1956 — April 15, Tornado, Jefferson County, west and northwest Birmingham area, AL–25

–25 Alabama Department Of Archives & History. This Week in Alabama History.
–25 Assoc. Press. “Birmingham Tornado Claims 25th Victim.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-30-1956, 1
–25 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 996.
–25 NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Details, Tornado, Alabama, 15 Apr 1956, Jefferson County
–25 National Weather Service WFO Birmingham AL. Alabama Tornado Database.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “AL APR 15, 1956 1500 25k 200inj 300y 20m F4. JEFFERSON [county] — Moved NE, devastating McDonalds Chapel. About 400 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Most of the homes were of very poor construction; many were swept completely away, in F5 fashion. A few larger homes were also leveled. $1,500,000.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, 996.)

NWS Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL: Seven communities sustained damage, principally Pleasant Grove, McDonald Chapel, and Trussville. (National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham AL. Alabama Tornado Database.)

Newspapers

April 16, AP: “Birmingham (AP) – a grim search for additional bodies went on today in the wreckage of homes in which 21 dead tornado victims already have been found. The terrible winds blew 100 homes to bits, mostly in the barren wills west of the heavy industrial areas of Ensley and Pratt City. Injured numbered more than 200. And another 200 or so homes were damaged. Six whites and 15 Negroes were known dead. Many other persons were missing, but families became separated during the Sunday afternoon storm and there was no definite indication as to how many might be still in the wreckage.

“Most of the dead and injured were at McDonald’s Chapel, a suburb of 3,000 population just outside the northwestern city limits. Winds also flailed Sandusky, New Georgia and Sayreton, other suburban areas. Fire engines joined the confusion at McDonald’s Chapel when fire broke out in some of the ruined houses.

“Approximately 150 persons were admitted to Birmingham hospitals. Some were treated and released but most ere confined for treatment. Roscoe Whatley, a Red Cross official, said an emergency ward had been set up in a union hall in Ensley, an industrial suburb, where 30 of the less seriously injured were admitted.

“The awesome roar of the approaching storm gave sufficient warning for many to take shelter before their houses were blown to splinters….

“Most of the dead were found in wreckage left in the wake of the storm. Mrs. Betty Duncan, 30, lay with her 3-year-old son Rodney in her arms and Melvin Duncan, 8, sprawled nearby. All three were dead….” (Associated Press. “Tornado In Birmingham Is Fatal To 21; Wide Damage Reported In County Strikes.” Anniston Star, AL. 4-16-1956, p. 2.)

April 18, AP: “Birmingham (AP) – The task of rebuilding amid the ruins left by a tornado which killed 22 and made 1,113 homeless was underway today. With Red Cross and other help already promised, homeowners in five shattered communities north and west of Birmingham surveyed wrecked houses for salvageable material. Rebuilding costs may run into the millions of dollars, according to preliminary surveys. The Red Cross estimated 166 homes destroyed and 57 receiving lesser damage. Damage to business buildings scattered through the rural communities added to the toll. The homeless were quartered in schools, union halls and churches until better living quarters can be found for them.

“National Guard troops still patrolled the stricken are to protect against pillaging. Passes were required to enter McDonald Chapel, where the twister centered its fury….” (AP. “Tornado Areas Begin Rebuilding. Death Toll 22; Homeless Tally More Than 1,000.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-17-1956, p.1.)

April 19, AP: “Birmingham (AP) – Coroner Joe L. Hilderbrand, as an aftermath of the tornado which resulted in 23 deaths here during the weekend, wants to set up a county morgue. The county officials suggests that all unidentified bodies should be brought to a central location, such as the morgue he advocates. That, he thinks, would speed up identification. Instead of spending many hours going from one funeral home to another, relatives could make one trip to one place. County Commission President W. D. Kendrick told Hilderbrand he wanted more information on the need for a cunty morgue before presenting the matter to the full commission for action. Victims of the tornado were taken to various funeral homes by the ambulance drivers who picked them up. Identification was slow and uncertain.” (Associated Press. “Tornado Causes Request For County Morgue.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-19-1956, p.4.)

April 21, UP: “Birmingham (UP) – A 6-year-old Negro girl died of injuries yesterday [20th], the 24th death caused by the killer tornado that smashed this city’s western fringe last Sunday. Beverly Spencer died at West End Baptist Hospital yesterday afternoon. She had been in critical condition since the violent twister tore here home from over her head at Stacey Hollow about 3 p.m. Sunday.”
(United Press. “Death Of Child Raises Tornado Toll To 24.” Anniston Star, AL. 4-21-1956, p. 2.)

April 30, AP: “Birmingham (AP) – The 25th victim of the tornado which struck near Birmingham, April 15 died yesterday. He was Lijah M. Brooks, 68-year-old retired steelworker. Brooks was at home ill when the storm struck McDonald’s Chapel, destroying his residence and injuring him and his wife, the latter only slightly.

“The twister injured 200 persons and left more than 1,100 [homeless] in a cluster of rural communities west and north of Birmingham.” (Associated Press. “Birmingham Tornado Claims 25th Victim.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-30-1956, p. 1.)

Sources

Alabama Department of Archives & History. This Week in Alabama History. Accessed 4-6-2009 at: http://archives.state.al.us/thisweek/index.html#May

Associated Press. “Birmingham Tornado Claims 25th Victim.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-30-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-24-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-apr-30-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tornado Areas Begin Rebuilding. Death Toll 22; Homeless Tally More Than 1,000.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-17-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-24-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-apr-17-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tornado Causes Request For County Morgue.” Decatur Daily, AL. 4-19-1956, p.4. Accessed 3-24-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-apr-19-1956-p-4/

Associated Press. “Tornado In Birmingham Is Fatal To 21; Wide Damage Reported In County Strikes.” Anniston Star, AL. 4-16-1956, p. 2. Accessed 3-24-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-apr-16-1956-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 Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Alabama, 15 Apr 1956, Jefferson County. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-3-2009 at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~94

National Weather Service Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Alabama Tornado Database. NWS/NOAA. Accessed 1-4-2009 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/tornadoes/mainlist2.php

United Press. “Death Of Child Raises Tornado Toll To 24.” Anniston Star, AL. 4-21-1956, p. 2. Accessed 3-24-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-apr-21-1956-p-2/