1930 — May 1, Tornadoes, Kickapoo KS/2, Norborne MO/6, Tekamah NE/4, IA/1,I/1–14
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-30-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–14 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–14 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 468, 497 and 831-833.
–02 Jefferson, Leavenworth Counties, KS; Platte County, MO. 19:30 F4 (p. 831)
–04 Burt County, NE; Harrison County, IA. 18:15 F4. (p. 831)
–01 Vernon County, WI. 20:15 F2 (p. 832.)
–01 Wayne, Lucas, Monroe Counties, IA. 19:10 F4 (p. 832)
–06 Ray and Carroll Counties, MO. 21:15 F4. (p. 833)
–1 Russell, Lucas County, IA. Mrs. Louis Bishop.[1]
–2 Kickapoo, KS. Farmer Lawrence Kern, 43 and his wife later from injuries.[2]
–6 Norborne area, Carroll County, MO.[3]
Mrs. Gertrude Wright, 47, and her son,
John Martin Wright, 17.
Charles Storm, a plumber.
Lillian Wells, 13, and her
5-year-old sister.
Paul Wells, 12, May 3, from injuries.[4]
–4 Tekamah, NE. Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Nebraska Towns Hit By Tornado.” 5-2-1930, p.1.
John Houser, 62
Mrs. William Tuttle, 38.
Al Brinley, 62.
Two year old son of Hans C. Anderson.
–1 Westby, Vernon County, WI. Archer Funk, 9.[5]
Narrative Information
May 2, AP/Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA: “Russell, Ia., May 2. – (AP) – Mrs. Louis Bishop was killed and eight persons, including a family of seven, badly injured in a tornado which struck near here last night. Mrs. Bishop was killed when her home, five miles east was torn down. She died about an hour after the storm passed….”
(Associated Press. “Tornadoes Lash 7 States in Middle West Leaving a Trail of Death…” Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. 5-2-1930, p. 1.
May 2, AP: “Kansas City, May 2. (AP) – Residents of five northeast Kansas and 12 northwest Missouri communities today viewed scenes of desolation in the wreckage strewn trail of tornadoes which last night claimed the lives of seven persons, injured more than 30 others and caused property damage which officials estimated probably would reach $500,000.
“Five persons were killed and 14 others were injured seriously when a tornado sweeping a path 300 yards wide struck Norborne, Mo. [Carroll County] shortly after 9 o’clock. Dipping down from the sky the storm leveled approximately 25 homes and other buildings in a few seconds time.
“The Dead
Mrs. Gertrude Wright, 47, and her son,
John Martin Wright, 17.
Charles Storm, a plumber.
Lillian Wells, 13, and her
5-year-old sister.
“Mrs. Wright…and her son, were found dead clasped in each other’s arms in an upstairs room of their home which was wrecked. Mr. Storm, was blown from his home. His body was found across the street. The two Wells girls…living eight miles northwest of Norborne, were killed when their home collapsed before the fury of the storm….” (Associated Press. “20 Killed By Storms In Midwest.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 5-2-1930, 1.)
May 2, Nebraska State Journal, NE: “Tekamah – (Special) – Leaving a path of devastation in its wake thru six towns, a tornado swept down on Tekamah from the northwest early Thursday evening, taking a toll of four lives and bringing injury to over twenty. The dead:
John Houser, 62
Mrs. William Tuttle, 38.
Al Brinley, 62.
Two year old son of Hans C. Anderson.
“The storm first struck Cemetery hill on the northwest edge of town. It then cut a path thru the northern part of town, totally destroying over fifteen houses and other structures. Thruout Tekamah trees were blown down, but only in the northern section, the residential district, did the tornado completely wreck everything in its way. Tekamah was in darkness Thursday night, the lighting system being broken by the storm.” (Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Nebraska Towns Hit By Tornado.” 5-2-1930, p. 1.)
May 2, AP/Janesville Daily Gazette, WI: “….Wisconsin Friday counted one dead, four injured and property damage near the three-quarter million dollar mark, in cities and rural districts as the result of high winds, hail and drenching rain which swept across most of the state within a few hours last night….At Westby, Wis., the wind reached tornado proportions. Archer Funk, 9 was killed when a business block blew down and crushed him beneath the wreckage. Two telephone operators, Mrs. Palmer Jefferson and Sarah B. Beyers, were injured seriously by bricks blown through the windows….” (Associated Press. “Wisconsin Suffers in Tornadoes That Lash Middle West.” Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. 5-2-1930, p. 1.
Sources
Associated Press. “20 Killed By Storms In Midwest.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 5-2-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moberly-monitor-index-may-02-1930-p-1/
Associated Press. “Death Toll of Tornado to 8 as Youth Dies.” Hutchinson News, KS. 5-3-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-may-03-1930-p-1/
Associated Press. “Tornadoes Lash 7 States in Middle West Leaving a Trail of Death…” Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. 5-2-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-evening-gazette-may-02-1930-p-1/
Associated Press. “Wisconsin Suffers in Tornadoes That Lash Middle West.” Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. 5-2-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2025 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-daily-gazette-may-02-1930-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln. “Nebraska Towns Hit By Tornado.” 5-2-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-may-02-1930-p-1/
[1] AP. “Tornadoes Lash 7 States in Middle West Leaving a Trail…” Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. 5-2-1930, 1.
[2] Associated Press. “Death Toll of Tornado to 8 as Youth Dies.” Hutchinson News, KS. 5-3-1930, p. 1.
[3] Associated Press. “20 Killed By Storms In Midwest.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO. 5-2-1930, p. 1.
[4] Associated Press. “Death Toll of Tornado to 8 as Youth Dies.” Hutchinson News, KS. 5-3-1930, p. 1.
[5] AP. “Wisconsin Suffers in Tornadoes That Lash Middle West.” Janesville Daily Gazette, WI. 5-2-1930, p. 1.