Red Bluff Airport, about 10 miles south of the heart of this north central Texas city of half a million. It then plowed northward, like a giant top, spinning through residential, business and manufacturing areas. It slammed through Oak Cliff, part of the Trinity industrial district, west Dallas and on to the north. It finally broke up near Love Field, northwest of downtown Dallas. The base of the funnel apparently varied from 150 feet in width. Hugh pieces of debris were whirled an estimated 2,000 feet into the air and sailed out sideways as the twister smashed houses, businesses, trees and vehicles. Brilliant flashes kept hopping about the base as power and trolley-bus lines snapped….” (Associated Press. “Dallas Lists 10 Dead in Twister.” Wichita Falls Times.” 4-3-1957, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Dallas Lists 10 Dead in Twister.” Wichita Falls Times.” 4-3-1957, p. 1. Accessed 2-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wichita-falls-times-apr-03-1957-p-1/

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