As part of a large tornado outbreak sequence across the U.S., three significant tornadoes struck portions of central Indiana on May 21, 1949. A short summary of each tornado is provided below.
Tornado #1 initially touched down southwest of Palestine, Illinois, and moved northeast through that town. All four deaths and most of the damage (peaking at F4 intensity) occurred in Illinois before the tornado moved into Sullivan county.
Tornado #2 touched down south of Cox Field on the east side of Terre Haute. The tornado damaged several houses on a NNE trek from Terre Haute to southwest of Burnett. Three deaths occurred and about ten people were injured.
Tornado #3 proved to be the worst tornado of the group. This tornado touched down near Graysville and moved through Shelburn, devastating part of that town. The tornado continued northeast, passing south of Bowling Green and ending north of Jordan in Owen county. Farms were destroyed at several points along the path. The worst damage occurred in the northwest part of Shelburn, where many homes were damaged/destroyed and thirteen people died. In all, this F4 tornado killed fourteen people on a path that may have exceeded 40 miles. Hundreds of animals were also killed.
Source:
Thomas P. Grazulis, Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991 (Environmental Films, 1993).
Showing posts with label sullivan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sullivan. Show all posts
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
March 23, 1917 Tornadoes
On this date in 1917, at least 7 tornadoes struck parts of central and southern Indiana. A brief summary of each tornado is provided below.
The first tornado touched down during the early afternoon in Illinois before crossing into Sullivan county. This tornado damaged dozens of farm buildings. No fatalities occurred on the Indiana side, but 1 man was killed in Illinois.
The second tornado touched down in Hendricks county. Tracking northeast, it passed near Pittsboro and damaged numerous homes.
The third tornado touched down in Grant county north of Swayzee, unroofing a home and destroying a barn.
The fourth tornado touched down southwest of Preble in Adams county. This tornado damaged several homes and unroofed a school, injuring 7 students.
The fifth tornado was by far the worst of the day and remains one of the most significant tornadoes to ever strike Indiana. It touched down in Floyd county and moved ENE through New Albany. The tornado cut a wide swath through the northern part of the city, destroying 300 homes and many other buildings. Several deaths occurred at the Olden Street School and some children were killed on their way home from school. 45 people were killed in New Albany - one of the highest single town death tolls from a tornado in state history. The tornado then passed into Jefferson county Kentucky.
The sixth tornado touched down in Delaware county, destroying two barns and a house southeast of Desoto.
The seventh tornado touched down in Harrison county. It passed just north of Corydon, damaging many farms. There has been some speculation that this tornado may have been the same tornado that struck New Albany, but we may never know for sure.
Source:
Thomas P. Grazulis, Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991 (Environmental Films, 1993).
The first tornado touched down during the early afternoon in Illinois before crossing into Sullivan county. This tornado damaged dozens of farm buildings. No fatalities occurred on the Indiana side, but 1 man was killed in Illinois.
The second tornado touched down in Hendricks county. Tracking northeast, it passed near Pittsboro and damaged numerous homes.
The third tornado touched down in Grant county north of Swayzee, unroofing a home and destroying a barn.
The fourth tornado touched down southwest of Preble in Adams county. This tornado damaged several homes and unroofed a school, injuring 7 students.
The fifth tornado was by far the worst of the day and remains one of the most significant tornadoes to ever strike Indiana. It touched down in Floyd county and moved ENE through New Albany. The tornado cut a wide swath through the northern part of the city, destroying 300 homes and many other buildings. Several deaths occurred at the Olden Street School and some children were killed on their way home from school. 45 people were killed in New Albany - one of the highest single town death tolls from a tornado in state history. The tornado then passed into Jefferson county Kentucky.
The sixth tornado touched down in Delaware county, destroying two barns and a house southeast of Desoto.
The seventh tornado touched down in Harrison county. It passed just north of Corydon, damaging many farms. There has been some speculation that this tornado may have been the same tornado that struck New Albany, but we may never know for sure.
Source:
Thomas P. Grazulis, Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991 (Environmental Films, 1993).
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Three Additional Tornadoes Confirmed From Late April
Here is some info on the 3 newly added tornadoes from April 26 and April 27:
5 mile long EF2 in Warrick County:
At the initial damage point just southwest of Greenbrier, many trees were snapped or uprooted. As the tornado crossed Highway 61, it demolished a barn and tossed the debris about 50 to 75 yards. Another barn was damaged, and numerous large trees were uprooted and snapped. Several homes suffered roof damage from both the wind and from trees or large branches falling on them. Three telephone poles were snapped on Highway 61. Parts of the damage path were over inaccessible, roadless coal mine property. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was 300 yards.
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1 mile long EF1 in Pike County:
The tornado began on Indiana Route 61 just south of Spurgeon. It travelled northeast across the eastern outskirts of Spurgeon. Numerous trees were snapped at the base. Several trees were uprooted. Several homes received minor roof damage. A barn was damaged, with debris carried a couple hundred yards. A small building was destroyed. Severe straight-line winds caused other damage throughout the town of Spurgeon. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph. The average path width was 200 yards.
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Brief EF0 in Sullivan County:
An EF0 tornado briefly occurred near 621 E. Silver Street in Sullivan, Indiana. Damage was done to a home at this location. There was damage to a roof, one bathroom window was blown out, and a trampoline was blown over. Roof debris was spread out over the owner's lawn, with some shingles blown into a nearby tree and one large piece of ply wood from the roof was blown over the neighbor's house, up into a tree approximately 40 feet high.
5 mile long EF2 in Warrick County:
At the initial damage point just southwest of Greenbrier, many trees were snapped or uprooted. As the tornado crossed Highway 61, it demolished a barn and tossed the debris about 50 to 75 yards. Another barn was damaged, and numerous large trees were uprooted and snapped. Several homes suffered roof damage from both the wind and from trees or large branches falling on them. Three telephone poles were snapped on Highway 61. Parts of the damage path were over inaccessible, roadless coal mine property. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was 300 yards.
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1 mile long EF1 in Pike County:
The tornado began on Indiana Route 61 just south of Spurgeon. It travelled northeast across the eastern outskirts of Spurgeon. Numerous trees were snapped at the base. Several trees were uprooted. Several homes received minor roof damage. A barn was damaged, with debris carried a couple hundred yards. A small building was destroyed. Severe straight-line winds caused other damage throughout the town of Spurgeon. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph. The average path width was 200 yards.
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Brief EF0 in Sullivan County:
An EF0 tornado briefly occurred near 621 E. Silver Street in Sullivan, Indiana. Damage was done to a home at this location. There was damage to a roof, one bathroom window was blown out, and a trampoline was blown over. Roof debris was spread out over the owner's lawn, with some shingles blown into a nearby tree and one large piece of ply wood from the roof was blown over the neighbor's house, up into a tree approximately 40 feet high.
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