1922 Austin twin tornadoes
Duration | May 4, 1922 |
---|---|
Tornadoes confirmed | 2 |
Max. rating1 | F4 tornado |
Fatalities | 12–13 fatalities; ≥50 injuries |
Damage | ≥$300,000 (1922 USD)[nb 1] |
Areas affected | Austin, Texas, and surrounding communities |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
On the afternoon of May 4, 1922, two simultaneous tornadoes struck
While the first tornado was inflicting damage, a second tornado touched down near the
Meteorological synopsis
Two simultaneous tornadoes struck the
Simonds described May 4, 1922, as an "oppressively warm" day.
Tornadoes
First tornado
F2 tornado | |
---|---|
Max. rating1 | F2 tornado |
Fatalities | 7 injuries |
Damage | ≥$25,000 |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
An account by Paul T. Seashore published in the Monthly Weather Review described the development of the conical funnel cloud that led to the first tornado on the afternoon of May 4:[10]
The approaching clouds were scarcely 5 miles away when I first became aware of the tornadic formative disturbance. In a position nearly due north a ragged edge, or that part which appears to an observer as being the bottom of the cloud had in one place dipped lower and had assumed the shape of a V with a slender thread-like appendage swinging from the bottom.
— Paul T. Seashore, "Some Observations Made on the Origin, Growth, and Disappearance of the Tornado Which Passed West of Austin May 4, 1922", Monthly Weather Review (May 1922)
Simonds notes that a clamor began on the campus of the University of Texas as the funnel cloud began to descend to the northwest.
The tornado then blew down or unroofed cabins near Deep Eddy along the Colorado River and denuded or uprooted trees.[1] This included those on the nearby YMCA and Hardy Johnson campgrounds that were largely destroyed.[13][4]: 3 A segment of roofing ripped away from the institute landed at Deep Eddy after traveling airborne for 3 mi (4.8 km).[1] Two people were injured at Deep Eddy. The tornado then crossed the river and produced a narrow path of damage in unpopulated hills southwest of Austin before dissipating.[9][6] An analysis of the tornado's damage published by meteorologist Thomas P. Grazulis in 1990 estimated that it was an F2 tornado on the Fujita scale, with a damage toll amounting to around $25,000;[6] The Austin Statesman attributed at least $50,000 in property damage to the tornado, including $40,000 incurred by the Texas Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute for Colored Youth.[3]: 1 The tornado's path spanned 70 yd (64 m) at its widest and was 9 mi (14 km) long.[14]
Second tornado
F4 tornado | |
---|---|
Max. rating1 | F4 tornado |
Fatalities | 12–13 fatalities, ≥50 injuries |
Damage | ≥$300,000 |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
Morris's account of the second tornado detailed the development of the preceding wall cloud, writing of its "violent churning" and lowering from the broader cloud.[5] This tornado touched down near the Texas State Cemetery on the east side of Austin while the first tornado was in progress and initially moved south-southwest. Trees nearby were uprooted and stripped of their branches while some buildings sustained serious damage:[5][1] one small home on Navasota Street was torn from its foundation and a Gulf Oil gas station on East Sixth Street was unroofed.[15] The tornado toppled a moonlight tower onto the Tenth Ward Fire Station, damaging the building.[1][9] Along the Colorado River, small homes, and outbuildings were damaged as the tornado began to cross the river,[1] pulling a column of water 50 ft (15 m) into the air.[16] Waste from a nearby city landfill was also pulled into the river.[16] The tornado then entered the newly built Travis Heights community, where it unroofed houses and uprooted large trees.[1] Three homes were "wrecked" according to The Austin Statesman and four others were damaged.[4]: 3 The tornado's impacts were not uniform; in some cases, badly damaged buildings were adjacent to those that showed little evidence of the tornado's passage.[1] At the time, the tornado spanned approximately 50 yd (46 m) across.[9] Additional homes were razed before the tornado moved across the campus of St. Edward's University. The third story of a brick dormitory was destroyed, in addition to the campus power plant and gymnasium. One university student was killed after being thrown 300 yd (270 m) by the tornado.[1][17][18] Another four students were injured.[4]: 3 Grazulis lists the damage at the university as totaling approximately $200,000.[6] Debris from the tornado's passage over the campus was recovered as far as 55 mi (89 km) away.[1]
The greatest property toll occurred when the tornado tracked over
-
Remains of a woodworking plant where two people were killed
-
Buildings damaged by trees felled by the tornado
-
A damaged car after being thrown 200 ft (61 m) by the tornado
-
A damaged dormitory at St. Edward's University
Aftermath
Locale | Damage |
---|---|
Woodward Manufacturing Company | $400,000 |
St. Edward's University | $250,000 |
Texas Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute for Colored Youth |
$30,000 |
Deep Eddy | $15,000 |
Travis Heights | $9,000 |
East Austin | $7,500 |
Oak Hill | $500 |
Other locations | $5,000 |
The tornadoes cut off telecommunications with South Austin.
Work crews were dispatched to clear debris around the city.[30]: 1 The reconstruction and repair of damaged homes near Deep Eddy, in East Austin, and in the Travis Heights community began within a few days;[22]: 2 in some cases, contracts for rebuilding were awarded before noon on May 5.[30]: 1 St. Edward's University began a fundraising campaign to accrue $250,000 for repairs to campus buildings.[18] Students were housed in temporary quarters until the end of the school term in June following the damage to the dormitories.[22]: 1 The Woodward Manufacturing Company, once a significant contributor to Austin's economy, transitioned into a furniture company after suffering extensive losses.[20][18]
See also
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- 1953 Waco tornado outbreak
- 1970 Lubbock tornado
Notes
- ^ All monetary values in 1922 United States dollar unless otherwise noted.
- ^ All times in Central Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Simonds, Frederic W. (February 15, 1923). The Austin, Texas, Tornadoes of May 4, 1922 (Report). University of Texas Bulletin. Austin, Texas: University of Texas. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ Bunnemeyer, Bernard (May 1922). "Texas Section" (PDF). Climatological Data. 27 (5). Houston, Texas: Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via National Centers for Environmental Information.
- ^ a b c d e "Cyclones Kill 10". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 330. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. pp. 1–2. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "13 Dead; 44 Injured". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. pp. 1–3. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Curtis, Lon (January 8, 2018). Lessons We Must Learn—Deadly Tornadoes in Central Texas (PDF). 16th History Symposium. Austin, Texas: American Meteorological Society. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 1879362023– via Google Books.
- ^ doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1922)50<268:SLS>2.0.CO;2 – via American Meteorological Society.
- ^ "Top 10 Most Significant Weather Events of the 1900s for Austin, Del Rio and San Antonio and Vicinity" (PDF). New Braunfels, Texas: National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX. December 28, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1922)50<251:TATOM>2.0.CO;2 – via American Meteorological Society.
- – via American Meteorological Society.
- ^ "Wind Disrupts Council Meet; Officials Watch". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 330. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Storm Breaks Up Baseball Game; Fans Scramble For Cover". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 3. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Deep Eddy Is Damaged When Twister Hits". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 8, no. 330. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kimmel, Troy M. Jr. (February 2012). Inclement / Severe Weather and Extreme Temperature / Precipitation / Wildfire / Wind / Pressure / Fog / Sunshine Climatology for the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area (PDF) (Report) (5 ed.). Austin, Texas: University of Texas. p. 7. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Tornado Skirts East Austin; Considerable Damage Done There". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Eastern Wind Does Greatest Austin Damage". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 330. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Baston, Rose V.; Dunn, William H. "St Edward's University". Handbook of Texas. Austin, Texas: Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c Jones, T.Q. (March 3, 2010). "Old Oak Hill: Oak Hill Family swept away by Austin's killer tornado of 1922". Oak Hill Gazette. Austin, Texas. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Leatherwood, Art. "Penn Field". Handbook of Texas. Austin, Texas: Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Zoning Change Review Sheet" (PDF). Austin, Texas: City of Austin. January 12, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "St-Elmo Wiped Out; Number of Persons Slightly Injured". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 3. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "The Woodward Plant to Be Rebuilt". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 339. Austin, Texas. May 6, 1922. pp. 1–2. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Casualties Total Fifty-Seven". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ South Congress Avenue Preservation Plan (Report). Austin, Texas: McGraw Marburger & Associates. February 2002.
- ^ "Relief Headquarters Opened; Red Cross in Charge of Work". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 338. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Generous Aid Given Austin Storm Victims". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 332. Austin, Texas. May 7, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Reconstruction of Woodward Factory Will Be Hastened". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 50, no. 340. Austin, Texas. May 7, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ranger Company Guards at Penn". The Austin Statesman. Vol. 8, no. 330. Austin, Texas. May 5, 1922. p. 1. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Austin Citizens Respond With Gifts For Stricken". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 331. Austin, Texas. May 6, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Debris Yields Two More Bodies; Death Total 12; Workmen Clear Cutter". The Austin American. Vol. 8, no. 331. Austin, Texas. May 6, 1922. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved February 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- GenDisasters: Austin, TX Tornado, May 1922 Archived April 19, 2017, at the Wayback Machine