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).