| Tornado outbreak of January 3, 1949 | |
| Duration: | January 3, 1949 |
| Tornadoes: | ≥14 |
| Fujitascale: | F4 |
| Year: | 1949 |
| Damages: | $1,576,500 ($ in USD) |
| Fatalities: | 60+ |
| Injuries: | 504 |
| Affected: | Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas |
A deadly tornado outbreak produced at least 14 destructive tornadoes across Kansas, Louisiana, and Arkansas on Monday, January 3, 1949. The worst of the outbreak was a deadly, devastating and violent (estimated) F4 tornado that tore though Warren, Arkansas. Part of a multi-state family, the tornado killed at least 55 people,[1] a majority of the deaths in the outbreak, and is now tied with the Fort Smith tornado from 1898 as the deadliest in Arkansas history.[2] In addition, a pair of deadly F3 tornadoes in Louisiana, along with a few other strong tornadoes in Arkansas, claimed five more lives. Overall, a total of 60 or more people were killed from the outbreak, and over 500 sustained injuries.
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
| Location | County / Parish | State | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F3 | NE of Altoona to Vilas to SW of Petrolia | Wilson, Neosho | Kansas | 20:00–? | 18abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| This intense tornado wrecked seven homes, half a dozen of them at Vilas, along with 20 or more barns and a 12adj=midNaNadj=mid stretch of power lines. One other building and 13 other homes incurred damage. One person was injured. | |||||||||
| F3 | NE of Iola to E of Bush City | Allen, Anderson | Kansas | 20:30–21:00 | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| Another intense tornado flattened a trio of barns and a pair of homes, killing livestock as well. Numerous outbuildings received damage. | |||||||||
| F2 | Near Dixie to N of Sarepta | Caddo, Bossier, Webster | Louisiana | 20:45–? | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| This was the first member of a state-crossing tornado family that included the Warren F4. Some homes were wrecked near Sarepta, with 14 injuries resulting. | |||||||||
| FU | SW to NE of Richter | Franklin | Kansas | 21:00–21:30 | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||||
| This tornado left only scattered impacts. Barns and outbuildings were damaged. | |||||||||
| F3 | Near Cotton Valley to Gordon | Webster, Claiborne | Louisiana | 21:15–? | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| 1 death – This tornado destroyed approximately 20 homes, passing close to the path of a deadly F4 that hit Cotton Valley on December 31, 1947, killing 18 people. South of Haynesville a bus idled to let the tornado pass by 200yd ahead. Seven people were injured, all at Gordon, where the death occurred. | |||||||||
| F2 | Near Bunn to Farindale to Grapevine | Dallas, Cleveland, Grant | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 18abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| 1 death – This tornado touched down intermittently, wrecking barns and small homes, including four homes at Grapevine. Vehicles were damaged as well. Seven people were injured. | |||||||||
| F2 | Near Bismarck to near Magnet | Hot Spring | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| Forests and homes were leveled. One person were injured. | |||||||||
| F3 | Near Hopewell to N of El Dorado | Union | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | ||||
| 2 deaths – At least a few homes were flattened, along with much timber. 18 people were injured. | |||||||||
| F4 | E of El Dorado to Warren | Union, Calhoun, Bradley | Arkansas | 22:15–? | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1320abbr=onNaNabbr=on♯ | |||
| 55+ deaths – This event likely comprised two or three distinct tornadoes, but details are incomplete. Small homes and several hundred acres of trees were leveled near the start of the path. Strengthening, the tornado tracked into Warren with catastrophic result. Of the 120 homes destroyed, most were leveled—many without trace, as foundations were swept clean. 72 others incurred severe damage, 150 more minor losses. A bus was twisted around a tree, multi-ton steel debris carried NaNmiles, weighty timbers driven 2to straight into the earth, and a 1t, steel I-beam bent. In all, 500 homes were damaged. All known fatalities occurred at Warren, mostly in the northeastern section. 435 people were injured. Small items from Warren were carried 70miles.[3] [4] | |||||||||
| F2 | Near Malvern | Hot Spring | Arkansas | 22:20–? | 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| Barns were shattered and homes unroofed. | |||||||||
| F2 | Kentucky to Congo | Saline | Arkansas | 22:30–? | 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| Barns and small homes were torn apart. There were two injuries. | |||||||||
| F3 | Near Choudrant to W of Downsville to E of Farmerville | Lincoln, Union | Louisiana | 00:30–? | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| 1 death – 19 homes were wrecked, along with 11 other structures. There were 14 injuries. | |||||||||
| F2 | S of Gould | Lincoln, Desha | Arkansas | 01:00–? | 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | |||
| A bus was twisted around a tree, and a trio of homes were wrecked. There were five injuries. | |||||||||
| FU | Near Pinnacle Mountain | Pulaski | Arkansas | ||||||
| This tornado hit a prison farm. | |||||||||