March 1942 tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The March 1942 tornado outbreak was a deadly late-winter season tornado outbreak which struck a large area of the central
and southern
United States
on March 16, 1942. The tornado outbreak, one of the worst on records across the Midwest region, killed 152 people and injured 1284.
Valley on March 16; it spawned several violent killer tornadoes from Illinois
to Mississippi
. The most notable tornado, and one of the worst ever in the state of Mississippi
history (or possibly a pair of tornadoes less 30 minutes apart ) struck areas near Greenwood, Mississippi
in the O'Tuckalofa and Baldwin areas. At least 65 people were killed by the first tornado as school buses carrying children were carried and smashed by the storm. Over 500 others were injured. Since the Fujita Scale was not implemented at that time, both tornadoes were estimated to be F4.
An F5 tornado near Lacon, Illinois
was the strongest storm of the outbreak and killed 7 people. Eleven people were killed near Alvin, Illinois
, nine near Caneyville, Kentucky
, two near Goshen, Indiana
and 15 near Bethel Springs, Tennessee
by separate F4 tornadoes that struck during the same day. Hundreds of other people were also injured. 4 people were also killed in Nelson County, Kentucky
by an F3 which leveled homes near Deatsville. In Grayson
and Hardin
Counties near Caneyville, about 20 homes were destroyed with fatalities reported in Caneyville, Leitchfield
, Clarkson
, Summit and Millwood. The tornado that hit the Alvin area damaged 25 homes and swept away farms in Savoy
, Mayview
and St. Joseph
near Champaign County
.
Damage figures in central Mississippi were estimated at around 600,000 dollars in 1942.
Central United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
and southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on March 16, 1942. The tornado outbreak, one of the worst on records across the Midwest region, killed 152 people and injured 1284.
Tornado event
As a powerful late-winter season storm system traversed much of the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
Valley on March 16; it spawned several violent killer tornadoes from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
to Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. The most notable tornado, and one of the worst ever in the state of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
history (or possibly a pair of tornadoes less 30 minutes apart ) struck areas near Greenwood, Mississippi
Greenwood, Mississippi
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Leflore County, Mississippi, United States, located at the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta approximately 96 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, and 130 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The population was 15,205 at the 2010 census. It is the...
in the O'Tuckalofa and Baldwin areas. At least 65 people were killed by the first tornado as school buses carrying children were carried and smashed by the storm. Over 500 others were injured. Since the Fujita Scale was not implemented at that time, both tornadoes were estimated to be F4.
An F5 tornado near Lacon, Illinois
Lacon, Illinois
Lacon is a city in, and the county seat of, Marshall County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,979 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lacon is located at ....
was the strongest storm of the outbreak and killed 7 people. Eleven people were killed near Alvin, Illinois
Alvin, Illinois
Alvan is a village in South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 316 at the 2000 census. The U.S...
, nine near Caneyville, Kentucky
Caneyville, Kentucky
Caneyville is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated in 1880 and named for its location on Caney Creek.-Geography:Caneyville is located at ....
, two near Goshen, Indiana
Goshen, Indiana
Goshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern...
and 15 near Bethel Springs, Tennessee
Bethel Springs, Tennessee
Bethel Springs is a town in McNairy County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 763 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethel Springs is located at . Bethel Springs was named after a Presbyterian Church that was founded in the area. The name Bethel cam from Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus...
by separate F4 tornadoes that struck during the same day. Hundreds of other people were also injured. 4 people were also killed in Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 43,437. Its county seat is Bardstown. The county is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
by an F3 which leveled homes near Deatsville. In Grayson
Grayson County, Kentucky
Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810. As of 2000, the population was 24,053. Its county seat is Leitchfield. The county is named for William Grayson , a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure...
and Hardin
Hardin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of...
Counties near Caneyville, about 20 homes were destroyed with fatalities reported in Caneyville, Leitchfield
Leitchfield, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,139 people, 2,485 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 1.56% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.18%...
, Clarkson
Clarkson, Kentucky
Clarkson is a city in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census. Once called Grayson Springs after a nearby resort, the name was changed in 1882 to honor the resort's owner, Manoah Clarkson. It is known for its Honeyfest and is home to the The Walter T...
, Summit and Millwood. The tornado that hit the Alvin area damaged 25 homes and swept away farms in Savoy
Savoy, Illinois
Savoy is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of the city of Champaign, Illinois. The population was 7,280 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Savoy is located at ....
, Mayview
Mayview, Illinois
Mayview is an unincorporated community in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. Mayview is located along U.S. Route 150 east of Urbana....
and St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Illinois
The Village of St. Joseph was founded 28 April 1881 and is located in St. Joseph Township, Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,967 at the 2010 census.-Geography:St...
near Champaign County
Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois...
.
Damage figures in central Mississippi were estimated at around 600,000 dollars in 1942.