1933 — March 30/31, Tornado outbreak/high winds, AL/2, AR/1, LA/11, MS/56, TX/18– 88
— 88 Tornado fatalities. (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 848-849.
— 84 UP. “Tornado Death Toll in South Mounts to 84.” The Anniston Star, AL. 4-2-1933, p. 1.[1]
— 80 San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.
— 68 Daily Democrat-Times (Greenville, MS). “Southern Tornado Death Toll…” 4-1-1933.
Alabama ( 2)
— 2 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 849.
— 1 Baldwin County, Elberta, March 31, F2 tornado.
— 1 Baldwin County, Perdido, March 31, F1 tornado.
Arkansas ( 1)
— 1 Daily Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Southern Tornado Death Toll…” 4-1-1933.
— 1 Columbia/Union counties F2 tornado, March 30. Female killed, two sons critically inj.[2]
— Union County, Mount Holly, March 30 tornado. Mrs. Floyd Boyett.[3]
Louisiana (11)
–11 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 848-849.
–11 San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.
— 9 Daily Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Southern Tornado Death Toll…” 4-1-1933.
— 9 San Antonio Express, TX. “Six Die in Louisiana.” 3-31-1933, p. 2.[4]
— 6 AP. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
Breakout of Louisiana Tornado Fatalities by Locality:
— 1 Claiborne Parish, Homer, March 30. “…10-year-old negro child, Jessie Kimsey…”[5]
— Holsey community, ~12 miles NE of Homer, March 30. Jessie Kimsey 10-days-old.[6]
— 1 East Baton Rouge Parish, Zachary, March 31, F3 tornado. Elderly female killed.[7]
— 7 Red River and Bienville Parishes, March 30. Tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 325.)[8]
–5 Red River Parish, Hall Summit, March 30. Family of five just northeast of town.[9]
–5 Mr. and Mrs. Russell Jones, their two children and sister-in-law.[10]
–1 Red River Parish, Hall Summit, March 30. Johnny Robinson.[11]
— 2 St. Helena Parish, Greensburg vicinity, March 31, F3 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)
— 1 St. Tammany Parish, “Hulsey,” March 31, F2 tornado. A child. (Grazulis 1993, p. 849.)
Mississippi (56)
–56 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 848-449.
–54 San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.
–38 March 30-31. Daily Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Southern Tornado…” 4-1-1933.
Breakout of Mississippi Tornado Fatalities by Locality:
— 1 Coahoma Co., Clarksdale vicinity, March 31, F2 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)[12]
–1 “ Davenport. Unidentified black.[13]
— 2 George County. March 31, F2 tornado. A child. (Grazulis 1993, p. 849.)[14]
— 1 George Co., Agricola, March 31, F2 tornado. A child. (Grazulis 1993, p. 849.)
— 1 George Co., Latonia vicinity, March 31, F2 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 849.)
–37 Jones, Jasper, and Clarke Counties, March 31, F4 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)
— 6 Clarke Co., village of Harmony, March 31, F4 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, 848.)[15]
— 1 Clarke Co., Nancy, 3m SW of Harmony. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)
–12 Clark Co. San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for…Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p12.
–16 Jasper Co., SE section, March
–14 Jones Co., north of Sandersville. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)
–22 Jones and Jasper counties. San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans…” 4-3-1933, 12.
— 2 Lincoln Co., Brookhaven vicinity, March 31, F3 tornado. Two women. (Grazulis, 848)[16]
–Mrs. Fannie Bufkin and her daughter, Miss Emma Campbell.[17]
— 1 Pike/Walthall counties, March 31, F2 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 849.)
— 7 Smith County, “Bezer,” 4m SE of Raleigh, March 31, F2 tornado. All in one home.[18]
— 1 Walthall Co. San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for…Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.[19]
— 6 Washington Co., Holly Knowe plantation vicinity, March 30, F2 tornado.(Grazulis, 848.)[20]
–3 Children of Mr. and Mrs. William Commander.[21]
–3 Black males; Walter Johnson, Jim Ossy and unidentified man on Swain Plantation.[22]
Texas (18)
— 20 Daily Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Southern Tornado Death toll…” 4-1-1933.
— 18 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis… 1993, p. 848.
— 18 Blanchard estimate.[23]
— 17 AP. “More Than Score Hurt.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1.
— >15 AP. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p.1.[24]
— 14 San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.[25]
Breakout of Grazulis:
— 18 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis… 1993, p. 848.
–13 Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine Counties, March 30, F3 tornado.
— 5 Angelina Co., “Odell,” 2 mi SE of Huntington, 100 injured. (Grazulis, 848.)[26]
— 2 Nacogdoches Co., Etoile. Community “entirely destroyed.” (Grazulis, 848.)
–>6 After leaving Etoile, locations not noted. (Grazulis 1993, p. 848.)[27]
— 1 Houston Co., Fodice, 30th, tornado. Male reported to have died from injuries.[28]
— 2 San Augustine and Shelby Counties, March 30, F2 tornado. (Grazulis 1993, 437)
— 2 Smith County, March 30, Tornado. (Grazulis 1993, p. 437.)
Additions/Modifications from sources other than Grazulis and not in footnotes to Grazulis.
— 6 Angelina County, Huntington, March 30.[29] (AP. “List of Storm Dead.” 3-31-1933, p. 1)
–1 Carl Bates.
–1 George Knight, 50.[30]
–1 Mrs. Lena Linton, 50.[31]
–1 Mrs. Oscar Roebuck, 21.[32]
–1 R. E. Welch, 14.[33]
–1 Infant son of E. S. Woodrum.[34]
— 3 San Augustine Co., San Augustine, March 30.[35]
–1 “ “ “ Ferris Andrews, tenant farmer.
–1 “ “ “ Mrs. Andrews.
–1 “ “ “ Child of Mrs. Andrews.
–5-6 Shelby County. (Blanchard estimate.)[36]
— 5 Shelby County, March 30. (AP. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” 3-31-1933, p. 8.)
–1 Shelbyville-Center,[37] March 30. Mrs. Jessie Vale, 30. Expectant mother.[38]
–1 “ “ Miss Graves, 20. (Daughter of Ben Graves.)[39]
–1 “ “ Unidentified white man. (About 25.)[40]
–1 “ “ Unidentified black.
–1 “ “ Black school teacher.
— 5 Shelby Co., Shelbyville, March 30. (AP. “List of…Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p1.)
–1 “ “ Mrs. Jessie Vale, 30. Expectant mother.
–1 “ “ Miss Graves, 20. (Daughter of Ben Graves.).
–1 “ “ Miss Graves’ infant child.
–1 “ “ Unidentified white man. (About 25.)
–1 “ “ Ed Passmore, 89.[41]
— 2 Shelby County, Center. “…two known dead, two children unaccounted for and believed dead.”[42]
— 2 Smith County, Lindale, March 30 tornado.
–1 Miss. Lorell Shaw, 15.[43]
–1 Luella Wimberly, 70, black.[44]
— 2 Wood County, Mineola, near Tyler in the oil fields. (UP. “Workers Hunt…” 3-31-1933, p1.
Narrative Information
General
April 1, Daily Democrat-Times: “A mad spring storm which for two days battered the South from Texas to Alabama left sixty-eight known dead, hundreds of injured, wreckage and threat of floods in its wake today.
”Mississippi suffered the heaviest loss of life with thirty-eight reported killed, Texas counted its dead at twenty, Louisiana, nine, and Arkansas, one. The list mounted steadily as reports trickled in from communities cut off by tangled communication lines and flooded highways and winds moved northeastward.
”The storm broke in East Texas Thursday. Then it nicked the southwestern corner of Arkansas and drove full force up the Mississippi Valley with tornadic winds and a deluge of rain that blew in horizontal sheets.
”In Mississippi, Sandersville, in the south, near Laurel, reported fourteen dead, eight children under school age. Seven were killed at Raleigh in Middle Mississippi, and the same number at Harmony, near Meridian. In Washington county up in the Delta six were dead as the storm moved steadily onward and began to diminish into strong winds and heavy rains over Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.” (Daily Democrat-Times (Greenville, MS). 1 Apr 1933.)
April 3, San Antonio Express: “Four storm-wrecked Southern States Sunday charted plans for rehabilitation while they surveyed the wreckage left last week by eccentric tornadoes that claimed 80 dead, hundreds injured and uncomputed property damage.
“Hospitals of East Texas, north and southeast Louisiana and Mississippi still were crowded with injured, while Red Cross and other relief agencies worked quickly to care for the hundreds of destitute whose homes were splintered.
“Mississippi, hardest hit of the States, counted its dead as 54, while Texas casualties were 14, Louisiana 11 and Arkansas 1.
“The storm first descended in Texas late Wednesday, jumped into northwest Louisiana and Arkansas Thursday and Friday dealt destructive blows as southwest Louisiana and Mississippi. The tornado winds were accompanied by electrical storms and driving rain. The storm blew itself out in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia….” (San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.)
Alabama
March 31, UP: “Birmingham, Ala., Mar. 31. — High winds of almost tornado velocity tore across North Alabama from out of Mississippi this afternoon, leaving considerable property damage and several injured. A whirling gale cut a narrow swath for a half-mile through Huntsville. Four persons whose names had not been ascertained were injured and several frame buildings were blown to earth. Reports, not confirmed because of damaged communication lines, said property damage will be high.” (United Press. “Tornado Dips Into North Alabama.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
Louisiana
March 31, AP: “Coushatta, La., March 31. — (AP) — Relief agencies swung into concerted action Friday [March 31] in the devastated wake of a tornado that dipped into four north Louisiana parishes late Thursday and took a toll of five dead and a score of more injured. The most immediate need was to provide shelter for scores of persons whose farm and town homes were splintered by the terrific blow.
“The 300 residents of the little farming community of Hall Summit gazed on a shattered town Friday as it took care of its dead and injured. It was there in North Red River parish that the storm struck its fiercest blow, crumpling homes and business structures to the ground….The full force of the twister descended on Hall Summit, where a whole family was killed by falling brick and timber as they were huddled at the hearth. The dead:
Russell Jones,
Mrs. Russell Jones,
Rudolph Jones, aged five months;
Atheline Jones, five years;
Miss Della Minter, Jones’ sister-in-law.
“Five of the 25 to 30 persons injured at Hall Summit were reported in a serious condition….
“Residents said the blast swept in with a sudden force which crumpled sturdy buildings like matchwood, tossed heavy timbers in all directions, and hurled debris in a bewildered circle.
“The Jones family were seated in front of the fireplace in their home when the storm tore away the walls of the house and hurled a brick chimney upon them….
“Lesser blasts beat a destructive path through Jamestown in Bienville parish, Harmon in Red River parish, Carroll in Red River parish and Jonesboro in Jackson parish. Electrical storms and torrential rains were reported in Ouachita parish and in Shreveport….
“Observers said the storm apparently came from southeast Texas, swooped on the north Louisiana towns, and continued into Arkansas….” (Associated Press. “Five Persons Die as Tornado Hits Red River Parish.” Monroe News-Star, LA. 3-31-1933, pp. 1 & 8.)
Texas
March 31, UP: “Dallas, Tex., Mar. 31. (U.P.) — Relief workers today penetrated the districts of eastern Texas and northern Louisiana where a tornado left dead, injured and many hundred destitute. The death toll was estimated at approximately 20 at mid-morning after a check of hospitals and relief stations….Relief workers said disrupted communication systems and roads made impassable by rain obstructed their work….” (United Press. “Workers Hunt Dead in Louisiana, Texas.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Five Die at Huntington.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/san-antonio/san-antonio-express/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press. “Five Persons Die as Tornado Hits Red River Parish.” Monroe News-Star, LA. 3-31-1933, pp. 1 & 8. Accessed 12-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/louisiana/monroe/monroe-news-star/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press. “List of Storm Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/san-antonio/san-antonio-express/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/louisiana/monroe/monroe-news-star/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press. “More Than Score Hurt.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/mississippi/hattiesburg/hattiesburg-american/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press, Homer, La. “Negro Child Killed Near Town of Homer.” Monroe Morning World, LA. 3-31-1933, p. 8. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/louisiana/monroe/monroe-news-star/1933/03-31/page-8?tag
Associated Press. “Nine Persons Die as Storm Hits State.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/mississippi/hattiesburg/hattiesburg-american/1933/03-31?tag
Associated Press. “Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8. Accessed 12-24-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/louisiana/monroe/monroe-news-star/1933/03-31/page-8?tag
Daily Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Southern Tornado Death Toll Mounts to 68 With 38 Dead in State, 6 in Washington County,” April 1, 1933. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=51573109&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=0
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.
San Antonio Express, TX. “Six Die in Louisiana.” 3-31-1933, p. 2. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/san-antonio/san-antonio-express/1933/03-31/page-2?tag
San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/san-antonio/san-antonio-express/1933/04-03/page-12?tag
United Press. “Tornado Death Toll in South Mounts to 84.” The Anniston Star, AL. 4-2-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/alabama/anniston/anniston-star/1933/04-02?tag
United Press. “Tornado Dips Into North Alabama.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/alabama/anniston/anniston-star/1933/03-31?tag
United Press. “Workers Hunt Dead in Louisiana, Texas.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-26-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/alabama/anniston/anniston-star/1933/03-31?tag
[1] Cite the American Red Cross in Washington, DC for the fatality figure.
[2] Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, p. 848.
[3] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8.
[4] The six are new additions to three previously reported “casualties” — Mrs. Emmert Raylor, Miss Aline Wallace, and Miss Mary Allurns.
[5] Associated Press. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[6] Assoc. Press, Homer, La. “Negro Child Killed Near Town of Homer.” Monroe Morning World, 3-31-1933, p. 8. Article notes that two other children were seriously injured and not expected to survive. Another source has the name and age as Jessie Jimsey, 10. (Associated Press. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[7] Nineteen inured. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, p848.
[8] A news account notes six deaths in Hall Summit, northern Red River Parish. (San Antonio Express, TX. “Six Die in Louisiana.” 3-31-1933, p. 2.)
[9] Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, p. 848.
[10] Associated Press. “Five Persons Die as Tornado Hits Red River Parish.” Monroe News-Star, LA. 3-31-1933, p. 8
[11] Associated Press. “List of Storm Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[12] Also: San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.
[13] Associated Press. “Nine Persons Die as Storm Hits State.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[14] Also: San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.
[15] Writes “the entire village of Harmony was destroyed in Clarke County.”
[16] Identified in the press as Mrs. Fannie Bufkin, 63, and her daughter, Miss Emma Campbell, 40. (Associated Press. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[17] Associated Press. “Nine Persons Die as Storm Hits State.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[18] Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, p. 849.
[19] Not included in tally in that this is not mentioned in Grazulis, who notes 56 MS deaths, while this source notes 54.
[20] Writes “At least three of the deaths were probably from drowning,” after being thrown into Bogue Phalis River. A newspaper account writes that four children ranging in age from 2 to 12, “were drowned when the wind, sweeping through south and southeast Washington county, toppled homes into the Boquephalia river. Three of the children were of Mr. and Mrs. William Commander on Thompson plantation.” (Associated Press. “More Than Score Are Killed in Storms.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[21] Associated Press. “Nine Persons Die as Storm Hits State.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[22] Associated Press. “Nine Persons Die as Storm Hits State.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[23] While we have tallied 26-27 deaths from newspaper reports at the time, we note that Grazulis, who seriously studies tornado events, notes 18 deaths, and the Red Cross had downsized their tally from 20 to 14 by April 3.
[24] “At least 15 persons were killed by the winds in east Texas Thursday night…”
[25] Another source notes that “Red Cross officials reported the death list in Texas, unofficially placed at 20, was reduced to 14 after a complete survey was made in the five East Texas counties most seriously hit.” (San Antonio Express, TX. “South Plans for Storm Rebuilding.” 4-3-1933, p. 12.)
[26] Also: United Press. “Workers Hunt Dead in Louisiana, Texas.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Notes deaths were “in the Piney Wood regions.”
[27] Grazulis writes “Over 60 people were hospitalized, and more may have died from injuries.”
[28] Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, p. 848.
[29] Grazulis notes five deaths in Huntington, and we have noted five under his listing above, though the individualized details came from other sources. This source notes six deaths, including all five noted above.
[30] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8.
[31] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8. “Lena” comes from: Associated Press. “Five Die at Huntington.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1. Monroe News-Star has her name as Mrs. Alonzo Linton.
[32] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8.
[33] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8. Another account, though, notes death as “Son, 11 of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Welch.” (Associated Press. “Five Die at Huntington.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[34] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8. Another account notes death of “Son, 2, of Mr. and Mrs. Bethel Woodrum.” (Associated Press. “Five Die at Huntington.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[35] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8; also: United Press. “Workers Hunt Dead in Louisiana, Texas.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[36] We incorporate two differing Associated Press reports on deaths in Shelbyville — both noting five deaths, but totaling at least 6, when looking at the individualized breakouts. If both reports are accurate in their details, and they might not be, then there would be six deaths — the death of the infant child of Miss Graves being the fifth.
[37] Shelbyville and Center are communities in Shelby County, TX.
[38] Another account from Center, noted that her death was there and that she “was hurled about 200 feet by the blast of wind killed. Her two-year-old infant suffered a broken leg. Their home was demolished.” (Associated Press. “Five Die at Huntington.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[39] Associated Press. “List of Storm Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[40] Associated Press. “List of Storm Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[41] We highlight this in yellow to denote we are not including in the death toll in that we believe this could be a reference to one of the unidentified deaths referenced in March 31st AP report in the Monroe, LA, News-Star report noted above.
[42] United Press. “Workers Hunt Dead in Louisiana, Texas.” The Anniston Star, 3-31-1933, p. 1.
[43] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8. Another account has her age at 16 her race as black. (Associated Press. “List of Storm Dead.” San Antonio Express, 3-31-1933, p. 1.)
[44] Associated Press. Toll of Death Large in Tornadoes.” Monroe News-Star, LA, 3-31-1933, p. 8.