1949 — Jan 3, AR Tornadoes, especially Warren (55 deaths), Bradley County, AR     –57-58

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 15, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–57-58  Blanchard estimated death toll range:

For the low-end of our range we use 57 in that this is the number of identified fatalities from the tornado outbreak in Arkansas. We note that Salinerriverchronicle.com notes 59, but this includes 56 fatalities for Warren when the listing of Warren fatalities included on the webpage notes only 54 names. For the high-end we choose to rely on Grazulis. We note that there were also two tornado deaths in Louisiana on January 3rd which we do not include in our attempt to understand the Arkansas death toll.

–59  Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014 is the 65th Anniversary of the 1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014.

—  1  Grapevine

—  2  El Dorado

–56  Warren [Blanchard: It is stated that 56 died in Warren, but only 54 names are listed.]

–58  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 505, 941.

            —  1  Grapevine, Grant County

            —  2  Union County 16:00 F3 tornado

–55  Warren, Bradley County.

–57  Blanchard tally from “Listing of Named Fatalities from Sources,” found below.

—  2  El Dorado area

—  1  Grapevine

–54  Warren

–57  National Weather Service, Little Rock AR Weather Forecast Office, 2006

–56  AP. “Death Toll at Warren 52.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. 1-6-1949, p. 1.

            —  2  North Louisiana

            —  2  El Dorado, AR

            –52  Warren, AR

–56  Associated Press. “Tornado Victim Dies.” The Camden News, AR. 1-10-1949, p. 1.[1]

            Blanchard note: If there were 56 deaths in Warren as AP states, then total deaths would

be 59 – 1 in Grapevine and 2 in El Dorado.

–55  Brooks / Doswell. “Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890-1999.” 2000.

–55  NWS Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: January 3rd.”

–55  Warren tornado. History of Tornadoes Wiki. “1949 Warren Arkansas tornado outbreak.”

–55  Warren tornado. Tornado Talk. “Warren, AR F4 Tornado – March 28, 1975.” 3-28-2019.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “AR Jan 3, 1949 16:00 1k 7inj 150y …F2 Dallas/Cleveland/Grant [counties] – Moved NE, destroying small homes and barns near Bunn, Farindale, and Grapevine. One woman died from severe injuries in one of four homes that were destroyed at Grapevine. One persons was injured at Bunn, and four more were injured at Farindale. $16,000.

Grazulis: “AR  JAN 3, 1949 1600 2k 18inj…10m F3.  UNION—Moved NE from 7m W of El Dorado to 6m N of that town. At least two homes were destroyed at the start of the path near Hopewell. Many acres of forest were leveled….

Grazulis: “AR  JAN 3, 1949 1615 55k 435inj 500y 40m F4.  UNION /CALHOUN /BRADLEY — This may have been a family of two or three tornadoes. Details along the entire track were unavailable. Moving NE from 10m E of El Dorado, the tornado “wreaked havoc” on the town of Warren. At least 55 people died at there, especially in the NE part of town. About 120 homes were destroyed, and over 500 were damaged. $1,300,000….” (Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993.)

NWS, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: January 3rd.”

“1949: During the late afternoon hours, an estimated F4 tornado destroyed Warren, Arkansas. The tornado killed 55 people and injured more than 250 others. The destruction of the Bradley mill displaced 1,000 employees.” [Blanchard note: Since Warren, AR is the only locality noted, is the statement of “55 killed” only in reference to Warren?]

National Weather Service, Little Rock Weather Forecast Office: “The deadliest single tornado in Arkansas during the [20th] Century…There were several other tornadoes in the state that day.”  (NWS, The Top 25 Weather Events of the 20th Century in Arkansas. Little Rock Weather Forecast Office, NWS, NOAA. April 4, 2006.)

Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014 is the 65th Anniversary of the 1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014:

….Then State Representative C.C. Hollensworth filed a bill in the Arkansas House of Representatives allocating $50,000.00 of state funding to help Warren clean up and deal with the devastation. The Mayor of Warren at the time was James Hurley, Sr.  On January 27th, Governor Sid McMath announced he would visit Warren. He later did and then vetoed the bill that had passed both houses of the legislature. He did not want to set a precedent for the state helping local communities according to statements he made…. Without help from the state, the town rebuilt.  Citizens pulled together to rebuild homes. The Bradley Lumber Company rebuilt, and gradually Warren returned to full strength. It was a taxing time for the city which took many years to overcome.”

Newspaper

 Jan 4, AP: “Warren, Jan. 4 – (AP) – Mayor Jim Hurley expressed belied that the fatality toll in last evening’s tornado would exceed 50. Between 250 and 300 were injured. He said the death toll stood at 46 and that he expected more bodies would be found in debris that littered a 20-square block residential and industrial area. At least 27 dead had been tentatively identified. Identification of several others was made difficult because of the condition of the bodies.

“The mayor said 150 national guardsmen and state policemen began combing wreckage at daybreak and should complete the task by 10 a.m. (CST)….Hurley announced that convicts from Tucker prison farm are being brought here to start the cleanup job. Bulldozers are being mobilized to help speed the task….

“Hurley said one of the injured had died in a Little Rock hospital, two in Pine Bluff hospitals and one at Monticello. Some of the other injured were not expected to recover.

“He expressed belief the losses would total $1,000,000. Some other estimates were higher….

The devastating storm struck this lumber mill community at 5:45 p.m. yesterday. The business district escaped…The storm climaxed a series of twisters that hop-skipped and dipped through Northwest Louisiana and Arkansas late yesterday and last night. None of the others was as violent as the big, black cloud with a red funnel that bore down on Warren, with a population of 7,500, ninety miles south of Little Rock.

“Two persons perished near Haynesville, La., northeast of Shreveport, and a score of more was injured. Two dead and nearly a score injured was the toll of two storms near El Dorado, Ark., southwest of here and north of Haynesville. The storm hit once more after leaving here, striking Dark Corner, northeast of Warren about an hour later. Two persons were hurt.

“The tornado caused more casualties than the one which swept the Louisiana-Arkansas area between El Dorado and Shreveport a year ago.

“The one which battered Warren apparently was a union of smaller twisters that struck the two-state area southwest of here earlier yesterday. It moved in a roar that sounded to E. D. Roddey lake a ‘thousand railroad locomotives.’ Several war veterans compared the scene afterward to battle-scarred cities that had seen. ‘Milltown.’ An area comprising the big Bradley Lumber Co., mill, one of the largest flooring plants in the south, and residences of many of the employes in the southern section, was battered severely. Lumber was splintered and showered over the community. Dwellings were flattened.

“Electric, gas and water lines were knocked out. Despite torrents of rain and hail, fires broke out and Mayor Hurley said several homes were destroyed by flames. Fire cast an eerie glow over the scene….rescue workers searched debris for casualties. Their only lights were electric torches,  lanterns or oil flares…The search continued through the night….” (Associated Press. “Warren Casualty List Being Checked As Storm Lays Wast Big Part Of City.” The Camden News, AR, 1-4-1949, p. 1.)

Listing of Named Fatalities from Sources

El Dorado area:         (  2)

  1. Luther E. Owens Camden News, AR. “Casualty List.” 1-4-1949, p. 1.
  2. Luther E. Owens Camden News, AR. “Casualty List.” 1-4-1949, p. 1.

Grapevine                  (  1)

  1. Duff Taylor Camden News, AR. “Casualty List.” 1-4-1949, p. 1.

Warren:                     (54)

Baker, G. W.[2]                                           AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1

  1. Baker, Mr. Sam, 29 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  2. Baker, Mrs. Sam (Lula Belle) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  3. Bartrum, Mrs. Mary, 68 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  4. Beard, Mrs. Frank AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  5. Bliss, Mrs. H. S. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  6. Braswell, Ben, 65                         AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  7. Bryant, Ethel AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1

Carlton, James (child)[3]                             AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1

  1. Creed, Joe AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  2. Mrs. R. Cyril, 32             AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  3. Derryberry, Carolyn, 8                         AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  4. Derryberry, Richard, 10 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  5. Eason, Mr. Clint, 52 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  6. Eason, Mrs. Clint. [53rd Warren death][4] com. “2014…65th Anniversary
  7. Enos, Mrs. Blanch , 63 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  8. Godfrey, Clifford, 55 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  9. Greene, Mr. H. E., 50 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  10. Greene, Mrs. H. E., 50             AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  11. Hamilton, Mrs. Jessie, 55 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  12. Harding, Mrs. Josephine, 80 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  13. Haynes, Ben AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  14. Henderson, Mr. Leonard, 48 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  15. Henderson, Mrs. Leonard, 43 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  16. Henderson, Hubert                         AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  17. Johns, Mrs. Leonard, 37 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  18. Johns, Betty Jo, 11 (daughter of Mrs.) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  19. Johnston, Shirley Anne, of Camden[5] AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  20. Jones, Kenneth, 16, in Pine Bluff hosp. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  21. King, Mr. Jimmy, of Pangburn AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  22. Lovell, Mr. Theodore AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  23. Lovell, Mrs. Theodore AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  24. Lovell, Diane (daughter of Mr. and Mrs.) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  25. Lowe, Mrs. Ervin. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  26. Maginnie, Mary Jane, 3.                         AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  27. McKinney, Carolyn[6] (child) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  28. McKinney, James Carlton com. “2014…65th Anniversary
  29. Moore, Bobby, child of Horace Moore AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  30. Moore, Linda Carroll, 2 (child of Horace Moore) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  31. Moore, Charles AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  32. Moore, Mrs. Wayburn com. “2014…65th Anniversary
  33. Nelson, Mrs. Clarence (White daughter) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  34. Repa (or Reep),[7] Alvin, 25             AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  35. Repa (or Reep), Mrs. Alvin, 17 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  36. Robbins, Mrs. N. B., 24. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  37. Sanders, Mrs. Jim com. “2014…65th Anniversary
  38. Simon, Jim AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  39. Sinks, Douglas AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  40. Sinks, Mrs. S. A. D. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  41. Sipes, Mrs. Everett, 31 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  42. Stewart, Mrs. J. E., 54 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  43. Sullivan, V. O., 40 (died in hospital) AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1
  44. West, William F., 81 (54th death)[8] com. “2014…65th Anniversary
  45. White, Mr. Melvin, 57 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  46. White, Mrs. Melvin, 58 AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1.
  47. Whitman, Mrs. John. AP. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, 1

Also listed by the Camden News of Jan 4 were four unnamed children or grandchildren of Mr. Melvin White. However their names do not appear in the AP listing of Jan 5, or in Jan 4, 2014 listing of the Salineriverchronicle.com. Thus we do not include.

Sources

Associated Press. “Death Toll at Warren 52.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. 1-6-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-06-1949-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm Dead.” The Camden News, AR. 1-5-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-jan-05-1949-p-1/

Associated Press. “Tornado Victim Dies.” The Camden News, AR. 1-10-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-jan-10-1949-p-2/

Associated Press. “Violence Claims Lives of 72 in Arkansas.” Hope Star, AR. 1-7-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hope-star-jan-07-1949-p-1/

Associated Press. “Warren Casualty List Being Checked As Storm Lays Wast Big Part Of City.” The Camden News, AR, 1-4-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-jan-04-1949-p-1/

 Brooks, Harold E. and Charles A Doswell III (NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory).  “Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890-1999.” Revised manuscript submitted as Note to Weather and Forecasting, Vol. 16, 9 p., Sep 2000.  Accessed 11-25-2017 at: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/brooks/public_html/damage/tdam1.html

 

Camden News, AR. “Casualty List.” 1-4-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/camden-news-jan-04-1949-p-1/

 

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

 

History of Tornadoes Wiki. “1949 Warren Arkansas tornado outbreak.” Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://tornadohistory.fandom.com/wiki/1949_Warren,_Arkansas_tornado_outbreak

 

National Weather Service, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: January 3rd.” Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Jan_03

 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Little Rock, AR. The Top 25 Weather Events of the 20th Century in Arkansas:  Little Rock, AR:  NWS, NOAA. April 4, 2006 last modified.  Accessed at:  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/top25-nf.htm

 Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014 is the 65th Anniversary of the 1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: 

http://salineriverfeatures.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-is-65th-anniversary-of-1949-warren.html

 Tornado Talk (Jen Narramore-Nelson Tucker and Nick Wilkes) “Warren, AR F4 Tornado – March 28, 1975.” 3-28-2019. Accessed 9-15-2023 at:

Warren, AR F4 Tornado – March 28, 1975

 

Woodard, Jann. “A Tragic Record: January 3, 1949.” Rootsweb.com. Accessed 9-15-2023 at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~arbradle/tornado/tornado_record.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] “Warren, Jan. 10. – (AP) – The fatality toll in the tornado here a week ago has risen to 56. William F. West, 81, of Warren, died in a Pine Bluff hospital.”

[2] This name is not on the list in Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014…65th Anniversary…Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014.

[3] We believe this refers to the “James Carlton McKinney” death noted in Salineriverchronicle.com.

[4] “Mrs. Clint Eason died in a Monticello hospital Thursday [6th] to become the 53rd victim of the Warren tornado of last Monday.” (Associated Press. “Violence Claims Lives of 72 in Arkansas.” Hope Star, AR. 1-7-1949, p. 1.)

[5] Or Shirley Ann Johns. (Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014…65th Anniversary…1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014.)

[6] Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014…65th Anniversary…1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014.

[7] Salineriverchronicle.com. “2014…65th Anniversary…1949 Warren Tornado.” 1-4-2014.

[8] “The death toll reached 54, when William F. West, 81, died, January 9th. The list of the dead are now accounted for.” (Woodard, Jann. “A Tragic Record: January 3, 1949.” Rootsweb.com. Accessed 9-15-2023.)

Text content