The April 23-24, 1908 tornado outbreak was one of the deadliest, most widespread, and devastating tornado outbreaks in American history. The outbreak was associated with a deep, long-lived, and large weather system that spawned tornadoes in two main areas; the Deep South, and the Sioux River Valley.
The most notable tornado of the Sioux River Valley sector of the outbreak was the Pender NE F5. This violent tornado completely swept away a two-story well-built farmhouse killing 3 people at that location. Other farms were devastated but no other fatalities were reported.
On the same day as the F5, in TX, a violent F4 tornado passed through the town of Deport, devastating the eastern side. Many homes were leveled, some being "torn to fragments" with debris being scattered for miles.
On April 24th, the outbreak would reach its climax as multiple long-tracked violent tornadoes would devastate the Deep South.
The first violent event begin near Richland LA and would move into MS. Despite never hitting any towns, this tornado would kill 91 people which is likely one of the highest rural death totals in tornado history. In the Mississippi River Valley area, the devastation was at its worse. The area resembled a "deserted battlefield" with shrubs being torn up and numerous homes including large plantation mansions being leveled.
Near Weiss LA, a massive and extremely violent tornado would develop and move through the towns of Amite and Purvis. In Amite, multiple homes were reported to have been obliterated with not a trace of them being found with the exception of garments half a mile away. A corrugated iron tank was carried a half-mile, a handcar was thrown 400 ft, and >29 people were killed in Amite alone. The tornado then crossed in MS and leveled most of Purvis. Here, ~9% (55 people) of the town's population was killed. Trees were snapped off near ground level, some homes reportedly vanished, and only 7 buildings in town were left standing. The tornado would eventually dissipate in Wayne County MS. 143 people were killed by this tornado making it one of the deadliest in history.
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The 3rd violent tornado of this event was the first one in AL. The tornado passed through mostly sparsely populated areas of northern AL. However, two towns would be hit hard by this massive tornado; Bergens, and Albertville. In Bergen, all but 3 buildings were destroyed. Heavy railcar parts were carried 100 ft, and the railroad buildings were completely destroyed. In Albertville, the tornado likely reached peak intensity. A 9-ton oil tank was reportedly carried a half-mile, and multiple homes were leveled. 35 people were killed.
The final violent tornado moved from near Bluffton AL to Cave Spring GA. Not a home was reportedly left standing in the tornado's path as it leveled multiple homes. 11 people were killed.
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