1944 – June 17, Tornadoes, esp. Florence, Wilmot and Bath, SD (13); Big Stone, MN — 13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–13 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 397.
–13 UP. “13 Die In Weekend Storms.” The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 6-19-1944, p. 1.
South Dakota (12)
–13 NWS, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: June 17th.”
— 5 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 914.
–2 Bath.
–3 Florence
— 2 Bath. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 914.
— 3 Florence. UP. “13 Die In Weekend Storms.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 6-19-1944, p1.
— 7 Wilmot. UP. “13 Die In Weekend Storms.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 6-19-1944, p1.
— 8 SD/MN. 17:15 F5 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 914.
Narrative Information
National Weather Service, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “June 17, 1944.”:
“On this date, six estimated F2 or greater tornadoes were tracked across Faulk, Codington, Brown, Day, Grant, and Roberts County in South Dakota as well as Big Stone in Minnesota. The first tornado touched down at approximately 3:30 pm CST in Faulk County. This estimated F2 tornado destroyed all buildings except the house on a farm 7 miles northeast of Faulkton. The next tornado occurred at 4:00 pm CST in Codington County, where barns were destroyed. Cattle and a truck were thrown into Grass Lake, near Wallace. About the same time, in Brown County, a tornado moved northeast from just northeast of Warner and crossed the town of Bath. This storm killed two people and injured another twelve. A couple was killed in the destruction of their home. Twenty homes in Bath were damaged. A brick school had its upper story torn off. Another tornado moved through Codington County at 4:45 pm CST, killing three and injuring twenty-five. This F4 strength tornado moved northeast from two miles northeast of Henry, passing over Long Lake and ending 2 miles northwest of Florence. The funnel was described as snake-like over Long Lake and massive as it swept through five farms southwest of Florence. Over 100 head of cattle were killed, and about a dozen homes were destroyed. In Day County an estimated F2 moved due north from 4 miles south of Webster, ending 2 miles northeast of Roslyn. This storm passed two miles east of Webster where barns were destroyed, and livestock was killed on a half dozen farms. At 5:15 pm CST a monster of a storm moved northeast from 5 miles south of Summit, passing 3 miles south of Wilmot and ending about 3 miles east of Beardsley, Minnesota. This massive tornado had an estimated width of 1500 yards and traveled 30 miles. Along the path, eight people were killed, and another forty-three were injured. Farm devastation southwest and south of Wilmot was as complete as it could be with some farms reportedly left without even debris on the property. About 15 farms in South Dakota reported F3-F5 damage. From this day, the Red Cross counted 13 dead and 560 people injured across the state.” (NWS, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: June 17th.”)
Newspapers
June 18, AP: “Watertown, S.D. (AP). More than a dozen persons are dead, a score or more injured and vast property damage was reported as high winds and tornadoes swept thru northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota late Saturday.
“The known dead were: [We convert paragraph into single lines.]
John Nelson, Bath, S.D.;
Harvey Zirbel, about 2, Florence, S.D.;
Mrs. Jennie Larson, Florence;
Mrs. Ole Kjetland, Florence;
Mrs. Jules Berknir, Milbank, S.D., visiting at Wilmot;
Mrs. Irving Liebe, Wilmot, daughter of Mrs. Berknir;
Earl Jarman, Wilmot;
Adolphson Jarman, brother of Earl;
Vernon Gates;
_____ Gates, son of Vernon, and
_____ McDonald, a youth.
“Several others were reported dead in the Wilmot vicinity but lack of communication facilities made identification impossible.
“The storm hit hardest at Florence, south of Wilmot, and Graceville and Beardsley in Minnesota. The storm struck Florence, northwest of Watertown, shortly after 5 p.m. A dozen dwellings, the Standard Oil company’s bulk plant and the feed mill and commercial elevator of the Florene C-operative Elevator company were destroyed.” (Associated Press. “Dozen killed by 2-state tornadoes.” Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star, NE. 6-18-1944, 4-A.)
June 19, UP: “Midwesterners were promised relief today from yesterday’s unseasonably warm temperatures that sent the mercury soaring as high as 100 degrees at Louisville, Ky., but the Atlantic seaboard states were in for at least another day of sweltering heat.
“While millions sought relief from the torrid temperatures yesterday afternoon, a tornado claimed at least 13 lives in the Dakotas and two minor earthquakes rocked southern California.
“The heaviest death toll from the tornado was registered at Wilmot, S.D., where seven persons lost their lives. Three were killed at Florence, S.D., and the tiny town of Bath, S.D., was leveled except for a small grain elevator….” (United Press. “13 Die In Weekend Storms.” The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 6-19-1944, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Dozen killed by 2-state tornadoes.” Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star, NE. 6-18-1944, 4-A. Accessed 4-2-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-sunday-journal-and-star-jun-18-1944-p-4/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
National Weather Service, Aberdeen, SD Weather Forecast Office. “This Day in Weather History: June 17th.” Accessed 4-2-2024 at: https://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Jun_17
United Press. “13 Die In Weekend Storms.” The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 6-19-1944, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jun-19-1944-p-1/