1933 — May 5, Tornadoes (2), esp. Brent/5, Colemont/2, Demopolis/3, Helena/14, AL–     25

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-1-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 –25  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 229 and 850.

—  21  Bibb/Shelby Counties Tornado.  (Grazulis 1993, p. 229 and 850.)

            —  5  Brent, Bibb County.

            —  2  Colemont community.

            –14  Helena, Shelby County

            —   4  Choctaw/Sumter/Marengo Counties Tornado.  (Grazulis 1993, p. 229, 850.)

                        –1  Northeast Choctaw County

                        –3  Demopolis, Marengo County

–21  Brent/Centreville/Helena Ct’s. NWS/WFO Birmingham,  AL Tornado Database.

            —  5  Brent

—  2  Colemont community

–14  Helena

—  4  Sumter-Marengo-Choctaw [counties]. NWS/WFO Birmingham,  AL Tornado Database.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “AL  May 5, 1933  00:20  4k [killed] 27 inj  400y  35m  F3  Choctaw/Sumter/Marengo [counties]….” (p. 850)

Grazulis: “AL  May 5, 1933  02:30  21k  200inj  500y  35m  F4  Bibb/Shelby [counties]…”

NWS Weather Forecast Office Birmingham, AL: “Small homes were destroyed at Brent where 5 people were killed. Small homes were also destroyed in the Colemont community where two were killed. 14 people were killed and 150 were injured in Helena as many structures were demolished.”  (NWS WFO Birmingham, AL, Alabama Tornado Database.)

NWS Weather Forecast Office Birmingham, AL: “2.0 E Edna-Demopolis. 50 homes were destroyed in Demopolis where three people were killed.”

Newspaper

May 5, UP: “Birmingham, Ala., May 5. (UP) – Central Alabama counted 23 dead, fully 200 injured and estimated property damage at $250,000, following a tornado which today spun down during a rain-storm in the early hours of the morning. Four towns in widely scattered area bore the brunt of the storm. They were Helena, Centerville, Brent and Demopolis. At Helena, where 13 died when the tornado ripped across the village, the worst damage was tolled. The town was left in ruins when the roaring funnel frolicked back into the sky.

“Seven died in the Centerville and Brent area. Three were killed at Demopolis, where one side of the city crumpled before the wind, while the other side escaped damage….” (United Press. “Alabama Hit By Tornado; 23 Dead. Twister Toll Mounting; 200 Folk Injurted.” The Anniston Star, AL. 5-5-19333, p. 1.)

May 5, UP: “Birmingham, Ala., May 5. (UP) – The dead in Alabama’s tornado, as reported to Birmingham relief agencies and newspapers were:

Helen Crim, 14, Helena.

Mrs. N. D. Thomas, 38, Helena.

Virginia Foster, 12, Helena.

Frances Kirkland, 15, Helena.

Helen Jones, 18, a visitor in the George Hinds home at Helena.

Mary Frances Yessick, 7.

Carl Stobert, 8.

Albert Mullins, Helena.

Mrs. Walter Simmons, 35, Helena.

Orange Wilson, negro, 40, Helena.

Bertha May Renshaw, Helena, who died en route to Birmingham from Helena.

Mrs. Eula Farr, Helena.

A negro, Henry Smith, and wife at Demopolis.

Robert Baily, negro, who died of fright at Demopolis.

Six unidentified in Biff County, near Demopolis, reported by Jerome Fuller, county Red

Cross chairman.

            Jim Yeater.

A Mrs. Wright.”

(United Press. “Tornado Casualties.” The Anniston Star, AL. 5-5-19333, p. 1.)

Sources

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 Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Alabama Tornado Database.   NWS/NOAA. Accessed 1-3-2025 at: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_1933

United Press. “Alabama Hit By Tornado; 23 Dead. Twister Toll Mounting; 200 Folk Injurted.” The Anniston Star, AL. 5-5-19333, p. 1. Accessed 1-3-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-may-05-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Tornado Casualties.” The Anniston Star, AL. 5-5-19333, p. 1. Accessed 1-3-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-may-05-1933-p-1/