Seven Decades Have Passed Since Killer Storm

This iconic image from the aftermath of the tornado at Otuckalofa appeared in the Memphis Commercial Appeal and was reproduced in the Herald with the original cutline: Gene Bratton finds no cheer, even though this is all that remains of Otuckalofa School.

This automobile, a practically new Chevrolet, be-longed to Prof. E. V. Ferrell, who was instantly killed when the storm splintered the teacher’s home at Otuckalofa. This car was carried three hundred yards and dropped here, a mass of wreckage.

A scene at the emergency hospital at the gymnasium, where storm victims were given first aid treatment. (Left to right) Miss Corrine Wagner ministering to J. J. Hendricks, who cannot be seen. Second cot shows Forest Barber surrounded by neighbors and friends. The third victim is A. E. Mathis being asked by Mrs. Louis Sherwin, “How do you feel?”

OTUCKALOFA – The devastating storm that hit Tillatoba late last week and the outbreak of tornadoes that occurred around the state March 2 are reminders that even late winter Mississippi weather can be deadly.
However, it has been 70 years since the deadliest storm to hit Yalobusha County ripped through the Otuckalofa community and several other locations.
The anniversary of that devastating 1942 storm will be observed this Friday, March 16. The North Mississippi Herald had a complete report of the storm and its aftermath in the March 19, 1942 edition.
On that hot and humid afternoon 16 people were killed, more than 100 people were wounded, 63 homes completely destroyed, 56 home partially destroyed or damaged, and many barns and outbuilding swept away, according to a Red Cross Survey done over the following days.
The storm was part of a freakish system that bent its wrath on five states, killing more than 100 people. It struck with greatest intensity in North Mississippi, the Herald reported. The tornado’s heaviest total destruction was probably in the Otuckalofa community seven miles east of Water Valley where half the Yalobusha fatalities occurred.
The community’s focal points – the school, church and general store – were littered debris scattered around the countyside. The superintendent of the school, E. V. Ferrell, and one of his five-month-old twin daughters were killed instantly. Three members of one family, W. B. Williams and his two granddaughters, were killed nearby.
Before striking Otuckalofa, the storm hit near the Walthal community and the Goshen Church where three people were killed and many wounded. It dipped again between Tillatoba and Scobey killing two more and injuring several.
Traveling northeastward, it struck again just southwest of Water Valley and again about five miles southeast on Hwy. 7 where it splintered the home of J. R. Hodnett, critically wounding him.
The immediate job of caring for the wounded and feeding and sheltering the homeless was undertaken by county citizens, the Herald reported. Represen-tatives of the American Red Cross began arriving quickly and Jane Perry, general field representative and area director, said that she would remain in Water Valley “as long as it takes.”
Also on hand were representatives of the Farm Security Administration, who were offering aid to farm cases where their programs applied.
Wednesday afternoon the last of the patients housed at the city auditorium had either been discharged, moved to private homes, transferred to other hospitals or moved to a temporary hospital established at the WPA Household Aide Home on Thornton Street.
The Water Valley Hospital on Panola Street remained filled to capacity, the Herald stated. Most of those most critically injured had been moved earlier to Memphis hospitals.
School work for the students displaced at Otuckalofa resumed on Thursday, March 19. The first seven grades were brought to Water Valley Grammar School and eighth grade students joined their high school comrades who were already attending classes at Camp Ground.
The Herald reported that there were a number of “freaks of the storm” stories, even a few touches now and then of humor associated with the storm. Plus, there were hundreds of tales and rumors that could not be confirmed.
Herald Editor Jack Dale wrote that one of the most exaggerated tales was the radio report that Water Valley had been wiped out by the storm. Relatives far and near rushed to their telephones to place calls to Water Valley, which swamped the local telephone facilities.
Dale wrote that literally scores of people within the tri-state area, unable to get reassurance by long distance phone, rushed at break-neck speed by automobile. All throughout the night and early morning they arrived, not learning until they reached the scene that relatives here were safe and sound.

First Reports
The first news to reach Water Valley after the storm was that the Hodnett house had been hit. Later, when it was nearly dark, reports from Otuckalofa began reaching town. Commun-ication with that area was nearly impossible because of the numerous trees that had been uprooted and were across the road.
As soon as the road was cleared, the dead and wounded began to arrive in Water Valley. The hospital was quickly filled to overflowing and an emergency hospital was set up in the city auditorium. The Boy Scouts and others acting under the direction of the Red Cross made a hurried house-to-house canvas to secure bed clothing, beds and cots.
Within an hour the emergency hospital was set up and local doctors, assisted by all available nurses in the area and those people who had just completed the Red Cross First Aid course, began  ministering to the wounded.
Calls were made to Oxford, Memphis and other surrounding points, asking for doctors and nurses. Oxford was first to respond with Doctors Cully, Guyton and Abernathy being the first arrivals. Nurses accompanied them from the Oxford Hospital. Ten or more senior medical students from the University also came down.
Eugene Wagner, a native of Water Valley and chairman of the Memphis Red Cross Chapter, happened to be visiting relatives here and quickly got in touch with authorities in Memphis, who quickly organized a first-aid squad of doctors and nurses.
The group arrived in Water Valley by chartered bus bringing much-needed medical supplies, drugs and instruments. More than a half-dozen ambulances from Memphis also responded to the call for help.
By 2 a.m. the situation was declared well in hand, Dale wrote.
Despite the excitement and hubbub, there was comparative calm as the wounded were treated. One volunteer said: “The little children who were wounded seemed to be the bravest of all. Though some were suffering from terrible head wounds and had been separated from their parents, they were brave and uncomplaining.”

Additional information about the storm is in the Herald Columnists section of this website in “Look Back in Yalobusha History” and “Reflections.”