Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-31-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–19 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 390 and 850.

–11 Belton

— 4 Greenville County near Laurens County line

— 1 Barksdale

— 3 Locales not noted.

–19 Blanchard tally of named fatalities listed at the end of this document, prior to Sources.

–17 AP. “Number Of Dead From Friday’s Tornado Is Placed At Seventeen.” 5-7-1933, p.1.

–11 Belton.

— 5 Lebanon section near the Greenville-Laurens county line.

— 1 Barksdale

–15 Belton. Find a Grave. “Belton Tornado May 5, 1933.” (See listing of names below.)

— 1 Laurens County.[1]

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “SC May 5, 1933 14:30 19k [killed] 100inj 300y 45m F3 Anderson/Laurens [counties].

Newspapers

May 6, AP: “Many Injured As Storm Hits Piedmont Belt. Belton Community, Near Anderson, Suffers Largest Death List. Many Are Homeless. Farm Houses Destroyed – Damage Estimated At Million Dollars.

“By The Associated Press

“At least 15 persons were killed and more than 60 injured by a tornado which swept eastward through the heart of Piedmont South Carolina late yesterday, doing damage which was estimated to reach $1,000,000. Deaths were reported from Anderson, Laurens and Greenville counties while heavy damage was done in Chester county.

Heavy Loss at Belton

“The heaviest loss was at Belton, near Anderson where ten were killed, between 45 and 55 injured, 25 seriously, and approximately 60 families made homeless. The Blair Town Mill there was practically demolished and C. Blair Rice, its president estimated the company’s loss at $150,000.

“Four persons were killed in the Lebanon section of Greenville county and another across the line in Laurens county.

“The dead: [We reorder.]

Ruth Hamby, 5, Belton.

George Haynie, an infant of Belton [unclear].

Miss Clara Bell Phillips, 12, of Belton.

Mrs. Della Phillips, 48, Belton.

A Mrs. McAlister of Belton.

Miss Ellie McKee, 30 of Belton

Mrs. John Rogers, 55, Belton.

Jesse M. Phillips, Belton.

George E. Phillips, a baby of Belton

An unidentified negro woman of Belton.

Mrs. J. Brendus Thompson, of Lebanon, Greenville county.

James Thomson, 8.

Richard Thompson, 2. [brothers]

An unidentified negress at the Thompson home.

Mrs. Elizabeth Spoon [unclear], 65, of Laurens county.

“Twenty-five Belton residents were in the hospital at Anderson last night while 20 or 30 others received treatment and were discharged. A number of these still in the hospital wre expected to be released today. Ambulance attendants and surgeons refused to estimate the number treated at the scene.

“Sweeping up from storm-torn Alabama and Luisiana, the tornado skipped over Anderson with a roar, dipped several times in sparsely settled sections and then went through the heart of Belton’s industrial section. Seventeen houses were demolished…” (Associated Press. “15 Killed As Tornado Sweeps Through State.” Florence Morning News, SC. 5-6-1933, p. 1 and 2.)

May 7, AP: “By The Associated Press. Clear skies and only a gentle breeze yesterday followed in the wake of an erratic tornado that swooped down on three South Carolina counties Friday taking 17 lives, injuring more than 100, leaving scores homeless and damaging property to an extent of at least $1,000,000….Anderson, Greenville and Laurens counties bore the brunt of the wind which spent most of its fury in the mill community of Belton, 10 miles from the City of Anderson. At Belton, 11 were dead and approximately 60 were homeless. Many were recovering in hospitals while a few, injured more critically, were given only even chances to live. The Blair Town mill there was wrecked….” (Associated Press. “Number Of Dead From Friday’s Tornado Is Placed At Seventeen.” 5-7-1933, p. 1.)

Listing of Victims

(All from Find a Grave except where otherwise noted.)

Julia Crawford 40 Anderson County.[2]
Janie Ruth Hamby 7 months Belton
Benjamin F. Haynie 5 months Belton
Margaret Devall Jeanes 58 or 59 Anderson County[3]
Rebecca “Becky” McNinch McAlister, 76 Belton
Evie Viola McKee 35 Belton
Cora Belle Phillips 20 Belton
Della Bridges Phillips 47 Belton
George Edward Phillips 2 Belton
Jessie Mae Phillips 19 Belton
Elizabeth Walker Rogers 56 Belton
Liza Nelson Spoon 65 [4]
Mattie Steward Greenville County.[5]
Ben F. Thompson 16 or 17.[6] Lebanon, Greenville Co.
J. Brendus Thompson Lebanon, Greenville Co.
James Pelham Thomson 10 Lebanon, Greenville Co.
Lillie Maude Estes Thompson 48
Richard Farrell Thompson 1-2 Lebanon, Greenville Co.
Hattie Wright 60 Anderson County.[7]

Sources

Associated Press. “15 Killed As Tornado Sweeps Through State.” Florence Morning News, SC. 5-6-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-31-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/florence-morning-news-may-06-1933-p-1/

Associated Press. “Number Of Dead From Friday’s Tornado Is Placed At Seventeen.” 5-7-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-31-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/florence-morning-news-may-07-1933-p-1/

Find a Grave. “Belton Tornado May 5, 1933.” Accessed 12-31-2024 at: https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/331380?page=1#sr-42465882

Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.” Accessed 12-31-2024 at: https://genealogytrails.com/scar/anderson/tornado1933.html

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

[1] Associated Press. “15 Killed As Tornado Sweeps Through State.” Florence Morning News, SC. 5-6-1933, p. 1.)

[2] Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.”

[3] Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.”

[4] Associated Press. “15 Killed As Tornado Sweeps Through State.” Florence Morning News, SC. 5-6-1933, p. 1, 2.

[5] Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.”

[6] Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.”

[7] Genealogytrails.com. “Tornado, 1933. Anderson County, South Carolina Genealogy Trails.”

1933 — May 5, Tornado, esp. Belton (11), Anderson County and Laurens Co. (5), SC — 19