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Natchez Tornado
Wed May 07, 2003
Listen in RealAudio 
On May 7, 1840, America's deadliest pre-Civil War tornado struck the Mississippi town of
Natchez. Over a century and a half later, its toll of 317 dead still ranks as the second
deadliest U.S. tornado. Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton for The Weather Notebook.
The early-May weather in the southern Mississippi River Valley had been active. Thunderstorms
rumbled throughout the preceding night, dumping almost three inches of rain. May 7th dawned
warm and thick with clouds.
Just before 1 p.m., a violent thunderstorm battered the Natchez area. Twenty miles southwest,
a massive tornado touched down, tracking northeast. It struck the Mississippi River seven
miles from Natchez and moved upriver, stripping the forest from both shores.
The [Natchez] Free Trader reported that "The dinner bells in the large hotels had rung and
most... citizens were sitting at their tables." Just before two o'clock, continued the story,
"the tornado, in all its wrath, was upon us."
Striking first the port of Natchez Landing, the mile-wide funnel tossed 60 flatboats into the
seething Mississippi, drowning crews and passengers. Many doing business onshore were also
killed. At Natchez Landing, the destruction of dwellings, stores, steamboats and flatboats was
almost complete.
Inland at Natchez, scarcely a house escaped damage or total destruction.
The most reliable toll reported 48 deaths on land and 269 on the river, with 109 injured.
The total damage in 1840 dollars was conservatively estimated at more than 1.2 million
dollars.
The Weather Notebook is supported by The National Science Foundation and Subaru of America.
Today's Links
The Natchez Tornado
http://www.tornadoproject.com/toptens/topten3.htm#2
The Free Trader Newspaper in Natchez dated Friday, May 15, 1840
http://members.tripod.com/~Write4801/docs/natchtornado.html
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