[DLamb]

Welcome to a special edition of "On this date". As always, I'm your host, Daniel Lamb. Today marks the anniversary of one of the meanest outbreaks of tornadoes in our state's history. The March 21, 1932 outbreak killed (at least) 270 and injured (at least) 1800 people (in Alabama alone!!!). This is what you would have seen on the front of the Huntsville Times the day after... Huntsville Times Front Page (3/22). The turmoil was still being realized at that point. The death and injury tolls had to be revised upward. Also, on that day, the deadliest single tornado hit Alabama. A tornado that tracked through Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby, and Coosa counties killed almost 50 people.

in 1913, there was an overnight tornado outbreak across the state, including four F2s and one F4. The F4, which affected Scyrene and Lower Peach Tree in Clarke and Wilcox counties, killed 27 people and destroyed at least 100 homes. Other deaths occurred near Florence, in Madison County, and near Camden. One of the tornadoes that tracked through Talladega, Clay, and Cleburne counties was described by several witnesses as two tornadoes running parallel to each other. Overall, there were 34 deaths and at least 100 injuries.

in 1932, the deadliest tornado outbreak in the history of the state of Alabama took place. Also, the single deadliest tornado in Alabama history tracked through Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby, and Coosa counties, killing 49. There were 15 tornadoes that day, and only one of those tornadoes did not kill someone. There were, at least, 270 deaths and 1800 injuries across the state. Counties affected by tornado included Lauderdale, Marengo, Greene, Hale, Perry, Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Morgan, Marshall, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby, Coosa, Talladega, Lawrence, Winston, Clay, Randolph, Madison, and Jackson. Some of the towns that were affected include Greenhill, Demopolis, Linden, Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Arab, Marion, Jemison, Union Grove, Columbiana, Plantersville, Faunsdale, Greensboro, Sylacauga, Piney Grove, Addison, Falkville, Ashland, Laceys Spring, Paint Rock, and Bridgeport. There were almost 400 miles of tornado damage.

in 1955, a tornado hit Allsboro in Colbert County just after noon. One person was injured, as two homes were destroyed, another was damaged, a cotton gin was heavily damaged, and a truck was overturned.

in 1959, a brief tornado moved through Enterprise, knocking down several trees and damaging several homes, barns, and outbuildings.

in 1962, a strong tornado hit Weaver in Calhoun County. 10 were injured as two homes were destroyed and five others were heavily damaged. There was also quite a bit of automobile damage. Another tornado that day affected the southwest side of Sylacauga, where several homes and an industrial building were damaged.

in 1976, an early morning tornado hit Enterprise, destroying 4 broiler houses and killing 54,000 chicks.

[AlabamaStormTracker]

This proves something to me and many of the folks in Sylacauga should read this post. The 1932 outbreak was one of the worst for Sylacauga EVER. The East side of town was devastated by an two F-4's that day. The hospital was destroyed where a majority of the people died and were injured in that tornado. Many people around here think that Sylacauga is "safe" from tornadoes because we are in a so called "valley". NO place is safe for a twister. A large tornado will make its presence known no matter what type of land area you live in. The people in my area should keep this in mind...

[Dotty]

Yikes 1932 was nasty. Would that have been worse than the 1974 outbreak?

[GJ]

1932 was certainly worse from a deaths standpoint, but I'm not sure that it was worse in a 'tornado intensity' standpoing. There was essentially no warning capability in 1932, whereas it was pretty good by 1974. Certainly not as good as now though.