The Dixie Tornado Outbreak - April 24, 1908

At least 34 tornadoes touched down generally east of the Mississippi River from April 23 through April 26, 1908. These tornadoes generally occurred from Texas to Georgia, then northward from Oklahoma to Tennessee.

The violent storms killed at least 320 people and injured over a thousand citizens. One of the hardest hit communties was Purvis, Mississippi, where the town was completely leveled and 55 citizens lost their lives.

At least four tornadoes touched down in Alabama during this outbreak of severe weather. These tornadoes were responsible for approximately 48 fatalities and at least 260 injuries.

The Walker to Dekalb County Tornado was estimated to be an F4, using the current Fujita Damage Intensity Scale. This devastating F4 tornado touched down near Dora (Walker County) around 240 pm, then continued northeastward until it dissipated near Sylvania ( Dekalb County) around 410 pm. This tornado may have been associated with a family of tornadoes or was one single path. The estimated single tornado damage path would be at least 100 miles long. The width of the damage path varied from around 200 yards to a half mile. Twelve people were killed between Dora and Bergens. Bergens was completely obliterated. Two people were killed in Warrior (Jefferson County), one near Royal (Blount County) and two in Wynnville (Blount County). Fifteen people were killed and at least 150 were injured in Albertville (Marshall County) as half the town was destroyed.

A nine ton oil tank was reportedly carried around one half of a mile near Albertville. A funnel-shaped cloud swept along the entire path of the storm. The cloud was reported to have had a bounding and whirling motion, and to have swept everything from its path where it touched the ground. A loud, rumbling noise was heard from the cloud, which emitted brilliant lightning. Heavy and damaging hail also fell at points to the north of the storm's path. A train that contained 9 freight cars was overturned and destroyed.

There was probably much more damage than documented. Additional loss of life and personal injuries also may have occurred in which no report was received.

The Albertville pictures were provided by Mr. Jerry Cornelius and Mr. Thomas Bodine.